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New hardtail, upgrading from the '80s

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New hardtail, upgrading from the '80s

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flag jjpeterberger
O+
Posted: Dec 11, 2019 at 21:50 Quote
Hello Everyone,
So I’m finally moving into the 21st century, mountain bike wise. I’ve been riding a fully rigid Raleigh Technium since I bought it in 1987. I haven’t been on it too much in the past few years but the bug has bit me again and now I’m looking to jump into the deep end.

Not completely deep though. I’ll already be dealing with slacker head angles, tubless tires, 1x drivetrains, handlebars that could steer the Titanic, dropper posts...I’m only going to go so far, only hardtails are being considered. I’ve test ridden a Santa Cruz 5010 for a weekend and loved it but my taste in bikes and my budget lie squarely in the hard tail range.

I love riding all kinds of terrain, short of big jump lines and pure gravity trails. I started when all there was to ride were the trails in the Pacific NW that had been there for decades.

I’ve narrowed it down to 3 models and I’m looking for thoughts and opinions. I’m sold on 27.5 2.5-2.6 being a sweet spot for wheels and tires. From most to least expensive, I’m looking at:

1. Kona Big Honzo St $2400
it’s steel ;-} and tics all the component boxes and current standards I’m happy to start with

2. Whyte 905 $1900
Pike upgrade instead of Revelation shock, 170mm cranks vs probable 175mm for Kona, 180mm rotors F and R, price

3. Vitus Sentier VRS $1600
Shimano shifting with SRAM brakes, 170mm cranks, 140mm vs 130mm shock (130 more than enough), 180mm rotors F and R, PRICE

Keep in mind, I know components can and will be changed/upgraded going forward. I’ve been a shop mechanic in the past and have maintained all our bikes for a few decades.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated,
Jay
flag undescended
Posted: Dec 14, 2019 at 22:42 Quote
Of these, Whyte 905 would be my choice. If spending 2400+, the Whyte T-130 or comparable DTC FS bike....Jeffsy, Spectral...
flag nj82tj
Posted: Jan 23, 2020 at 11:14 Quote
I'm currently going down this path...it's been long and winding but I've come to a decision...I'm building a Chromag Wideangle frame up. I should fall just under the $2500 mark too when all is said and done (with help from ebay, and PB classified section). There were a few builds out there that I liked, but I was going to have to make some upgrades anyway so, custom build. But, if you're sticking to the list of 3, I'd vote for the Kona.
flag Tjomball
FL
Posted: Feb 12, 2020 at 16:44 Quote
Check the classifieds.
Bought several bikes that way.
And with your budget you can pick up a true top spec bike secondhand.
flag rahrider
Posted: Feb 24, 2020 at 22:19 Quote
The Kona has Geo from 5 years ago. At that price get a cromag. The virus is similarly old angles. The whyte is the best of those options Imo. I have similar Geo on my hardtail and personally would like a longer reach, but it is still good fun. I have owned a honzo (5 years ago) and it was decidedly less fun than my 64 deg hta current bike.
flag alpinecycles
Posted: Mar 6, 2020 at 11:12 Quote
try looking at the RSD middle child. there is a ti and steel version. (140-150mm fork on the bike)
flag DHhack
Posted: Mar 13, 2020 at 18:41 Quote
sangier wrote:
try looking at the RSD middle child. there is a ti and steel version. (140-150mm fork on the bike)

Seconded. Built up a steel one last summer for under $2000.
flag oldmanhardtail
Posted: May 10, 2020 at 15:45 Quote
I’m in pretty much exactly the same position as you. Rode and raced all the through the 80s and 90s and even had a stint getting bikes sent to me from Kona in the 90s (probably more from being friends than my prowess). Literally haven’t touched an MTB since 1998 and in the last two months as my young son has progressed to loving mellow single track, the bug has bit me again, hard. After looking at all the options I decided on steel, hardtail, 27.5/29 flexibility and about a 140/150 fork. I went with a frame and build scenario as like you I can wrench, and build to suit. I looked at Chromag (from my backyard), RSD, NS Bikes, Marino, a Honzo, and went with the NS Eccentric steel. Just finishing the build using CL and Pink and have built a dream bike for about $1750. It’s been a crash course working through new wheel standards, 1x drivetrains, 64/65 HTAs, and loooong wheelbases. Go for a boutique frame and build!!
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