Hardtails

[SubPlop]

I'm looking to buy a new 2007 hardtail for next season. I enjoy riding the Shore as well as the Valley trails and I also like riding lift-access places like Whistler and Silver Star. Nowadays there aren't alot of full on freeride hardtails around but there are alot of promising looking all-mountain hardtails.

I was wondering if I get one of the all-mountain ones and take it up to Whistler, will it hold up? I really don't like the idea of the head tube snapping off on Dirt Merchant. I weigh 175 and am usually pretty smooth.

Bikes I have in mind so far are:
Norco Sasquatch
Brodie Brute
Brodie Hellion
Specialized P.All Mountain
Devinci Hucker
Jamis Komodo 2
GT Ruckus Trail 2
Marin Rocky Ridge
Haro Escape Comp
Iron Horse Yakuza Chimpira
Rocky Mtn Flow Raw

So far the ones I really like are the Sasquatch and the Hucker, mainly cause of the 6" 20mm axle forks but also cause I'm not sure about the whole "all mountain; lighter is better" thing. The Sasquatch costs only $1200, and looks like a really solid bike for the money. My price range goes from about $1100-$1300. Your input will be appreciated.

Austin

[Dean W]

Bang for the buck you cannot beat the Sasquatch.

[roasterthetoaster]

^What he said.

[Nelson]

I would buy a nice frame and build it out of used quality parts. Nothing sucks more than having awesome parts on a frame you're not super stoked on.

Check out a chromag stylus frame...I've got one built up as an all mountain bike, but it's totally burly enough to handle whistler...

http://photos.nsmb.com/files/2/0/5/5/4/PICT0044.JPG

[Straw]

Get a steel hardtail. At Whislter you'll appreciate how it takes the edge off bumps. The harsh washboard braking bumps on DM and ALine can be tiresome.

I rode an 02 balfa Minuteman in the park for two seasons, and it survived, and it's still in great shape.

[0_o]

Consider a Banshee Sirocco.

[RossputiN]

I think the Brodie Brute is a good choice. I ride the '04 Brute up at Whistler each year and love it. It is tiring riding a hardtail all day in the bike park, no matter what the material, but a steel frame like Straw recomends is probably sound advice.

[connor]

I would buy a nice frame and build it out of used quality parts. Nothing sucks more than having awesome parts on a frame you're not super stoked on.

Check out a chromag stylus frame...I've got one built up as an all mountain bike, but it's totally burly enough to handle whistler...

http://photos.nsmb.com/files/2/0/5/5/4/PICT0044.JPG

unfortunatly the frame price of Chromags is pretty close to his whole budget..

PS where do you live? I'm totally going to come steal it..

[Nelson]

Most shops are selling the stylus for $700 for the frame....

[guss chiggens]

Get a steel hardtail. At Whislter you'll appreciate how it takes the edge off bumps. The harsh washboard braking bumps on DM and ALine can be tiresome.

I rode an 02 balfa Minuteman in the park for two seasons, and it survived, and it's still in great shape.


ya the minuteman is a great bike. strong as fuck. i plan on having it forever. good luck finding one though. the cromags look pretty good too. never ridden one but they look pretty slick.

[Acadian]

I would buy a nice frame and build it out of used quality parts. Nothing sucks more than having awesome parts on a frame you're not super stoked on.

Check out a chromag stylus frame...I've got one built up as an all mountain bike, but it's totally burly enough to handle whistler..

Chromag also gets my vote!!:rocker:

of course, that's if it's in your budget...

[sdwkubed]

I couldnt agree more on building up a steel hardtail. They take the harshness out of the bumps (I know that seems like a contradiction in terms for a hardtail, but it really seems to make a difference)

My vote is for an Azonic Steelhead frame, and good quality used parts. You'll easily build it up for your budget, and you'll have some sweet parts on it.

I took a couple of months to build mine, only bought deals, and built it up with Hadley hubs, d321 rims, x9 drivetrain, diabolous cranks, Firefly fork, all good used stuff, for about $1500. The frame was only $250 shipped to Canada. I finished the bike a couple of years ago, and I've loved it ever since, its lasted through tons of street riding, Shore, drops to flat, and spent a year as my only bike... I almost prefer it to my Demo 8 up in Whistler.

Have Fun
T

[DrewM]

I couldnt agree more on building up a steel hardtail. They take the harshness out of the bumps (I know that seems like a contradiction in terms for a hardtail, but it really seems to make a difference)


I'll buy that if we are talking about a Rocky Blizzard, A Dekerf 853 team, a Chromag Sakura... maybe (maybe) a Samurai. OR any number of steel XC hardtails

But this whole "steel takes the edge off" line of thinking is crap when it comes to Freeride/DJ hardtails.

I've owned a ton of hardtails, including the afore mentioned 4130 Balfa Minute Man. The Minute man was one of the best frames I've owned but there is no way it was any less stiff then the aluminum frame I'm riding now.

The best part about the steel frames I've owned is that they have had much better tire clearance without having to add the weight etc. of a 150mm rear hub. Better clearance = higher volume tire = actually makes a difference in the harshness of your ride.

[Dean W]

Nelson,

Why are you riding a "CHPOMAG"?? and not a CHROMAG??

http://photos.nsmb.com/files/2/0/5/5/4/PICT0044.JPG

[shore-two-four]

if you can get your hands on a good 243fr second hand and build her up nice.

[freerider-1]

I'd say the Sasquatch. It's an awesome bike for the price. Works well for everything, with the focus on shore and downhill riding. Nice and burly too.

[atb]

buy my brute frame, it's brand new, and is the same as the 2007 frame. $200.

[Chuck D. Railer]

I'll buy that if we are talking about a Rocky Blizzard, A Dekerf 853 team, a Chromag Sakura... maybe (maybe) a Samurai. OR any number of steel XC hardtails

But this whole "steel takes the edge off" line of thinking is crap when it comes to Freeride/DJ hardtails.

I've owned a ton of hardtails, including the afore mentioned 4130 Balfa Minute Man. The Minute man was one of the best frames I've owned but there is no way it was any less stiff then the aluminum frame I'm riding now.

The best part about the steel frames I've owned is that they have had much better tire clearance without having to add the weight etc. of a 150mm rear hub. Better clearance = higher volume tire = actually makes a difference in the harshness of your ride.

I rock a Chromag Gypsy and the main difference I find from my old aluminum hardtails is that it's way more springy and supple, instead of just being solid.
I can load up the frame in hard corners and really feel the springyness shooting you out of the corner. It makes the tires hook up better, too.
In other words, it has flavour instead of feeling bland. It also lasts 10x longer.

Plus, you get about 30% more style in your riding from a full chromag setup. :fu:

[sdwkubed]

I'll buy that if we are talking about a Rocky Blizzard, A Dekerf 853 team, a Chromag Sakura... maybe (maybe) a Samurai. OR any number of steel XC hardtails

But this whole "steel takes the edge off" line of thinking is crap when it comes to Freeride/DJ hardtails.

I've owned a ton of hardtails, including the afore mentioned 4130 Balfa Minute Man. The Minute man was one of the best frames I've owned but there is no way it was any less stiff then the aluminum frame I'm riding now.

The best part about the steel frames I've owned is that they have had much better tire clearance without having to add the weight etc. of a 150mm rear hub. Better clearance = higher volume tire = actually makes a difference in the harshness of your ride.


I'd agree that the old XC steel bikes are even smoother, I used to always steal (no pun intended) my brothers Kona chromoly bike and rip on that, I loved it for the feel that it gave, it had a personality. But the new style frames still have some of that feel, granted they arent as soft as they used to be but they aren't as rigid or unforgiving as the Al frames either (atleast the ones that I've ridden.) But that is a personal thing. My bikes is still rigid as hell, but there is more life to it then any Al frame that I've ever ridden. But then again, that is just a personal thing.

I'd also 2nd the vote on a used .243 racing frame... that'll be the replacement for the Azonic, if it ever dies.

Have Fun
T

[Nelson]

Nelson,

Why are you riding a "CHPOMAG"?? and not a CHROMAG??

http://photos.nsmb.com/files/2/0/5/5/4/PICT0044.JPG

sticker came off! I've since cut out a strip of balck electrical tape, made it a chromag again and covered the entire frame in clear protective sticker sheeting. The bike just rips!

[J-Dawg]

I would put myself on a Banshee Scirocco it can take a 7" fork with no problems and they have that 10 year warranty. My friend has one and loves it, he does more on it than he did on his Enduro. The frame is around $650 can, but the whole bike is around $2000.

I rode a Kona Cowan with a Z150 for 2 years, it was my everything bike. It got me buy and i would build it up to do everything again if I had to. its almost built as a street/dj, just a couple of more parts.

I would go for the Norco if thats what you can afford and you won't put alot of $$ into upgrades right of the bat.