So many great bikes in this category ...and I only touched on the less expensive ones! What's your favorite hardtail? Are you a diehard or do you prefer a full squish bike?
I've always gotten a hardon from a good hardtail... I'm currently working on/riding a 2020 Specialized Rockhopper (The Elite trim level, painted matte black, with glossy black lettering), and it's been great. Got an XS size and removed the travel limit from the Rockshox Judy Air fork to take it from 80mm of travel, to 120mm. Added benefit of changing the head tube angle to 64°. Over forking, is under rated. The story so far; 170mm dropper, raceface Chester pedals, Maxxis assegai in the back, DHR2 up front (I know those tires are meant to be installed the other way 'round. I really feel strongly that Maxxis are the one's 'have got it backward.), cushcore in the rear, Snafu lock on grips ($10 from Walmart. I still feel rather pleased with that purchase.), Muc-off oilslick tubeless valves, a couple of USB rechargeable lights for being all visible and stuff after dark. As well as a top tube bag, tool pouch, U-lock on the frame. I'm always eyeballing new things for my hardtail, but I'm working on getting what I've got so far 'dialed in' a bit better before I go buying more things to put on. So I like to see you try out different hardtail related things, as it helps generate ideas for projects for mine.
@@Omnonymous That's quite a setup! I think the Rockhopper would benefit from that extra travel. Seems a little under forked stock. Assegais are on the back of a lot of Enduro and DH bikes (usually with Assegai up from too.) If the combo works, more power to you. 🙌 Both great tires. We'll be doing more hardtail stuff this year. Builds, upgrades, hacks etc. Ive got a list. Just need the time to make em.
which of these shown bikes would you recommend for an aditional bike packing use? I want a trail hardtail to ride on trails but also want to go bike packing from time to time.
For what its worth, I recently bought the RM Growler 40 and its been awesome! Highly recommend if you are into hardtails but love downhill. Bike is so snappy in the air, feels like a BMX bike and a downhill bike had a love child. Outstanding for jump trails, but still climbs well (climbing was my biggest concern during my search). Was a big relief to discover this bike climbs almost as good my old XC (tight techy climbs are not quite as easy as its longer and heavier than the XC, but still very doable even with the modern geo). Hope this info helps anyone that is searching for a "progressive" hardtail. Thanks again for the great reviews Adrenaline!
I own a 21’ Marin San Quentin 3 and absolutely love it! I can ride almost every trail my buddies ride with their hardcore enduro rigs. I added flat tire defenders tire inserts and converted to tubeless. I upgrade the bars, stem, grips, and pedals. It’s so fun on flow trails and jump lines!
I own a Stoic4 for a year now, great bike... great for aggressive trails and has a sweet handling... the brakes are good, but with an upgrade of EBC HH pads on it, I have all the stopping power needed. Fully recommended!!!
That '21 Nukeproof Scout is still being sold on Wiggle for $1119. It's been available at that price for at least the last couple weeks or so and they've sold out in the small and large frame sizes but surprisingly the mediums are still available in both the 29 and 27.5 versions, at least at the moment, with only one left in 27.5. Seems like it's about as good a deal as it's gonna get at that price point if someone doesn't mind going with a '21 and looking to save some $$. The '22 model is $1600 and out of stock.
@@AdrenalineIsLife quick question as I'm immediately building it into a "DHT" do you happen to know if I can squeeze a 3.0 plus tire in the back or just a 2.8? I already got a 160mm fork to slach the hta to 63°. It's gonna get nasty. 🤣🤙
@Mathew Bascom a 29 x 3 is a big tire! You might be able to squeeze a small knob tire back there, but you'll potentially give up some traction and mud clearance. A 2.8 is still a big tire. You could always run a 3.0 up front if your fork allows it. Good luck with your build!
@@AdrenalineIsLife you might be right on a slightly smaller tire in the rear. If you look at my channel you'll see the type of stuff I'll be riding it on. Lol. I really just want to see what the plus tires are all about and figured I might as well jump all the way in there and find out. I might end up blowing through them and reverting back to DH casing minion/assegai's. We'll see, I'm looking forward to the project.
@Mathew Bascom I checked out some of your vids. I would do Assegai/Minion. They're basically designed for California downhills. Especially mid summer riding.
that Nukeproof at 1:19 is the carbon copy of the one I bought in June. I have a Pike not a Lyrik though. Super geo (for me) and I changed the brakes and drivetrain just because I could. I was on budget for a full squisher but decided I really don't need it. At 50 and mostly riding big mountain XC or singletracks forest runs twice to three times a week so this is sufficient and plenty more. Great channel! Happy Trails.
@@AdrenalineIsLife my confidence level on that beast is high which is everything when you are getting up there in years and boy oh boy do I feel ready on that bike. thanks and be well.
I noticed on Wiggle some '21 model Vitus hardtails have been marked down quite a bit and are currently in stock. The '21 Rapide VR XC bike for example, which is one I purchased from them last summer for $1400, just a few days ago was marked down from $1500 to I think $1039. It's going for $1349 right now at the moment so the price seems to be moving almost daily while they're clearing out their old stock of '21 models. But even at $1349 it's something to seriously consider for someone looking for an entry to mid XC bike because the '22 model's price has been bumped up to $1900 and as far as I can tell, the '22 model is a recolor only with all specs and frame exactly the same as the '21. The more popular Vitus trail hardtails like the Nucleus and Sentier were also significantly marked down when the Rapide was at $1039 a few days ago. Not sure where they are at now but those also appear to just be recolors with the '22 models. A person would stand to save a pretty good amount of cash going with a '21 while they are still around.
Hello, you´re missing the Orbea Laufey, GT Zaskar, Salsa Timberjack, also already mention Giant Fathon, Speciliazed Fuse. I have an Orbea Loki which it´s before the Laufey, but I hope to buy a Dartmoor Hornet frame, when I have the chance. Great video!!
I picked up a Big Al last year (frame), before that I had been riding a Niner ROS 9 since 2015. I like the purple on my Big Al, but the 2022 graphite and mango is something else.
I bought the candy apple red last year. It is an absolute beast on the trails. Both up and down. I love it! And that red is something else when it gets in the sun.
I just ordered the graphite one. I loved that purple frame by looks in pics! All my parts are Hope/RF purple tho so hoping they look good on the dark graphite frame when it gets here!
The Laufey is a nice bike with a good frame and geometry. It's a little more expensive than its competitors but a good bike. Especially if you can get a discount.
Polygon Xtrada 6 also can be a Hardcore Hardtal. Y build one with 140mm Rockshox 35 Gold RL and an Angleset -1.5 from canecreek, now is 65°. Also I got a DT Swiss 350 36t hub from aliexpress for 125 usd
That Canyon is a sleeper. They really did their homework on that one. Anytime you want to do a hardtail lmk. You're more than welcome to borrow one of mine. I'll even let a little bit of air out of the tires for you. 😀
@@AdrenalineIsLife, I will be taking you up on that... LOL I also appreciate you including rim width in your breakdown. I have gone to a wider rim to reduce tire fold and get better traction when cornering. is it me or does the industry seem to be trending to wider rims? Or am I just behind the times and it has been the standard for a while?? I was running 21mm and went to 31mm. Much more hapiness!
@@MTBTrailSherpa the industry has been definitely moving to wider rims for the last few years. Even on XC bikes. That extra traction is good for most riders and reduces broken rims.
One caveat with the new trek is it has bottle cage tabs on the seat tube that protrude into the seat tube so your limited on dropper insertion and might get locked at a lower travel dropper than you prefer.
@@AdrenalineIsLife medium is @130mm and everything larger is 150mm which is sufficient enough for me but would be nice to do a 170 on a hardtail. Nice video comparison though of some good options.
I'm on the Gt zaskar lt expert. fantastic bike. the frame is designed around a 140mm fork but they do come with a 130mm rockshox 35rl gold. definitely worth a look. I'm very impressed so far.
Stif Squatch is possibly the raddest hardtail in exsistance right now. 29er, steel, slack head and steep seat. 80mm BB drop and 2.6 clearance on rear. Come on now!!
Great video!!.. Only I was looking for a HARDCORE hardtail!! LOL Where is the 170-200mm travel and 61.5-63 deg HA bikes? Seriously though, A killer informational video
Take a look at the Canfield Brothers Yelli Screamy. Great colors and various builds for the budget. I'm looking at getting one for my wife since she doesn't do the gnarly trails like me.
The Chameleon has always been a great bike. The 2022 frame is excellent and well engineered. It's easy to run different configurations like single speed for example. The new geometry is nice and balanced. Its not a cheap bike. You will not get as good a part spec as some other brands for the same money but you will have a really nice versatile bike. Glad you enjoyed the video! 🙂
TBH. I'm not too familiar with it. I went to Haro's website and the specs seem reasonable for the cost. Lots of Shimano parts and it has boost thru axles. The geometry is relatively modern. Haro has been around a while. If you're buying locally, it's a good idea to throw a leg over one and see how it feels to you. In my view, there's nothing on that bike that would impede a casual rider.
The bikes on the market are all within an acceptable range. So it really boils down to rider size, personal preference and riding style. I personally like a short chainstay and a long but appropriate size reach. I've got shorter legs so that lets me get behind the rear axle easier. I prefer the setup to be more playful.
Great list and insight. Nice to see hardtails getting some love. But why not the Giant Fathom? Seems most either don’t know about it or just over look it.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. I was trying to highlight bikes that are good spec for the money. The Fathom was ok but I'm not familiar with the fork which is an important part on a hardtail. I'd like to get my hands on one to test. Hopefully as supplies get back to normal, that will happen.
@@AdrenalineIsLife thanks for the response. I’ve asked other reviewers and seems that’s the same response. House branded forks is a bold move. Look forward to seeing more hardtail content. Cheers!
@@AdrenalineIsLife the frame should be the start. A review of the previous frame with slightly different geometry said it was a stiff bike. Pretty much too stiff. I do not think they changed much
i wanted a scout 275 but no-one in the country had one so i opted for the Vitus Sentier wow what a bike does everything i want it too and more so much unlocked potential to discover, the stock tyres are great (tubeless) the fork is doing well but its going to be replaced with a Marzocchi bomber z2 and the brakes will be upgraded to top of the line shimano or hope with the front rotor swapping out to 203
This is the category my next bike purchase will be. I want a 27.5 wheel bike though, to be different from my full sus 29er. Seeing a lot of love for Ragley in that area, I will have to see how availability in Canada works out. Shipping might be crazy. I keep forgetting that Marin is not a department store brand! Since it is sold by the local powerboat / snow machine / ATV parts supply store, and put together by students who don’t know bikes, I forget to consider them. I could probably by one from another part of the country, or have my local shop do a pre ride inspection on it. I was looking for a video to kind of list a bunch of bikes worth Googling, and this delivered.
Marin has an odd distribution model but the bikes are solid. I've been riding a Ragley Marley since 2019 and I love it. Also take a look at the Dartmoor Primal. I didn't include it in the video because of availability but the North American distributor is based in Toronto. ZM Cycle and Fitness. Glad you found the video helpful. Good luck in your search.
I have bird zero am, 27.5, designed around 160mm fork, 64 deg ha. Blast to ride. The only downside if you can call it that is you have to purchase from them direct and they are in the UK. Their warranty is rock solid even transferable to next owner in the first two years. I had a frame replaced and live on the other side of the world from them.
I was lucky enough to nab a 2020 vitus nucleus vrs. I upgraded to a dropper. I actually enjoy it more then a 2018 Santa Cruz 5010 that I owned. It’s held up so far, and is more appropriate for my abilities and much easier to climb nor cal hills with.
Great video. I’m trying to decide between the canyon stoic and a commencal meta ht. I had a fuse for a while but it was too big for me. An xs canyon or 27.5 meta will fit the bill.
For the price I feel there are better options for the money. Giant is one of the few companies that manufacturers it's own bikes. There are a lot of Giant branded parts on the bike and I'm not familiar with them. This is one bike I'd like to get ahold of to test .
The Fuse is a nice platform that's versatile and well designed. The adjustable dropouts are a nice touch. My only issue is at $2300 US they don't give you much spec for the money. I personally would take the frame only option and build one. You may be able to get a better price than MSRP now as it looks like bike sales are slowing down a bit.
@@AdrenalineIsLife Just threw down on a Growler 40, so pumped! Your review really helped me make a tough decision, Growlers going to be perfect for the type of riding I like. again, thank you for sharing the knowledge.
Great video Man. What's your height?. I'm in the middle of picking my correct size. I am around 165cm height can't decide if I should get a s or m size bike. Thanks man
Thanks. I'm 175cm. At 165cm, a size small the most likely size. Different brands can size differently but all will have a sizing guide to help you find the right size.
Im planning to get the stoic 2. But unsure which size should i get. Im 5'7 with 29 inseam. Canyon website suggest a small. But i want a 29er. 29er starts with a size M. Do you think if a go with a medium will it be to big for me? Thanks
You might have issues with standover height, comfort and general control of the bike. If you must have 29in wheels you might want to look at a different bike. A lot of companies will spec 27.5in on the smaller sizes.
I’m 5’9 with 32 inches inseam and it put me on a medium.. I got a size Large! Feel’s perfect! I have long ass arms so the extra reach was needed! Don’t be afraid to size up! Unless you have t-Rex arms!🤣
@@AdrenalineIsLife haha that's funny... I've been on my marin for 2yrs now..it's great but never felt really comfortable on it... Marin recommended a size large when I talked with them, wished I got a medium... I ordered a medium marley frame, hopefully it fits better!
@@eriksdodges853 the sizing with the San Quentin has been a bit wierd. I bought the Medium frame. Based on their sizing guide, I'm 2inches too tall for it but the geo is correct for me. Very similar to my Medium Marley.
@@AdrenalineIsLife yeah I really think if I ordered a medium frame from the beginning I wouldn't be changing things up now. I almost pulled the trigger on a new medium SQ frame but decided to try something different. Wanted an RSD middlechild but not available right now.
Best bang for your buck, Vitus Sentier. I did a lot of research before buying mine. It’s a beast. I’ll be moving to full suspension this year and will have to let it go but I’m sure I’ll miss it .
Which aggresive value hardtail would you recommend other than the stoic 4 as the shipping to my country, Singapore, is sgd 350+ which is quite a lot and right now the small sizes are out of stock.
The Trek Roscoe and Marin San Quentin are good options and are available in Singapore. The Merida suggested is also a good option that I didn't think about.
At regular price, it's an ok deal... but it's half off right now which makes it a fantastic deal. Geometry of this bike makes it a good all rounder. At $750 this one is a no brainer.
Question, if you are going to buy just a bike frame, why not just get a cheap one since all the moving parts are going to be purchased and installed later? Does the frame actually do anything on it's own?
Frames are all different actually. Geometry and frame spec vary from brand to brand. Even within the same brand there can be differences. The frame is the most important part of the bike. A properly selected and fit frame will be noticeably more enjoyable to ride. Luckily there are lots of nice inexpensive frames out there to do a frame up build.
@@AdrenalineIsLife Ty for that straiggtforward answer. If u dont mind, id like to ask if u can follow me baci in my channel. I will really appreciate it.
@@AdrenalineIsLife As far as sizes, Bikes online shows Medium 5'4-5'7 and Large 5'7-5'9. i am 5'7 should i take the medium or large? I went to a lokal store here in Maryland and they only have Large. I sat on it and feels like my Large 2017 Marin Mount Vision 5. Can i still adjust the seat height lower maybe?
For example, I love my Dartmoor Primal with 27.5 plus tyres (3“ front, 2.8 rear) There’s a other model they have, the Dartmoor Hornet, which is known to be very affordable and hardcore. Ride safe 🤙🏼
@@AdrenalineIsLife Do it! I ride 2020 hornet and it's great. 2022 model can have up to 180mm travel fork, so you can even fit a double crown in there like these old freeride hardtails :D.
Have you had time to test any of them now? The shop near me just got one roscoe 9 inn and I’m looking for growler 40 or 50! What would your choice be out of these 3?
Unfortunately, it's been hard to get demo bikes to test with all the supply chain issues. Looks like that's changing though. The Growler is a fantastic bike. The 50 is a much better option spec wise than the 40. The Roscoe 9 has a very nice spec but I haven't ridden the new Roscoe yet.
@@AdrenalineIsLife thank you here in Ontario the trek is going for $3499. And the grower 50 $2899. Just not sure if specs are that much better for an extra $700. Will be my first higher end hardtail.
@@davestadnik8739 functionally, I would say no. The biggest difference is the wheelset. The Trek has a high engagement rear hub that is the biggest difference but not a $700 difference.
Am lucky enough to have big groups of mates who I ride with, they only the rocky mountian growler I haven't had a go on in this list, sonder is unique in feel, but I recommend Planet X bikes the "Jack flash" and "Hello Dave" 👌 beasts.... Cotic, Orange, Stanton and Dartmoor need serious consideration to, price relative though these aren't "cheap" bikes
I saw the the Hello Dave frame was on sale for a great price. Definitely a contender. Very nice looking frame. The next list will feature more of the higher end bikes like the Cotic, Orange etc.
For this category I look for bikes that meet certain geometry and spec requirements with at least one lower priced entry level option. The brands are actually well established and highly regarded in the industry. Bikes are such a common item, it's hard to know all the brands. I regularly discover established brands I never heard of.
@@AdrenalineIsLife oh true just checked prices. I was lucky to get a frame for cheap and built it up myself. Jeff kendal weed said its not a good jumpbike but I managed to set it up for me in way that it feels like a dirt jumper to me . When we go on flow jump trails i leave my full suspension bikes at home. So much fun
The Bobcat trail is nice. There are a few great choices. I made a video about bikes under $1000. Hope this helps. th-cam.com/video/L_k39IoPgO4/w-d-xo.html
@@PinkEyeToh In my opinion, for under $1000, the Xtrada 6 is hard to beat. The spec level is very good, the geometry is modern, it's boost spacing and it's very upgradable.
@@AdrenalineIsLife well the cube is actually a cross country bike but the specialized rockhopper is too aggressive to be cross country, so yea idk , i would put them because they are some of the best starter bikes
The Marley is my personal bike. There will be a Ragley and Nukeproof specific video coming. Full 2022 bikes were not announced when the video came out.
No love for the Giant "Fathom 1" ???? The fathom 2 at $1500 and the fathom 1 at $1800, sure it's over the $1,200 mark you put on the rest of these bikes, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than the $2,300 you mentioned for the Santa Cruz. It's that intermediate ground that I think people should really understand with the top end components that are on the giant bikes. The fathom one has a SRAM eagle and NX derailleur for 2022, four piston breaks, $70 in maxxis rubber, and the new Crest LS air fork at 130 mm travel.... Squeezing at 28 lb, an absolute mountain goat with the 52 tooth climbing gear.... Both the fathom one and two are not king of the sprint, dear God do they handle trails like a full suspension.
Thanks for commenting. I've been getting a lot of comments about not including the Fathom. It looks to be a great value. I have no experience with the proprietary fork which is why it didn't make the list. I think it warrants a closer look in a future video.
@@AdrenalineIsLife It really is and thank you for your reply, now that I've had some decent weather and was able to hit trails the last couple weeks, I'm increasingly falling in love with this bike. Also besides some of the issues I've read about the new Crest fork I have also read where some people who weren't very familiar with mountain bikes bought this bike and didn't realize that brakes creek as well as on a few the headset was not tightened to correct spec and was making noise during suspension actuation. No I haven't seen anything come out for the 2022s on suspension noise or front fork noise. And the only feedback anyone's gotten about the 2021 and 2020 Crest fork with making noise was zero failure rate It seems that a check ball in the dampener was making the clicking noise as it was reported.
@@mikeyskitchenfoodporn1171 I can imagine with anything new there are bugs. I suspect the proprietary fork will be a better performer than the typical forks spec'd in this category.
@@AdrenalineIsLife The Crest forks even the newest one for 2022 still have the warning sticker not intended for downhill use. But you're 100% on the money, I can't imagine anything else at this price point coming with anything else but a spring fork.
@@mikeyskitchenfoodporn1171 That's unsurprising. The only forks rated for downhill are dual crown forks. They're likely referring to true gnarly downhill tracks. Every brand has some warning like that. Most good forks are plenty strong for their intended use. Even the cheapest Suntours.
I live in BC... BC is the home of Norco.... There isn't a Norco Torrent S.1 in stock anywhere within a 500km radius of my home... Nor will there be anytime soon.
@@AdrenalineIsLife Right?! As a brand loyalist, for over 30 years. I'm feeling quite disappointed in my go to brand. I understand they are like every other bike company, in these current times, with supply and demand issues. But they unlike other companies haven't even addressed the issue, in any sort of media release or statement. They are quite fine to push their two flagship models, the Range and new Ebikes. But not a peep about anything else. Again I get it. But it leaves a sour taste in my mouth, as someone who has spent tens of thousands of dollars, over the last three decades on their products.... It has me looking elsewhere for a new hardtail, and will likely snatch the next available one, despite the brand. Looking hard at the new Knolly Tynaughton.
@@JustJake77 it's too bad about Norco's communication. I've always liked that brand They always offered something for every budget. The Knolly you're looking at is gorgeous. Dare I say very Chromag like but even more aggressive. I always forget about companies like Knolly. Thanks for reminding me. [now I want one 😃]
How’s this bike? I’m new to mountain bikes trail bikes. Is the the best bike for the price like should it be a lot more? Why should I get this one? Just looking at all different bikes hard to know which to pick! Thanks
@@AdrenalineIsLife what you think on this bike? Compared to those in this video which one does it compare to? And are they higher priced for similar spec as the bizango? Thanks
@@richardlittle9975 it's a very good spec for the money. Geometry of the bike puts it more in the Xc/downcountry category. Similar to the Polygon Xtrada. If you are new to mountain biking, it's a great starter bike. More balanced performance than the bikes in this video. The bikes in this video favor more experienced riders.
@@AdrenalineIsLife what would you say is the best bang for buck mountain trail bike? Like i don’t want to spend thousands but didn’t want a cheap one either. If you were to buy your first bike with all that you know now learning along the way which bike would you get? Thanks man!
So many great bikes in this category ...and I only touched on the less expensive ones! What's your favorite hardtail? Are you a diehard or do you prefer a full squish bike?
Hardtails forever.
@@madcapper6 🙌 Always!
I've always gotten a hardon from a good hardtail... I'm currently working on/riding a 2020 Specialized Rockhopper (The Elite trim level, painted matte black, with glossy black lettering), and it's been great. Got an XS size and removed the travel limit from the Rockshox Judy Air fork to take it from 80mm of travel, to 120mm. Added benefit of changing the head tube angle to 64°. Over forking, is under rated.
The story so far; 170mm dropper, raceface Chester pedals, Maxxis assegai in the back, DHR2 up front (I know those tires are meant to be installed the other way 'round. I really feel strongly that Maxxis are the one's 'have got it backward.), cushcore in the rear, Snafu lock on grips ($10 from Walmart. I still feel rather pleased with that purchase.), Muc-off oilslick tubeless valves, a couple of USB rechargeable lights for being all visible and stuff after dark. As well as a top tube bag, tool pouch, U-lock on the frame.
I'm always eyeballing new things for my hardtail, but I'm working on getting what I've got so far 'dialed in' a bit better before I go buying more things to put on. So I like to see you try out different hardtail related things, as it helps generate ideas for projects for mine.
@@Omnonymous That's quite a setup! I think the Rockhopper would benefit from that extra travel. Seems a little under forked stock. Assegais are on the back of a lot of Enduro and DH bikes (usually with Assegai up from too.) If the combo works, more power to you. 🙌 Both great tires.
We'll be doing more hardtail stuff this year. Builds, upgrades, hacks etc. Ive got a list. Just need the time to make em.
which of these shown bikes would you recommend for an aditional bike packing use? I want a trail hardtail to ride on trails but also want to go bike packing from time to time.
For what its worth, I recently bought the RM Growler 40 and its been awesome! Highly recommend if you are into hardtails but love downhill. Bike is so snappy in the air, feels like a BMX bike and a downhill bike had a love child. Outstanding for jump trails, but still climbs well (climbing was my biggest concern during my search). Was a big relief to discover this bike climbs almost as good my old XC (tight techy climbs are not quite as easy as its longer and heavier than the XC, but still very doable even with the modern geo).
Hope this info helps anyone that is searching for a "progressive" hardtail. Thanks again for the great reviews Adrenaline!
Thanks! The Growler is a great bike. Enjoy!
I own a 21’ Marin San Quentin 3 and absolutely love it! I can ride almost every trail my buddies ride with their hardcore enduro rigs. I added flat tire defenders tire inserts and converted to tubeless. I upgrade the bars, stem, grips, and pedals. It’s so fun on flow trails and jump lines!
That bike is very capable and a good fun. Enjoy!
This video is pretty amazing really thank you I need this, hard to make decision
The specialized fuse comp seems to be endless fun. Been one full year on it.
Yeah - disappointed the Fuse Comp or Fuse Expert wasn't in the comparison :(
I'm over it now :)
I love my specialized stumpy!!
But I love my Rock Hopper Pro even better…
I own a Stoic4 for a year now, great bike... great for aggressive trails and has a sweet handling... the brakes are good, but with an upgrade of EBC HH pads on it, I have all the stopping power needed. Fully recommended!!!
Great bike. Only needed a minor change to make perfect. Enjoy!
The Stoic is my choice - thanks for the list !!
I have a Kingdom Vendetta with 140mm forks and formula cura 4 brakes 203 mm disks 27.5 wheels. It works very well and is fun.
Beautiful bike! A dream bike for many. Enjoy!
I'm riding a 2021 Scout. I live in Hawaii and had no problems getting one. 1200 bucks was a no brainer. Awesome bike! Aloha. 😎🤙
Great bike! I'm a fan of the Scout. You're riding it in paradise. Love Hawaii! Enjoy!
That '21 Nukeproof Scout is still being sold on Wiggle for $1119. It's been available at that price for at least the last couple weeks or so and they've sold out in the small and large frame sizes but surprisingly the mediums are still available in both the 29 and 27.5 versions, at least at the moment, with only one left in 27.5. Seems like it's about as good a deal as it's gonna get at that price point if someone doesn't mind going with a '21 and looking to save some $$. The '22 model is $1600 and out of stock.
A great value for the money. Thanks for the headed up!
Buying a growler this weekend. Thanks for the vid. 🤙
You're welcome. Enjoy!
@@AdrenalineIsLife quick question as I'm immediately building it into a "DHT" do you happen to know if I can squeeze a 3.0 plus tire in the back or just a 2.8? I already got a 160mm fork to slach the hta to 63°. It's gonna get nasty. 🤣🤙
@Mathew Bascom a 29 x 3 is a big tire! You might be able to squeeze a small knob tire back there, but you'll potentially give up some traction and mud clearance. A 2.8 is still a big tire. You could always run a 3.0 up front if your fork allows it. Good luck with your build!
@@AdrenalineIsLife you might be right on a slightly smaller tire in the rear. If you look at my channel you'll see the type of stuff I'll be riding it on. Lol. I really just want to see what the plus tires are all about and figured I might as well jump all the way in there and find out. I might end up blowing through them and reverting back to DH casing minion/assegai's. We'll see, I'm looking forward to the project.
@Mathew Bascom I checked out some of your vids. I would do Assegai/Minion. They're basically designed for California downhills. Especially mid summer riding.
First time BMC aluminum hardtail owner, very satisfied.
They make some great bikes. Enjoy!
that Nukeproof at 1:19 is the carbon copy of the one I bought in June. I have a Pike not a Lyrik though. Super geo (for me) and I changed the brakes and drivetrain just because I could. I was on budget for a full squisher but decided I really don't need it. At 50 and mostly riding big mountain XC or singletracks forest runs twice to three times a week so this is sufficient and plenty more. Great channel! Happy Trails.
Nothing better than a nicely equipped hardtail. Makes every trail more exciting. The Scout is a solid choice. Enjoy!
@@AdrenalineIsLife my confidence level on that beast is high which is everything when you are getting up there in years and boy oh boy do I feel ready on that bike. thanks and be well.
I noticed on Wiggle some '21 model Vitus hardtails have been marked down quite a bit and are currently in stock. The '21 Rapide VR XC bike for example, which is one I purchased from them last summer for $1400, just a few days ago was marked down from $1500 to I think $1039. It's going for $1349 right now at the moment so the price seems to be moving almost daily while they're clearing out their old stock of '21 models. But even at $1349 it's something to seriously consider for someone looking for an entry to mid XC bike because the '22 model's price has been bumped up to $1900 and as far as I can tell, the '22 model is a recolor only with all specs and frame exactly the same as the '21.
The more popular Vitus trail hardtails like the Nucleus and Sentier were also significantly marked down when the Rapide was at $1039 a few days ago. Not sure where they are at now but those also appear to just be recolors with the '22 models. A person would stand to save a pretty good amount of cash going with a '21 while they are still around.
Awesome. Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to pin this so people can see it.
Hello, you´re missing the Orbea Laufey, GT Zaskar, Salsa Timberjack, also already mention Giant Fathon, Speciliazed Fuse. I have an Orbea Loki which it´s before the Laufey, but I hope to buy a Dartmoor Hornet frame, when I have the chance. Great video!!
Indeed, the Orbea Laufey is an incredible bike
Dartmoor for the win 😅🤙🏼
And where is Whyte?
All the specs you gave for the Commencal were for the 2021 HT. The 22 is slacker and longer.
Thanks for this video
Love my Merida Big Trail 400.
Lot's of great, fun hardtails out there!
What about Cannondale habit ht? Looks to have great geo and good components.
Great looking frame and geo looks very good. I wish they spec'd better forks. For a bike shop brand, I'd say its fairly priced.
I picked up a Big Al last year (frame), before that I had been riding a Niner ROS 9 since 2015. I like the purple on my Big Al, but the 2022 graphite and mango is something else.
The Big AL is such a great bike. I'm a 27.5 guy but I'm very tempted to build up a Big AL for myself. They ride so nice!
I bought the candy apple red last year. It is an absolute beast on the trails. Both up and down. I love it! And that red is something else when it gets in the sun.
@@isaacbrooks5999 one of nicest paint jobs I've seen on a bike.
I just ordered the graphite one. I loved that purple frame by looks in pics! All my parts are Hope/RF purple tho so hoping they look good on the dark graphite frame when it gets here!
@@JimmyBeanz13 That bike is going to be rad!
Good work man!! I’m loving my blue pig
Thanks! Enjoy that Blue Pig. One of the original hardcore hardtails. 🔥
Hello
I would like to know your opinion about Orbea Laufey.
Thanks.
The Laufey is a nice bike with a good frame and geometry. It's a little more expensive than its competitors but a good bike. Especially if you can get a discount.
Polygon Xtrada 6 also can be a Hardcore Hardtal.
Y build one with 140mm Rockshox 35 Gold RL and an Angleset -1.5 from canecreek, now is 65°.
Also I got a DT Swiss 350 36t hub from aliexpress for 125 usd
Dang that was a well done video. Makes me want to try a hard tail. I like the canyon you presented.
That Canyon is a sleeper. They really did their homework on that one.
Anytime you want to do a hardtail lmk. You're more than welcome to borrow one of mine. I'll even let a little bit of air out of the tires for you. 😀
@@AdrenalineIsLife, I will be taking you up on that... LOL I also appreciate you including rim width in your breakdown. I have gone to a wider rim to reduce tire fold and get better traction when cornering. is it me or does the industry seem to be trending to wider rims? Or am I just behind the times and it has been the standard for a while?? I was running 21mm and went to 31mm. Much more hapiness!
@@MTBTrailSherpa the industry has been definitely moving to wider rims for the last few years. Even on XC bikes. That extra traction is good for most riders and reduces broken rims.
One caveat with the new trek is it has bottle cage tabs on the seat tube that protrude into the seat tube so your limited on dropper insertion and might get locked at a lower travel dropper than you prefer.
Dang. I didn't notice that. Seems they can't get past the XC mindset. Looks to sit low on the bike. Maybe it's low enough to be out of the way.
@@AdrenalineIsLife medium is @130mm and everything larger is 150mm which is sufficient enough for me but would be nice to do a 170 on a hardtail. Nice video comparison though of some good options.
Worst case. Put some spacers and let online 2 lines of threads. Stupid idea I gave you but trek is more stupid so blame them for the design
Large has a 150 and I'm pretty sure can fit a 170 no problem
Worth considering the Whyte 905. Absolute ripper!!
Thanks!
I love my Cube hardtail. Cheers from Greece...
Cube is awesome
I'm on the Gt zaskar lt expert.
fantastic bike. the frame is designed around a 140mm fork but they do come with a 130mm rockshox 35rl gold. definitely worth a look. I'm very impressed so far.
The Zaskar is a classic. Enjoy!
Stif Squatch is possibly the raddest hardtail in exsistance right now. 29er, steel, slack head and steep seat. 80mm BB drop and 2.6 clearance on rear. Come on now!!
I never heard of it but looks like an amazing bike and priced fair. 👍Thank for sharing!
Great video!!.. Only I was looking for a HARDCORE hardtail!! LOL Where is the 170-200mm travel and 61.5-63 deg HA bikes? Seriously though, A killer informational video
Haha. Thanks. I think we need a special video for those long travel monsters. 😜 No budget just the best of the best.
Been waiting 5 months for a 22 roscoe 7 already but happy to wait
It'll be worth it when it shows up!
Take a look at the Canfield Brothers Yelli Screamy. Great colors and various builds for the budget. I'm looking at getting one for my wife since she doesn't do the gnarly trails like me.
I saw that they brought it back and it looks fantastic. I'm hoping to get my hands on one to test 🤞
Great video, thank you so much.. What are your thoughts about the Santa Cruz chamaleon 2022? thank you.
The Chameleon has always been a great bike. The 2022 frame is excellent and well engineered. It's easy to run different configurations like single speed for example. The new geometry is nice and balanced.
Its not a cheap bike. You will not get as good a part spec as some other brands for the same money but you will have a really nice versatile bike.
Glad you enjoyed the video! 🙂
Have you considered the Halo Double Peak 29 Comp? Any thoughts as a choice for a casual older rider?
TBH. I'm not too familiar with it. I went to Haro's website and the specs seem reasonable for the cost. Lots of Shimano parts and it has boost thru axles. The geometry is relatively modern. Haro has been around a while. If you're buying locally, it's a good idea to throw a leg over one and see how it feels to you. In my view, there's nothing on that bike that would impede a casual rider.
Which is better for hardcore trail riding, a longer chainstay length vs reach or the other way around? Thanks for the vid, much appreciated as always.
The bikes on the market are all within an acceptable range. So it really boils down to rider size, personal preference and riding style. I personally like a short chainstay and a long but appropriate size reach. I've got shorter legs so that lets me get behind the rear axle easier. I prefer the setup to be more playful.
Just subscribed for this exact content 👍👍
Thank you! 🙏 Definitely more to come.
I ordered a roscoe 8 in matte black olive.
Great looking bike! Enjoy.
Orange Crush!
I love my Roscoe 8!!
Great list and insight. Nice to see hardtails getting some love. But why not the Giant Fathom? Seems most either don’t know about it or just over look it.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. I was trying to highlight bikes that are good spec for the money. The Fathom was ok but I'm not familiar with the fork which is an important part on a hardtail. I'd like to get my hands on one to test. Hopefully as supplies get back to normal, that will happen.
@@AdrenalineIsLife thanks for the response. I’ve asked other reviewers and seems that’s the same response. House branded forks is a bold move. Look forward to seeing more hardtail content. Cheers!
How abought the Giant Fathom????? this bike rocks!!!!
I've heard lots of good things about it.
I'm running 29x2.6 and 27.5x3.5 I like it the most with 27.5s it lowers the bb and feels like your in the bike. The bike rails in 27.5+ mode!
I have the 2019 giant fathom1 29er and a 2022 trek roscoe 9. I like them both but I like the roscoe better
I went with commencal meta ht ohlins on sale for $2610. It looks good hopefully as good on the trails
Should be a fun setup. A good fork is a great starting point.
@@AdrenalineIsLife the frame should be the start. A review of the previous frame with slightly different geometry said it was a stiff bike. Pretty much too stiff. I do not think they changed much
i wanted a scout 275 but no-one in the country had one so i opted for the Vitus Sentier wow what a bike does everything i want it too and more so much unlocked potential to discover, the stock tyres are great (tubeless) the fork is doing well but its going to be replaced with a Marzocchi bomber z2 and the brakes will be upgraded to top of the line shimano or hope with the front rotor swapping out to 203
Very nice. Those will be great upgrades for the bike. Enjoy!
Have a Kona big honzo love it should have a mention
This is the category my next bike purchase will be. I want a 27.5 wheel bike though, to be different from my full sus 29er. Seeing a lot of love for Ragley in that area, I will have to see how availability in Canada works out. Shipping might be crazy. I keep forgetting that Marin is not a department store brand! Since it is sold by the local powerboat / snow machine / ATV parts supply store, and put together by students who don’t know bikes, I forget to consider them. I could probably by one from another part of the country, or have my local shop do a pre ride inspection on it.
I was looking for a video to kind of list a bunch of bikes worth Googling, and this delivered.
Marin has an odd distribution model but the bikes are solid. I've been riding a Ragley Marley since 2019 and I love it. Also take a look at the Dartmoor Primal. I didn't include it in the video because of availability but the North American distributor is based in Toronto. ZM Cycle and Fitness.
Glad you found the video helpful. Good luck in your search.
I have bird zero am, 27.5, designed around 160mm fork, 64 deg ha. Blast to ride. The only downside if you can call it that is you have to purchase from them direct and they are in the UK. Their warranty is rock solid even transferable to next owner in the first two years. I had a frame replaced and live on the other side of the world from them.
I was lucky enough to nab a 2020 vitus nucleus vrs. I upgraded to a dropper. I actually enjoy it more then a 2018 Santa Cruz 5010 that I owned. It’s held up so far, and is more appropriate for my abilities and much easier to climb nor cal hills with.
The Nucleus is a great bike. Enjoy!
Great video. I’m trying to decide between the canyon stoic and a commencal meta ht. I had a fuse for a while but it was too big for me. An xs canyon or 27.5 meta will fit the bill.
Both great choices especially from a sizing perspective.
Glad you found the video helpful! 🙏
Also wondering between the Stoic, Meta ht and the Rocky Mountain Growler. What did you end up going with?
Update I bought the San quentin 2 & my god I love it 😍
@@EireFirst2024 That bike is something special
@@DigitalProphet_ I'm still waiting for the canyon. Just get whatever you can get your hands on.
Missing the Specialized Fuse
Got my eye on the Fuse Sport 27.5... shop by me sells them for $1,900
@@md22773 my buddy has the 22 Fuse Expert. He loves it.
Thoughts on Giant's fathom?
For the price I feel there are better options for the money. Giant is one of the few companies that manufacturers it's own bikes. There are a lot of Giant branded parts on the bike and I'm not familiar with them. This is one bike I'd like to get ahold of to test .
What do you think about the 2022 specialized fuse 29ner Comp?
The Fuse is a nice platform that's versatile and well designed. The adjustable dropouts are a nice touch. My only issue is at $2300 US they don't give you much spec for the money. I personally would take the frame only option and build one.
You may be able to get a better price than MSRP now as it looks like bike sales are slowing down a bit.
Thank you!
You're welcome!
@@AdrenalineIsLife Just threw down on a Growler 40, so pumped! Your review really helped me make a tough decision, Growlers going to be perfect for the type of riding I like. again, thank you for sharing the knowledge.
@@mfmonthefmf great choice! Enjoy the new bike.
I'm really hoping to get my hands on a stoic 2 the frame itself just looks so good
The geometry looks good and it's priced well.
@@AdrenalineIsLife yep fingers crossed they actually restock on th 14th
Hi, I am looking for the Diamondback Sync'r aluminum in XL. Any feedback will be appreciated. Thanks
Good spec for the money with modern geometry. The chunky tires will provide a little more cushion on the trails too.
Whats your opinion on merida big trail series ,400,600
Very nice frame. Slightly long chainstay in the smaller sizes. The 600 is the spec I would choose.
@@AdrenalineIsLifeplease can u review merida big trail if possible
@@curiositycatalyst2929 I will try to include in a future video.
Great video Man.
What's your height?.
I'm in the middle of picking my correct size.
I am around 165cm height can't decide if I should get a s or m size bike.
Thanks man
Thanks. I'm 175cm. At 165cm, a size small the most likely size. Different brands can size differently but all will have a sizing guide to help you find the right size.
Im planning to get the stoic 2. But unsure which size should i get. Im 5'7 with 29 inseam. Canyon website suggest a small. But i want a 29er. 29er starts with a size M. Do you think if a go with a medium will it be to big for me? Thanks
You might have issues with standover height, comfort and general control of the bike. If you must have 29in wheels you might want to look at a different bike. A lot of companies will spec 27.5in on the smaller sizes.
Thanks for the advice. Iam also looking at nukeproof scout.
I’m 5’9 with 32 inches inseam and it put me on a medium.. I got a size Large! Feel’s perfect! I have long ass arms so the extra reach was needed! Don’t be afraid to size up! Unless you have t-Rex arms!🤣
Commencal 😍😍😍😍😍😍
The Commencals are very nice!
Swapping my san quentin 3 frame for a ragley marley......we'll see how it goes!
I love my Marley. I'm going to be building a San Quentin soon.
@@AdrenalineIsLife haha that's funny... I've been on my marin for 2yrs now..it's great but never felt really comfortable on it... Marin recommended a size large when I talked with them, wished I got a medium... I ordered a medium marley frame, hopefully it fits better!
@@eriksdodges853 the sizing with the San Quentin has been a bit wierd. I bought the Medium frame. Based on their sizing guide, I'm 2inches too tall for it but the geo is correct for me. Very similar to my Medium Marley.
@@AdrenalineIsLife yeah I really think if I ordered a medium frame from the beginning I wouldn't be changing things up now. I almost pulled the trigger on a new medium SQ frame but decided to try something different. Wanted an RSD middlechild but not available right now.
@@eriksdodges853 nothing wrong with changing things up.
Marin San Quentin 😍 saludos de Ecuador 👍
Saludos!
Best bang for your buck, Vitus Sentier. I did a lot of research before buying mine. It’s a beast. I’ll be moving to full suspension this year and will have to let it go but I’m sure I’ll miss it .
The Sentier is a cool bike! Shame you have to let it go.
Lmk when u sell it. I might be interested depending on where your located.
Which aggresive value hardtail would you recommend other than the stoic 4 as the shipping to my country, Singapore, is sgd 350+ which is quite a lot and right now the small sizes are out of stock.
Merida Big Trail, I have one and they are a ripper bike
The Trek Roscoe and Marin San Quentin are good options and are available in Singapore. The Merida suggested is also a good option that I didn't think about.
@@AdrenalineIsLife thanks 😆😁
I have a ragley mmmbop and I absolutely love it to death
I'm a big fan of the Mmmbop. Enjoy.
How about diamondback sync'r ?
At regular price, it's an ok deal... but it's half off right now which makes it a fantastic deal. Geometry of this bike makes it a good all rounder. At $750 this one is a no brainer.
Question, if you are going to buy just a bike frame, why not just get a cheap one since all the moving parts are going to be purchased and installed later? Does the frame actually do anything on it's own?
Frames are all different actually. Geometry and frame spec vary from brand to brand. Even within the same brand there can be differences. The frame is the most important part of the bike. A properly selected and fit frame will be noticeably more enjoyable to ride. Luckily there are lots of nice inexpensive frames out there to do a frame up build.
@@AdrenalineIsLife Thanks! I got a GT Aggressor for my first bike and it's decent, maybe when I have more experience I'll look at frames
which do you think will be more fun on bed of rocks trail xtrada 6 or san quentin 2?
San Quentin 2 💯
@@AdrenalineIsLife Ty for that straiggtforward answer. If u dont mind, id like to ask if u can follow me baci in my channel. I will really appreciate it.
@@DRBauto subbed
@@AdrenalineIsLife As far as sizes, Bikes online shows Medium 5'4-5'7 and Large 5'7-5'9. i am 5'7 should i take the medium or large? I went to a lokal store here in Maryland and they only have Large. I sat on it and feels like my Large 2017 Marin Mount Vision 5. Can i still adjust the seat height lower maybe?
@@DRBauto I'm 5'9" and I would ride a Medium based on the geometry. The seat tube is low so you can go bigger if you want but it might not be ideal.
For example, I love my Dartmoor Primal with 27.5 plus tyres (3“ front, 2.8 rear)
There’s a other model they have, the Dartmoor Hornet, which is known to be very affordable and hardcore.
Ride safe 🤙🏼
Thanks. I'd love to get my hands on a Hornet.
I want a Dartmoor Primal as well. I'll probably get one this year.
@@AdrenalineIsLife Do it! I ride 2020 hornet and it's great. 2022 model can have up to 180mm travel fork, so you can even fit a double crown in there like these old freeride hardtails :D.
@@NumNumEntrails I'd love to have a beast of a DH hardtail.
Have you had time to test any of them now? The shop near me just got one roscoe 9 inn and I’m looking for growler 40 or 50! What would your choice be out of these 3?
Unfortunately, it's been hard to get demo bikes to test with all the supply chain issues. Looks like that's changing though. The Growler is a fantastic bike. The 50 is a much better option spec wise than the 40. The Roscoe 9 has a very nice spec but I haven't ridden the new Roscoe yet.
@@AdrenalineIsLife thank you here in Ontario the trek is going for $3499. And the grower 50 $2899. Just not sure if specs are that much better for an extra $700. Will be my first higher end hardtail.
@@davestadnik8739 functionally, I would say no. The biggest difference is the wheelset. The Trek has a high engagement rear hub that is the biggest difference but not a $700 difference.
@@AdrenalineIsLife thank you so much for your time really appreciate it man 👍💯
Am lucky enough to have big groups of mates who I ride with, they only the rocky mountian growler I haven't had a go on in this list, sonder is unique in feel, but I recommend Planet X bikes the "Jack flash" and "Hello Dave" 👌 beasts....
Cotic, Orange, Stanton and Dartmoor need serious consideration to, price relative though these aren't "cheap" bikes
I saw the the Hello Dave frame was on sale for a great price. Definitely a contender. Very nice looking frame.
The next list will feature more of the higher end bikes like the Cotic, Orange etc.
@@AdrenalineIsLife Jack flash is kick arse as well, when they in stock...
@@JoeJoe-C137 that's the dirt jumper frame, right?
@@AdrenalineIsLife was originally a dirt jump 26er but they made a 29er trail bike, its a beast trust
@@AdrenalineIsLife hard to find in stock mate
Would have liked to see the giant fathom an specialized fuse.
I still love my 2020 Big Al
Framekit - 500€ is little money for a lot of bike
Excellent frame!
Was thinking about buying ht, for almost a year was searching for best ht for me and ended with rift zone 2;d
Here's a noob question. 😅
I didn't know about most of these brands before today, so how do you make a decision when there are dozens of good brands!?
For this category I look for bikes that meet certain geometry and spec requirements with at least one lower priced entry level option. The brands are actually well established and highly regarded in the industry. Bikes are such a common item, it's hard to know all the brands. I regularly discover established brands I never heard of.
Hoped for a chromag. I love my stylus
Fantastic bike! Just a little too expensive for this list.
@@AdrenalineIsLife oh true just checked prices. I was lucky to get a frame for cheap and built it up myself. Jeff kendal weed said its not a good jumpbike but I managed to set it up for me in way that it feels like a dirt jumper to me . When we go on flow jump trails i leave my full suspension bikes at home. So much fun
@G K prices have gone up so much in the last two years. I think things like jumpability really depends on the rider and setup. Enjoy!
What’s the best hardtail mountain bike that feels comfortable and easy to control under 1000?
I was thinking of bobcat trail 4 one
The Bobcat trail is nice. There are a few great choices. I made a video about bikes under $1000. Hope this helps.
th-cam.com/video/L_k39IoPgO4/w-d-xo.html
@@AdrenalineIsLife thx man
@@AdrenalineIsLife what (in your opinion) is the best bike under 1k?
@@PinkEyeToh In my opinion, for under $1000, the Xtrada 6 is hard to beat. The spec level is very good, the geometry is modern, it's boost spacing and it's very upgradable.
Where's the giant fathom
Oooophh not even a mention of the Kona Honzo ESD
That Kona is a BEAST!!
That Kona is a BEAST!!
No Devinci Kobain or Sombrio Shovel! Great bikes.
I never heard of Sombrio. I'll check it out. Thanks for sharing.
Dartmoor Hornet♥.
I would own one if I could find one.
in my opinion you should have also shown the cubes acid and the specialized rockhopper
Those two bikes are in a different category as they're more of a traditional cross-country design. The geometry and front travel are very different.
@@AdrenalineIsLife well the cube is actually a cross country bike but the specialized rockhopper is too aggressive to be cross country, so yea idk , i would put them because they are some of the best starter bikes
missing the banshee paradox v3
I really like the Paradox. It was a little pricey for this list. I'm saving it for a high end hardtail video.
Oohh bout the Zaskar? 🤔
The Zaskar is a classic bike. The geometry is slightly conservative but the frame design is very nice. Very forgiving frame.
Ragley Marley should have been on the list.
The Marley is my personal bike. There will be a Ragley and Nukeproof specific video coming. Full 2022 bikes were not announced when the video came out.
Weight of bike please?
Ti sei dimenticato la rockrider am100
the best
Whaaa no Kona Honzos?
The Honzo is awesome! The more aggressive Honzos were a bit above the price limit in this video. We'll cover them in the next one.
No love for the Giant "Fathom 1" ????
The fathom 2 at $1500 and the fathom 1 at $1800, sure it's over the $1,200 mark you put on the rest of these bikes, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than the $2,300 you mentioned for the Santa Cruz. It's that intermediate ground that I think people should really understand with the top end components that are on the giant bikes. The fathom one has a SRAM eagle and NX derailleur for 2022, four piston breaks, $70 in maxxis rubber, and the new Crest LS air fork at 130 mm travel.... Squeezing at 28 lb, an absolute mountain goat with the 52 tooth climbing gear.... Both the fathom one and two are not king of the sprint, dear God do they handle trails like a full suspension.
Thanks for commenting. I've been getting a lot of comments about not including the Fathom. It looks to be a great value. I have no experience with the proprietary fork which is why it didn't make the list. I think it warrants a closer look in a future video.
@@AdrenalineIsLife It really is and thank you for your reply, now that I've had some decent weather and was able to hit trails the last couple weeks, I'm increasingly falling in love with this bike. Also besides some of the issues I've read about the new Crest fork I have also read where some people who weren't very familiar with mountain bikes bought this bike and didn't realize that brakes creek as well as on a few the headset was not tightened to correct spec and was making noise during suspension actuation. No I haven't seen anything come out for the 2022s on suspension noise or front fork noise. And the only feedback anyone's gotten about the 2021 and 2020 Crest fork with making noise was zero failure rate It seems that a check ball in the dampener was making the clicking noise as it was reported.
@@mikeyskitchenfoodporn1171 I can imagine with anything new there are bugs. I suspect the proprietary fork will be a better performer than the typical forks spec'd in this category.
@@AdrenalineIsLife The Crest forks even the newest one for 2022 still have the warning sticker not intended for downhill use. But you're 100% on the money, I can't imagine anything else at this price point coming with anything else but a spring fork.
@@mikeyskitchenfoodporn1171 That's unsurprising. The only forks rated for downhill are dual crown forks. They're likely referring to true gnarly downhill tracks. Every brand has some warning like that. Most good forks are plenty strong for their intended use. Even the cheapest Suntours.
CURVE Downrock - titanium 29er
I've been looking at Titanium bikes lately. I never heard of this one. Thanks for sharing.
Ragley Mmmbop …Nuff said
Dartmoor Hornet is more Hardcore than this list, just check its geo.
Thrill Wreak T140 is the best
Where is Scott scale?????
The Scale a cross country hardtail and is not in the scope of this video. Nice bike though.
Trek roscoe???
Is this in Australian
No. US dollars.
I live in BC... BC is the home of Norco.... There isn't a Norco Torrent S.1 in stock anywhere within a 500km radius of my home... Nor will there be anytime soon.
Norco bikes seem to be even more scarce than others. I haven't seen anything locally in the last year.
@@AdrenalineIsLife Right?! As a brand loyalist, for over 30 years. I'm feeling quite disappointed in my go to brand. I understand they are like every other bike company, in these current times, with supply and demand issues. But they unlike other companies haven't even addressed the issue, in any sort of media release or statement. They are quite fine to push their two flagship models, the Range and new Ebikes. But not a peep about anything else. Again I get it. But it leaves a sour taste in my mouth, as someone who has spent tens of thousands of dollars, over the last three decades on their products.... It has me looking elsewhere for a new hardtail, and will likely snatch the next available one, despite the brand. Looking hard at the new Knolly Tynaughton.
@@JustJake77 it's too bad about Norco's communication. I've always liked that brand They always offered something for every budget. The Knolly you're looking at is gorgeous. Dare I say very Chromag like but even more aggressive. I always forget about companies like Knolly. Thanks for reminding me. [now I want one 😃]
Voodoo Bizango Pro 2022 insane spec for £925 gbp
That's an excellent spec! Thanks for sharing.
How’s this bike? I’m new to mountain bikes trail bikes. Is the the best bike for the price like should it be a lot more? Why should I get this one? Just looking at all different bikes hard to know which to pick! Thanks
@@AdrenalineIsLife what you think on this bike? Compared to those in this video which one does it compare to? And are they higher priced for similar spec as the bizango? Thanks
@@richardlittle9975 it's a very good spec for the money. Geometry of the bike puts it more in the Xc/downcountry category. Similar to the Polygon Xtrada. If you are new to mountain biking, it's a great starter bike. More balanced performance than the bikes in this video. The bikes in this video favor more experienced riders.
@@AdrenalineIsLife what would you say is the best bang for buck mountain trail bike? Like i don’t want to spend thousands but didn’t want a cheap one either. If you were to buy your first bike with all that you know now learning along the way which bike would you get? Thanks man!
Priority 600x!
Wow. Never heard of them. Definitely a unique bike! Hardcore in its own way.
@@AdrenalineIsLife I got one last year and absolutely love the low maintenance! Great videos on the hard tails!
giant fathom
Marin San quentin 2 + me = 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
That bike makes a lot of people smile. Enjoy!