I Built the ULTIMATE HARDTAIL Mountain Bike...Again
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.พ. 2025
- The Ultimate Hardtail Mountain Bike Again. A couple of years ago, I built what I called the ultimate hardtail - a custom Marin San Quentin loaded with top-tier parts. That bike took me everywhere. It was quick, light, and packed with 130mm of travel. But over time, its short reach and low stack made it challenging for high-speed, rough terrain. I loved it, but I was ready for something more aggressive.
Parts used in this build. Some links are affiliate links. If you buy using those links it helps us to bring you more content.
Magura MT5 HC Brakes
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Fork Rockshox Pike Ultimate
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Renthal Fatbar 40mm rise
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Wheels Reynolds Black Label 347
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A great alternative for less
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An even cheaper alternative
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5Dev Cranks
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SDG Tellis Dropper
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Wolftooth Remote
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Wolftooth Gold Parts
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Wolftooth Oval Chainring
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Ergon Saddle
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Specialized Slaughter
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Specialized Butcher
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Shimano XT 8100 Drivetrain
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Frameset (if there are any left)
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What I'm riding in 2024/25
Trail Bike
Polygon Siskiu T6
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XC Race Bike
Polygon Syncline C5
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Superior XF979 RC
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Enduro Bike
Rocky Mountain Altitude C50
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BMX Bike
Kink Gap
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Helmet
Trail Half Shell: Troy Lee Designs A2 MIPS
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Full Face: 100% Aircraft
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Road/Gravel/XC Helmet: Giro Agilis MIPS
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Camera Gear
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Stuntman Chest Mount
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Shoes
Five Ten Trailcross Mid Pro
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Gloves
Tasco
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Pipedream Moxie rider here. I love hardtails and especially steel hardtails. Awesome bikes that can be used for almost every type of riding. Simple, effective and super fun.
Definitely. I almost bought the Moxie instead of the BFe but wasn't in stock at the time. Love the frame! I might get one for a 29er or mullet build the the funds allow.
As a rider\owner of a Trail Hardtail and a All Mountain FS.. there's just something special about a HT. Beautiful bike mate!
@@RotormanMTB Thanks!
I too built a 27.5 steel frame that is no longer in production. Ragley Bluepig which I turned mullet and I love it. RIP Ragley 😢
I regret not buying a Blue Pig when I had the chance. Great bike!
@@AdrenalineIsLife you can find them once in a while on Pinkbike but they are pretty uncommon compared to other models. Worth it if you can find one though.
Sweet bike. I too ride an 853 steel hardtail- the spot rocker 27.5+. Love the steel ride quality.
One of the most fun bikes I’ve ever owned. I miss it a bit, but it’s replacement is awesome.
Spot on description of how aluminum frames sort of feel vs steel. I ride a Ragley Big AL and also a steel Esker Japhy. Can’t really say one is better than the other in technical terms. It’s in the vibrations, those vibes though! The steel is just somehow so satisfying how it is on old rickety trails.
@brianmalzahn4035 They really do enhance those type of trails!
Just built a Transition Trans Am in a size Lrg from the frame up a few months ago. After riding an alloy frame for 2yrs, I wanted to try a good steely. The added weight penalty is completely cancelled by ride quality, I’m so happy I pulled the trigger on this bike. I have it set up as a full 29’r with chainstays slammed to 425mm, a 140 Yari up front, oval chainring with 170mm cranks and a high stack. This bike can do EVERYTHING THING. I’m around 5’11”, 225lbs, and have been attempting to push it to the limit. So far no limits found lol. I can weight the front and balance and pitch the bike on techy climbs, throw it around in the air due to its low stand over, and best of all, smash on descents drops and high speed chunk. It’s a hell of a hardtail truth be told. I also have a 130-140 Marin rift zone Xr, and love that bike as well, but I’ve been so pumped about the trans am I haven’t been able to put it down sense it was built!
A good hardtail is very capable. I've heard great things about the Trans Am. I love the chrome option too. Enjoy!
This frame design is genius 👍
I have been riding mtb's for over 33 yrs, owned numerous bikes, both full suss, hardtails, and fully rigid. I am back to a good old 27.5 plus hardtail, which in my personal opinion and my riding style is absolutely perfect for myself. I just hope manufacturers don't do away with 27.5+, because I love the high volume of my 2.8's with lower pressures.
That Cotic looks absolutely amazing, nice color scheme with the green, gold and silver. I hope to one day build myself a nice steel, 27.5+ HT, but for now my "budget" HT does great.....If the bike makes you want to ride, it's perfect no matter how much or how little it costs or bougie or basic it is.
Thank you! I always seem to reach for my hardtail. I'd like to try 2.8s or even 3.0s. Not sure if they'll fit this frame but I might try it someday.
Stanton sherpa can run 27.5 plus still.
Looks amazing - well done!
Great looking build, you can’t beat a simple hardtail on good trails, plus points for the perfect length dropper post 👍🏻. BTR Ranger and Canfield Nimble 9 here in the UK.
Thanks. I'm loving it! You've got two very nice bikes in your quiver. Enjoy!
I’m glad you are still rocking the 27.5 wheels👍 That’s a beautiful bike [I wonder if you can plus size a mullet bike w/o messing the geo up]. I eventually want to try steel too or Ti.
I have 2 both aluminum Chameleon 7 for the chill trails and RSD MC for the rowdy. They both are setup about the same. The 140mm fork is plenty for anything I do. I used to run the Renthal bars (very light but too stiff for me) Now both bikes have Spank 60mm riser/Funn stem because of the low stack height.
Nice video. It’s great that people still recognize how fun modern hardtails are.
@mikej1348 Thanks! 🙏 Glad you enjoyed the video. You've got a couple of great hardtails! I love 27.5. I'm curious about your idea of plus sizing a mullet. I'm thinking if you match up the axle to crown (longer travel) that might work. You have me curious now. 🤔
Sometimes I take a 27.5 hardtail and make it a mullet by just putting a 29er fork that will give me the same stack I had on the full 27.5. Then I feel the geo is close to the same but I have all the benefits of the great rollover of the 29er up front for roots and confidence going down hill
My old 1980s schwinn Cimmaron with no front or rear suspension and rim brakes was one of my fav bikes i ever had . it just seemed indestructible and i didn't worry about crashing it because it only cost $450 new . it was strictly a street or downhill bike . climbing was out of the question for my weak legs . we would leave a car at the bottom of the mountain /hill and ferry the bikes up to the top in a pick up .
.then we rode down to the car and two guys would drive back up and get the truck.
lots of work but super fun
@@siriosstar4789 Shuttling is so much fun.
I’ve built up a Cro-Mags stylus on 27 five wheels, but then built up a set of 26+ on rabbit hole rims, which look really cool, and really enjoy those small wheels, and still have good volume at 2.8. Then, in order to gain speed instability, I built up a route down on 29 inch rabbit hole rims, and they are the quiver killer sisters!
@@trailjockeytj6160 Very cool setup! 26+ would be fun to try out.
That is a beautiful bike. I really want to build up another custom hardtail. I just need to get over the fact that I do not need another bike haha!
The story of my life. 😄
Sad to see the Marin go, I loved my San Quentin and I personally think that it handled really well at high speed
@jeehoonjones1389 Don't worry, I'm keeping the frame. We're going to rebuild with some different parts.
She's a beauty! Let's get the hard tails out and go for a ride🤙🏼
Let's do it!
I just bought one of these. Love Cotic bikes, but not started the build yet.
Can't wait to get mine done!
I'm so glad I bought this frame!
On One - Hello Dave
Great bike!
Like it. Ride a Cotic Solaris ❤
Hello man
i ride Cotic BFe Max with 150mm travel and its do it all machine;)
Nice bike ❤
Got the BFE max. So much fun!
They make such nice frames!
@@AdrenalineIsLifeI also have a gen 2 Stanton sherpa 853 for mellower rides
I rode my BFE Max down the whole enchilada in Moab a few years ago. Just an awesome bike for high speed chunder!
I got that same wheel deal from pros closet i wish i nought a second set killer wheels and a even better price
@thinkaboutit3011 I wish I did too. The hubs alone cost more.
what a beauty so jelly
@@RoyBramlowe Thanks 😁
Love me a hardtail 😁
@@chickensendies They are the best!
I had a steel road/gravel bike. The frame broke in a black ice wash out scenario. I had an aluminum stumpjumper. It broke while riding. The swing arm/ drive side chain stay broke.
I have a carbon bike now, and If I had to guess I would say it too will one day break. Nothing lasts forever.
Yes, nothing is invisible . Even steel
Pretty!
@@alshal3638 Thanks!😁
The tubular brace between the top tube and the saddle stem seems surperfluous. If the seat stays met the seat tube a little higher it would achieve the same effect and since tha saddle stem resides inside of the seat tube at this point there is no posibility of flexing.
The cranks look pretty but are susceptible to torsional stresses acting tangenitally to their longditudonal axis, butted oval tubes are better.
Put a 'v' brake on the rear wheel, it's lighter, powerful enough and you can loose that little bracing tube and disc mount at the rear drop out.
I just built a steel Marino Cabala hardtail with 29ers. Size M was recommended - wish I had bought a size L. Had to use seat with long rails and go with a longer stem than I would prefer. But with those changes, the fit is pretty good.
Why did you opt for 27.5?
@jeromep4148 I have a lot of tight twisty trails in my area, and the 27.5 is more nimble in that terrain. I like the smaller wheels and suits my riding style. I like 29 but 27.5 has a special place in my heart.
I built up a Marino for a friend recently. Very nice frames! Hopefully, it's riding well with the changes you made.
Overall wt?
Cotic Bfe👊
🤜💥🤛
Lol 5 dev cranks on the marino
As you changed most of the parts over what's the weight difference
@@dougbrett9218 a little over 2lbs.
@AdrenalineIsLife that's such a tiny difference in weight
@@dougbrett9218 I was surprised myself
Watching this makes me wish I didn't sell my steel frame, I am now sad.
@davidperry7266 Steel has its benefits and drawbacks, but it's hard not to love the clean lines of a steel frame.
I sold my Pole Taival. Search for about a year and found another one. I’ll never sell it now.
@@edlorenz1552 Sad about Pole. They made some cool bikes.
Is that a straight 1⅛ inch fork? How did you even find that lol
It's a 44mm headtube. It's designed to allow different steer tubes. Very common on steel MTBs. I'm using a tapered fork.
Josh- You can get headsets to adapt straight head tubes to tapered steer tubes. Chris King Inset7 is what Marino recommends. They are top of the line pretty much will last multiple bikes if taken care of. Also they’re like $200… Worth every penny. Came creek is another brand that is excellent, and is actually affordable.
No 27.5 version to buy😢
Sadly 😥
Ragley stopped producing bikes?
Yes sadly
@@AdrenalineIsLifethat’s sad, they were an awesome deal. I had an mmmbop, really fun, ran it as a mullet. I was going to get one of their final year frames but the geo numbers were alittle wacky on all their bikes.
Chromag?
🤫
Pretty clearly Cotic BFe lol
@@zed5129 yeh, im talking about his next build 11:10
It's certainly better looking than the Marin... Pink tyres on a red bike? ouch.
@@snowman22ism yes. Much better looking.