Hardtail

I've been spending most of my bike time on this 21 lbs beast.

One bike I would like to test is the Trek Procaliber with IsoSpeed decoupler.

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Faust29 said:
Giant has redesigned the dropouts on the XTC line for 2017. They are all SS capable now, and able to run 29ers or 27.5+. Giants never really caught my eye... Until now! I really like the versatility.


This all-new, multifaceted hardtail has a lightweight Advanced-grade composite frame that’s loaded with technologies for various off-road adventures. In its 29er form, it’s ready to race. But you can also switch it up and convert to 27.5+, or even go singlespeed-making it a true do-it-all XC machine for whatever terrain and conditions you face. It features wider Boost hub spacing (110 front/148 rear), which improves wheel stiffness for better handling, adds tire clearance and optimizes the chainline for flawless drivetrain performance. A 27.2 seatpost adds compliance, the MegaDrive downtube and toptube work together to maximize chassis stiffness, and a PowerCore bottom bracket gives you ultra-efficient power transfer.
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Awesome looking bike, those features really caught my eye until I looked at the Geo. They've gone the opposite direction with the way geometry has progressed lately, an XL frame with a 440mm reach, but 22" seat-tube?
 
Test rode the Ibis Tranny this morning on Whiting.... that bike was fun. So much different. Felt way lighter than the Hightower and felt quick. Missed my best time up Mustard by 1 second... haha i also didn't feel as taxed climbing or as tired when i got to the top.

I'm really liking the idea of getting a hard tail. now just trying to justify it to my wallet... haha starting to feel like i shouldn't have test rode it so i wouldn't want a new bike.
 
New life for the HT thread – what's going on? (You Highballers must still be in bliss. I can see why...)

Not enthralled by plus/Boost. Salsa has the Boost issue wrangled with their Gnot-Boost rear end featured on the new Karate Monkey. It's 145mm and simply flexes open or closed to 148/142. Sneaky! Rack eyelets and trail-centric geo? They call it 27.5+, but I see it as a 29er with clearance for big tires and mud, with a squish fork.

http://surlybikes.com/bikes/karate_monkey_27.5


Wish I could consider another El Mariachi, but I'm sorta in between sizes. And the EM is no longer produced.

• 29er
• not Boost specific
• ability to run a tapered steer tube/100mm sus fork
• durable
• comfortable (steel/ti?)
• rack mounts are a plus
• besides a Highball...
 
mike said:
New life for the HT thread – what's going on? (You Highballers must still be in bliss. I can see why...)

Not enthralled by plus/Boost. Salsa has the Boost issue wrangled with their Gnot-Boost rear end featured on the new Karate Monkey. It's 145mm and simply flexes open or closed to 148/142. Sneaky! Rack eyelets and trail-centric geo? They call it 27.5+, but I see it as a 29er with clearance for big tires and mud, with a squish fork.

http://surlybikes.com/bikes/karate_monkey_27.5


Wish I could consider another El Mariachi, but I'm sorta in between sizes. And the EM is no longer produced.

• 29er
• not Boost specific
• ability to run a tapered steer tube/100mm sus fork
• durable
• comfortable (steel/ti?)
• rack mounts are a plus
• besides a Highball...
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Like the flexibility of the dropouts.

However, as a SS I do not like horizontal dropouts and disc brakes.

And as Steve and I were talking about yesterday....everything Surly makes is heavy. Heavier than the El Mariachi you had.
 
rossage said:
Ha!

The more Sh!t I throw at my Highball, the more smiles I get in return. Carbon rigid fork, 100mm fork, and now 120mm with a dropper
I am finding it to be a superb all-around hardtail even if it is just lowly Al, not some fancy Cro-moly or Hi-Ten!
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You know I'm being facetious...I would consider a Highball. The alloy bike seems very well conceived. I don't consider alum a deal breaker.
 
Ebruner said:
I'm on a chinese carbon hard tail. I actually just built a second one for a friend. I've got 600 miles on mine with zero issues to speak of. If you want info just lmk.
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Thanks for that, Erik. I do wonder about these boatloads of Asian carbon frames I see advertised.

One aspect I'm inflexible on is the ability to run singlespeed, and from what I'm picking up, it seems that swinging dropouts are the way to go. They worked fantastically on my El Mariachi.

I'm in no rush; just waiting for the right used frame to come along. I could live with another El Mar, despite being nearly between sizes.

Thanks again for all input...
 
mike said:
Thanks for that, Erik. I do wonder about these boatloads of Asian carbon frames I see advertised.

One aspect I'm inflexible on is the ability to run singlespeed, and from what I'm picking up, it seems that swinging dropouts are the way to go. They worked fantastically on my El Mariachi.

I'm in no rush; just waiting for the right used frame to come along. I could live with another El Mar, despite being nearly between sizes.

Thanks again for all input...
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One thing I'm inflexible on is the ability to run a front derailleur! Ha!
 
Faust29 said:
@mike - Any progress on the search? Just curious, as I'm 99% certain I'm going to add a new Chameleon in the next month or two. I want to be certain that I wouldn't be better server with something else...
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I got to do a parking lot test of the new Chameleon. Rode better than I thought. Can't really give it a test review after a 10 minute parking lot ride. Seems pretty fun.
 
Faust29 said:
@mike - Any progress on the search? Just curious, as I'm 99% certain I'm going to add a new Chameleon in the next month or two. I want to be certain that I wouldn't be better server with something else...
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Exciting stuff! "Add" being the operative word, yes? So the Highball and El Mar stay in the fleet? Cool.

I'm more searching for the right ride this year, and then the right bike for it. I'm gravitating toward something that FS will be good on, so I might be tooled up already. But I still have eyes for something singlespeed-able for local rides. The new Karate Monkey looks nice, but titanium, mmm, Carver 420 and El Mar ti are still on my radar. I'm still not psyched on plus tires and Boost, which makes Surly's Gnotboost system appealing. A couple other distractions, the usual. Thanks for askin...
 
@no worries and @SnakeCharmer - I like the looks of the Salsa, but after my bad experience with the company, I'd probably hesitate before buying another bike from them. Which is a real shame, because I absolutely loved my el Mariachi. That bike and I would have been together for a long time...

@mike- This will be an addition to the Highball. The el Mar died last summer... :thumbsdown: I'm thinking a second hardtail set up on the more aggressive side. Probably geared, but maybe not. I like having the option. And the option for burlier tires... That is one weakness of the Highball.
 
Faust29 said:
@no worries and @SnakeCharmer - I like the looks of the Salsa, but after my bad experience with the company, I'd probably hesitate before buying another bike from them. Which is a real shame, because I absolutely loved my el Mariachi. That bike and I would have been together for a long time...

@mike- This will be an addition to the Highball. The el Mar died last summer... :thumbsdown: I'm thinking a second hardtail set up on the more aggressive side. Probably geared, but maybe not. I like having the option. And the option for burlier tires... That is one weakness of the Highball.
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What was your bad experience with Salsa?
 
SnakeCharmer said:
What was your bad experience with Salsa?
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It wasn't really bad, but it wasn't great...

I had an el Mariachi for a year and a half when the frame broke. Salsa agreed that it was under warranty, but there were no el Mariachi frames available to replace mine. They tried the hard sell for a Cutthroat, but that is not the kind of bike I was in the market for, and it would have been more than the $500 they gave me for the frame. The kicker is that this was just before the Timberjack and all the other new Salsas were released... If they had said, "Hey, we have these other bikes in the pipeline. Just hang on a couple weeks", I probably would have waited and been happier with them...

In the end, I took the money from Salsa and bought a Highball frame. Mtnbikej's dealings with Santa Cruz for warranty issues was one of the big selling points...
 
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rossage said:
Looks like a great bike but I want to stick with a 29er.
I wonder if the Chameleon leans a little to the fun side more than something made for longer travels.
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Well I was told that in the 29er mode, that it will take a 2.5 inch tire. I would use that as a bikepacker.
 
Danmtchl said:
Well I was told that in the 29er mode, that it will take a 2.5 inch tire. I would use that as a bikepacker.
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2.5 is what the reviewers are saying... That's better than the Highball. It probably takes a 2.4 with the regular dropouts, but I'd never get one in there with my single speed gearing...

@rossage - Watch the Chameleon video review I posted in the other thread. That looks like fun to me! :-)
 
Faust29 said:
2.5 is what the reviewers are saying... That's better than the Highball. It probably takes a 2.4 with the regular dropouts, but I'd never get one in there with my single speed gearing...

@rossage - Watch the Chameleon video review I posted in the other thread. That looks like fun to me! :)
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Santa Cruz is the one who told me you can put 2.5s on the bike. The bike I rode had 2.35s and looked to be able to put them on there.
 
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