NSMB - 2017 - Hardtail Thread

My Dartmoor Primal. To me it's the sexy redhead lady that states you a little bit, but you know you will have a great time if you have the guts to play your hand with her.

Currently it's a singlespeed, but occasionally she has gears (SS in winter) and her dropper post is in for a service.

It's so versatile that I have done a local Enduro on it, but also used it for XCO and marathon races, albeit with different builds. And a lot of faith on the Enduro (the big bike was waiting for pivot bearings...) But the Primal handled the rocks in its stride.

This is my Explosif that has rekindled my love of simplicity. It suits the trails around here so much more that my Range hardly gets ridden anymore. Plus, jumping just has that feeling when you're on a hardtail hitting a tabletop.

Posted by: FlipSide

I like my old hardtail, but these modern frames are something else!

Agree. What boggles my mind is how it took so long to figure out the geometry. Then again...parts probably had a lot to do with it as far as suspension, wheel sizes and single ring drivetrains.

Posted by: the-chez

Posted by: FlipSide

I like my old hardtail, but these modern frames are something else!

Agree. What boggles my mind is how it took so long to figure out the geometry. Then again...parts probably had a lot to do with it as far as suspension, wheel sizes and single ring drivetrains.

Spot on.  At face value a  bash guard and chain guide don't seem too revolutionary, but they allowed manufactorers to drop the bottom bracket height, slacken the bike, change fork take and travel, and so on. 

That said, I love my steep as hell steel 29r.  It's like driving a classic stick shift muscle car vs a modern dual clutch sports car.   They both put you on the edge of your seat in a different way.

I've got a 2017 Chromag Surface here in BC with me and a 2014 Kona Honzo that lives in Colorado with the fam. Both builds are 140mm Fox 34s, 1x11 M8000+10-42 GX cassette. 

The Surface has turned out to be an amazing rig for bikepacking. I fitted WTB 27.5x3.0" Trailboss tires on it originally, however have since moved to 3.0" Surly Dirt Wizards and 2.8 Maxxis DHR2. Very possibly my favorite bike I've ridden (let alone owned)

Isn't it funny how a hardtail can turn into your favorite bike many years later? I like my full suspension for its reasons and the progression but all around for the most part hardtails are just so versatile.

I love the fact that your Chromag has such versatility. Jealous!

Posted by: jan

I've got a 2017 Chromag Surface here in BC with me and a 2014 Kona Honzo that lives in Colorado with the fam. Both builds are 140mm Fox 34s, 1x11 M8000+10-42 GX cassette. 

The Surface has turned out to be an amazing rig for bikepacking. I fitted WTB 27.5x3.0" Trailboss tires on it originally, however have since moved to 3.0" Surly Dirt Wizards and 2.8 Maxxis DHR2. Very possibly my favorite bike I've ridden (let alone owned)

Posted by: jan

I've got a 2017 Chromag Surface here in BC with me and a 2014 Kona Honzo that lives in Colorado with the fam. Both builds are 140mm Fox 34s, 1x11 M8000+10-42 GX cassette. 

The Surface has turned out to be an amazing rig for bikepacking. I fitted WTB 27.5x3.0" Trailboss tires on it originally, however have since moved to 3.0" Surly Dirt Wizards and 2.8 Maxxis DHR2. Very possibly my favorite bike I've ridden (let alone owned)

So clean!  I would love to build one like this eventually.  I had a long travel 26" hardtail back in the day and it felt like nothing else on the trail.  Total tank (in a good way).

I am actually going to be able to participate in this thread.

I have a new build in the works.....and its steel.

I'm considering a Transition Trans Am, anyone have experience on one?

Hey guys, I'm going to be building up a hardtail over the off season while re-habing from a knee repair. Question for your collective knowledge. I've decided to go Chromag but am not sure on model selection. From looking at the stats on the Surface and Primer would I be correct in assuming the Surface is more of an all around trail friendly ride as opposed to the Primer? Looking for some guidance. Thanks!

Thats correct, just barely though. The main difference is the Primer has a 1* slacker head angle and a Press-fit bb. Apparently both are being built by Dekerf at the moment.

I ended up with a Rootdown BA because I personally couldn't justify the upcharge to the Surface; I'd be all over an off-shore version of the Surface. 

My BA is quite versatile with a 150mm fork, but it struggles on steep techy climbs with sharp switchbacks. Pointed downwards is where it shines, very brightly

Thanks! The justification game is the one I'm playing right now as well. Always dreamed of having a Dekerf bike growing up, trying to convince myself the extra $1000 is worth it!

Just curious, what kind of pedals do you guys have on your ht? I found that spd pedals might be a better option for when it gets rowdy.

Think of it as more like $650, since you get your pick of custom paint colour on the Surface. Hope that helped!