NSMB - 2019 - Hardtail Thread

Posted by: T-mack

I'm not a hardtail rider and never will be but I do have a question. With 180mm travel up front and considering the whole bike pivots around the rear axle, won't it feel super unstable when you're deep in the travel? A dually at least somewhat maintains its geo to a degree when both ends compress.

It’s definitely a consideration. I found my old hardtail with a 120 fork easy to feel good on. My Rootdown BA with 150 mm fork was a bit harder to set up. I went with 150 over the stock 160 for that very reason, but it’s still a matter of balancing stem spacers, fork air pressure and tokens to get the ride height I want. I like my hardtail with a firmer fork setup than my full suspension to keep the front end up.

120 fork on a "hardcore" hardtail is too short IMO. I have a honzo that is supposed to run 120. When I got it I accidentally put a 140 on it (I thought it was a 120 but when I was measuring it in the process of replacing the fork realized what I had been riding). I set my DVO to 130 when I put it on and have found it shorter than I would like ever since. 

On the other hand I suspect 180 would be too much to my liking. I think 140-160 is the sweet spot. Too short and it makes it difficult to carry speed when the going gets rough. Too long and you lose the fun of riding a hardtail.

Posted by: Ridebikes

Hepcat

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/bik/d/richmond-northeast-vintage-commuters/6799310160.html

I found one for $150 not mine not selling it please don’t kick me

Cheers! 🍻

Unfortunately, won't be back home in Vancouver till June.

Around where I live in the States they are rare. 

Almost perfect. That thing needs some thumb shifters!

Same as last year however I threw 2.5wt's on it this year

Some more Chromag love, having this Sakura as my forever bike (unless they release a Sakura v2 with modern geometry but this same HT badge) made it easier to let the Primer go. This is a purely XC bike now, I'm redoing the build this off season so stay posted.

Here is my Pipedream Moxie. This is my "winter hardtail", but it also sees a lot of use throughout the year. I love the compliance, fit, and handling.

https://nsmb.com/photos/view/19769/

I can't figure out how to insert a photo:(

Right click and copy image address. Paste that into the image box. Love the frame colour!

Thanks, but not working on my Mac in Safari.  It was swamp green or pink, my friends wanted me to get pink so they could make fun of me.

Posted by: RAHrider

120 fork on a "hardcore" hardtail is too short IMO. I have a honzo that is supposed to run 120. When I got it I accidentally put a 140 on it (I thought it was a 120 but when I was measuring it in the process of replacing the fork realized what I had been riding). I set my DVO to 130 when I put it on and have found it shorter than I would like ever since. 

On the other hand I suspect 180 would be too much to my liking. I think 140-160 is the sweet spot. Too short and it makes it difficult to carry speed when the going gets rough. Too long and you lose the fun of riding a hardtail.

IMO it depends on your bike and set up.  I was running my 29HT with 140 bit it looped out too much on climbs.  I now run it at 120mm with a Debonair air spring in my Pikes and them stuffed full of tokens.  It has better mid stroke support and hardly ever bottoms out.

Plus my terrain (in Surrey UK) doesn't warrant much more than 120mm (I have just changed back to Pikes after 2 months rigid)

Posted by: fartymarty

Plus my terrain (in Surrey UK) doesn't warrant much more than 120mm (I have just changed back to Pikes after 2 months rigid)

Hi Marty.  I live in Hampshire which is also very tame.  Been running a 140mm 29r fork on my Ragley but need to run about 35 - 40% sag for the perfect geometry.  I think reducing the travel and chucking in more tokens (+ bit more air) as you have done could be the way to go.  Quite like the over-forked ride for downs but definitely not on the climbs.

Have you noticed much less forgiveness over the rough stuff?

Great looking bike RAH

My Moxie with a 140mm 29 Lyrik and a 32mm stem doesn't "loop out" when climbing.  The front end stays down easily because my STA is 76° which works well with my short femurs.  If i ran 35-40% sag my fork would bottom out constantly and, do a poor job at suspending the front end.

I feel that we are experiencing a hardtail renaissance these days.

Modern forks especially those with air spring volume adjustment have made a massive difference to how hardtails handle especially in the steep.

Until you could dial in  Spring rate you would always end up with a fork that was compromised in some way.

I'm running my 140mm 29er pike with the maximum number of tokens and whilst i bottom out only occasionally (basically when things go a bit wrong) the fork feels nice on the smaller stuff giving tons of grip and it's super supportive in the midstroke.