NSMB - 2022 - Hardtail Thread...

Nice to see a collection of HT porn ---> https://www.pinkbike.com/news/25-ardtails-of-ardrock.html

Posted by: AndrewMajor

It’s not a bad bend unless if you need raise or lower the seat post. In that even it can be tricky to feed cable through. 

Yes the seatpost is definitely stuck in the current clamped position due to the tightness of that cable/housing inside the bb shell with bb and sleeve in place. Any future manual raising of the whole seatpost will require removing the cranks and bb, as well as likely longer housing and inner cable anyways.

After several years of following the yearly NSMB Hardtail thread, it is with great pleasure that I can now contribute in it. :)

I have always been following the developments of modern hardtails in the past few years, as I knew I'd eventually build one to replace my old-school Voodoo Bizango backup bike. I was close to buying a Chromag a couple of times, but never did it. When I saw the Honzo ESD, I thought "This is the bike, this is the time!". :)

After several months waiting patiently, the frame finally showed up a few days ago! Super happy at how it turned out and it really exceeds my expectation. I think this is the best bike I've ever had. It's been a long time since I've had that much fun on a bike.

Kona Honzo ESD 2022 (Med)

Lyrik Ultimate 150mm

XX1 11sp

XT crankset

Flow MK4 on RaceFace Vault hubs

31.0lbs

That looks so, so fun. I love it.

Has a real retro vibe and as someone who grew up on hard tails I love that it takes me back :)

Looks Extra Spicy Dude! Enjoy the new ride. :-)

Posted by: Vikb

Nice to see a collection of HT porn ---> https://www.pinkbike.com/news/25-ardtails-of-ardrock.html

Very nice.

Posted by: FlipSide

After several years of following the yearly NSMB Hardtail thread, it is with great pleasure that I can now contribute in it. :)

I have always been following the developments of modern hardtails in the past few years, as I knew I'd eventually build one to replace my old-school Voodoo Bizango backup bike. I was close to buying a Chromag a couple of times, but never did it. When I saw the Honzo ESD, I thought "This is the bike, this is the time!". :)

After several months waiting patiently, the frame finally showed up a few days ago! Super happy at how it turned out and it really exceeds my expectation. I think this is the best bike I've ever had. It's been a long time since I've had that much fun on a bike.

Kona Honzo ESD 2022 (Med)

Lyrik Ultimate 150mm

XX1 11sp

XT crankset

Flow MK4 on RaceFace Vault hubs

31.0lbs

Your bike looks sweet. Definitely would take away ride time from my full sus

Posted by: RAHrider

Your bike looks sweet. Definitely would take away ride time from my full sus

Thanks! 

Indeed, I can see myself using the ESD even more than I originally thought. I have a really nice Devinci Spartan carbon with all the good stuff, but the maiden ride on the ESD demonstrated that it is much more comfortable and capable than I expected. For sure the Spartan will be the weapon of choice for fast and rough stuff, but the ESD will see a lot of mileage. :)

That's nice work, all I do is ride my hardtail now and so I sold my Fugitive

Posted by: DanL

That's nice work, all I do is ride my hardtail now and so I sold my Fugitive

I've been the same since early July.  I don't think I want to sell the Murmur but it's not getting a lotta love atm.

Chromag Rootdown (soon to be replaced with a Doctahawk because more is more) + G19 = more smiles than ever before

I loved my fugitive, it's an excellent bike. But I came back more satisfied and stoked on the Rootdown so the maths added up for me - the nimbleness and speed of reaction input are intoxicating when twinned with having to really pick lines, sometimes in short order.

Posted by: DanL

Chromag Rootdown (soon to be replaced with a Doctahawk because more is more) + G19 = more smiles than ever before

I loved my fugitive, it's an excellent bike. But I came back more satisfied and stoked on the Rootdown so the maths added up for me - the nimbleness and speed of reaction input are intoxicating when twinned with having to really pick lines, sometimes in short order.

Really enjoying my Knolly hardtail, but it will never replace my Fugitive. Both very capable and fun bikes, but very different riding experiences.

Posted by: skooks

Posted by: DanL

Both very capable and fun bikes, but very different riding experiences.

This is key for me. A hardtail should be equivalent fun, but a different ride to the FS.

Other than desert road trips in the winter [which have been a while due to C-19] I could sell my FS bike and be just fine. I've got a lot of sentimental attachment to the FS bike, enough garage storage space for it and it's not worth much so not really something I'd sell, but if push came to shove it could go.