Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

Looks great. Out of interest which box are you using for the plane?

Edit to add.. just watched a yt vid in Malaysia and the guy was chased by monkeys!

Love the proportions on it. Tell us how it goes please. Your updates are always a story.

I’m going to use the big/gest Evoc bike bag- I’m out for a month and a half so storing the bag is a consideration.

Will do, and thanks - the proportions are interesting given it’s an XL.

NBD. Now to learn how to ride this machine.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QxylW2ovdoI

Looks snazzy. And like the kind of machine that wants a lot of pedalling.

I just bit the bullet and spent way to much on some SQLabs 30X bars :/

After a recent move to Stroud and exploring the local off road trails I’m considering moving on my Kinesis ATR for a 29er hardtail. I want something that’s more comfortable and fun off road and that will eat the miles up as I explore. I’m not hugely adventurous in terms of throwing myself down hillsides and prefer to explore and climb. Does a 29er hardtail fit the bill here? I know less than nothing about MTB.

A friend recommended the Santa Cruz Chameleon 29er. Any thoughts on that?

Many thanks

29er hardtail sounds perfect.

I’d suggest more trail than xc orientated unless you plan on racing.

Come out for a ride at Forest of Dean?

Is that Santa Cruz Chameleon I mentioned trail or XC? I can’t see a mention and not sure what the difference is to look out for.

https://www.stifmtb.com/products/santa-cruz-chameleon-d21-kit?variant=40944591044719

And yes, would love to explore the forest.

Chameleon is definitely more Trail than XC

Just spec'd up an equivalent Bird. Fuck me, bikes are spendy these days.

Yep. Would be interested in some details on that if you’re happy to share? Lots of reading up to do

knowing you, i think you need an xc 29er

Normally Santa Cruz are on the spendy side - but that Chameleon doesnt look a terrible deal, albeit there are cheaper things out there with similar specs.

Think you're on the right track with a 130mm ish hardtail with a 65 degree headangle. It's the slackness that makes it "not an XC bike" but it's not so slack as to be wandering around like crazy on the climbs.

On one do something more budget orientated - the Scandal - but you'd probably want to add a dropper. Would still save you over £400 and you'd have a comparable spec - just with less bling frame. https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOSCSX/on-one-scandal-sram-sx-mountain-bike

I used to have a Cotic Solaris Max which I loved. They come up used in decent condition around the £1000 - £1200 mark.

I've always quite like the look of the Orbea Laufey as well. They are on offer at the mo at Sigma Sport. Bit more travel, but sure it would be fun for the money. https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Orbea/Laufey-H30-Mountain-Bike-2022/VE2Y

MTBs are a money pit, stick with the fixie and cyclocross bike

That’s really useful, thanks

i think you need an xc 29er

Confusing things, not so helpful! Now I need to read up what an XC 29er is

don't get hung up on overly fancy bikes.
buy a second hand steel hardtail that you like the look of. nothing too flash.
go to check it out, if the brakes work and the fork seems fine you will be ok.
later you can replace things. the core of the bike will probably last forever.

stick with the fixie

That Santa Cruz can be converted I believe

Ha! I am (mostly) kidding btw

XC 29er = your storck
Trail 29er = like a touring bike with mudguards and wide tyres

If its "mixed terrain" riding with occasional driving to a trail centre I'd say XC 29er

@leggy_blonde needs to give his insight

Looked at this myself and spec is decent for the money, but ended up with a canyon stoic 4 as it had a nicer fork (albeit a not as nice groupset and brakes). Had it out on the weekend and it was pretty nice!

Trail 29er is deffo not "mudguards". Quite the opposite- designed for more aggressive use than XC.

@Colm89 did some research so I would see what he says