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"Best" Modern Hardtail for XC

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Kuttermax

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
With most of the technology focusing on FS bikes, HT often are not discussed unless looking for some budget options. However for some terrain and courses, a light, fast HT is still a great choice.

I'm about to pull the trigger on an updated frame moving from the prior gen Air 9 RDO to the current one. Advantages for me would be moving to Boost spacing, slightly lighter weight, and 1 degree slacker head tube angle. I would also take the change to switch out my last gen SID to a new Fox 32 SC. The majority of my other parts I would move over and I have an extra 27.2 carbon seatpost laying around.

However before making it the final commitment I thought I would throw this question out there and see what people think are the best XC hardtails at the moment. Both the high end Specialized and Trek's look nice, but suspect trying to get just a frame would be very pricey.
 
#4 ·
bikeboy89 said:
EXCEED CF SL 7.0 PRO RACE is going to my choice once I get the money saved up.
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It may not matter to you but the Canyon Exceed still has 142 spacing in the rear...all the newest released bikes have 148 spacing. I've been told they will release a 148 Boost frame next year. They put a Boost fork on the current model though so they can have the word BOOST in their advertising/marketing.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Briscoelab - interested in your thoughts in terms of how the Epic HT compared to the Air 9 RDO? It is a little lighter but were there other things.

The Santa Cruz Highball looks interesting. It looks like they are going for something similar to the Air 9 RDO in terms of stiffness where it needs it but then better compliance to improve ride quality. It is about 0.5 degrees slacker than Air 9 RDO, so pretty close, but has a threaded BB which is a bonus. However the frame only is about $600 more than what I can get the Air 9 RDO for, which is a big enough difference to stick with RDO. With the savings, I can almost cover the cost of the 32 SC. Priced the same, it would be a really tough decision.
 
#10 ·
The Epic handled much nicer, with the slacker HTA. Also, it was more compliant than the RDO (I've also owned a One9 RDO).

The Niner was nice though and has an advantage if you want to run a dropper (since you have a broader amount of options with the 30.9mm post size).
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
briscoelab said:
The Epic handled much nicer, with the slacker HTA. Also, it was more compliant than the RDO (I've also owned a One9 RDO).

The Niner was nice though and has an advantage if you want to run a dropper (since you have a broader amount of options with the 30.9mm post size).
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Thanks!

I've got the prior gen Air 9 RDO, which has the 30.9 seat post size, but it looks like the newer Air 9 RDO uses a 27.2, similar to the new Santa Cruz Highball. It seems this was done to improve compliance. I'm probably not going to put a dropper on this bike though, but if I did, I'd likely use a Thompson Elite, as they have a 27 model. I've used this on my Salsa Beargrease fat bike and it has performed well.
 
#12 ·
I rode the 2013 Air9 RDO (big seatpost) as well, was a really great frame. I’m actually riding the Pivot LES currently single speed but do have the geared dropouts as well. It has the same 30.9 seatpost as the older RDO. Very stiff frame.


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#20 ·
SpartyinWI said:
Awesome. Do you mind if I ask what level highball you purchased?
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CC frame. Built it up with components I like (RF Next SL cranks, XTR race brakes, SRAM drivetrain, etc.)

More feedback - this thing is freaking awesome. It's comfy and sturdy all at the same time. I'm considering having this as my exclusive XC race rig, forgoing a fully. I'll probably pick up a fully sometime in the next year or so, but will lean towards a more fun/trail/bro-duro setup without much concern for weight. This thing just kills.
 
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