Click, so I can find out if anybody still makes them.

I keep an old 26 inch mountain bike around that's a pleasure to climb with because it's head angle is not so slack.

 

I'm definitely on the 29er bandwagon 😁

The Bandit was the first 29er that wasn't noodly (for me, anyway), and in fact I could point and shoot climbing rocks at >5mph. Only problem with that frame is the rear triangle was prone to breaking.

 

[double post. No option on mtbr to delete post]

 

Izzo/Jeffsy from YT are both 29ers that are great all around bikes.

 

Ibis Exie/Ripley

 

You can always try and size down to get some of that handling back...but the super steep seat angles make you all scrunched up when seated.

 

I've ridden smaller frames and don't find the bike to be more twitchy. There's more to it than mere wheelbase length.

 

So for comparison (no, I didn't normalize for a specific fork, just googling some stats):
Bandit: 68.5°
Smuggler: 65°
Mayhem v1: 67°
Izzo: 66° (looks way more slack than that even based on the photo)
JEFFSY 66°
Exie: 67.2°
Ripley: 65.5°

Some of these suggestions are extremely slack

 

Kona Unit has a 68 degree hta.

 

My Specialized Chisel is 68 and my Epic HT is 68.5. My Chumba Sendero on order will be 67.5. All pretty close to what you like and there are lots more out there. 68.5 is more on the “XC” side of things nowadays but I have no issues riding any of mine in CTX. Looking at XC frames would be the thing to do in my opinion.

 

Those numbers put you firmly into XC territory these days. Santa Cruz Blur looks close-ish? If you pay for a month at geo geeks you can search on HTA/STA: Geometry Geeks

 

Slightly beside the point.
But you should get 51mm offset fork instead of 44mm if you prioritize fast handling.

That 7mm extra offset, though increase wheelbase length by 7mm, reduce trail value by 7mm. 7mm reduction in trail value help making the handling feel snappier.

While the trend is to transit to 44mm offset on every mtb fork for extra stability.
Manitou R7 Pro and Fox 34 SC still can be bought with 51mm offset and Cannondale Lefty is available with 55mm offset.

 

Leftys are still made?
Who knew!

I’m running a 51mm offset fork (180mm travel) on my Canfield Lithium — and like it.
=sParty

 

A reversed angleset can steepen up the HTA by 2 degrees. That would bring a bike with a 66 HTA pretty close to your preferred 68.5. Could open up some possibilities.

2.0 Degree Angle Headsets

Our 2.0 Degree Angle Headsets change your bikes geometry to suit you - alter stock geometry, changing the way your bike rides and feels. Manufactured in the UK by Works Components.

www.workscomponents.co.uk

 

A reversed angleset can steepen up the HTA by 2 degrees. That would bring a bike with a 66 HTA pretty close to your preferred 68.5. Could open up some possibilities.

2.0 Degree Angle Headsets

Our 2.0 Degree Angle Headsets change your bikes geometry to suit you - alter stock geometry, changing the way your bike rides and feels. Manufactured in the UK by Works Components.

www.workscomponents.co.uk

Hrm, interesting. How bomber are these? I run 140mm and bottom out as it is and once even bent a steer tube (although that was free riding). My interest is definitely piqued.

 

Surly Krampus has less "aggressive" geo.

 

Sounds like you want a gravel bike with a straight handlebar. Make sure to post the follow up thread about how heavy modern bikes are, they cost too much, who needs that gearing, and then of course the final thread of you rebuilding some used hoopty you found cheap. Just remember pics or it didn’t happen.

 

Custom geo from Marino?

 

Blur TR, Exie, SB120 will probably all be up your alley. I've held onto my SB100 since 2019 for similar reasons while keeping a slack trail bike in the mix for steeper days.

 

So for comparison (no, I didn't normalize for a specific fork, just googling some stats):
Bandit: 68.5°
Smuggler: 65°
Mayhem v1: 67°
Izzo: 66° (looks way more slack than that even based on the photo)
JEFFSY 66°
Exie: 67.2°
Ripley: 65.5°

Some of these suggestions are extremely slack

The Ripley has a HTA of 66.5, the Ripley AF is 65.5.

So, a Ripley at 66.5 then slap a 1 degree angle set headset in it and you’re at 67.5…

 

“Normie shuttlefucks”? No one knows what that is. Maybe you could just learn to ride?

 

Maybe this is like the poker table saying, 'Look around the poker table; if you can't see the sucker, you're it'.

 

Buy used, you can find bikes with this geo for cheap. Everyone wants LLS.

 

I downhill and yes, I was faster on my Bandit screaming down the mountain believe it or not.

 

I was having custom full suspension frames built for low, long and slack geo before it was a thing. Now the industry jumped the shark with unridable chopper geo. My next frame will also be custom. For real mountain biking.

 

Let's here your dream geo Bikedog22?

Me, I LOVE 64' HTA, 78' STA & 450MM CS all day long.

 

So after scanning a dozen install videos I couldn't help but notice not a single one of them featured a carbon frame...

 

...so? It's a headset. Just install it like a headset. The only difference is it needs to be clocked correctly.

 

Bunch of open mold carbon frames with 2017 to 2019 geo available.

what travel are you after?

 

Anyone making non-stick frames?