If you like some flexibility, the Salsa Timberjack frame can use the alternator dropouts to allow it to run a 1x, or as a single speed, or accomodate 27.5 or 29 wheels (or a mix of both). It won the 2022 PinkBike Value Bike Field Test and was praised by Hardtail Party.

$750 MSRP Salsa Cycles | Adventure by Bike

 

Ragley Big Al looks to fit the bill, but I am not a fan of their newest iteration and geometry. If you can find the older one, can find the frame shipped for ~$400-600.

 

Newest big al is not longer a trail bike. You would get the marley 29 for that.

Stupid naming decision, but oh well.

 

I have a new salsa timberjack and a new specialized fuse; If either is on your list, I would go fuse. My timberjack is for sale

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3658738/

 

I have a new salsa timberjack and a new specialized fuse; If either is on your list, I would go fuse. My timberjack is for sale

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3658738/

so after a ton of research and reading/watching reviews etc, Timberjack sounds hard to beat for the price. Fuse actually looks pretty similar on paper, and I'm a Specialized guy anyway so curious why you like the Fuse better? Specialized is out of stock though

 

Santa Cruz Chameleon

 

is that not a bit more enduro hardcore?

 

Chameleon or Esker Japhy come to find for the price.

 

The current Lynskey deal on Live Wire (long, low, slack) and Pro 29 (more XC type) is great, especially for titanium.

 

/me looks at OP sub $1000 budget.

 

oooh, nice. thanks.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I see a lot of Kona Honzo frames for sale cheap - how are they?

I might stretch the budget a bit for Ti… that’s a pretty sweet deal.

Guess I need to study some geo charts too. Last hardtail I bought was around 2004 so I really have no reference for how “long, low, slack” vs “XC” translates to a hardtail these days

 

It's gona all weird. The ragley marley mentioned is their "trail" bike. But by 2004 standard it would be the most hardcore downhill monster with a 140mm fork.

I will say though that my mmmbop (even more hardcore and slack and low than the marley) still rides pretty well on "XC" type terrain. You do need to adapt your style on the climbs.

Basically what is considered long low and slack becomes conservative xc after a few years and the cycle repeats until the front fork is horizontal.

 

Spot Rocker steel model.

 

Good luck finding one, only carbon for a few years now

 

The Cotic SolarisMax might be of interest to you. Frame with shipping from UK should be within your budget & it's a pretty comfortable while being capable. It can be setup for a 120 to 140mm fork.

 

Discontinued model. Replaced by Solaris. Mostly the same geometry, but lower BB and 100-120mm fork.

 

RSD Middlechild v2
I love mine so, so much.

 

That looks like a fun bike. It looks plenty capable for steeper terrain. It might be my number 2 bike next to my Chameleon. What height is the riser bars? Is that because of the low stack?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

This was built for the Made bike show coming in August and it’ll be for sale there, if anyone is going and wants to try out progressive geometry

 

This was built for the Made bike show coming in August and it’ll be for sale there, if anyone is going and wants to try out progressive geometry

Shameless marketing plug. Unacceptable. As punishment you must turn over that frame to me and i will dispose of it in an appropriate manner.... that may involve some rocky descents.

 

Canfield Nimble9

 

The fork will be next.
(67) 2023 Manitou Mattoc | Mountain Bike Reviews Forum (mtbr.com)

 

The fork will be next.
(67) 2023 Manitou Mattoc | Mountain Bike Reviews Forum (mtbr.com)

Or they could get a good fork.