Plain vanilla XC 27.5 hardtails

[robin3mj]

Do these exist anymore?

I am enjoying my Honzo but honestly it’s a little too much bike for the riding I’m doing. Thinking about something a little less slack up front and flickable, to use a word that doesn’t exist. The Kona rolls over everything but also seems like a bear to get moving and go uphill sometimes. I’ve ridden a handful of 27.5+ which also have geometry that trend towards trail and not XC and have found them a bit unwieldy.

Not looking to spend a ton of $$$ but wondering whether there’s something out there that’ll fit the bill. The bike sees equal amounts of ride time at places like Wakefield and Lake Fairfax and also pulling a Burley or trail a bike on sunny weekend afternoons. (Obviously the latter is less of a concern because all bikes ride wonky in that regard.)

[bcplouffe]

Do these exist anymore?

I am enjoying my Honzo but honestly it’s a little too much bike for the riding I’m doing. Thinking about something a little less slack up front and flickable, to use a word that doesn’t exist. The Kona rolls over everything but also seems like a bear to get moving and go uphill sometimes. I’ve ridden a handful of 27.5+ which also have geometry that trend towards trail and not XC and have found them a bit unwieldy.

Not looking to spend a ton of $$$ but wondering whether there’s something out there that’ll fit the bill. The bike sees equal amounts of ride time at places like Wakefield and Lake Fairfax and also pulling a Burley or trail a bike on sunny weekend afternoons. (Obviously the latter is less of a concern because all bikes ride wonky in that regard.)

I was right where you are a few months ago. I had a Honzo that I never really came to terms with. Was too slack, pretty heavy, and not really my style. I dumped it and picked up a Giant xtc Advanced that I really like-quick handling, light, and has sliding dropouts. I dumped the OEM 27.5 wheels for some carbon 29er wheels and run it singlespeed-perfecto.

[zambenini]

like bcp says, XC bike with some mods to accommodate what you want might be a good path. i.e. dropper and good tire clearance and maybe over fork it a bit by running 120mm out front. Basically what I am doing and i like it a lot. i ride steel SSXC, but 2.4s and a droppah and i have a lot of fun. I am not running a 120 fork yet but hope to. 2.4 may go up to the new WTB 2.6, too.

[steve garro]

Pick up an older Soma B-side for a few Benjamins and hit the trail..........or, make me an offer on this frame and rear brake:

https://dirtragmag.com/first-impress...e-model-frame/




- Garro.

[jesseth]

There are bazillions of them out there on the used market alone, take your pick. There is certainly no shortage:

Pinkbike Buy-Sell forum: XC Bikes

[72gmc]

Just looked up the author stats on that linked coconino.

Tester: Karl Rosengarth Age: 59 Height: 5’10” Weight: 150 lbs. Inseam: 32”

[steve garro]

Just looked up the author stats on that linked coconino.

Tester: Karl Rosengarth Age: 59 Height: 5’10” Weight: 150 lbs. Inseam: 32”

Yep - I can't find the full review or I'd link it up.

I'd sell the frame and recently bled rear brake for CHEAP.

PM me if interested.



- Garro

[robin3mj]

Thanks all.
I'm sure there are tons of suitable options on the used market, so maybe I need to smarten up on that front.

Garro- you're going to be the first guy I call if I ever become adept enough to MTB to warrant a custom frame! That green one looks amazing but likely too small for me.

[dogrange]

like bcp says, XC bike with some mods to accommodate what you want might be a good path. i.e. dropper and good tire clearance and maybe over fork it a bit by running 120mm out front. Basically what I am doing and i like it a lot. i ride steel SSXC, but 2.4s and a droppah and i have a lot of fun. I am not running a 120 fork yet but hope to. 2.4 may go up to the new WTB 2.6, too.

Hey this sounds like a good idea to try on my 2012 Salsa Mamasita. What's a good value fork to try, there's an old QR-only 100mm travel Reba on there now that I've been happy with if that helps.

[zambenini]

A Reba seems like the gold standard of value. Foxes are nice but lotta mullah. I bet an MRP loop would be fun but I never could find one when I was looking.

[robin3mj]

So I’ve found that the stock tires on my Honzo are not currently tubeless, maybe wore beads, and listed at 967g each. Yoiks!
I think a new set of tires set up tubeless is probably warranted before I do anything rash.

[zambenini]

Tubeless is v v good indeed.

[sparky33]

Santa Cruz Highball 27.5 would fit the bill. SC discontinued the 27.5 :(, so used or NOS is the route. My old Highball 27.5 serves a similar purpose as a nimble general purpose mtb, rough gravel, just riding along cruiser and trailer puller, at house 2 where all that stuff happens.

That said, my main mtb is a new Highball 29er...does everything just as well as the old 27.5 but is mostly nicer in every way.

Do these exist anymore?

I am enjoying my Honzo but honestly it’s a little too much bike for the riding I’m doing. Thinking about something a little less slack up front and flickable, to use a word that doesn’t exist. The Kona rolls over everything but also seems like a bear to get moving and go uphill sometimes. I’ve ridden a handful of 27.5+ which also have geometry that trend towards trail and not XC and have found them a bit unwieldy.

Not looking to spend a ton of $$$ but wondering whether there’s something out there that’ll fit the bill. The bike sees equal amounts of ride time at places like Wakefield and Lake Fairfax and also pulling a Burley or trail a bike on sunny weekend afternoons. (Obviously the latter is less of a concern because all bikes ride wonky in that regard.)

[andrew flowers]

Honzo will not over bike many situations at all.

Sounds like a set up issue over a frame set issue

[marley]

SC Chemalon , they just released a carbon model

[mack_turtle]

Carbon-carbon-carbon-carbon-carbon cham-ee-lee-on.

[rec head]

I'm so glad I got the aluminum Chameleon before this was even an option to have to consider.