Help me out boys...
My old Gary Fisher 29er is running a Solo Air 1 100mm fork, and though geometry is relatively modern for an XC specific bike it just isn't slack enough for me to be comfortable with some downhill sections and have to be cautious on my brakes and line.
just a quick spec on the bike build: old G2 29er Mamba with 2.25 tires, dropper post, 100MM front fork and I recently detonated my BB and crank so I just did a 1x11 GX upgrade. I did put a 50mm stem and 740 bars on to keep it more modern
I think that maybe I could upgrade the front fork but I'm not thinking its worth while... nor do I want to raise the BB height too much more
So... I think I need a trail bike - something long, slack, but can still climb.
1. Do trail bikes with 64-65 deg of head angles actually climb as well as XC bikes with 68/69 like what people tell me?
2. 27.5 Plus - necessary for anything other than a hard tail? Will a 27.5 Plus really have that much more contact patch than say my 29er? (i.e. a 27.5 x 2.8 vs 29 x 2.3)
3. Do I want a rear suspension anymore, and which link is best?
TBH - I love simplicity, climbing and a confidant downhill... so I'm still leaning towards a hardtail. Problem is, the only hardtails that are half decently spec'd are plus bikes and hardcore 29er XC bikes
"IF" a plus tire and "IF" slack head angle (tall fork) on a hard tail, can do all of the above... I am so game.
I've done some research, but I'm thinking the following, but giving a preference to:
Chromag Rootdown build
Marin Pine 1
Specialized Fuze
Kona Honzo CroMo
Santa Cruze Chameleon
Trek Roscoe 8 (or higher)
I know that Cannondale and Giant have their offerings, but they seemed compromised compared...
Ideally I'd love to have higher end draintrain, hubs, dropper, bars, stem, saddle... but if anything, being a hardtail... I would love a 150-160 mm travel front fork
Anyways, love to hear what your opinions are and suggestions?