Went and did it II........

[Dan Irby]

I now have a inexpensive Specialized Hardrock Comp in my quiver. Know what, I actually really like the feel of a hardtail again. The frame is a nonbutted A1 unit and it has Shimano alivio 8 speed. Wow, it ain't the lightest, but it works GREAT with a pair of clipless pedals and a longer stem...I also really like the 8-speed gears again.  The feedback you get from the stiff rear triangle is wonderful. Cost, 400 dollars. Of course, it also makes me appreciate my EVO. I'm with Pedro, it's nice to have a couple bikes to ride. I am not at all convinced that you need to spend giant dollars on a bike to have a great ride. If you have a chance, try out your old hardtail again for a real treat. Better yet, check out the K2 hardtails on sale at ediscount bike or super-go. K2 makes some really nice aluminum framed HT's. Dan.

[Harv]

I built a Brass Monkey this summer and I like it a lot.  

I have my eye on an Enduro Pro hardtail now as well.  The hardtails seem so much more accurate in a sense.

I'm going the other way than you though, it's very hard to switch back to the EVO because it just seems so loose and fat by comparison.  I only ride it when I know I'm jumping or dropping off stunts.

The hardtail and the 957 seem to be really good complements to each other though.

[Gordo]

I just built up my Specialized M2 hardtail, I was able to used a lot spare parts I had around the apartment. It really light and fast compared my '98 Animal. The only problem I have now is that my rearwheel shot and the drivetrain could use a replacement. I guess that is the drawback using used parts. I used to race on this frame and it is nice to be back on it. Although, my animal is a much nicer trail bike.  

[jedoaks]

http://www.bicycleblowout.com/k2mtb.htm

[numbnuts]

I am itching to get my old stumpjumper back on the trails, I love that frame, but I find that HT's aggravate my dodgy cervical vertbrae so will definately prefer the Evo for most rides

[Dave Wilson]

A couple weeks ago a new guy (but old friend) joined us on our trail ride.  He brought an old Schwinn hardtail, with a RST fork he had just had installed.  I swapped bikes with him on the return loop, both to let him try the Proflex, and because I had never ridden a hardtail on singletrack.  It had fairly slick road tires on it, so I expected the ride to really suck.  But it was light, it climbed great, the slick tires cut way down on rolling resistance, and it was almost as good as the softtail going over the logs and jumps.  When we got back to the trailhead I uttered the words that still haunt me: "Hey, getting pounded in the ass isn't as bad as I thought it would be."  Jeez, those guys really took that out of context.



Anyway, I found a large GT hardtail on eBay cheap.  It's really light, so yesterday I got a 2.3lb RockShox fork off eBay to match.  It will be a few weeks or a month until it's ready to ride, but I think it might be better on our fast, hard-packed trails.

[Scott]

Dave,
Would you mind posting a link to that fork sale on eBay?  I know some of the Rock Shox fitted with Englunds approach 2lb.
Thanks.

[Dave Wilson]

Okay, it's 2.7 lbs.  I guess it was wishful remembering.  It's a 98 RockShox Indy SL.  I read the reviews, and they mostly said it was a light-weight fork that did okay with moderate use.  That sounds okay for hard-packed trails and city use.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3639520508&category=36135&rd=1



The seller had two for sale, but I don't see any more listed.  I'll have to go with V-brakes because neither the fork or frame have disk mounts, but that should help keep the weight down.