Through my own stupidity/poor impulse control I’ve ended up with 3 bikes that fulfill a very similar role. Keeping all 3 is simply not an option so fishing for a bit of advice (or maybe people to tell me what I already know )
1) 2021 Boardman MTR 9.0 29”
Only bike I’ve bought new, and it’s great. 4 pot SLX brakes, 1x12 drivetrain. 150mm Pike Select at the front and 145mm Deluxe Select Plus at the back. Brilliant winter bike, heaviest of the 3 though - and feels it at times (graceful it is not). Lowliest pedigree of the bunch.
2) 2015 Santa Cruz Tallboy LTC 29”
Also running 150mm Pike Select, paired with 135mm Fox Factory CTD. 1x11 M8000 XT groupset with a smattering of Hope goodies (carbon bars, E4/Tech 3 brakes, Pro2 Evo hubs). Lightest of the 3 (almost 2kg less than the Boardman), and pretty rare too, but 69 degree head angle and 437mm reach perhaps a bit old fashioned.
3) 2017 Santa Cruz Bronson CC 27.5”
Once again, 150mm Pike Select front, 150mm Monarch Plus at the back though. M8000 XT again, 2x11, and M8000 brakes. Middle of the three in terms of weight. Shares the same 66 degree head angle as the Boardman - reach is less than Boardman but more than Tallboy (reach is important to me, as I’m tall and old!). Only 27.5 I own, and stand over is almost ridiculously low for my height
I do have a Mk7 Chameleon (I like Santa Cruz) which isn’t going anywhere, nor is my old P7. All my bikes are XL sized, so appropriate for my height.
Idle musings on a Sunday night, interested in peoples thoughts. Much to my surprise I think the Tallboy might be the weakest link for me.
Of course, then the question is, if I do move on the Tallboy do I take the Hope brakes and bars off…?
1) 2021 Boardman MTR 9.0 29”
Only bike I’ve bought new, and it’s great. 4 pot SLX brakes, 1x12 drivetrain. 150mm Pike Select at the front and 145mm Deluxe Select Plus at the back. Brilliant winter bike, heaviest of the 3 though - and feels it at times (graceful it is not). Lowliest pedigree of the bunch.
2) 2015 Santa Cruz Tallboy LTC 29”
Also running 150mm Pike Select, paired with 135mm Fox Factory CTD. 1x11 M8000 XT groupset with a smattering of Hope goodies (carbon bars, E4/Tech 3 brakes, Pro2 Evo hubs). Lightest of the 3 (almost 2kg less than the Boardman), and pretty rare too, but 69 degree head angle and 437mm reach perhaps a bit old fashioned.
3) 2017 Santa Cruz Bronson CC 27.5”
Once again, 150mm Pike Select front, 150mm Monarch Plus at the back though. M8000 XT again, 2x11, and M8000 brakes. Middle of the three in terms of weight. Shares the same 66 degree head angle as the Boardman - reach is less than Boardman but more than Tallboy (reach is important to me, as I’m tall and old!). Only 27.5 I own, and stand over is almost ridiculously low for my height
I do have a Mk7 Chameleon (I like Santa Cruz) which isn’t going anywhere, nor is my old P7. All my bikes are XL sized, so appropriate for my height.
Idle musings on a Sunday night, interested in peoples thoughts. Much to my surprise I think the Tallboy might be the weakest link for me.
Of course, then the question is, if I do move on the Tallboy do I take the Hope brakes and bars off…?