On my stanton sherpa I tested a 100mm, a 120mm and a 130mm. Like the 120mm the most. The change in geometry on a hardtail with a fork longer than about 130mm feels too extreme for me. I suppose you'd get use to it and anticipate it.Can't believe hardtails are running 150mm forks. 100-120mm was the gold standard since forever?
Forks got better. No more open bath divey POS.Can't believe hardtails are running 150mm forks. 100-120mm was the gold standard since forever?
This is it for me too. Trails that get a little bland on an all singing all dancing dually are suddenly more fun because you have to work for it. Not sure it would be the weapon of choice for somewhere with a lot of chop and big kilometers, but its a blast heading out for a cruisy ride on easier trails and playing around like a kid.I've kept on riding both, it's fun because it makes simple trails more interesting, and I find I can grind up the hills easier.
Sounds like you and I are on a similar journey @komdotkom. Looking forward to getting the Aether 9 on some dirt to see if it climbs as well as the carbon version.It depends on the bikes I reckon. I bought an HT (Paradox) when my dually was a shit climber and loved it for the direct and engaging ride.
Now I have a better dually which climbs really well and now HT sits in the wine cellar hopefully getting better with age. Slower and less comfortable, I always think of taking it and then slap myself and take the Bird.
now HT sits in the wine cellar hopefully getting better with age. Slower and less comfortable, I always think of taking it and then slap myself
Sales pitch needs a bit of workBut if you want a great hard tail my Paradox is for sale.....
Sales pitch needs a bit of work
Paradox is for sale.....
It's probably more a comment about me than the bike. Old and time poor, I just want it to be as enjoyable as possible. When I have more spare time and get to ride more often, perhaps a different experience will appeal to me but at the moment I'm struggling to get 1 ride per month so it won't be on a hard tail. I even considered getting an e-bike, but then I punched myself in the face and got back to reality.Sales pitch needs a bit of work
Don't take it personally I was just having bit of fun. I know two local Paradox V3 owners and both of them highly rate the bike, for one it is his only mtb.It's probably more a comment about me than the bike. Old and time poor, I just want it to be as enjoyable as possible. When I have more spare time and get to ride more often, perhaps a different experience will appeal to me but at the moment I'm struggling to get 1 ride per month so it won't be on a hard tail. I even considered getting an e-bike, but then I punched myself in the face and got back to reality.
I think I'm leaning towards that notion. Briefly considered a dedicated drop bar gravel bike but then common sense kicked in. If I sold my dualie I would have gotten a carbon fibre HT with good components but I think a basic alloy model around 1k will be ok for what I want it for.Solution for the OP is of course, if possible, to have both. HT is also helpful to have if it's a little wet and you don't want to gunk up linkages and bearings.