Mountain Bike Online

Light and lethally quick, at just 9.7kg (with pedals), this super-light 29er hardtail is fast, fun and friendly.

The low weight frame comes from integrated moulding process using composite fibre(HMX-NET) and a wealth of carbon build experience.

Internal cabling keeps it looking neat, but difficult to re-thread.

Shock Damping System (SDS) rear stays help take the sting out of rough trails, with Schwalbe Rocket Ron Tyres being fat and grippy (if a bit weighty).

The lumps and bumps that can trip up a 26inch hardtail vanish under the Scott without loss of speed.  The bigger wheels and SDS rear triangle give breathtaking traction on steep climbs, with balanced and precise steering.

While the larger heavier wheels mean it’s not as fast in its first pedal revolutions as a smaller wheeled bike, give it a clear trail to get going and it’s blisteringly fast.

Scott Scale 29RC Specification:

Frame:

Scale 29 Carbon IMP3 technology/ HMX NET, Tapered HeaDTube. PM 160 Disc Carbon dropout / PFBB92, Replaceable hanger, SDS shock damping system

Fork:

Fox 32 F29 FIT Remote / Air spring, Tapered Steerer / Rebound adjustable 15mm thru axle / Remote Lockout 100mm travel

Front Derailleur:

SRAM XX / High Mount / 34.9mm clamp

Rear Derailleur:

SRAM XX / Carbon long cage

Number of Gears:

20

Shifters:

SRAM XX Trigger multi adjustable with carbon cap / with matchmaker clamp

Chainset:

SRAM XX GXP / Carbon crankarm / QF 156

Chainrings:

42A x 28A T

Cassette:

SRAM XX / 11-36 T

Chain:

SRAM PC 1091

Pedals:

None supplied

Front Brake:

SRAM Avid XX Carbon with 185mm rotor

Rear Brake:

SRAM Avid XX Carbon with 160mm rotor

Brake Levers:

Avid XX Carbon

Handlebars:

Ritchey Carbon WCS Flat 9 degree bend/ 660mm

Stem:

Ritchey MTB WCS 4-Axis 44 / 4 bolt Oversize 31.8mm 1 1/8″ / -6 degree angle

Headset:

Ritchey WCS Carbon Tapered 1.5″ – 1 1/8″ semi integrated 50/61mm

Grips:

Scott Lock-on grips

Rims:

DT Swiss XR-29 32H / Tubeless ready

Front Hub:

DT Swiss XR-29 Disc IT / 15mm

Rear Hub:

DT Swiss XR-29 Disc IT / 10 mm-RWS QR

Spokes:

DT Swiss Super Comp black

Front Tyre:

Schwalbe Rocket Ron EVO 29 x 2.25 127EPI Kevlar Bead / Tubeless ready, Pace star compound

Rear Tyre:

Schwalbe Rocket Ron EVO 29 x 2.25 127EPI Kevlar Bead / Tubeless ready, Pace star compound

Saddle:

Selle Italy SLR Team Edition / Vanox rails

Seatpost:

Ritchey WCS Carbon / 34.9mm Scott custom SDS carbon layup

Weight:

9.60 kg / 21.15 lbs approx

£1,199 ( Frame only)

Despite it’s hefty price tag – the lightness and durability of titanium means it ‘s becoming a popular choice for mountain bike frame material.

The Ragley  TD -1 certainly strays from the norm, as well as the titanium rather than the usual alloy or carbon it’s a 29er rather than a regular MTB .

Being from Yorkshire though means it’s a common sense concept. The bigger wheels provide more comfort to the rider as they speedily fly over bumps. The manufacturers suggest they improve rolling momentum though it could be argued their manoeuvrability  is slightly disadvantaged.

Titanium is stronger than steel, lighter than aluminium and doesn’t rust and  it’s more reliable than carbon under extreme pressure. It is more tricky to manufacture into a bike frame , which explains the higher price bracket.

Ragley are based in Calderdale , part of the Chain Reaction Cycles group. The titanium bikes are actually manufactured for them by one of the top titanium bike producers in the world, US company Lynskey Cycles .

The Ragley 29 ers perform best across fairly simple terrain at speed so it’s unsurprising that the Ragley race team did well with the pre- production samples of the TD-1.

For less accomplished legs though the Ragley still does the business.

It certainly looks the part, well constructed with attractive detailing like the three-fingered bridge between the bottom bracket and chainstay. It also moves well.  Speed on the road is slightly hampered by the wide rubber big wheels but the frame helps here. Once you hit the rough stuff though it’s apparent how speedy this machine can be. It flies over trail surfaces and makes bumpy paths a joy to navigate. It’s worth fitting high spec brakes to compensate for the speedy performance.

The TD-1 has an extra long top tube to enable a racy position and a recommended short stem makes it a responsive ride , despite the fact 29ers can often seem less easy to handle on tricky technical terrain. It boasts good stability but those used to suspension forks will notice the bumps when riding on the rigid ones  Ragley recommend for this speedy MTB. The TD-1 has been designed to take 440mm forks which are often used on 26in wheel MTBs so choice shouldn’t be an issue. One tester complained the quick release seatpost clamp kept slipping but other than that all reports have been enthusiastic.

There are many bike build options as there are a range of different dropouts available. The TD1 can be a standard geared bike with a rear derailleur or even become a singlespeed or it’s possible to have a dropout that incorporates a Rohloff hub gear. You can customize the decoration of your TD-1 as Ragley supplies a sticker set with each frame. The TD-1 will also be available as a complete build later this year.

For those wanting speed off- road the TD-1 is just the ticket. It performs superbly across fast terrain and responds well when tested across tracks and big bumpy descents. The high price tag is justified when you consider the bike is high class, high speed & has a high level of controllability.

EXAMPLE BUILD:

• Frame: 3al 2.5v titanium
• Fork: Pro- Lite rigid Carbon
• Colour: Brushed Titanium
• Gears: Shimano SLX
• Wheels: Sun Ringle rims on Nuke Proof Hubs
• Handlebar: Ragley Aluminium
• Brakes: Shimano SLX
• Saddle: Ragley
• Tyres: WTB ExiWolf
• Price: £1,199.99 ( Frame only)
• Weight: 11.2kg (24.7lb)
• Frame sizes: 16, 18, 20in

GT bikes have always been aimed at the younger rider, and the GT Zaskar Sport is an example of GT’s sporty and youthful range.

The frame sports a chunky look with large strong looking welds, and the trademark triple-triangle frame. Specification is very good indeed, and makes many of the other big brand manufacturers look like they are poor value.

Trek is the largest bike manufacturer in the World and as it’s other bikes, the TREK 6000 2011 represents superb value for money, with deals available around the £800 mark.

The TREK 6000 2011 uses modern frame building techniques such as using hydro forming to create the aluminium frame. The components are good for the money, and although you might see other 6000′s around the trails, there is a reason for it’s popularity. Many other bike manufacturers use Trek as a yardstick when specifying their range.

The SPECIALIZED Hardrock was one of the first ever mountain bikes built – so there is some heritage in the Hardrock that Specialized wants to keep alive.

Specialized is one of the largest bike makers in the world, and has a massive range of bikes for all budgets. The SPECIALIZED Hardrock Disc is a reliable and well built bike for the money – and buying a bike from one of the well known brands makes sure that you are buying into a well made bike which many local bike shops will recognise. The Hardrock is comfortable with the advantage of being nimble and responsive, with easy to use gears and a good suspension fork.

SPECIALIZED Hardrock Disc 2011 Specification:

Frame:

Specialized A1 Premium aluminium, fully butted, formed TT, Double ORE DT, externally relieved HT, reinforced disc mount, forged dropouts with replaceable hanger, disc only

Fork:

SR Suntour SF11-XCT-V3-DS-26, 80mm, 1 piece alloy lower, 28mm Hi-Ten stanchions, coil/mcu spring with preload adjust

Front Derailleur:

Shimano Altus, 34.9mm clamp

Rear Derailleur:

Shimano Altus, 7-speed direct mount long cage

Number of Gears:

21

Shifters:

Shimano Acera SL rapid fire trigger

Chainset:

SR SunTour, square taper spline

Chainrings:

42 x 32 x 22T, steel, replaceable outer

Bottom Bracket:

Sealed cartridge, square taper, 118mm

Cassette:

SRAM PG-730, 7-speed, 12-32

Chain:

KMC Z7 with reusable Missing Link

Pedals:

Composite platform, toe clip compatible, 9/16″ with reflectors

Front Brake:

Mechanical disc brake, dual pad angle adjust, 160mm rotor

Rear Brake:

Mechanical disc brake, dual pad angle adjust, 160mm rotor

Brake Levers:

Alloy, linear pull

Handlebars:

Hi-Ten riserbar, 35mm rise, 8 degree back sweep, 4 degree up

Stem:

Alloy A-head, 4 bolt, 20 degree rise, 25.4mm clamp

Headset:

1 1/8″ threadless, loose ball bearings

Grips:

Specialized Enduro, dual compound Kraton, no flange, 131mm

Rims:

Alex HR 26 inch, alloy double wall, pinned, 32 hole

Front Hub:

Forged alloy, double sealed, ground race, Quick Release, Disc, 32 hole

Rear Hub:

Forged alloy, double sealed, ground race, cassette, Quick Release, Disc, 32 hole

Spokes:

2mm (14g) stainless

Front Tyre:

Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 26×2.0″, 60TPI, wire bead

Rear Tyre:

Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 26×2.0″, 60TPI, wire bead

Tubes:

Schrader valve

Saddle:

Specialized XC, Body Geometry, 143mm width, front and rear bumpers

Seatpost:

Alloy two bolt, 12.5mm offset, micro adjust, 30.9mm

Accessories:

Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat

Seat Binder:

Alloy Quick Release, nylon washer

Extra Features:

Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat

The WHYTE 905 is a hardtail mountain bike made from 6061 grade aluminium and uses the Rock Shox Reba SL fork with 120mm travel. The WHYTE 905 retails at £1,500. Mavic and Hope wheels are a strong package and the groupset is a mix of Shimano Deore and SLX.

PROS: The frame is forgiving, and comfortable. Great first time bike.

CONS: The seatpost and saddle combination are very stiff, which can feel uncomfortable together with the WHYTE 905′s rigid frame.

The TREK 4300 is an entry level mountain bike that exceeds expectations in the riding department. It only comes with V-brakes, but then it only costs £375. Overall, a good value bike, the TREK 4300 offers a good ride on a budget.

PROS: Good, light weight frame for the money, good size range available.  Great value.

CONS: Not disk compatible hubs, so upgrading will be expensive.  Tyres not so good for UK mud.

The SPECIALIZED Stumpjumper Comp is a hardtail mountain bike with a racey set up. It’s made with their M5 aluminium tubing and comes with the 90mm Fox F90 RL fork. Wheels are DT Swiss custom rims on Spez hubs. SRAM X-7 shifters, Shimano front mech and X-9 rear mech make up the drive chain. The SPECIALIZED Stumpjumper Comp weighs in at 24.14lb.

PROS: The SPECIALIZED Stumpjumper Comp gives a fast and nimble ride from it’s racey frame, and build quality is great. Good groupset for the price. Feels fast.

CONS: Race feel which is fine if you like that, but makes for an uncomfortable all day bike.

The SPECIALIZED Hardrock Comp Disc costs around £500 and weighs an impressive 28lbs – it’s obvious that the SPECIALIZED Hardrock is designed for cross country riding and represents a superb bike for the price.

PROS: Lightweight – a real advantage for the price. Good fork and rare to see it on a bike at this price level.

CONS: The brakes take a little getting use to, so factor in some time to make sure they are set up correctly.

The SCOTT Scale 80 is a lightweight top entry level mountain bike uses hydroformed aluminium and combines the Suntour ZCR fork. The fork allows for compression adjustment and has a lock out which is a nice feature.

PROS: Light, and a good bike if you fancy upgrading at a later date

CONS: Weight is only OK at this price.