[RichK]

I have a spesh stumpy full sus which I love but after something a little cheaper, lighter, faster with long travel.

Top of the pile at the moment is an Orange Crush closely followed by on-one carbon 456.

Opinions seem to vary on carbon  - mainly from an old skool mate. Reviews seem good for the on one.

Any thoughts on these & other good top end hardtails appreciated.

[Yossarian]

Cotic Soul? Stanton Slackline?

I've got a Whyte 19C (now 20C?) and I kind of wish I hadn't bought it. It's very pretty, but overly stiff and skittish. I think that longer travel hardtails are where it's at...

[clm]

Steel

[Ally Smith]

Steel all the way; I love my Soul

[Oli]

Steel

That was my first thought as well, especially if a forgiving is high on the list of priorities. My current hard tail is steel and has a much nicer feel than the aluminium frames I've had previously.

[Fultonius]

I've just ordered the last few parts for building up my new steel 456. I was almost tempted by a nicer/lighter/springier one like a cotic, but this bike was meant to be a cheap winter/trail centre hack built from old parts.

I didn't have quite as many usable/compatible old parts as I thought, so it's turned out a bit less cheap than expected, but it should be all in about £800 with quite a decent spec.

About 2 weeks after I bought the frame and started the build, my Commencal meta 666 got stolen, so now it's going to be the one and only, for a while at least.

I'll tell you how it rides when it's done...

[bigphil]

I would buy a Cotic Soul or a BFe.

[gcarmichael]

i've got an on-one 456 and it's a great frame, really good geometry, good shock absorption through steel frame and not ridiculously heavy. Imagine it would be amazing in carbon!

[gingerninja]

ive got the 456 ss and its really nice tho a bit heavy but strong. the carbon or ti ones would be cool i bet. think they have just revamped the range too.

[Dolly]

Ive got a Ti 456 and it rides like a dream.
light and springy.
Two young lads on full sussers were laughing at me on it at Coed y Brenin last week until I overtook them on it

[RichK]

  for your posts guys.

That carbon 456 looks ace & seems to fit the bill. Just a bit concerned about durability

It'd be good to hear from someone who has one....