This is why reviews are so good. Your experience definitely does not mirror mine, but it's good to hear the different perspectives. Personally, I find mine easy to climb with despite it weighing 34 lbs. Agree that it's super planted on the downs, but I also feel it's very playful on the flowy stuff. Super easy to jump and manual. I don't know what the issue with your tire is, but I'm running the Line 30's with a 2.8" DHR 2 in the rear and I don't rub. It's very close, but it doesn't rub. I'm sorry this didn't work out for you man. Different strokes for different folks, right?
100% My man! fantastic comment. I think a big part of mine being so heavy is as I stated "The bike build itself is heavy" nx cassette, dh casing tire, cushcore and so on. So I think it just adds to it. By no means at all do I think this bike sucks.. Just not my cup tea. There is obviously reasons 1000's of people love these bikes. :) In the end as long as were all having a blast! Thanks for the comment my dude!
I was really hoping you would go back to the meta . I love my meta and I wouldn't go back to specialized thats for sure. The meta's are so much versatile then a lot of a the frames out there .really can't beat them .
I enjoy honest reviews from regular riders. Chromag’s are awesome but not for everyone. I have an Arcturian (29+ for life) which is the best bike I’ve owned so far, not as nimble as other bikes(ht or fs) I’ve owned but I like how long, stable and planted it is.
That totally makes sense! I'm really happy people are understanding that I don't think the bike sucks by any means. I'ts just not my style. I will say this! I have never seen a steel or alloy frame so perfectly built. welds are flawless and super clean. not one bur to be found. paint is perfect. so QC is amazing!
Serious talk. This all come down to why it is so important to research geometry before buying a bike. Let me break down the number. The meta is designed around 29er wheels but you run 27.5x 2.6 with a 29er fork. Meta size large has a short 445mm reach (my med Scout is 460mm), long 125mm head tube and a BB drop of -40mm as its ment for 29er wheels. Stylus size large has proper 488mm reach, short 95mm (110 is about standard for 27.5) and a BB drop of -30. So when you add it all up Ben is used to riding a bike with the bars 43mm closer, his bars are at least 30mm higher and his feet are 10mm lower. Meaning he is used to riding a bike that is very short and tall and out dated. Ben your assertion that the extra pound of weight while climbing is noticeable is crazy. I say that as weight weenie. Part of the reason you might have felt it climbed bad was the long offset 29er fork. With 27.5 wheels you should really be running a short offset fork. The meta comes with a 51mm offset fork for the 29er wheels. On my Wideangle I run a 42mm offset. With a 51mm offset that bike would wonder like a lost dog on the climbs. Anyways I am not trying to be a jerk I am just pointing out the facts at hand. If I missed something or got a number wrong comment below.
That’s a great honest review. You’ve ridden enough bikes in your life to know what you want your rides to feel like. Ride what makes you happy. And, hardtails are the best.
I love mine, it sucks on flow trails, and not that great of a jumper, but it IS THE SH!T in the steep and chunky! Climbs well enough for a heavy slacker. Over all, it's super smooth, and feels like I can plow over anything here in Pisgah.
I have a Stylus on the way this week and I'm honestly a bit worried now after seeing this. Used to ride a Trek Roscoe, and then a SpecialiZed Fuse. Both bikes broke (The trek was a bad crash, the Fuse was a stupid dumb reason which was specialized's fault) I really enjoy the playful side of hardtails, and also disappointed they made this bike slacker for this year! Had no clue they went to 64 instead of 65 like last years bike. I ordered a 150mm fork to help offset some of the slack, but now i'm worried I'll be leaned over too much. Really appreciate your honest feedback! I'm going to keep an open mind to it when I get mine built up
Wow, that's not at all how my Stylus feels to me. It's even noticeably lighter than my previous hardtail, and it was aluminium! 🤯 Maybe I just got lucky with finding something that suits me.. or maybe my previous (first) bike was truly bad and in a couple years I'll be blown away by my next bike when it fits me even better 🤔 I've got unusual body proportions (limbs say 5'5", torso says 6'1", actually 5'9") and I sized down to an M. I've been thinking lately that the Stylus and Rootdown lines should be merged, with the Stylus for the smaller sizes and the Rootdown for the larger sizes and maybe both as options for their M/L size since that feels like the inflection point where the geometry starts getting out of alignment with the wheel size.
I have a 2006 Chromag Stylus, 26 inch wheels, Fox Talas fork.. I got it for freeriding, oddly I entered a XC race on it for fun once and got like 6th place or something lol! Very versatile machine.
@@arcticbalance8704 I know your comment was directed at the original comment, but here’s my two cents. Meta sizing is a little on the small size, so if you’re around 5’10” go for the large. I’m super happy I went with the large personally
I’ve got a Ragley BigWig and it is an awesome bike you should try the Ragley Marley frame it is exactly what you want from your hardtail playful and it shreds it will 100% be better than the Meta. It’s a shame about the Chromag I only hear good things here in the UK. I’ve got some vids if you wanted to check out the Ragley 🤘
@@BenYorkeMrHardtail honestly they are great frames, I’m literally sat here trying to think of a negative I can say about them and I’m coming back blank. Climbs good not to heavy and it just crushes the DH.
Very good to know , I am glad to here that you prefer a Meta over the chromag. I ride a Santacruz chameleon that I plan on setting up as a AM/Enduro Hardtail. But I have thought of replacing my frame with a Meta . Have you compared the Santacruz Aluminum Chameleon verse a Meta ?
i wonder if it is sizing issue. I remember you .saying you had XL Meta first the switch to Large. It looks like large stylus is more inline with XL Meta. M/L would make it feel more nimble. But i guess that wont solve the weight issue.
That is a very good point! And you may not be wrong! Also! on a side note. Commencal just keeps jacking up frame pricing. so both frames are getting close in price!
I love my Chromag Rootdown. I'd agree with the climbing comments. The bike doesn't climb well...but neither do I. I thought the rocks in the chainring statement was odd. I have the same problem...I just figured it was me! LOL.
yeah, the Moxie looks incredible as a do it all hardtail. Sirius is also interesting, but not as hardcore and it seems pretty low for tall people I guess
@@VentoRdrummeR Sirius is not hardcore. It's trail bike. You can also bike packing on it. Very light steel frame. My mate owes it. Moxie is hardcore enduro frame. My other mate owes it. They are rather big frames. Check geo on pipedream website 👍🏻
Hey Ben, that's a really interesting review and take on the whole weight issue. I am now building my first steel hardtail, coming from aluminum, so that rings a bell. I believe you almost have to bite the bullet financially and opt for more expensive, lighter parts on your steel bike, since the frame already gives you a 2-3 pound weight penalty over an aluminum frame. Would be interesting to hear how heavy it actually is, I suppose more than 33 lbs?
I would say you nailed it! my build i would guess is around 37lbs. But I bet if I got a different cassette, non dh tires, and maybe some carbon hoops The bike would feel completely different. But for me myself I acutely really prefer these cheaper more tank built parts for the rowdy stuff I like to ride. I just did not want to have to re buy two thirds of my components. I most definitely don't want anyone to think I'm ragging on steel frames. The Meta has its pros and cons for sure. Great comment! Thanks for taking the time!
Crazy low stack height on this frame bothers me too. Running Lyrik 160mm, 33mm stem, 30mm riser bar, and 1" spacer, but still feels too low. I am only 5'6.5" tall.
Have you heard of or tried RSD bikes yet? Also Canadian brand. I picked up a first model year RS-291 which is their 29” chromoly Frame with 63.5 HTA and designed for a 150-160 fork.
Sell that thing and get a set a 29 inch wheels so you can swap those out and go back to the meta-and ride it 27.5 or 29 Which honestly is something I thought you were going to do and give us a review on
Good Honest Review can I ask your Hight.? I got got a new 2020 Stylus in M/L I'm about 5'11" fits good almost a bit Long I Know what you mean with the Hunched over the front a bit feeling but it works for me keeping some weight on the front tire can help with cornering. It Plows well for a HT Just as you said Lost some Nimbleness but still Nimble enough for me, the Faster you go the More alive it becomes i Love that :) as for Climbing yeah its a bit boggy but still a ht and not bad I Just increase my tire pressure for the Climb Yeah doing that you Lose some Traction but rolls better and Honestly not bad at Climbing do not think my any slower then my last frame.. so far she seams Like a Match for what I want, and need at the Moment.. Hope you get a good Resell price back and enjoy your Meta again.. good stuff man you seam to Know your stuff and More Importantly what you, want and need in a Bike I will Have to Give you a sub..
So I almost bought a scout before I bought my first Meta The Geo looks really good. And I actually really like the cable routing. We had one dealer here in B.C or maybe Canada on Vancouver island. but they stop carrying NP bikes as they were having to many issues with ordering and so on I guess... But is for sure a bike I would love to ride. Heck look at what Blake from GMBN has done on that bad boy! :)
Check out Jeff Kendall-Weed's videos and you'll think the Stylus is the most playful hardtail ever made 🤷🏻♀️ I think it's something one has to try for themselves to figure out if it's right for them.
