Banshee Paradox v3 Review - Hardtail Party 

I just sold my full suspension and just rode this bike. I had never heard of this brand and I was really surprised how much I liked it.

Subscribed a few weeks ago, good stuff mate. I love smashing around on hardtails so keep the reviews coming. I will check out some of your past reviews now.

Do you need help deciding which bike to purchase next? I offer a one-on-one bike consultation service through patreon. It's how I put food on the table for my family, and how I'm able to provide custom bike advice for my vieewrs. Become a patron today for access: sign up for the monthly bike consultation tier, and cancel at any time. Most people sign up for a month or two, and we work together to discuss their needs, riding style, etc. to narrow down the list of all the great hardtails out there. When they get the info they need and they no longer have any questions, they cancel. Become a patron today: patreon.com/hardtailparty. If my videos have saved you time or money, consider supporting this channel via Patreon. For as little as $5/month you can ensure I continue making unbiased content. Support individual content creators over garbage tv or sponsored content disguised as reviews. More thoughts about this bike that didin't make it into the video: 1) This bike feels like it has a steep seat angle, and I LOVE it. I used to think seat angle didn't matter quite so much on a hardtail, but after getting used to the steeper seat angle on this bike, every other bike feels too slack. 2) This thing weighs roughly the same as most titanium frames, and costs significantly less. 3) I feel like this is the future of fantastic hardtails. We're always going to have companies make cheap hardtails with no regard to ride feel, but the companies that do pay attention to ride quality will stand far above the rest. Bravo Banshee! 4) I was going to do a review where I talk while I ride, but I didn't want to miss anything. This bike was is so significant and ground-breaking that I didn't want to do it a disservice by forgetting something while riding.

Thanks for sharing, man! Been looking forward to this one!

Hey Steve! Thanks to your excellent review of this frame, I'm now in love! I recently bought and built up a used XL Paradox V3 frame as my daily driver trail bike. At 6'5", it's been a struggle for me to find a frame with adequate reach and stack. Wow! This bike has it! I put about 30 miles on it this weekend and was totally blown away by how capable, comfortable, and FUN this frame is! It climbs well, descends even better, and handles beautifully in tight, noodley forest singletrack without being twitchy. I was grinning & giggling the entire ride (my riding crew thought I was going nuts!). I've got mine set up with a 130mm Bomber Z2 and Bontrager XR4 2.4s front & back. Thanks for inviting us to your party!!

Just pulled the trigger and ordered one. Largely based on your reviews. Great content on these videos! I recommend your channel to all of my riding friends.

oh man I want one. Great review!!

Got a Paradox V3, with a 150mm Pike Select, full SLX drivetrain and SLX quad brakes, Fox transfer dropper post, One Up Carbon bars with 35mm rise, 32mm length Raceface stem, and 2.60 tubeless Honcho Terevail tires. It is a wonderful bike so far. No matter the terrain.

Thanks for the great review. Your enthusiasm for this bike really comes through. I just bought this frame about 10 days ago (large, raw finish). I had planned on waiting for your review before I committed to it but they were running a 30% off special so I pulled the trigger. I was in 2 minds whether to watch your review since I'd already bought it but I'm glad I did. I'm building it up slowly as we're in lockdown here. Can't wait for the world to return to normal so I can take it for a ride. Keep safe and keep the videos coming! A lot of us around the world will need to live vicariously through your riding for months to come.

Whenever I hear people panic about bike material flexing, I always picture the Tacoma Narrows Bridge 😂

What a bike.....sooooo happy.... Spot on review... This frame is absolt amazing!!! 💯👍💯

WOW! Without going back to rewatch, I don't think you gave your Ti middle child such a glowing review. Must truly be something special.

Dude you’re such a connoisseur! You describe bikes like a sommelier describes wine. I can hear you talk about bikes all day .

You are so lucky, or maybe I should say earned the right to be able to test all of those different bikes. I would chew off my left arm, just to be able to test ride a few of them. I spent a pile of time in California, I wish that I had taken the time to look around instead of working so hard. Thanks for showing me all the cool bikes. Have a great week and party hard in the mountains.

Yes I felt the need to party hardtail party that is!🤘

Built one with 27.5” rear 29” front. DVO diamond. 2.5 maxis aggressor rear minion front. Everything you said about it it true. It is FUN

Thank you so much. Now I just need to buy one.

Great review mate, they sell here in Australia yet another contender for my first hardtail

Well now, This was in my top 5 hardtails to demo. I think it just moved up into my top three that I am most curious about now. Great review thank yo so much!

I think everyone watching this wants one!

I think I want a Paradox now. It's beautiful and sounds like a really good bike

That orange paint job is 🔥 I might repaint my GT hardtail that color to match my new Fox 32!

Just the video I was waiting for! I’m looking forward to hearing more about it in your ride videos as well. Oh, how about a top ten, or maybe 11, hardtails video ranking the hardtails that you know and love?

As an ex-banshee rune owner, I can vouch for how good Banshee's customer service is. They really pay attention to the customer. Great review, man!

This bike looks sick. After riding the GT Avalanche with it’s flexy sear stays I’m in love with HTs that offer a little bit of compliance.

Thanks for keeping hardtails alive! Still a place for them in Minnesota, are trails are very pedally and love that explosive acceleration.

Good review 👍

Looks sweet !!

Awesome review and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this bike! I just bought a Paradox V3 frame and I’m super excited to get it built! But I do have a question for you, what bike do you like better? The Paradox or the Pole Taival? I love both bikes and I really considered the Pole but they were sold out. I guess I’m asking you your opinion on what bike do you think is a nicer bike?

You sold me on this. Put pre order in today. Hope it feels like a bmx with gears and fork when I get it rolling. Thank you.

3:41 "nice nice nice-mean" Haha! I enjoy your reviews a lot. (Did you try any NS bike?)

Just picked up a used frame in raw! Building as a 27.5x2.6 11 speed, 130-140 fork. I’m stoked af!

Is the an Absolute Black oval chainring? Looks like their milling and ,hard to tell with the camera angle, but looks oval. 32?

Love your videos. Could you do one on the orange P7 please?

Hi Steve, Trail builder from Denmark calling in. Mate what a great tube you got, the best bike reviews ever. One can feel your passion and no bs. As a Hard-Tailer thats been around the block (120mm to 160mm rear travel bikes) I really appriciate your effort on trying to tell the world HELLO hardtail is not just XC or Wallmart! it is actually close to pure MTB. Regarding low BB: Your thoughts on Paradox v3 with tires size 27.5 x 2.4/2.6 like Ardents or Forkaster 2.6? I love my old Cotic BFe (27.5 -2016) its me quiver killer :-) but too short reach. You helped me to narrow my next bike down to 3 haha. Transition Throttle (Carbon "Compliant") Cotic BFe 27.5 2020 or the Paradox v3. You should try the Throttle OMG it does not feel like a carbon and is so fun. Hope more companies get it right about hardtails, maybe start riding them them selfs :-) I actually wrote to Santa Cruz, and 2 other companies and told them about the current misunderstanding and opportunities they have be change the way the look at hardtails and instead see them as funmaximators (business case) Looking forward to more great stuf in this tube! stay safe and stay smiling on the trail!

Awesome, Steve. You hit both of my areas of interest for this bike. 1) low bottom bracket number translating to more pedal strikes. 2) ride quality between wheels sizes. I was a bit worried the review would get skewed by the “cheater” Zipp wheels. 😎 Do you feel like there were more pedal strikes on the 27plus wheels or 29? Great job on the review and I like the stationary dive into the bike feedback vs riding. I do think you get a bit more detail out. I LOVE hearing Banshee take a criticism (cable routing around bottle cage) and use it to refine the product. That’s 👍 from me.

I finally broke down and I bought the frame I can't wait to get it

Great review! I’d be interested to see how she would fair in a mullet set up

Whenever you give this kind of review, I get into trouble!

Upgrading to V3 from the V2, look forward to the new geo.

Great review steve,im thinking about selling my sentinel carbon,cause im riding more and more my cheaptrick from alutech. it has the same data as the paradox has........ guys and girls,ride more hardtails, fullsus for the most of us i think is overrated..... Once again steve,your reviews are the best!! cheers from switzerland

Awesome review Steve as usual , Has the Paradox V3 been updated ? Their new chart says it has a 425mm chainstay rather than a 430 cs mentioned here ?

I love how you mention in the Commencal Meta HT AM Review at the 4:20 mark, how the Banshee (Paradox V3) ruined you. :) I was looking for the Commencal originally and ended up picking up a V3.

Would love to see a comparo of this to the Middlechild Alu when it becomes available 😉

Hi mate love your reviews I’ve got a Ragley big wig race and finding it a bit of a slog at times would changing the parts over to a banshee frame make a lot of difference to ride feel as it will be lighter so easier to pedal etc

Wow this over 99% of steel frames?! That's quite a statement. Obv much of that is coming from the design you highlighted, but I also wonder if it being 7005 T6 contributes to that.. Seems the vast majority of alu hardtails are 6061. I came here after seeing your Pinkbike comment on the new GT Zaskar and glad I did. Wasn't aware of this bike before. Thx for the heads up!

Great review. Have you ever ridden the Nukeproof Scout?

Most beautiful hardtail tubing imo, but I would probably go for the raw color option instead of the yellow, and hope the blue decals can be removed without too much issues. The little corner tube connecting the seat tube with the top tube is so flat and elegant looking. 850€ just for a hardtail frame is quite the sum though, especially with such quality issues. Is the 65 degree head angle with 150mm travel? The geometry specs on their homepage are not very clear on that.

Looking at picking one of these up. Have not had a hardtail since I sold my Whyte 905 a couple years back now, but thinking I want one again to supplement my Enduro bike. Mainly concerned about sizing though. I am 5'10" and my Full squish bike is 480mm reach and 1267mm wheelbase and is an absolute aggressive trail destroying machine and feels AMAZING. For my hardtail though, I want something more playful, but the 443mm reach on the Medium seems short but the 475mm of the Large seems a bit long for a hardtail for my height. Maybe I could counter things with a longer 50mm stem on a Medium?

I wonder if Banshee is working on a V4 or just a V3.2 of this frame. Would be hard to improve this one, but who knows...

Great review and great channel, I've got a Ragley Blue Pig bought on Chain Reaction Cycles: geos are on par with modern hardcore hardtail (64 hta, 450 reach, just 73° sta could be steeper) and it's steel. I love it but I would definitely like to try other hardtails as well, have you try it?

You prefer this as a 29er or 27.5 set up? Found out my local shop started selling em, gonna buy 1. Also im 5’7 30 inseam, longer arms for 5’9ish torso. Should I go small or medium? Whats the best travel amount for trails? 130-150? Thank you, hope i can get some answers.

Man, another bike added to my list...well frame lol This and the polygon fs

Banshees have something special about them !

Great review Steve! I'm building one of these up and have a spare 140mm, 51mm offset Pike fork I was planning to use. Would it be worth it to spec out a 42mm Pike instead in your opinion? Looks like 44mm offset is what's recommended on the dirt merchant website but I prefer Rockshox to Fox. Riding will be a mix of rocky technical with some flowy single track in and around the Bend, Oregon area. Thanks!

What a fab review, frame ordered to become a 120mm Trail bike paired with the new SID Race day Ultimate fork - can’t wait 🤩 This is replacing the very fabulous Pipedream Sirius S5 which rides amazingly well but stack too low for my arthritic neck......

Thanks for the great review Steve! I’m trying to decide what fork travel to run. Both Banshee and my local shop recommended 140mm but I think you rode it with 150mm. What are your thoughts on this? Also, I will probably run it as a 29er and am considering the XC cushcore to keep it light. Do you have experience with the XC insert or do you think I should just go full cushcore and not worry about the weight?

Hi, I am interested in buying a Paradox. I am 1.65m small and the smallest frame is an M size. Would you say that this frame is too big for me and is it maybe possible to ride it as a mullet? I am riding a Rune V3 currently in the size S. Cheers

Did you keep this bike or sold it? Looks like I want to buy one after watching your video.

I only had HT since I was 5 years old...aluminum hard tails are the best. NukeProof/Commencal AM Chromags... and the rest (most are aluminum) and the best bikes for a price (only frame). Comps are always different on every bike.

Hi Steve, Love your channel and all your reviews!! How does the paradox climb on long, steep xc climbs? Does the front wheel lift a lot? thanks

Is the cost in the frame justifiable compared to the Ragley big Al because I could see you really like that bike is well

Good stuff as usual! Glad to see the subscriber total starting to take off. At $849 and 2.3kg, I'd rather take a well-built Reynolds 853 steel frame. The cost and weight would be about the same, and you get the resilience and overall radness of steel. To each their own though, this bike looks sick too.

Great review, thanks to her I am waiting to receive my Banshee paradox V3 painting. How about rear traction on technical steep slopes as it is flexible aluminum?

I wonder how this compares to the marin san quentin. Any chance you will test that one?

I think you would also love the Nukeproof scout, maybe you will test one some day🚵🏻👍🤘. Great review

HT party nice channel. The paradox v3 bought me here. Iv ordered a frame weeks ago but could still be weeks away. Should I cancel the purchase and go with a stanton or ragley or something steel or is the paradox worth the wait? Building up an aggressive winter hardtail any advice appreciated

Paradox v3, SC Chameleon or Chromag stylus for long ascending rides (30km)?

I've seen a few other reviews on this bike with a 29" front. I think MTB Telly did that to his Paradox in his review. What are your thoughts on this? On mullets in general?

I'm seriously considering this one, though it will probably be a while. But question for others who may have done it... is it a hard transition to go from old-school geo to modern? I'm currently on a Jamis Exile II with 74/72 seat/head angles with 450mm chainstay. I love the maneuverability, but I would really like the slacker head for more confidence on the technical descents as I'm realizing that as I get older I feel like I am losing a lot of my nerve on sections I used to think nothing of, and think this could really help.

Hi, my name is Beppe, first of all congratulations for the channel, what better person to ask for advice on buying a hardtail. What I'm looking for must be a comfortable trail / all mountain for days in the saddle, good uphill and excellent downhill. I'm undecided between five bicycles, Cotic Bfe Max / Cotic Solaris Max for the love of steel, Orbea Laufey / Gt Zaskar Lt for an economic issue and Alutech Cheap Trik because it is beautiful. Since I don't know English well "I live in Italy" and I hardly understand what you say in the videos, I would like to read your opinion of the bikes I have described to you, or even some alternative advice, in order to arrive at a choice for a purchase imminent. Thanks for your attention, bye.

The Ramones lol, Love that band.

My 2016 canfield nimble 9 is my favorite ht so far I hope it never breaks. The new nimble is so long it's like semi truck

It sounds like differences between 29 & 27.5 for you were actually less for this bike than you've experienced on others. Did it come down largely to comfort, and that slight traction improvement with 2.8, or did you find more to drive you to the 27.5, which I know you generally prefer. I know you've mentioned you aren't tall, and Im trying to understand how much this bike changes across the wheel sizes. Thanks for the detailed info you put in all your videos.

Have you ever ridden a reynolds 853 bike? I've got a cotic soul 4th gen and the previous gen flare max and i love them. You said you would take the paradox over most chromoly bikes but i was wondering what you thought about reynolds 853 compared to this.

Hey Steve, recently bought an AB oval 30t for my chameleon, just wondering what bashguard/chain guide you're running there and if you can recommend???? Would love an AB branded guard but they are way up there in cost to comparable models....

What do you think the threshold degree of head tube angles on hard-tails is between steering with the pedals versus the handlebars?

have you gotten a chance to shred any of the Kona Honzos? I have the ST and love that thing!

I am 230lbs, do you think this bike would feel the same for me?

Hey! I'm building a paradox right now, and wondering what size stem you went with on your builds. We are about the same size

Doesn't have the paradox V3 425mm chainstays?

How much would a decent mid level build turn out to be with the paradox? Looking to get back in mountain biking and have been watching all your review...ALL. This seems to win (this and the Middlechild). I've never built up a bike so total newb here...

Those hollow bits could have awesome uses in gravel bikes

What length of fork travel are you using here?

Thanks for the review, been looking at pulling the trigger on a hardtail awhile now. Been looking for a bike with around 500 reach and similar geometry as this Paradox. Ever ridden a Pole Taival, Guerrilla Gravity Pedalhead, or Wonder Signal Ti?

Do you think you will ever make a how to protect your frame video and some of the items you use to protect it? What was the bb change on 27.5+?

Steve, if you have to choose one, RSD Middle Child or banshee paradox?

Can you only buy this as a frame.....?

I have a lyrik 160mm I am taking off a yeti to build a hardtail, either a cotic, ralgley, or this beast? do you think the 160mm travel will jeopardize the geo too much?

So are there carbon bikes that have that back triangle idea to them? Like more supple?

Never heard of these guys before now. Cool looking bike for sure! Im wondering if you have ever ridden a Trek Stache or something similar? You seem to really dig 27.5+ but not sure I’ve heard you talk about 29+. I’m curious about your opinion of 29+ hardtail?

I'm Just about to buy the paradox v3 for my 50th birthday, with 29 F/R but i can't get any solid information on sizing.. Any advice would be greatly welcome.. Im exactly 5'11

So, I looked on line to find a Paradox and its like a needle in a haystack. Are these only offered as a frame? Where can you get a complete bike thats not used?

Have you tried the Norco Torrent ?

How does the paradox climb and pedal on the flats? You gave it a 10 if I remember. Can’t be as good as the DV9 can it?

Will you review the Ragley Blue Pig?

How much travel does it have

Decided to order a banshee.....cant decide if to get raw finish or paint. are there any disadvantages to a raw frame???

What do you think about this vs the updated Santa Cruz chameleon?

I just completed my banahee your videos r