I Built the ULTIMATE HARDTAIL Mountain Bike...Again

The Ultimate Hardtail Mountain Bike Again. A couple of years ago, I built what I called the ultimate hardtail – a custom Marin San Quentin loaded with top-tier parts. That bike took me everywhere. It was quick, light, and packed with 130mm of travel. But over time, its short reach and low stack made it challenging for high-speed, rough terrain. I loved it, but I was ready for something more aggressive.

Parts used in this build. Some links are affiliate links. If you buy using those links it helps us to bring you more content.

Magura MT5 HC Brakes

Fork Rockshox Pike Ultimate

Renthal Fatbar 40mm rise

Wheels Reynolds Black Label 347

A great alternative for less

An even cheaper alternative

5Dev Cranks

SDG Tellis Dropper

Wolftooth Remote

Wolftooth Gold Parts

Wolftooth Oval Chainring

Ergon Saddle

Specialized Slaughter

Specialized Butcher

Shimano XT 8100 Drivetrain

Frameset (if there are any left)

Hit that subscribe button if you want to see more builds, trail rides, and gear reviews as I continue this adventure. Thanks for watching!

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What I'm riding in 2024/25

Trail Bike
Polygon Siskiu T6

XC Race Bike
Polygon Syncline C5
Superior XF979 RC

Enduro Bike
Rocky Mountain Altitude C50

BMX Bike
Kink Gap

Helmet
Trail Half Shell: Troy Lee Designs A2 MIPS

Full Face: 100% Aircraft

Road/Gravel/XC Helmet: Giro Agilis MIPS

Camera Gear
GoPro Hero 11 Black

GoPro Hero 9 Black

DJI Osmo Action 3

Stuntman Chest Mount

Shoes
Five Ten Trailcross Mid Pro

Ride Concepts Powerline

Etnies Semenuk Pro

Gloves
Tasco

[brettsmith]

Pipedream Moxie rider here. I love hardtails and especially steel hardtails. Awesome bikes that can be used for almost every type of riding. Simple, effective and super fun.

[RotormanMTB]

As a rider\owner of a Trail Hardtail and a All Mountain FS.. there's just something special about a HT. Beautiful bike mate!

[PuffinPass]

I too built a 27.5 steel frame that is no longer in production. Ragley Bluepig which I turned mullet and I love it. RIP Ragley 😢

[Devilsgreedybelly]

That SR Suntour fork in Grey would suit that 👊👌😎

[PoloTurbo-rh]

Just discovered your channel.
Love your editing and music choices, I see all the dedication.

[danwebber]

One of the most fun bikes I’ve ever owned. I miss it a bit, but it’s replacement is awesome.

[Sunspot-]

My 4130 HT is equipped with a one speed automatic transmission and towing package brakes. EnduroBMX with a freakin' long front end, 65° HTA for a very comfortable caster angle.
Love the hell out of the amazing personality of the bike, the bike's fit is awesome. Annnd, they are still in mint.

[seano]

Glad to see others appreciate 27.5 wheels, especially on a hardtail! 27.5 wheels are just better at being playful and hardtaild are meant to be playful, unless you're doing XC.

[robertcastro]

She's a beauty! Let's get the hard tails out and go for a ride🤙🏼

[ixcel]

That is a beautiful bike. I really want to build up another custom hardtail. I just need to get over the fact that I do not need another bike haha!

[blakekennard]

Just built a Transition Trans Am in a size Lrg from the frame up a few months ago. After riding an alloy frame for 2yrs, I wanted to try a good steely. The added weight penalty is completely cancelled by ride quality, I’m so happy I pulled the trigger on this bike. I have it set up as a full 29’r with chainstays slammed to 425mm, a 140 Yari up front, oval chainring with 170mm cranks and a high stack. This bike can do EVERYTHING THING. I’m around 5’11”, 225lbs, and have been attempting to push it to the limit. So far no limits found lol. I can weight the front and balance and pitch the bike on techy climbs, throw it around in the air due to its low stand over, and best of all, smash on descents drops and high speed chunk. It’s a hell of a hardtail truth be told. I also have a 130-140 Marin rift zone Xr, and love that bike as well, but I’ve been so pumped about the trans am I haven’t been able to put it down sense it was built!

[brianmalzahn]

Spot on description of how aluminum frames sort of feel vs steel. I ride a Ragley Big AL and also a steel Esker Japhy. Can’t really say one is better than the other in technical terms. It’s in the vibrations, those vibes though! The steel is just somehow so satisfying how it is on old rickety trails.

[mikej]

I’m glad you are still rocking the 27.5 wheels👍 That’s a beautiful bike [I wonder if you can plus size a mullet bike w/o messing the geo up]. I eventually want to try steel too or Ti.

I have 2 both aluminum Chameleon 7 for the chill trails and RSD MC for the rowdy. They both are setup about the same. The 140mm fork is plenty for anything I do. I used to run the Renthal bars (very light but too stiff for me) Now both bikes have Spank 60mm riser/Funn stem because of the low stack height.
Nice video. It’s great that people still recognize how fun modern hardtails are.

[johnnydoe]

I have been riding mtb's for over 33 yrs, owned numerous bikes, both full suss, hardtails, and fully rigid. I am back to a good old 27.5 plus hardtail, which in my personal opinion and my riding style is absolutely perfect for myself. I just hope manufacturers don't do away with 27.5+, because I love the high volume of my 2.8's with lower pressures.
That Cotic looks absolutely amazing, nice color scheme with the green, gold and silver. I hope to one day build myself a nice steel, 27.5+ HT, but for now my "budget" HT does the bike makes you want to ride, it's perfect no matter how much or how little it costs or bougie or basic it is.

[wesleywermuth]

Sweet bike. I too ride an 853 steel hardtail- the spot rocker 27.5+. Love the steel ride quality.

[heywood]

Great looking build, you can’t beat a simple hardtail on good trails, plus points for the perfect length dropper post 👍🏻. BTR Ranger and Canfield Nimble 9 here in the UK.

[ShredTactix]

Love my steel hardtail. Canfield Nimble 9 chrome with all the gold accents.

[christophergribbin]

I just bought one of these. Love Cotic bikes, but not started the build yet.

[siriosstar]

My old 1980s schwinn Cimmaron with no front or rear suspension and rim brakes was one of my fav bikes i ever had . it just seemed indestructible and i didn't worry about crashing it because it only cost $450 new . it was strictly a street or downhill bike . climbing was out of the question for my weak legs . we would leave a car at the bottom of the mountain /hill and ferry the bikes up to the top in a pick up .
.then we rode down to the car and two guys would drive back up and get the truck.
lots of work but super fun

[sespela]

Lovely bike! I ride one of the last BFeMax that was made. Love that bike!
Can I ask where you got those golden screws you put on the cable holders?