So anyone who has seen my very early videos will know I used to own a Cube LTD from 2011 to 2015. This was my last hardtail bike...until now!

My bike history started in 1992 with a second hand fully rigid Marin Pailisades Trail that gave me the initial buzz. So much so that I got a better bike a few months later . I stuck with Marin for my next one with an Eldridge Grade. I think that this really helped me to become a better rider (I didn't say good) and its fair to say i enjoyed riding it, even racing it! I also spent plenty on it turning it into a Hardtail with my first suspension in the form of some pretty top tier Manitou 3 forks.

My Cube was the first aluminium bike and it clearly showed the benefits and drawbacks of the material. Snappy acceleration and light weight but so boneshakingly stiff that when I took out the Anthem Full suss on demo, I was instantly won over with the plush ride.

So with plenty of other riders rediscovering the joy of a Hardtail bike (none more so than regular ride buddies....you know who you are) I thought it was time I invested in the theory of N+1. Now having a second bike may, to many, seem an indulgence (especially to my wife), after all you can only ride one bike at a time. However it makes a great deal of sense. Perfect for the bad winter conditions, great for if a part goes "bang" on one, you can still get out or swap parts, but also it can be a case of horses for courses.

Some places you visit are simply less fun on a Full Susser (or at least more fun on a Hardtail). Take Sherwood Pines, it is much better on a lighter weight, lively, agile HT than a heavier enduro bike with masses of travel. Also why you see so many ebikes there I cannot understand as it really doesn't require a motor. The hills are really insignificant.

Now I am not knocking ebikes, they make a good deal of sense in winch and plummet locations like Wharncliffe. They are infectious when racing up steep techy inclines that would normally have your lungs and legs burning.... but not Sherwood Pines. Ok I am being snobbish.... as I guess many of the people riding them at the Pines may be new to MTB and who am I to say what people should ride. But Honestly I would urge anyone currently doing this to try and get riding a HT there, build fitness and you'll enjoy the trail so much more. If your aim is to get the fastest time at the Pines though....definitely use a gravel bike combined with fitness....you'll absolutely fly around.

Anyway.....the video....Not a review:

So I got the bike delivered from Chain Reaction Cycles on the 21st of December and put it together that night. I couldn't ride it until Saturday morning and only on a very short local loop. The first part of the video shows how awful the conditions were for that maiden journey. This didn't inform me of too much other than it was all working and it gave me a very good first impression.

A few set up tweaks (nothing dramatic just saddle, handlebar and brake lever angles) were made before heading out for what I was hoping would be a dry run on Boxing day for a much longer and more useful "test" of the bike. Thankfully both proved correct unbelievably slop free and I came away feeling very impressed with the bike.

I paid £599 for this bike, it should retail at £1399. Part of me feels guilty about picking up a bike at what must be nonprofit making money. I know CRC are struggling but do I help them by not buying it? I know other bike companies are facing very difficult times for cash flow etc. Then again so are the customers in the cost of living crisis. In an ideal world I would have liked to have bought a Cotic BFe (or Solaris), a Stanton, a Pace or an Orange as all they make some stunning HT frames. However my budget is very stretched and so I went with the Ragley. Great, compliant, alu framed bike at a truly astonishingly cheap price.

Hopefully this is the start of a rekindled love affair with the simple joys of a Hardtail mountain bike. Certainly looking forward to doing more on it in the coming months as I aim to use it exclusively for the winter.

Details of the bike available here:
https://www.ragleybikes.com/collectio...