Carbon Hardtail XC

[Arbuckle23]

Getting itchy to do some slightly more rough stuff than I feel comfortable with on my gravel bike.
Thinking a Carbon Hardtail XC might be the go.
Mainly roadside tracks on the Mornington Peninsula, of which there are plenty.
Had a alloy dually prior to the gravel bike, which was heavy (you can tell I'm a roady) and overkill for the riding I was doing.
The gravel bike is fine, but I don't have the bike handling skills to feel comfortable on the slight rougher stuff on it.

What do we recommend for an old bloke doing that? The N+ 1 can't cost too much though or the boss will be very unhappy with me. Although just getting any N+1 will cause trouble

[am50em]

Depends on what you mean by "can't cost too much".
In stock
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/xtc-advanced-29-2

[Arbuckle23]

Want to keep the cost down if I can.
I have checked out the Polygon Syncline range and on the surface they look OK. But reviews seem sparse.
There are a couple of Youtubers that have the C3 and seem very happy with them.
Only really negative I can see is the 27.2 seatpost. I have read it compromises fitting dropper posts because of the thin wall needed in the drop meaning you can get binding. And the 27.2 cost is more.

$1600 for the C3 is a nice price.

[Arbuckle23]

Flipped and flopped.
The N+1 will be an ally dually and will keep the gravel bike for gravel roads

[Mububban]

Flipped and flopped.
The N+1 will be an ally dually and will keep the gravel bike for gravel roads

So did you buy a short travel XC dually? What did you end up with?

[Arbuckle23]

Bought a Merida 120 600.
Got mates rates with from my local bike shop, the owner is is a bloke I ride with all the time.
Very happy with it so far, although early days.
Only little issue is bidon size. On the medium the space is very small so I need to find a bidon less than 600 mm to the top, will have to measure a 500ml to see whether that is small enough.
I still have a hydration pack from last time I owned a MTB so not that big an issue.
But a warning for others to note

[blizzard]

Bought a Merida 120 600.
Got mates rates with from my local bike shop, the owner is is a bloke I ride with all the time.
Very happy with it so far, although early days.
Only little issue is bidon size. On the medium the space is very small so I need to find a bidon less than 600 mm to the top, will have to measure a 500ml to see whether that is small enough.
I still have a hydration pack from last time I owned a MTB so not that big an issue.
But a warning for others to note

Is that using a side entry bottle cage?

The 120 600 looks like great value for that XC / light trail bike.

[Arbuckle23]

Yes with side entry.
The smaller bidons I have can jam in but don't sit straight.
Hopefully get down to the shop today so I can measure.
I thought about trying to lower the cage, but the clearance on the shock is close as it does stroke through an arc.

[Mububban]

Bought a Merida 120 600.

In hindsight, that's the model I should have purchased, instead of the 140 400. I'm a roadie who occasionally dabbles in gravel and MTB, so the short travel 29er would have bene a better fit for my riding. Live and learn!

[Arbuckle23]

I'm a roadie who occasionally dabbles in gravel and MTB

Exactly my use. Just looking for a bit of a diversion from the road.

[Mububban]

I'm a roadie who occasionally dabbles in gravel and MTB

Exactly my use. Just looking for a bit of a diversion from the road.

They may look like peak 90s, but consider some bar ends if you're planning on doing some >2 hour gravel rides. After becoming used to my drop bar bike, those long flat sections of non-treacherous gravel really become uncomfortable on my MTB flat bars, without different hand positions.

[Arbuckle23]

consider some bar ends if you're planning on doing some >2 hour gravel rides. After becoming used to my drop bar bike, those long flat sections of non-treacherous gravel really become uncomfortable on my MTB flat bars, without different hand positions.

Still got the gravel bike. Long gravel rides will still be on that.
This bike is for the rougher roadside tracks around here. Can still take a couple of hours, but the MTB is needed for me as the bike handling skills are not up to it on these tracks on a gravel bike.
Went out last weekend for a couple of hours, will most likely head out again tomorrow for a MTB ride, Public Holiday in Vic

[bychosis]

Sounds like a dually was a good choice. While ever you ‘don’t have the bike handling skills’ and just want to enjoy your riding, a dually is more forgiving on the rough stuff. Plus it allows you to stay seated a bit more over bumps. A hardtail will kick you out of the saddle because it won’t absorb the tree roots etc.

[Arbuckle23]

Yeh the hardtail idea was to do it all with one bike.
But getting the dually and keeping the gravel bike is an option I am glad I decided to do.

[bychosis]

That makes sense although I read N+1 in the original post and thought you wanted to add a bike, not replace one.

[Arbuckle23]

Yes with side entry.
The smaller bidons I have can jam in but don't sit straight.
Hopefully get down to the shop today so I can measure.
I thought about trying to lower the cage, but the clearance on the shock is close as it does stroke through an arc.

To answer my question, to help others, because this thread comes up now when you search bidons to fit a Merida 120.
I have found a bidon that fits, Zefal Sense Pro 50 500 ml bottle that measures 161 mm to the top of the cap.
Not cheap, but fits perfectly.