Just took my Yelli Screamy out again today and did a little more tweaking on and off the trail. I’ve got the seat almost all the way back, lowered the stem all the way down with flatter bars, and went with non extended CB candy pedals, just minor adjustments but I’m loving this bike more and more. I think if you do consider it an aggressive XC bike that climbs like a goat with snappy peddling and descends fairly well then it’s all good and worth a look!

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the update on setting this frame up!

@brettscott4508

11 ай бұрын

@@EvansMTBSaga keep up the good work.. I’m a newbie to your channel but your doing a freaking great job

I’m afraid you’re gonna have to continue with the series because they are just too good, keep finding more hardtails for us to. Please!

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

Haha the series must come to an end. I love it too, but the views are pretty low, so I'm gonna hop back onto some full suspension bikes!

@joppek77

11 ай бұрын

@@EvansMTBSaga Really? Dang. I haven't checked the views really, but in my head the Hardtail Quest is a great success! It was what made me subscribe!

@topspot4834

11 ай бұрын

@@EvansMTBSagai know it's Seth's thing but why not do product reviews? Those always get views and pull in a wider audience

@topspot4834

11 ай бұрын

@@joppek77I've subscribed for awhile now but I love this series too ... Only bike reviews the pull in big numbers is if you're testing bikes more common with the average rider. Trek, Specialized and even Walmart bikes always get views

@roryveronda9933

11 ай бұрын

What kind trail’s are you riding on? The geo on the Canfield and other modern HT’s opens up in technical climbing and steep rocky (DH) trails with some elevation like the trails in the southwest - New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah - I can’t speak the for Yelli but I do have a Nimble 9 and geo is not that far off - I’ve never used N9 for park style riding, jumps and drops , I’ve got a different bike for that

Got one of these last year, mostly ride in Moab/grand junction this thing is soo fun. Been on the transition spire for about 2 years and it’s such a joy to get back on a bike that rides as simple as this. Yes it’s a hardtail and chunk is not it’s fastest terrain but I’ve regularly riden this a Powderhorn bike park and it absolutely eats up black tech trails like pinball. This thing drops just as well as my big bike. If you are on the fence about a hardtail, just do it. Big travel enduro bike+aggressive xc hardtail=$heed eating grin on every trail

Great HT review series ! Thanks! I just converted my XC Cannondale 29 to rigid. Old school geo, tubeless 2.5, and super twitchy. Fast bike on the single track and gravel but it requires constant input. New challenge for my local trails.

I agree with you completely on the steep seat tube angles!! Why on earth are the manufactures doing this? In fact, it was primarily that very thing that led me to my new Norco Fluid HT, and I chose it over my much more expensive Spot Rocker, and Banshee Paradox V3! Dude, thanks for doing this series, even though I already have my bike, it's been supper fun!!

I have a feeling that this bike is made to be a short travel trail bike like 130mm fork max, if you want an aggressive hardtail, I do suggest the Canyon Stoic

Thanks for continuing to make great videos worth watching! Been watching ever since you started with the Schwinn Axum. Would be cool to see you build up that bike now with the knowledge you've gained over the last 3+ years. That's the bike that got me into mountain biking as well.

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

I may put expensive parts on my Taff for fun. I don't know how close the Taff is with the Axum in terms of geometry

You should do a collaboration with Hardtail Party to talk about your findings after this is done.

@politan83

11 ай бұрын

It's been very interesting to see how Evan's experiences diverge from Steve's. It would be interesting to see how they hash things out.

@ncsteeltoe

11 ай бұрын

Just goes to show opinions are subjective.

@brettscott4508

11 ай бұрын

Yeah I got a medium Yelli Screamy based on Steve’s HP review, who does some of the best reviews in the business. But I’ve been struggling with this bike as well and I would say it’s a bit more XC then I would’ve liked. It’s a bit twitchy in the rough and likes to ping off the rocks, makes me a little nervous at times even with a 140mm fork and seat moved all the way back. My Titus Fireline with 150mm fork just flows better in the chunk and climbs almost as well as the YS.

@MrSupermugen

11 ай бұрын

@@ncsteeltoe exactly, never Take a single person review as gospel, Enduro MTB do probably the best out of the mainstream guys at being honest, but those guys also ride super hard & fast. During covid resell prices were so high I managed to buy and test a heaaaap of bikes to find what setups I like. glad I did that. I was able to ride from entry level to top of the range botique spec bikes. My main thing i learned, MTB gets to the "point of diminishing returns" at a low point in spec., going above stuff like the Lyrik & z1/rhythm and/or performance level has almost no gain for anyone who doesnt compete at a high level. Botique brands, like forbidden, SC, deviate, yeti etc offer nothing for your money except saying you own a complex/botique bike.

@BryceBetts

11 ай бұрын

Has hardtail party ever said something critical of a bike? I've only seen positive reviews

You need to review a steel frame and compare to these aluminum frames.

Great series so far Evan 🤘 really enjoying seeing the different frames and how they compare. I’ve got a Rocky Mountain Vertex carbon 70 and it’s pretty stiff. I tend to ride the Tallboy more and looking to upgrade the fork. Maybe do a fork comparison series next?

Just watching your reviews, hearing your opinions, and reading comments just proves there's no ONE perfect bike for every rider, because everyone's opinions and needs are different. There's so many variables; a person's physiology, riding style, trail type preference, and abilities/skills. This series just shows how your search for the perfect hardtail for yourself can be a bit difficult, and you're getting to try numerous different hardtails. Most of us only get to do parking lot demos, rent a bike, hopefully get the chance to do a factory demo day at a trailhead, or better yet, borrow a friend's. This series could literally take months to go through every hardtail if they were available. Keep it up because it will be interesting to see your final pick and see how long you actually keep said bike before the next "perfect" hardtail comes along.

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

Agreed!

The Bird logo on the chainstay kind of gives it away ;) Zero 29. Birds seem to always be a good value, depending on how the Pound is doing vs the dollar. I hope it rides well.

That next frame looks amazing. At least the Canfield rides like it looks. Poorly. HAHA

Man i love this series! I get so hyped when it gets uploaded

I own this frame and here are my thoughts. At first I didn’t like it all all. It felt small and I didn’t like the steep seat tube angle. It took awhile to dial it in so this is what I did. I’m running a 50mm stem, added more spacers under the stem, slid my seat slightly more forward from where I had it, put a 130mm fork on it. It feels dialed now. I agree the seat angle is still too steep. However the fit for me is perfect. It climbs, descends, and corners brilliantly. I’m 205 and it feels very compliant. It’s my XC trail bike and use my full suspension for more enduro trails. For smoother trails and lighter chunk it’s perfect. I no longer feel over biked on many trails I ride which I feel many people are. Everyone has different trails and needs as it depend where they live. Cheers

I couldn’t recommend the Kona big honzo enough! I had the carbon version, and it ripped. It handled the steep chunky single track that the Sierra Nevada’s offer along with what it’s best known for and how I hear it described most is an oversized dirt jumper. Such a fun bike and I personally think the Kona bike frames are just beautiful the big honzo and process 153 I own are just gorgeous capable bikes.

Looking forward to your opinion on the final bike! I'm enjoying mine so much I'm considering swapping my Canyon Spectral for one of their full suspension frames.

Subbed, really enjoyed this series. Hoping the last frame is the Sonder Signal Ti. I recommended it a few weeks ago and telling myself you listened 😅

Considering the low jumping rating for the bike you sure hit them smooth. Props for hitting the big drop on a hard tail!

How about the newer Commencal Meta? It comes with 150mm fork but I run mine with 140mm Z2s as that’s all I have. I chose it over the Scout 29’.

With that steep seat angle and that bottom bracket, im thinking overforking it might help it alot. Like a 160 fork…

If its not too late -- pick up the new Ibis DV9 frame. Plenty in stock and Hardtail Party had great things to say about it. Ibis says its good to go with anywhere from a 100-140mm fork, too!

Would be cool to see you review a Spot Rocker. Seems great overall and it’s Steve’s from Hardtail Party favorite XC/light trail bike.

I keep wondering how a Norco frame would hold up. Not sure if the Torrent or Fluid would be a better pick for your needs.

I felt the same way about the commencal meta ht, the bike was great for flow trail and jumps but as soon as it got chunky , the frame was so stiff any sharp hit on the rear wheel would almost buck me off the pedals if I was using flats .

Xc bikes are great. They are insanely fun. They are just so fast on the way up and a lot more capable on the way down than one might think. I’m sure like everyone else you will get the carbon and gram saving bug. Making a bike as light as you possibly can with what you can afford is like a game. It’s just so fun. I spent a season on a trek procaliber and thought it was amazing. I just got a Cannondale scalpel full sus with the lefty and so far am extremely impressed with how the rear shock on an xc bike feels. I feel like I can ride really anything and still be just as fast going up with the flip of the lockout lever on my bars. Especially now with ultralight droppers and all of the fancy new stuff it’s hardly worth an xc hardtail other than it can save you a few grams of you’re really worried about that and most of all save a big chunk of change. Hopefully seeing you on a proper xc rig will allow more people to appreciate the art of the bikes and maybe see them on another bike than their 150 160 trail bike.

I would really suggest you try a dartmoor primal. This frame suits me better than every other hardtail. Most of my friends think it is a very very well engineered frame. You can give it a go but im not sure if its aveleble in the usa😢

@komoonkh

11 ай бұрын

A lot of people here in Czech ride this frame.

@cecu_2945

11 ай бұрын

@@komoonkh yeah ik its actually not so rare in europe but i still think its very underrated

That purple bike is awesome It reminds me of the 2018 purple Diamondback Synk'r... Now me personally I like a bike like yours in the color of orange, but I'll definitely rock that purple...

If their goal was an agile bike the curved top tube makes sense to me. Gets the height lower (provided a long dropper too) so you have more room to move about in terms of vertical clearance.

Great video Evan, when this series is done a video showing how to sell the parts and frames you don’t keep I would find interesting.

Enjoying the series! Sorry to hear its coming to an end :(

Maybe round could be review of that Fairliight Holt, their downcountry adventure hardtail. The is also the Starling Roost for rowdy mullet, Cotic BeFe Max for all mountain, Sour Crumble for xc and trail or their Big Fun for slacker fun.

I would love to see your try the Rurok Kanlaon frame from the Philippines. Absolutely love this series.

I think you need to give the Canfield nimble a try. It’s Canfield’s aggressive hardtail

@dcouture79

11 ай бұрын

I suggested that as well. I have a Nimble and love it.

@roryveronda9933

11 ай бұрын

I second that, my N9 is awesome

Very interesting review, I agree with the frame being a little stiff. I weigh 205 for reference, and I find it pretty aggressive and capable on pretty much anything. Im running a Z2 at 140 and it’s actually pretty good at handling AZ chunk. Also it’s climbing capabilities are insane!

my only mountain bike is a cannondale scalpel ht and i LOVE it, i don't have trails like yours but for everything near me it kills it

love the series😍

Mone LaRoca , Mullet Honeymaker these two are very different and beautiful rigs. Have been running RSD middle hold for a couple years. Put 2.6 front n back.Just dropped 35mm stem and 35mm riser bars, feels like a BMX. Going Mullet w/ 29 on front, just for shits n giggles

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

I'm working on a Mullet Bike review in the coming months

Would you consider trying a Kona hardtail?

as a xc bike i'd recommend the cannondale trail 4 se. Its super light and climbs like a beast.

Maybe you can do this series, on other types of bikes! Full suspension enduro xc exc!

hey, you should test the canfield nimble 9! it seems like it would be a more aggressive bike in general!

I actually ride a 120mm front rear down country bike, climbs well and it's quite fast but I do feel it on the downhills, it doesn't descend as well as a trail bike

I ride a Giant Xtc slr 29, which is an XC bike , but i really like the geometry. Might want to try out one if youre looking for an XC bike

What are your thoughts on the GT zaskar? I love the GT brand and have been looking at them recently. I’m not sure if you’ve ever ridden one but, doesn’t hurt to ask.

These are great videos and very helpful

Interesting how you chose the yelli over the Canfield nimble 9 which is their most popular hardtail. I rode it with a 150, and that bike would be well suited all around trail bike at 140 of travel. Plus the benefits of not being so stiff as a steel frame.

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

Season 1 of Hardtail Quest is aluminum only. Going to do season 2 with all steel frames.

try the rose count solo frame, i ve had it and i stg it was one of the best frames for 29er. It also comes in 27,5.

I own a Norco Revolver ht and it’s insanely fun. It will never be my only bike but it made my local green and blue fun again and for that reason I love it.

It would be nice to see this series repeated with steel hardtails. I rode steel hardtails for many years. Long before suspension and aluminum frames became the industry norm. The small bump absorption and resiliency was notably superior to my first aluminum hardtail in 1988. I found myself being ricocheted around and off trail way more often. Tried out a high end KHS Team Issue with quad-butted 4130 chro-moly tubing in the early 90's. It rode beautifully, especially on tight, windy technical single-track. I can imagine that a modern steel hardtail would be even better. I'd like to say testing Titanium frames would be nice but,that would obviously stray away from anything being budget friendly or affordable. There are cheap Chinese titanium frames but, I don't think I would trust one. There's probably a reason why well made/American made titanium frames start around $2,000 compared to $600 for a Chinesium frame.

@matthewshepherd826

11 ай бұрын

He replied to a previous comment of mine saying that steel is his next series 👍

Would love to see a Canyon Stoic or Giant Fathom on the hardtail quest! Love these series, good luck bro!

@_drawkward_

11 ай бұрын

I just picked up a Stoic recently. It's a bit of a monster; I really like it.

@derKischda

11 ай бұрын

​@@_drawkward_I approve as a stoic owner

@Iggy52

11 ай бұрын

Stoic is STIFF and HEAVY. The only positive is the Pike Select.

@mellissanash7517

11 ай бұрын

@@Iggy52 it also fits 29x2.8, which in my book is awesome feature.

@rofelkopter1167

11 ай бұрын

Yes stoic as ive eben sayin

Love these videos. But if you want bottle cages you should try a Salsa rangefinder. They have spaces galore.

How about the knolly? Id like to see you shred that hard core HT

I have a titan racing cypher rs carbon comp and it is sooo good it is a soft tail xc bike

i like the frame clearance alot, especialy when the hardtail becomes a hardtail and ur feet come off the pedals

The curved top tube is usually what you see on small and xsmall frames. Mislabeled frame size?

It's not unclear at all where the frames are sourced; Canfield are quick to offer up that their frames are built in Taiwan. They make badass frames and bikes. Mine rides amazing with a 140 Pike and chonky 29 wides. Being an OG rider, bikes like the Yelli were what we built. Just like you FINALLY pointed out, it is a downcountry HT. You should really have tried the Nimble 9 if you wanted a rowdy, big hit HT. Probably going to be my next Canfield...

Do a video on the vitus sentier frame

Bro can you try the dartmoor primal 29 ? Thnks

Perhaps a Canfield Nimble 9? May be better suited for the comparison potentially? Just a thought. Love this series so far. 🤙

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

I just looked up the geo on that one and it looks the same as the yelli Screamy, so I'm probably gonna to leave that one out for season 2

@zeedroid2267

11 ай бұрын

Understandable. Love the line up so far. And your pure enthusiasm and joy from doing the test, makes it a great way for me to decide. RSD is top of my list now. Debated a Canyon Stoic as well. We'll see.

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

Canyon Stoic looks like a good option. I'm bummed I couldn't get ahold of them. They make it way to easy to order a bike on the site too 🤣

@zeedroid2267

11 ай бұрын

@@EvansMTBSaga You're right about that. Wanted a Canyon Stitched for pump track and casual riding and messing around. Price is so good I almost caved immediately

@jg2wheels

11 ай бұрын

@@EvansMTBSaga you'll be missing out on the Nimble9. You can borrow mine, but you have to come get it.

noooo. I don't want this series to end.

At a sport store called decathlon, they have an xc bike called the xc100 hardtail, it comes with a 100mm manitou marchor fork, 12/11 speed shimano drive train and can fit 27.5X3.0 in the rear for $1300cad! also it weighs 27lbs comes with tubeless wheels (sunringles 29mm I belive) its Boost,and tapered

That's something I need... A bike that would feel effortless while pedaling! Unfortunately the price of the frame would be too high for my budget 😔 Greetings from Croatia from Kris 😎

Does sliding your saddle forward/back not negate +/- 2 degrees of seat tube angle anyway? Only asking as a noob so Im genuinely asking for my knowledge.

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

It can help slightly, but this STA is like 3° steeper than the rest 🤣 I'd say that sliding the seat would be +/- 0.25°

At one point try the new planet x jackflash frame Its old school but with some newer stuff on like a tapered and tube and a few other more modern stuff

I race xc and the specialized chisel and canyon exceed are both amazing xc bikes. There worth every penny

I've had my Yelli for over a year now. Get a longer travel seat post. I have a 210mm on mine. I don't think you gave it a fair shot in the jump and flow category with that short travel post.

I would’ve loved to see you ride the Canondale Habit HT

For XC bike try Giant XTC SLR 2 2021

Yeah I got a medium Yelli Screamy based on Steve’s HP review, who does some of the best reviews in the business. But I’ve been struggling with this bike as well and I would say it’s a bit more XC then I would’ve liked. It’s a bit twitchy in the rough and likes to ping off the rocks, makes me a little nervous at times even with a 140mm fork and seat moved all the way back. My Titus Fireline with 150mm fork just flows better in the chunk and climbs almost as well as the YS.

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

Yeah I turned on a bit of that video today but I didn't share his enthusiasm or agree with the talking points

Hey Evan, do Dartmoor Primal next. It's a german brand, a do-it-all hardtail.

@LukaszHCHT

11 ай бұрын

It's Polish brand 👍

I definitely didn't like the color nor bent top tube. I think it was an XC. Which was pretty good for an XC. 👍

My offer still stands if you want to use my large 2022 chameleon ;) Can’t complete hard tail quest without one!

Hi! Do you still recommend the polygon xtrada 7 ? I found it at 800$ at least that's the price the manufacturer sell it .(p.s. I am begginer and it would be my first good mtb

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

Oh yeah the 7 is a great deal at that price

Frame looks like some British Balloy with zero polish. :D The Stif Squatch would have been another nice option to try out if you want more steel.

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

Oh good recommendation! I like what I'm seeing with the geo on that one, but it has an even steeper seat tube than this Canfield 🤣 but I wonder with a longer reach if that could compensate like I did with the long stem

@jamesfriedrich4663

11 ай бұрын

Moving that saddle back on the rails would in effect change the angle of the seat tube

@ksjogo

11 ай бұрын

@@EvansMTBSaga yeah, their recommended sizing is definitely for the winch and plummet approach. For flater stuff a bit too much load on the hands. But great to drive up the steeps with greater than 10%. And the steel is surprisingly comfortable for the downs as well.

Next what about a radical all mountain frame?

Try a dartmoor hornet pro frame its a bike for everything, its very strong, a ultimate freeride/enduro machine and its not that expensive

You missed the Canyon stoic to test for Hardtailquest!!!!!!!!

You should try the commencal meta ht as hardtail

Is a 66.5 hta bad? Great vids btw man!

Can field yelly screamy 😂😂

Can't wait for you to try the Ragley Big Wig, Bird Forge, Cotic BFeMax, Pipedream Moxie and Stanton Slackline!

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

Dang all those recommendations! Some of which I haven't heard of

@hambo76

11 ай бұрын

@@EvansMTBSaga The UK is the home of the steel hardtail! Oh yeah another famous UK bike brand - Orange - make the P7!

You've got the RSD Middle Child, I find it hard to believe it's going to get much better than that

XC bikes are worth getting, for sure. There are some days where you wanna ride but just don't feel like riding hardcore chunk, or wanna descend very fast. You just wanna ride. There are also some days where all the black trails are unrideable but you just wanna get on the saddle for various reasons, like prepping for a long enduro day and you wanna freshen up your basic bike skills, muscles and cardio but with much less of the risks for injury. That's where the XC bike comes in.

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

That's awesome. Thanks for that! Seems like a great tool

I know that frame is a bird zero 29. one of my friends has an older one and i live next to swinley forest and ride there

I would like to see you try a Marin San Quentin

What about orange. They have a new switch also the crush and p7.

Evan, have you ever owned a set of Mavic wheels? They should bring back 26" wheels😏

I'd honestly love to see you review something obscure like a Dartmoor Hornet or a Ragley Marley

why don't you try the canyon stoick?

LMNT has some interesting looking spicy (?) flavours. No shipping to Europe though. Do you have any deals/codes/partnerships with European vendors?

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

shop.ketosource.co.uk/products/lmnt-recharge-electrolytes I'm not sure how the workings of EU and UK work, but I searched LMNT Europe and got a few hits

If you get an xc, go for the specialized chisel, its a great bike

@_drawkward_

11 ай бұрын

Or get a Cannondale with a lefty...because they're weird. The Jeff Goldblum of MTB.

I really like your videos ❤

Just fyi, Cane Creek eWings are about the very stiffest cranks you could ever buy. I have ridden tons of cranks and my 5Devs are way more compliant. So were my RF Next SLs, and my X0 Carbons, and ... lol.

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

Interesting! I assumed they were compliant cuz of the material. I've ridden X01 and 5dev but I don't recall a difference with any of the three

@Jinedan

11 ай бұрын

Makes sense that most would assume ti = compliance, but nope! @@EvansMTBSaga

Can you try a Cannondale Cujo 3

Please review the Kona honzo esd!

Would love to see Dartmoor Primal

Enjoying this series even though I have virtually no interest in hardtails. Out of interest, Evan, or anyone else that may know, what eyewear is being used on the bike by Evan in this video? They look like they have prescription lenses fitted and I am looking for good options for riding eyewear that can be fitted with prescription lenses.

@EvansMTBSaga

11 ай бұрын

They are Oakley Fast Jacket XL. They've been discontinued and the new ones are Flak Jacket. Pretty pricey to get them set up, but I've been using the same lens for 10 years now haha

As a current gen Yelli owner, I have to agree with you. I built the bike from the frame up like you did too. Just was not impressed overall.

Why would an XC frame be rated for a 140mm fork? 65 degrees seems really slack too.