We think that there is a huge amount of variation amongst hardtail frames, and for that reason we at Bike Magic Towers have two very different beasts to test: the Ragley Blue Pig and the Pipedream Sirius Ti.

Pipedream Sirius Ti.
Photo © Ben Winder

We’ve spoken to several people recently who are of the opinion that a “rigid frame is pointless”, that for the price of a quality hardtail you could buy a full-suspension trail bike which will get you around all the trail centres and more.

This is true of course. For example, a full-build Trek Fuel EX 5 costs only £1,400, which is a complete bargain considering how much bike you get, and there are plenty of hardtail frames that cost similar (although at this price point they are mostly handcrafted works of art).

But there’s something more to hardtails than those spoilt for full-suspension choice take into consideration. Each frame has its own story, character and purpose. A hardtail can spice up your local singletrack or it can be your weapon of choice for a thrashing around the woods. They can add excitement to an otherwise dull ride and every bump can be pumped, every corner ‘worked’.

• Cheaper than an equivalent quality full-suss
• Less to break/maintain
• You simply like to be ‘different’
• Make boring trails exciting
• You want to improve your skills/learn to ride off-road with grace
• Accelerate faster than any full-susser
• You enjoy punishment so full-suspension is out of the question
• You can ‘work’ the terrain and feel what’s happening beneath
• You can ride ‘on the edge’ at lower speed, with lower consequence
• Because your mates are all rubbish, you’re a riding god and you need to be brought down to nearer their speed so they can watch and learn
• You want a sensation of speed, even if your trails/abilities don’t necessarily provide it

Above all though, they’re simply fun to ride. Even if they aren’t as fast or forgiving as a full-suss, who cares? Some of us aren’t in it to win it anyway.

Pipedream Sirius Ti – very nicely constructed in the Far East.
Photo © Ben Winder

There are countless reasons for people buying hardtail bikes and there are endless applications for the rigid frame, even in modern mountain biking terms. We want to prove this by comparing two bikes that serve entirely different purposes and then to show that they even have a place alongside full-suspension bikes.

We’ve got these two hardtails in to compare their ride characters and see just how much difference there can be between two different rigid frames.

We’ll introduce you to both, starting with the Sirius, then we’ll compare the two and we’ll finish by making a comparison against a full-suspension trail bike of similar price.

Singletrack destroying XC/All-mountain orientated hardtail frame

This is a bike aimed at singletrack riding, all-mountain adventure and those with a taste for something a little custom. Pipedream even offer custom geometries if you say “please”. It isn’t a ‘rad’ hardcore hardtail, more of a XC machine that wants to accelerate fast, duck-and-dive between tight trees, fly around flat turns and forgive its rider when thrown into a technical rooty or rocky section.

It’s a nice frame, to say the least. The ride’s also pretty inspiring, especially on flatter singletracks.
Photo © Ben Winder

It’s no jump bike, nor is it for downhill runs. But if you live somewhere with reasonably flat trails that require self-propulsion and the ability to tackle the tech then you’ll be happy on the Sirius. It’s also one sexy looking beast with clean lines, beautiful welds and the added allure of titanium tubing.

• It’s super light
• It’s seriously fast on flatter trails
• It’s forgiving across the rough stuff thanks to the compliant titanium tubing
• Power is direct to the pedals thanks to aggressive riding position
• It’s designed by a British company and made in a well-known factory in the Far East. Good customer service, maximum value and quality construction guaranteed

An option of sliding dropouts when you purchase means that you can run this beast as a single-speed if simplicity is what you’re after.
Photo © Ben Winder

Sirius stats

Price: £989.00 (frame only)
Made of: Titanium
Recommended fork travel: 130mm
Made in: The Far East
Three sizes: 16.5″, 18.0″ & 19.5″
Geometry vitals: 69º head angle, 317.5mm BB height, 1076.9mm wheelbase (size medium)
Weight: 3.1pounds
More information: Pipedream Sirius Ti

What Pipedream say about the Sirius Ti

“The Classic Do-It-All Hardtail – simple, yet refined.

Made from 3A1/2.5V Titanium tubing, this frame will exceed your expectation of what a Ti frame can do. Fast technical singletrack, all-mountain, enduro or XC: this frame will tackle the lot and entice you to push your limits.”

In part 2 we’ll take a look at the 2013 Ragley Blue Pig, a very different beast…

Does anyone know where this epic singletrack is? Doesn’t look too dissimilar to the Monmouth trails to us but we have a feeling it could be in South America somewhere.

Pop into Square Wheels bike shop in Strathpeffer, pick up a trail map (you’ll need one if only to find the start of the trail), have a chat and then head into the woods to explore. Although the way-marked riding is more suited to intermediate riders and above, there’s loads of trails for all abilities and ages.

Boardwalk in Contin Forest. Image by Ben Freeman via Flickr.

How to get there

Take the A835 road west from Contin to a point about 200 metres beyond the 30 mph speed limit. At the green Forestry Commission Scotland sign, turn right. Continue along this road for half a mile past some wooden buildings to the car park.

The Strathpeffer trail mascot. Image by Ben Freeman via Flickr.

Sat Nav: Contin

Facilities

Parking and toilets.

Trails

The main way-marked 16 km red grade trail is a great ride. With its roots, rocky slabs, plenty of tight singletrack and steep ups and downs, it’ll put a big grin on your face. It’s best in the dry or when frozen but still fun in the slop.

Strathpuffer 2006: Watersplash. Image by Douglas Cook via Flickr

Nearest bike shop

Square Wheels, Strathpeffer

Square Wheels has the reputation of being a small but perfectly formed and very friendly shop. Image by Ben Freeman via Flickr.

Other info

If you like the riding and have a masochistic streak a mile wide, how about taking on the mid-winter Strathpuffer 24-hour race. The 2013 edition happens over the weekend of January 26-27.

Useful links

Forestry Commission guide to Contin Forest Walks (start point of Strathpeffer mountain bike trails.)
Strathpuffer 24-hour race.

He’s probably not heading for the trails… Image by Strathpeffer Village via Flickr.

You’re out in the wilds of Scotland here and in some stunning countryside with jaw dropping views. It’s pretty remote so there won’t be crowds of other riders to ruin your wilderness experience.

Dunadd Fort was involved with th ecrowning of Scottish kings. Image by Allan Henderson via Flickr.

You’d probably struggle to get more than a day’s worth of riding from the way-marked trail but there’s plenty of other great riding nearby and, as a scenic stop-off on the way to or from another riding venue, it’s well worth popping in. Intermediate and advanced riders will probably get the most out of the trail.

How to get there

You’ve got a choice of three car parks to access the trail from.

The most popular is Achnabreac. Take the A82 north from Glasgow, turning onto the A83 at Tarbet, following signs for Campbeltown.

Just under 50 miles later, go through Lochgilphead and turn north onto the A816.

Bear right when the road forks and then immediately turn right onto a forest road. The car park is on your right just after the buildings.

Details of the other two car parks can be found on the Forestry Commission link below.

Sat Nav: PA31 8SJ

Facilities

Just parking but there are toilets and local services and shops in Lochgilphead.

Trails

There’s just the one main loop but with various extensions and options mean it offers rides of blue, red and black grades. The total distance is in the 19 km ball park with about 7.5km of singletrack.

Standing stones at Lochgilphead. Image by Allan Henderson via Flickr.

Almost all aspects of your riding will be tested and an amazing amount is packed into a relatively short distance. The loop is well signed and there’s no excuse for biting off more than you can chew.

Highlights include the lofty and technical black Twisted Fire Starter loop, the red singletrack after the steep, but rollable Quarry Drop and the challenge to legs and lungs of Murder Hill.

Cool down at the end with the water splash but, if theres been a lot of rain, this can be a wade rather than a ride. Unfortunately the north shore section is currently closed due to storm damage.

Nearest bike shop

Crinan Cycles, Loghgilphead

Other info

Argyle is seafood central and, if you’re a fan, time your visit to coincide with the Loch Fyne Food Fair held in the second weekend in May.

The West Coast of Scotland gets chilly in the winter – but spectacularly beautiful. Image by MikeCooperMCC via Flickr

Useful links

Forestry Commission Guide to the Fire Tower Trail
Guide to Lochgilphead

Location map

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