The Slack Shredder: Radical All Mountain's Chilli Dog 290 - A Hardcore 853 Steel Enduro Hardtail

[@RadicalBicycleCo]

Greetings! First of all, thanks for checking out the video, I hope you enjoy it. I will start by personally thanking Steve for approaching us earlier this year. People do not realise how hard it is to get noticed or have any media outlets give you even a glance. Steve gives all those brands a voice to be heard and we appreciate all he does. Building a brand and a product that performs is hard. I have personally sacrificed so much to get here and put all my life into it. The feedback has been beyond words from all out customers, and it’s great to see all that hard work pay off. As a brand, we are now exporting more outside the UK than within, which I amazing! People are fast to make assumptions based on a brand’s appearance, but this right here is the proof we are serious about bikes and our business. If anyone has any questions, our inboxes are open and we’re ready for ya…

[@hardtailparty]

I've seen a lot of hardtails come across my stand, and I'm seriously impressed. Well done. I can't wait to ride it and share my thoughts with the world. Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for sending the frame in so people could learn more about it.

[@melwalshmtb9121]

I've been following your Instagram for a while now, and safe to say if a mullet option of the Chilli Dog ever becomes available (I see that you are doing a 27.5 version, so I'm curious to know if I could throw a 29er wheel on the front) I'm fairly confident I'll buy one

[@simon6652]

The quality of that paintwork is unreal! I’m from UK and have never heard of them, great video.

[@JohnM-p5r]

What a beautiful bike very well made I really love the yolk design the welds and the paint job

[@cycling_plurality]

OMG I think this is the most beautiful bike so far on your channel. LOVE that deep purple matched with the chainring and cranks! And that GEO... wow very excited to see the ride review.

[@JustSnowglow]

Oh man, that yoke 🤌 The geo reminds me of my Pipedream Moxie but with an even lower bb 😳 If the ride-feel is there, this thing is going to be a terror downhill. I'm really excited for the ride review.

[@hardtailparty]

This yoke is unreal. So beautiful.

[@isaacbrooks5999]

Wow. There are some interesting details with this frame that got me excited to see the ride review. I imagine this one is going to have that special sauce!

[@philippebenard1075]

That is a beauty. Nice to see a slack out shredder on the channel. Bought a Kona honzo esd thanks to your insightfull reviews. I set up the esd with a 1 dégrée head angle changer to make it slacker and a fox rythm 36 with 160 mm and the bike is perfect for me. It absolutely shreds on steep double blacks ,drops and jumps and is still enjoyable on melo stuff although I prefer my ns alu evo eccentric mullet with a 130mm fork for the melo stuff and xc rides. Thanks for the great channel. My bike set ups just keep improving in part thanks to your great advice. Can’t wait for the ride review on this beauty!

[@crankshoptv]

Had the pleasure of building one of these up the other day, big fan.

[@Cycling_Crazed_Fool]

Just such a stunning bike and brilliant to see a small U.K. company doing well. From experience of ordering and building a U.K. steel hardtail from a different company the communication is key. I know someone who has a RAD and said they were awesome.

[@davidperry7266]

Got my first frame with IS mounts the other day (Sonder Signal steel) and found a huge advantage with them. I'd just installed the rear brake, got it lined up and then realised that I'd routed it incorrectly. Instead of having to remove the calliper and then re-align it, I simply removed the bolts holding the IS adaptor re-routed and then bolted the whole thing back on and the alignment was still perfect. I now kinda wish all frames and forks would change to IS.

[@juanpiantino9182]

I saw the raw Chilly Dog a while back, and it was love at first sight. One day I will get my hands on one of these frames and build me a Mad Max bike.

[@shaunroach7829]

Wat a stunning first look 👀👀!!!! Can’t wait for the ride review when you say Steel is Real 😝😝!!!! Great job Steve!!!

[@hardtailparty]

We'll see! I really reserve that phrase for the special ones. Most steel frames don't ride real. :(

[@adambrown2086]

I love my Pace RC529, but I think this is a beauty of a bike. Both builders know what they're doing. Enjoyed the vid.

[@hardtailparty]

I've heard good things about psce. I've been trying to get a pace on the channel for years. No luck.

[@MikeKraemer87]

This bike is cool, I’m super excited about their 27.5 grim ripper tho!

[@matthewneeds285]

Cool bike. We have some great little hardtails over here in the uk 💪This should do well at ploughing through the chunder. What tyre pressures do you use for the 2.4/2.6 on the rocky Sedona trails?

[@eXaviar]

I am looking forward to the ride review 💪🏾 splendid job as always

[@vetracer5046]

I’d buy it just for the name! That bikes looks like way to much fun

[@eniojurko]

Looks very nice, and that color is the bomb!

[@danielhartwig3150]

Gorgeous frame and built up!

[@Black_Country_Boys_Reloaded]

Been waiting for this video what a bike can’t wait for the ride review

[@angel-leonhontiveros4816]

I just checked out the website for RAM, what caught my attention was the gravel bike! It's slacker than my surly karate monkey (with a suspension fork, 140mm, 27.5x3.0), i love it haha if Steve is this happy about it, very safe bet it'll ride like a dream. I'm just smitten with the grav geav bike with alt bars. 🥰

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

Looks a stunning frame. 👌

[@dennisfloyd8514]

That’s a great looking frame.

[@kevinballard2544]

It's a British frame, I could give it multiple thumbs up. Also nice to see your using a unite bash, they are a wonderful little m/c comp in Wales and making some nice cycle gear and they have just started making cranks. Nice bike, colour n build. Keep up the good work.👍

[@martinshortt7750]

I just ordered a Unite bash guard this morning for my Solaris Max.

[@kevinballard2544]

@@martinshortt7750 they also do a chain guide that integrates into the bash guard as well. 👍

[@JustB1892]

An anazing macine, love the clean look and shape of it! got the aggressive look on it but not to much, but with the numbers...:) (Question - how to you measure the head and the seat angle ? I built up a Ti frame and change the fork on it and I like to know what is my head angle - Thank you)

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

This Bike looks awesome!!!

[@awshupe5705]

May have missed it in the description, but I didn’t see the discount code for the wheels. Another great video. Thanks Steve.

[@hardtailparty]

Oh yeah! I'll go add that

[@adlar2005]

Love it - Would be curious if they come out with a new frame called - Jalapeno! 🔥

[@Moonglow1-y9x]

Super sick bike just checked out their website awesome

[@jg2wheels]

Headtube badge competition: Radical All Mountain and Canfield in the lead! 💀🤘🏻

[@LukaszHCHT]

Hi, what's your opinion about new ON ONE Wrekker? Will you make a video about this particular one and some similar super slack bikes? I am interested what's your thoughts.

[@hardtailparty]

Unfortunately I don't have the terrain that justifies super slack bikes.

[@DMG0987]

Amazing deep purple colour!

[@fenum_design2461]

Very excited for the ride review since it's been a while you've reviewed a 63HTA bike! So curious about how the low BB would feel with this geo. Frame looks extremely well made.

[@tomkenworthy2320]

LOVE that colour and I’m a fabrication geek so the build quality and precision certainly resonates with me too! What’s the RRP (MSRP?) on the frame? Actually, I’m off to google it….

[@budycelyn]

stunning bike, it's nice to see new bike companies popping up we seem to be losing them now in the UK, Stanton for example.

[@hardtailparty]

Stanton isn't gone yet. I'm hoping they make a strong comeback.

[@budycelyn]

@@hardtailparty hopefully i know they entered administration but not heard anything since

[@bonham4994sts9]

I know this is Hardtail Party but it would be cool to see a review of the new steel Chromag full sus. You review more steel frames than anyone out there

[@philippebenard1075]

I second the request as the dharco is being billed as a full sus for folks who love hardtails

[@MrDavecore777]

What is your take on underforking this bike? The head angle seems a tad extreme (it’s like 1.5 degrees less than my 150/160 enduro bike) 😮

[@hardtailparty]

Keep in mind that hardtails get steeper as they go through the travel. So at sag it's closer to 64.5, and on compressions it's closer to 67. I haven't tried underworking this yet, but with such a low bb, I think you're going to have a ton of pedal strikes. 140mm would be as low as I'd want to go

[@philippebenard1075]

My kona honzo esd is sitting at 62 degree head angle after installing a one degree head angle changer and I like it better then the original set up and that’s with a 160 mm fork. I did get pretty experimental with this frame and for me the sweet spot is that crazy !for the honzo frame. It’s all about ride feel ,trail choice and personal preference I guess. Can’t judge bike by its numbers😂

[@thomasqqcouperji4491]

What a gem

[@robertcantrell7132]

Maybe you can help looking to get a hard tail Titanium bike i am a ex XC racer like a fast light bike and 51 so i ride for fun maybe race the Whiskey. Looking at Sage Optimator, El Jefe why, and Lynskey

[@hardtailparty]

I do my bike consultation over on Patreon..I'd be happy to help you over there. Patreon.com/hardtailparty

[@MauroVelez]

First, thanks for such quality videos! I'd love to see you round up your favorite hardtails based on price ranges, over the years. (someone let me know if it's already been done) Really value your opinion! thanks again!

[@hardtailparty]

I save my bike comparisons for my Patrons.

[@ritalockley]

Absolutely fabulous 👌

[@sp00nd]

any significant differencies from Ragley Blue Pig, except rear IS vs PM? or should i choose only by frame color? )

[@hardtailparty]

Yes, major significant differences. Geo isn't even close.

[@nickpethan3083]

Any future vids on the Salsa Timberjack? I love my 29er XT model!

[@hardtailparty]

I sent it back to salsa. I'm glad you love yours!

[@nickpethan3083]

@@hardtailparty was there anything wrong with it?

[@kbeightyseven1783]

Have you reached out to On One bikes to review the hello Dave or big dog, scandal? Designed by the same guy who designs the ragley and nukeproof frames, also made in the same place as cotic and some chromag frames

[@hardtailparty]

Wasn't the hello Dave designed by the guys at sick bikes?

[@johnnydoe66]

Beautiful bike, but much too radical of a geo for myself. It will be interesting to see how it rides on your local Sedona trails.

[@pinoypridemtb]

Any coupon code on freedom coast Steve? Thanks!

[@hardtailparty]

I don't, but tell them I sent you and see what they say. You never know...

[@whothat4684]

What’s your opinion on 35mm length stems? Considering throwing one on my Yelli Screamy.

[@hardtailparty]

So much depends on terrain and body fit and what you're trying to do with your bike. I wouldn't recommend one just for fashion sake, but if you're trying to get less weight on the front end, a 35mm stem is a great way to do that.

[@whothat4684]

@@hardtailparty mainly shorten the reach a bit. And to quicken up the steering. I’m a 650B type guy (intense recluse) and 29ers just feel slow to me. My plan was to run a touch more sag to compensate for the weight shift.

[@hardtailparty]

I think experiments are great. Give it a go and see what happens. I think a lot of 27.5 guys haven't unlocked how to corner 29ers well. It's totally different and involved more leaning and less bar turning. Watch JKW, he corners better than almost anyone, and he does so on 29ers, and he barely turns the bard at all. It's interesting... Pinkbike recently did a poll for ews racers, and most of them were running 45-50mm stems, and they've figured out how to turn those 29ers on a dime. I've found as I improved my cornering skills, it made more of a difference than stem length.

[@whothat4684]

@@hardtailparty thanks, definitely good info. Yea I saw that pinkbike article, interesting stuff. And technique can always be improved, no matter how good you are. Keep the killer videos coming, I’m new to the hardtail scene and love what you do, it definitely convinced me to buy my Yelli.

[@drujenssen5444]

I love chilli dogs!!!

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

PS ...If you're into your totally handmade frames from passionate builders check out Dawley bikes, a small UK producer of pretty radical frames They look amazing. 😍

[@hardtailparty]

I've actually seen his work and he'll be sending me one for review soon

[@khalliddo1385]

Extasis bike from Philippines is worth to check too

[@phillipstocksdale6317]

so sick

[@ArmaniFlyHigh]

overall, love the Geo on the long version, except for the HT...for going downhill i would like a longer/taler HT (lenght)..to compensate you need a High Riser Handlebar....BB drop of 68.....this will corner on rails like!....Going to wait for version II with a higher/longer HT. (even my Bardino 2 M/L have a longer HT)

[@hardtailparty]

You're making some incorrect assumptions here about HT length. HT length isn't the same a stack height. Stack is influenced by bb drop, fork length, etc. The bardino 3 has a 30mm lower stack measurement. So you'd need a 30mm riser bar on a bardino 3 to match this bike with a flat bar.

[@JustSnowglow]

If you just want a longer headtube, you could always throw some spacers under your stem.

[@tanyz7996]

What colour would you refer this as

[@mountainbiker8904]

Who makes the 40 mm internal width rim which you are using?

[@hardtailparty]

enve

[@ShadLife]

Did you mention the fork offset? I missed it if you did. Can you post it?

[@hardtailparty]

I always run short offset forks on all my bikes.

[@William.N]

That is purdy!

[@Perception_]

Without the closeup shots it just looks like any other frame. Thankfully it does come across with the closeup shots that this might be something. I'm sure it's alot better in person.

[@hardtailparty]

It didn't transfer well on camera, but in person, this thing is slick!

[@razmtb5028]

love it, :)

[@baddriversofcolga]

Pretty sweet looking frame, though the name seems a bit more like a description rather than a brand name and comes off a bit cheesy. Also, I don't know if it's different in the U.K., but here "chili" is spelled only with one "l". 😛 The good thing is neither of those affect how the bike rides, though it might turn some people off.

[@hardtailparty]

I don't envy companies that have to create a unique company and model name these days. It feels like everything is taken. If you want it to be searchable on the internet and not confused with something else, you almost have to spell it differently. Imagine trying to get the top google search for "chili dog." I spent over a month trying to narrow my channel name down to hardtail party, and I put a LOT of thought into it.

[@totoxahc]

Why I've never seen an steel frame with tapered head tube?

[@hardtailparty]

They're out there, but it's usually a little heavier and more expensive to use a cone-shaped head tube. Most steel and ti bikes use a straight tube for the head tube. Note: even though the tubing is straight, it still accepts tapered forks.

[@totoxahc]

@@hardtailparty thanks

[@tomkenworthy2320]

Hurry up and shred it! We wanna see.

[@hardtailparty]

I can't wait to shred it. My trails need some time to dry out.

[@Mkpn74]

When’s the ride review..👀🤘

[@hardtailparty]

As soon asy trails dry out. We've been under snow for a month now

[@ericjonpo]

F I N A L L Y

[@michaelschasch3087]

No need to test this thing HTP. Just pack it up, as is, and send it up here to Bellingham. I'll give it the hard life it deserves. 🤤🤤🤤

[@raymondepstein6174]

I will be interested to read/hear how this compares to the Honzo ESD which you seemed to like. The Honzo has similar numbers, but is about half the cost.

[@michaelbondad3912]

Like the name

[@hardmtnbiker]

Looks similar to my friends Honzo ESD the he built up as a SS. I completely agree longer CS and wheel base is going to be a stable bike at high speed descents but can be playful but just take more effort to whip around at slower speeds. Looking forward to hearing more about this bike. Btw, have you tried the Flo 120 levers yet? I have them on 2 of my bikes, love them.

[@christopherclayford3051]

Similar in geo to the RSD RS-291. Looking forward to the review to see if they ride similarly.

[@akjdhfkqwrhetkjanfvkkkresae]

I thought that all reynolds tubing (and most steel for that matter) was recycled.

[@hardtailparty]

I'm not an expert, but this is the first I had heard of it.

[@edlorenz1552]

Sick bike but too low. Raise that BB to 60mm drop and I'm in.

[@hardtailparty]

We'll have to see how it rides. I'd expect and Enduro race hardtail to have a low bb. It typically gives you a very solid "in-the-bike" feel and gives you confidence and stability at speed and in steep sections. We'll see if pedal strikes become an issue...

[@danielvelasquez7708]

Hmm I always wanted to try out steel hardtail, but I am stuck with Kona Honzo ESD, Marin El roy or Pine Mountain, and I see myself as a more adventurous individual getting from point A to point B. Also I will be transferring from Fullerton College to San Bernardino or other university own a San Quentin bike, but not sure if that bike that is enought to get me where I am heading.

[@hardtailparty]

It sounds like you'd benefit from my bike consultation service over on Patreon. If that's not in the cards, feel free to check out my other free reviews here on KZbin.

[@patrickharrold7048]

Be a bit better with modern intergraded ht instead of a standard

[@hardtailparty]

Just curious why you prefer integrated? I'm a fan of press in cups. There are more Anglesey options, and if the bearing surface gets messed up, you just press a new one in.

[@RanierDenina]

Looks good but IS brake mounts? pass...

[@hardtailparty]

Why is that a deal-breaker? Since I'm running an adapter anyway for 180mm rotors, it's not a huge deal for me.

[@qualm43]

Geo numbers looking a little TOO "radical"

[@hardtailparty]

I suppose it depends on how and where one intends to ride it. Far too radical for bikepaking or xc racing. We'll see how it stacks up for rowdy riding in the review.

[@yamahschector]

Design seems a bit similar to many bikes out there.

[@ShadLife]

I agree, but for those going fast down hills, they will like it. Definately too slack for where I ride here in Minnesota.

[@yamahschector]

@@ShadLife might be too slack for the climbing I have to do in Colorado. I often think now with all the great bikes out we can over think things and forget to just jump on and ride.

[@ShadLife]

@@yamahschector Well, I still ride a 20" BMX bike with a 74.5 degree headangle. So to be fully honest, I don't need a 63 degree head angle to go down hills fast. I always bring up the fact that if you have the skills you can ride almost any bike fast down hill. Just go watch Sam Pilgram for evidence. For me, 66 degree headangle is the sweet spot and great for all around riding and still way slacker than bikes 10 years ago that people where bombing fast down hills with. It's super trendy for bikes to be super slacked out. I just don't think a bike should be designed for such a single purpose. If that's the case, make it a singlespeed with a really hard gear because who bother with gears if your bike only works well going fast down a hill. Any rider can adjust to a steeper headangle and get comfortable enough on it to be able to shred fast down a hill. If I can jump from a BMX bike to a mountain bike and back at age 55 riding the same jumps at speed, it can be done.

[@Simon-Simon-Simon]

looks like a POLE BIKE