2020 Salsa Timberjack Review - Hardtail Party

In this episode, we take a good look at the 2020 Salsa Timberjack 27.5+ XT build. I've been wanting to review one of these for a long time, and I really enjoyed riding it. Learn more about this bike here: bit.ly/2VjKwJP . Did you learn something valuable? If so, show your appreciation and support this channel by becoming a Patron today: / hardtailparty
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[@TrailFeatures]

I really wish I had Steve's ability to verbalize what he's feeling on the bike. Super awesome video!

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks Joseph. I rely on running my mouth so I can be lazy with production value. I wish I had your ability to knock out amazing production value.

[@jamesgem1809]

Agree...enjoy Steve's reviews...I think he's one of the best!!

[@donald6749]

I went from a 4-year-old Specialized Hardrock 29 to the Salsa Timberjack XT 27.5+ and I'm loving it!

[@adambernowitz8345]

Thanks again for the reply. A great all around bike is exactly what he is looking for. We really enjoy your videos.

[@scottmaynard5618]

Enjoyed video . Very thorough and informative. And was a name brand that I could get at a local bike shop. Bought my 11 year old son and wife one. They really enjoy them . Thx for review of this bike.

[@gr8fulride]

Thanks for reviewing the salsa. You make those trails look easy

[@JasonL.13]

Great review! I've been looking forward to this one.

[@georgeirvingnormaniii3291]

Excellent review I'm sure your videos are going to have a lot of impact on my next bike purchase

[@bimmerfan729]

Nice review! That trail looks like so much fun.

[@MTBPlaygrounds]

That bike looks really good and looks fun to ride! Nice vid dude!

[@drmoynihan]

Looked at the Timberjack for sometime and it's a great hardtail. Decided on full suspension Commencal Meta and kept my old hardtail as well. This is the best Timberjack review out there. :)

[@fgDAB]

I absolutely love my Timberjack. Salsa kills it!

[@iWatchization]

Great review. So helpful. I’ve had my eye on this for a while. My neighbour rides Salsa bikes only and raves about how fun they are. He runs single speed on his two steel El Mariachi bikes. I’ll have to try to get out and ride one.

[@curley288]

The video I needed to see. The channel I needed to find. Subbed.

[@TLG84]

Such a great, comprehensive review. Packed full of info with fun riding segments as well! Been looking for an all-rounder for a while, I think this one is on the short list. Seems like excellent value.

[@hardtailparty]

I'm a big fan of this bike. It's not super aggressive, but it's such a great all-rounder.

[@hardtailparty]

I believe I"ll have a ragley in for review soon. I wanted to be able to run 27.5x2.8s though, so I passed on the piglet. 27.5x2.6 isn't quite wide enough for my tastes.

[@TLG84]

@@hardtailparty Awesome! It is interesting that Ragley doesn't really seem to be on board with the 27.5+. The geo numbers and component specs look compelling though. I will look forward to seeing which model you get your hands on, and your review!!

[@loganhouck5270]

i’ve had a timberjack for about 2 years now and i love it

[@hardtailparty]

It's a great bike, especially for the price.

[@charlesholland6851]

Great review! And glad you like a lot about it! Makes me feel better about mine for some reason. I’m with you on the bars. I changed mine.

[@hardtailparty]

Yeah, it's always scary reading a review of the bike you own.

[@frederickhenley2845]

Great video i’ve been waiting for your video on this to make a decision for my daughter first real mtb. It was recommended by my lbs for a good entry level hardtail.

[@pauls3616]

Another good review. I put down a deposit on the RSD steel Middlechild late last week. I emailed Alex about a few things and mentioned you. He wrote nothing but good things about you. I considered the Banshee Paradox as well but in the end I went with the RSD since you have recommended it for a while and they are about an hour away from me. Thanks Steve

[@hardtailparty]

Alex is a fantastic person and he rubs a wonderful company. The middle child is a killer bike. Enjoy!

[@LoganJohnston190]

My 2018 timber jack slx had had quite the journey. It now had MT7’s, Santa Cruz reserve 37’s with hydra hubs, and a 150mm lyric fork. It was originally a 27.5+, but with the adjustable chain stays I can comfortably run 29x2.6 Assegais. It feels like an oversized dirt jumper and I love it.

[@WrexBass]

Awesome! This has been on my short list for a new bike. I rode a Jamis Komodo A2 yesterday and it was just ok.

[@mguzikowski]

Great review man!

[@jcrotinger4]

Great review. I have the 2019 timber jack deore plus. And man it is so much fun. Great bike for the price and after being off a bike for 15 yrs it sure feels great.

[@peterjohnsantiago3567]

justriley1 i just purchased a deore about two months ago and i love it coming from a hybrid trek to the deore is night and day highly recommend the bike. Purchased mine from a local bike shop for 899 so the price was a no brainer

[@the_lost_pharoah752]

I have been debating between the Timberjack Deore and the Specialized fuze 27.5 no one has them in stock around me to see in person

[@tavien.j2047]

@@the_lost_pharoah752 which did u choose, I’ve owned both in less than 2 years and snapped the frame on both, salsa is taking care of me in the warranty process tho, btw I liked the salsa way more💯

[@tavien.j2047]

@@peterjohnsantiago3567 which color? Do u still ride the bike?

[@peterjohnsantiago3567]

@@tavien.j2047 i have the red one and still going strong. Considering going to a tubeless setup still haven’t decided on a tire yet though

[@John.M264]

This was one of the bikes that I was going to get as well I thought it was a nice bike wellspect but I decided with the polygon entiat tr8 same spec is almost identical but I have a revelation Fork the bike was 1199 and I was short on the cash for the Timberjack just got this one instead I'm happy with it but I really wanted the Timberjack it was just a little out of my price range as I only had 1300 to play with love the video I'm glad you reviewed it

[@Benxl-bn3cr]

Nice review, Steve. Having built up my wife’s bike from last years SLX 27.5+, I’d agree with your overall summary. It’s good at everything, solid, safe bike that can do it all for your intermediate rider. Does well pedalling on gravel trails and your not totally lost on more advanced trails either. Without the ability to measure, I think the stack on our Timberjack is maybe higher up. Maybe Salsa was cutting steerer tubes higher last year ..?!? I’ll do a review on my IG this week and tag you. Good job 👍 and fun to watch with my wife in part to sell a trip to Sedona “see, hun, that’s your bike on those trails”

[@deleteyourselph]

Another excellent review! I debated between this and the Surly Karate Monkey, went with the KM. I’ll say again, I think you REALLY need to do a review on one. I bought the rigid, but ended up putting a Marzocchi Z2 w/ 51mm offset on. Such a fun, do everything, bike. Please keep making videos, your channel is by far my favorite!

[@hardtailparty]

I've reached out to surly, but no reply.

[@brianriddle1319]

Thanks for the review. I bought an SLX 27.5+ and love it. The dropper is my only complaint, can’t remember if it’s a different spec on the XT. After owning a carbon Stache a while back I am pleasantly surprised how much fun this bike is and how well it climbs. It really hooks up and wants to get out of the hole. The bars bothered me the first ride but have grown on me after a week. Party on.

[@hardtailparty]

I'm glad to hear you love yours so much. I think 27.5 slx is the sweet spot for this bike.

[@lonewolf30531]

Salsa bikes are awesome . Thanks for content .

[@rotorwind177]

Looks like a nice bike! Good review 👍

[@hardtailparty]

Do you need help deciding which bike to purchase next? I offer a one-on-one bike consultation service through patreon. It's how I put food on the table for my family, and how I'm able to provide custom bike advice for my vieewrs. Become a patron today for access: sign up for the monthly bike consultation tier, and cancel at any time. Most people sign up for a month or two, and we work together to discuss their needs, riding style, etc. to narrow down the list of all the great hardtails out there. When they get the info they need and they no longer have any questions, they cancel. Become a patron today: patreon.com/hardtailparty. If my videos have saved you time or money, consider supporting this channel for as little as $5/month. I hope this channel is able grow so I can make more videos in the future. Support individual content creators over garbage tv or sponsored content disguised as reviews.

[@claydogmadman6295]

Do you have any videos on the Trek Roscoe 2020 or 2021?...

[@Detroit3Pistons]

ClayDog MadMan Get a Timberjack over a Roscoe. I have a Roscoe and the components are garbage. The hubs are aweful, the brakes are weak, the Fork is as entry level as it gets. Also the rear axle is a quick release and not a through axle. I wish I would have spent more on a higher quality bike. It’s not aweful and I have a ton of fun on it but spend a little more and get something better!

[@Rob94hawk]

@@Detroit3Pistons Good to know. I was considering the Roscoe 8 till I saw the Timberjack. But then again anything is going to be an upgrade to my old 26" 2001 Diamondback.

[@TheJennivision1]

I'd love to see a video where you put your wife or a buddy on a couple of different bikes and illustrate why you think one fits better than the other. Great content 👍 keep it up!

[@hardtailparty]

Great idea, thanks for the tip. The next video i film will be all about sizing. Once our Corona virus threat is gone, I'll head to a shop with 3 different sized people to do that.

[@j.l.5966]

hardtail party that’ll be a video I’ll surely be looking forward to! What would you personally prioritize if you were deciding between sizes on a modern geo aggressive hardtail? Reach? Stack? Seat tube length?

[@hardtailparty]

@@j.l.5966 Stay tuned, I cover that topic extensively in the upcoming video.

[@mintyhippo6290]

Same I wanna see that one Good stuff man

[@ierickson81]

Great video, man! I think you sold my wife on the Timberjack, we've been looking at these for a while.

[@mc540flip]

Yeah Steve! I was on the fence about this one. I have two buddies that ride the Timberjack and love them. I’ve pretty much decided on a Surly Katate Monkey, but was looking at the steel Kona Honzo too. Good review.

[@hardtailparty]

I'm not a fan of that steel honzo at all. Despite the timberjack being aluminum, it rides a lot more "supple" and compliant than the steel honzo. Not to mention this bike is significantly lighter as well. That being said, get what you like. A lot of guys love the honzos.

[@Onecogmike]

My 2019 Timberjack is setup as singlespeed 27.5 plus with Chris king hubs on carbon rims. It loves the. Vegas desert

[@hardtailparty]

That sounds perfect for your terrain!

[@Silverhaze78]

Thanks for doing this review on a very sweet bike. I was torn between the Timberjack XT 27.5 and the Nukeproof Scout Expert 27.5 and ended up going with the Scout. Would be awesome to see you review that bike as well and see what you think.

[@mannyfnsc29]

HAPPY EASTER Steve, Tess and Lil' Dusty !!! ✝️

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks Manny, happy Easter to you too.

[@tavien.j2047]

This review was supper spot on, I’ve owned the fuse and 2019 timberjack and the salsa was way better in every way including ride quality, sadly I snapped the frame on both😕, but salsa is taking care of me with the warranty

[@peterjohnsantiago3567]

Having gone from a hybrid trek to the 2019 timber jack deore was the best decision of my life great bike great price and just all around happy with my purchase only thing i would change on my bike personally would be the tires.

[@vette-zr1250]

Which spec level?

[@kennylamintao4948]

i never expected this is kind of bike that i would be love to ride also it give me a good price. i was lucky i buy this one on sale. i much recommend this one. ride safe

[@AlyNoyola]

Hello! Great and informative reviews!! I'd love to watch a review of the Pole Taival!!

[@hardtailparty]

Me too. Sadly pole isn't able to send one right now.

[@leigha6275]

Really appreciate your insightful observations while riding and the beautiful scenery. You mentioned the seat tube angle feels slack to you after riding nice bikes recently with more modern geometry 1) Which bikes did you ride recently that you felt had better geometry that didn't make you feel like you were sitting too far back? 2) If you had to pick a hardtail for bikepacking (camping) on mountain bike and gravel trails, which means you'll be carrying a front roll bag, underseat bag and possibly a frame bag and top tube bag, which bikes would you pick? The Timberjack XT is known as a mountain bike for bikepacking.

[@reggieringgoldjr68]

My LORD Steve, you ATE that Trail up Brother. HAMMER DOWN BROTHER.......🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾👍🏾😂

[@randomstuff3672]

I bought a used 29er last year. Also size M. I also run my seat all the way forward and installed Surly SunRise bars. I think I would prefer it in a 27.5 but not enough to buy new wheels. Like you said, (I don't have your skills) but I am finding it to be a good all around bike. I won't be selling it anytime soon. Thank for the review.

[@brannonjones3668]

I built up a frameset with i29 wheelset running 29x2.5wt. Loving the feel. Fox 34 130mm up front. Very fun. Looking to upgrade but this might stay in my stable in some iteration (single speed 29er or rigid) indefinitely. It looks like you could move the top headset spacer below the stem and flip the stem to angle up from the from the camera angle in last segment. That should bring the stack up 1.5-2.5 cm I bet. Great riding and review!

[@j.l.5966]

Excellent review as always! I love how in-depth you get into explaining how the geometry affects your ride in real time. I’ve never really understood modern geometry until watching your videos. Have you ever tried the new Commencal Meta HT? We’re the same height, and on paper the geometry of medium has a better reach at 420mm vs 400mm for small, but everything else on the small looks fine. Sizing chart puts me right in between. And this will be on 29” wheels. What would you do in this case?

[@hardtailparty]

Stay tuned for that review. I'd hold off on buying the commencal, that's all I'll say until that review drops.

[@j.l.5966]

hardtail party fair enough, looking forward to it!

[@kevinstotts4999]

Your reviews are extremely informative. I’m new to MTB after getting a Trek Marlin 5 last year for Fathers Day. It is a great bike but isn’t durable and seems too heavy and unstable on the trails I ride with my 15 YO son. I’d like to upgrade to a good all around bike that won’t leave me with any regrets. My budget is $2,000. Would you recommend the ‘20 over the ‘19 Timberjack? And what other bikes would you suggest I test ride in that price range? One of the bike shops has a ‘19 Timberjack SLX with the 29” 2.6 tires on sale for $1,300. Thx.

[@chameleonpogono]

Nice video and review.

[@vette-zr1250]

Highly considering this in 29er. Great specs and fair price!

[@bsauced]

Another superb review, thanks! I must have missed it, but what size are you riding?

[@hardtailparty]

Size med

[@dgriffinm]

Got lightly used TJ today, totally ready to blow off work and go ride

[@alanhart6407]

Thanks for the great videos! What’s the difference between the timber jack XT & NX? Thanks again

[@mountainlessmtb9940]

I'm late but I made it to the party nice work🤘

[@skullsroad3642]

Your comments on the stack made me compare numbers to my upcoming San Quentin frame. Holy cow, the San Quentin is even lower at 599 for a large. Good thing I ordered a 50mm Spank Vibrocore bar. I read an interesting article on enduro-mtb.com that talks about riser bars vs stem spacers and how stem spacers actually shorten your reach. So I went with the tallest bar I could find without being ridiculous. Part of the reason why I like your reviews is because you talk about those things. Too many reviews are focused on parts and vague descriptions about how it feels.

[@hardtailparty]

good call. yeah, the reach is crazy low on those. Those bars will help a lot.

[@jameshansen8909]

Thanks for the great review! I'm 5'5" on a good day and am in between a Small and Medium frame. I do feel a little hunched over on some smalls (either longer torso or arms) but I guess that could be fixed with a longer stem. Do you have any suggestions with the Timberjack sizing and any bike recommendations for a more aggressive ride maybe even steel in the 2K+ price range? Cheers

[@hardtailparty]

You could go small or med. I have a size small middle child steel frame I'd be willing to sell. It's used, so I'd let it go for a good price. I also have a small titanium middle child I'd sell but it would be out of that price range for the entire bike. Shoot me an email if you're interested [e-mail]

[@chrislehman5103]

Thanks for the review! Been wanting to get on this bike and try it out. Do you wish you would have tried a large to help with the reach issue? You mentioned going large with adjusting the slack, so wondering if sizing up would make a difference with the stock setup. I have demoed the Laufey and wondering how they compare. I rode it in Fruita, CO and mostly ride the Western Slope of CO and looking to add a fun HT to change things up. Currently on a Salsa Horsethief and enjoy everything Salsa has to offer. Once the CO stay at home order is lifted I will be trying out the Timberjack.

[@hardtailparty]

I think a large would have felt too big. What I like on my own personal bike is a bit beyond what this bike was designed for. For the western slope, the orbea is going to be more aggressive. I have a review coming soon of that bike.

[@shanemb3]

I would've totally bought this as a first bike a few years ago. Not quite an up -replacement for my Norco Fluid HT though (which was a great upgrade to my old steel 2001 Giant hardtail) Really similar with the mild head angle, slack seat tube angle, low stack, propensity for pedal strikes, and kinda poppy, and mild suppleness.

[@derliebegottlebt9167]

Great review! You say that you wouldn't nesseceraly recommend the XT spec because in that price range you start to see better options in terms of geo. Would you mind naming a few examples? Since I don't really want to get a lower specced bike and wouldn't mind spending a bit more, I'm very interested. I really love your videos! Greatly informative and entertaining!

[@hardtailparty]

See my other reviews. I'd rather have a longer reach and a slacker head angle.

[@Hansen931]

New sub and loving your channel! Is it any do it all hardtail bike to recommend? Not crazy trail riding. More trails like you ride in the video, but at the same time looking for a bike that is ok at more xc gravel aswell. Is this two completely different worlds and better to have two bikes? Greetings from Norway!

[@hardtailparty]

Fairly different worlds, but with a wheelset change you can have two bikes in one. This bike in 29er mode sounds perfect for what you want.

[@Hansen931]

Thanks a lot !

[@charlie6432]

About to pull the trigger on this exact bike. Very good review. Are there any immediate upgrades to this bike you’d recommend from a performance standpoint? I know you touched on a lot of personal adjustments and preferences.

[@hardtailparty]

Nothing I'd think to upgrade apart from converting to tubeless.

[@mikelopez8694]

mine was stolen a few months back and i struggled to justify buying another one so I've been shopping hard tails.. but this review made me miss mine.. i hate paying to replace something that was just stolen.. but i love this bike..

[@hardtailparty]

Sorry to hear your bike got stolen, that's awful

[@mikelopez8694]

hardtail party but thanks for reminding how much I like the timberjack

[@hardtailparty]

@@mikelopez8694 it really is a fun bike.

[@edritchie270]

Been waiting on this . This is one of the bikes I’ve been looking at . Do you have a link to the head set adapter ?

[@hardtailparty]

You can find the info in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4POZnSBgqqbi9U

[@smeekteek]

Great review as always. Did you ever try this bike in mullet mode to see if that would help with the low stack issue you were experiencing?

[@hardtailparty]

No, I never tried it in mullet mode, but I've run other bikes as mullets and it didn't make a noticeable difference on stack height.

[@adventuresona700dollarhard5]

Great review! Are you going to be reviewing the San Quentin?

[@hardtailparty]

Maybe one day. It's got a lot of interest on here, so I think I should. I've got another marin at the moment. When I"m done with that one I'll see about getting a san quentin.

[@johnnyd614]

Excellent and insightful review. Did you prefer the Timberjack or Laufy?

[@hardtailparty]

It depends on where you're riding and what you want out of the bike. Timberjack is more fun, laufey is more capable on steep chunky terrain.

[@kylehughes7629]

My wife has the 2019 timberjack slx and absolutely shreds on it. I’m deciding on my next hardtail as my first bike the Cujo 2 isn’t aggressive enough for me. What do you think about the timberjack slx vs rsd aluminum with SRAM components? I’m also considering the big honzo. I ride in Oklahoma but also frequent two rivers in Missouri and Bentonville quite often. Love the channel btw!

[@hardtailparty]

I save my custom bike advice for patrons, but stay tuned, I'll be reviewing the RSD aluminum soon. I haven't ridden the big honzo yet. This salsa would definitely fit the bill for what you're looking for. I think the RSD might be more aggressive than your terrain requires.

[@kylehughes7629]

I understand. Thanks for responding 🤘🏼

[@Pabon1987]

Great videos, enjoy all the tips and information you provide. Need some help deciding what bike to buy this week, I am between the Cannondale Trail 4 or a Salsa Rangefinder 27.5 +? Which one would you recommend or quality of build? Going to start hitting trails with a military veteran group.I will appreciate your help.

[@hardtailparty]

Congrats. I'd need a lot more info to make a recommendation. I haven't ridden either of those bikes but I'd pick the salsa. I'd pick a timberjack over the rangefinder though.

[@Pabon1987]

@@hardtailparty I appreciate your response, my budget is up to $1200, was saving for a few months, so those two bikes are available to get tomorrow that I liked, so I don't want to lose of getting the best one, they both look great and great specs, brother but if you can help me with the decision I will appreciate that, they have similar components, I will really appreciate your honest feedback. The Cannondale Trail 4 is at $1000 and the Salsa Rangefinder is $1100.

[@hardtailparty]

I'd find a used timberjack. They can be had for under $1200 all the time, and they're a much better bike. I don't recommend rushing a purchase this big.

[@paulsabado3933]

Cannondale cujo 3 is pretty similar to this bike, i’d love to see a review of it.

[@1powerfit]

I rented an old timber jack similar geo and what's funny is it was great for sprint up, great down, fun. Now does the bike meet the need for an expert down hill rider or expert trail rider? I say no no no its just not enough. I really enjoy all your reviews but one thing about this rental experience for me was how easily you could have fun on this hard tail and I have ridden a fuse and trek with more modern geo and the timber jack just felt easier to deal with if you just want break in, feel in control and have fun.

[@rockbrd1]

This is by far the best review on the timberjack.... Great video and you have lots of knowledge on bike geometry. Makes me really happy owning my 2019 Timberjack for one year now I find the seat angle being a little slack also but it's not the biggest deal so I lengthened the rear chainstay dropouts , now bike climbs better and front end don't wheelie while climbing

[@hardtailparty]

I love the adjustable dropouts, that's such a great feature. Glad to hear you're enjoying yours. Salsa did a great job on this bike.

[@rockbrd1]

@@hardtailpartyWhat sold me on the Timberjack than the Cameleon was the dropouts on Timber J are adjustable within complete chainstay length ,cameleon was either 415 mm or 430 with nothing in between and have to buy other dropout for 80 bucks Can I please have your opinion... I'm looking for a full suspension mountain bike with current geometry. What do you suggest and how do you like the Santa Cruz Hightower... I hear it rides really well....

[@prudentiaski]

D S I lengthened mine too, about 5mm estimated. Made it climb more confidently.

[@rockbrd1]

@@prudentiaski Very Nice. Go for a couple rides and if needed extend even couple mills more . I would like to know if it feels better for you Also I ordered a spare right side dropout with hardware, if derailer hanger bends or breaks i can change dropout on the spot . ( I keep in my camelbac. You just have to find out the right Thread pitch for threw axel bolt. Mine is Salsa Alternator 1.0 right plate M12 X 1.75 thread pitch

[@alexanderbraverman1962]

Hey man, great review! Looking into my first bike and decided to go hardtail to truly learn to ride,. Would you recommend this over the Chameleon for someone in my position? Thanks!

[@hardtailparty]

I'd need to know more info. Both great bikes.

[@alexanderbraverman1962]

Sure thing, I’m an east coaster in the DC area. Trails here are probably pretty tame compared to out West. Looking to get into more technical riding, some jumping and downhill. Just havin fun. No experience with bike maintenance - another hardtail draw.

[@alexanderbraverman1962]

Need anything else? I’d really appreciate your opinion when you have a moment. Thanks

[@hannahisraelsen8837]

In the video he literally said, "I'd recommend this over the chameleon" haha

[@laurojtl]

Great review. Have you ever considered reviewing the Trek Roscoe 8?

[@hardtailparty]

Yes. I have a Roscoe 7 here that I'm hoping to review soon. Sorry it's taken so long.

[@mbiraside]

Thanks Steve. I'm wondering how you would compare this to the Seargent. Don't hear much about the seargent in your reviews now. Thanks for your reviews.

[@hardtailparty]

Completely different feeling bike. The sergeant is super versatile, but not super playful. It's like a Jeep. It'll go anywhere and take you on an adventure. If you don't need to be able to run a variety of wheel sizes, and you know exactly what geo you love in a bike, I'd pass on the sergeant and get exactly what you want. The salsa is more fun for me on the trails.

[@MTB-SKI-SK8]

I love my Salsa Woodsmoke 27.5. Wish you could do a review on my bike. I think you would like it!

[@wonderwatch2239]

Hey Steve Have you checked out the PACE steel hardtails, RC529 29” and RC627 27” ? Love my 529 66 ht and 76 st, rides like a dream, and the 2020 model has 65 the... love your ht content 👍🤘

[@hardtailparty]

I haven't had the pleasure of riding one. I'd love to review one on the channel

[@painteater19]

Appreciate the thoughtful reviews! And the channel in general. I'm in the market myself for an aggressive-leaning hardtail, 65-66 HTA. Any thoughts on the Commencal Meta HT 29 or the Nukeproof Scout 290?

[@hardtailparty]

I would avoid both. Nukeproof has a super short reach. Ill have a review of the commencal very soon. I already filmed it, I just need to edit the video. The commencal is the first bike I've cut the review short because I hated the way it rode.

[@painteater19]

@@hardtailparty interesting, definitely appreciate the input. Both of those bikes grabbed my attention due to HTA, STA, spec, and price point, but the BB height of the Meta had me leaning that way. If you've got the time here's my wishlist, looking for a bike to fit it. $2300 max budget preferred 29" x 2.6" capability Boost spacing 65 degree HTA "Modern" STA -50mm or smaller BB drop. (Looking for pedal clearance) Shimano Brakes Shimano 1x Drivetrain Fox 36 fork preferred

[@hardtailparty]

@@painteater19I do my bike consulting via patreon, but looking at that list real quick, I'd build up a banshee paradox v3. That thing is so good.

[@painteater19]

@@hardtailparty apologies, not trying to get something for nothing. Thx again!

[@hardtailparty]

@@painteater19 no worries at all. It never hurts to ask. I can just give a much better answer over there, as I can focus more and take the time to customize a recommendation for you.

[@kevcrid]

Would this bike be suitable for paved bike paths and maybe a little bit of basic trail riding? I am looking at the Timberjack or the Rangefinder. I originally wanted to get a Rockhopper 27.5 or a Trek Marlin but they are all sold out.

[@justin_smith556]

Great review! This is one of the bikes I am currently considering. How would you compare/rate this bike to a Kona Big Honzo?

[@hardtailparty]

I haven't ridden a big honzo yet, sorry.

[@markroy5555]

@@hardtailparty I ride a Big Honzo and I bought a 2019 Timberjack for my girl. The Honzo is a little more aggressive in geo., so if you're a more experienced rider, you'll probably prefer the Honzo. I gotta' say, the Timberjack is a really great bike if you're just starting out. The 2019 models came with Wranglers (light casing) front and back. I had to buy Wrangler (rear) - Vigilante (front), both tough casings, I also live in Arizona and it"s rocky her.

[@hardtailparty]

Yeah, the big honzo has the same HTA, but a much longer reach. I'll bet that comes in handy on south mountain.

[@beerflatulence4880]

I had to step away from this sport eight years ago. I'm dying to get back into it and I've got my heart set on this bike. Seems like it offers the most bang for the buck. My only question is, as a 5'8" rider what wheel is better for me...27.5 or 29? Also, wtf does he mean about the tires when he says "plus"? That's two questions.

[@krameohotman]

Hey so i added the 2 degree angleset to my timberjack and it feels like a whole new level was unlocked. It's a lot more stable at speed. Additionally prior to the angleset i put a bomber z2 130mm on it because i didnt like the stancion flex of the rockshox recon. And the bomber just made the front end feel more planted. Its a nice fork with similar specs to the fox 34. Overall the bike is so much more enjoyable to ride. Im riding faster because of it. I'm going to upgrade the brakes next

[@hardtailparty]

Glad you're able to see first hand how important good geometry is. I'm happy you're getting so much out of that bike. It's a fantastic platform to start with.

[@rcchris74]

Mark Salerno what headset did you purchase? I’m building my timberjack and looking for a headset.

[@krameohotman]

@@rcchris74 it's a Works Components 2 degree angleset. So I made the head angle more slack than stock. The measurements are 44 top, 56 bottom for the aluminum frame.

[@rcchris74]

@marksalerno I just searched the for it and did not find it. Mind linking to where you purchased it from!

[@alonyc]

When I stand to climb on my TJ, it def feels like the bar is in my belt and and I'm about to fall over the front. It feels inefficient, so I've mostly resorted to seated climbing. I have the small frame. There are 4 spacers below the stem. How much of a rise in a bar would you recommend. Also, what does pushing the seat fwd on the rails help achieve..? Thanks for the awesome review!

[@gregsullivan7408]

I've always had that problem with my (very old) MTB, but never bothered to try and solve it. I'm wondering whether adding aero or bullhorn bars might help - i.e - something a long way forward to hold on to when off the saddle. I'm seeing a sizer about it soon.

[@50yearoldmtber37]

You should contact Diamondback and see if they will allow you to demo a Mason 2. I have one and love it but would like a Hardtail enthusiast to sample it. Mine has been slackened to 66 degrees and a higher bar and shorter stem and next is a 140mm fork.. Good job my man!!

[@hardtailparty]

I have a carbon subc'r in for review at the moment. It's a bit more aggressive than the Mason, so it should suit me nicely.

[@radagascar1]

The Vitus Sentier and Ragley hard tails are pretty much the best hard tail values. Can't beat the specs on those.

[@hardtailparty]

As long as the frames ride well, I agree, but if not, they're one of the worst.

[@pinoylowbudgetproductions7290]

Hello Hardtail Party, aren't plus tires heavy when you pedal? What are your thoughts on 29er on hardtails? I've never tried a 27.5? So I don't really know the difference when people say playful or stable. All I know is I have so much feedback on my hardtail compared to my full sus which to me, is more fun since I am more attentive with line choice etc. Also, when possible, can you review a Commencal Meta Am Ht? I have been looking up reviews on that bike and I don't see a lot of them. I love how it looks.

[@hardtailparty]

Commencal review coming soon. See this video to answer your questions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ2vpoR6r9WFe9E Stability has a lot more to do with geo than wheel size.

[@benchilders1183]

Great vid dude. Just ordered the salsa timberjack frame in satin black. Now on to figuring out what to spec it out with. Any suggestions on a great fork under 400?

[@hardtailparty]

I don't know of a great fork under $400 unless you buy used

[@benchilders1183]

hardtail party let me rephrase that. What decent fork for under 500

[@hardtailparty]

i need to know more information to make recommendations. How much travel? How much do you weigh? Do you value lightweight, or overall strength? I'd look for a fox recon used. They're pretty cheap and a decent fork (even though I usually prefer rockshox over fox)

[@benchilders1183]

hardtail party 130mm travel, I’m 6’0 200lbs, I’m more concerned about strength than weight

[@benchilders1183]

hardtail party did you mean rockshox recon?

[@user-ht6em6po5u]

I bought it thanks to your review, thank you Steve. I was just wondering if there is any way of steepening the seat angle apart from sliding the saddle all the way forward? Something like curved seat posts of something?

[@hardtailparty]

You can slide it forward or go with a 9point8 dropper with the forward shifter bracket

[@user-ht6em6po5u]

@@hardtailparty I can't thank you enough!!

[@RrR__RrR]

Have you riden the 2020 specialized fuse 29 yet? I'd love to know your opinionon on that bike and maybe a comparison between the fuse, timberjack and chameleon. Thanks!

[@hardtailparty]

Not yet. It's on my list of bikes I want to demo

[@brassmnky33]

Can you upgraded the air spring in that fork? Would you put a longer fork on it if you were building one with an angled headset?

[@hardtailparty]

I'm usually not a fan of running a much longer fork. It raises the bb and slackens the seat tube. I feel like this bike has a good amount of travel for it's intentions, especially with plus tires. I definitely wouldn't go above 140mm

[@billw_mtb3220]

Looks like a great option. Unfortunately to get the reach number I want, I would have to go XL, but with relatively short legs for my height, the standover, which I usually don't even pay attention to is way to high at 32".

[@hardtailparty]

They need a geo update. Check out the santa cruz chameleon, it should have a lower standover.

[@fgDAB]

Quick question: what would you update on the timberjack as far as bars, stem, wheels maybe, etc etc. interested in hearing your thoughts and open to influence! Thank you much.

[@hardtailparty]

Honestly, there's nothing I feel the need to upgrade. I'd ride it as much as possible and see what ends up needing to be replaced first. It's a very solid build. I'm not usually one to recommend upgrading irbswapping out parts unless there's a problem with what's on there. I think the only thing I would change is adding some bars with 40-50mm rise, but that's my personal preference.

[@mintyhippo6290]

When you say you can upgrade your stuff because of the boost hubs could you explain that for me please? I'm still learning a lot. Im looking at the 2019 Timberjack Deore after you recommend staying away from the Trek Roscoe and i wanna make sure its an upgradable rig.

[@hardtailparty]

Yes, the timberjack is upgradable.

[@reallybigphilly]

Sounds like you should get a slightly longer stem with an upward angle, and maybe tilt the saddle forward a degree or 2 and you should have your center of gravity a bit more forward... I also ride a really long stem for modern standards, but being 6'6" it's really hard to get a frame that's large enough right out of the box.

[@hardtailparty]

I prefer to review the bikes as they come from the factory. Some higher rise bars would help with the stack height, but longer stems make bikes steer funny.

[@glenlyman2882]

I'd love to hear what you think of this TJ as a single speed.

[@krameohotman]

Still loving my 2018! Can't wait for the works components headset to come in. Im still running the 120 rockshox recon that they put on them back then. And I am thinking of adding a bomber z2 to it. Can't decide between 130 or 140 for travel. With the new headset, 130 should set it at 65.5 degrees and 140 is guesstimated to get 65. What are your thoughts on that? Additionally, I will say I ride pretty hard. A lot of enduro type of trails with good decents.

[@hardtailparty]

I usually save this advice for my patrons, but here's a little bit to steer you in the right direction. Without knowing where you live or what trails you ride, I have to make a lot of assumptions. Is there anything in particular your bike doesn't do well right now? What do you wish it did better? Think about these and the goals you're trying to achieve. I'm always a fan of changing one thing at a time, that way you learn what's attributing what to the ride. If you change 4 things at once, you won't know which one did what. Maybe try the angleset first, then ride it a bit to see what you think. At that point you'll probably be able to tell if you love it at 120mm travel, or if you want a lot more travel at 140mm. When I ran a 140mm fork on my chameleon, it slackened the head angle out a bit, but I think overall it hurt the geo more than it helped. The seat angle was slacker and the bb was higher. Not a huge deal, but I'd be leery of making the slack seat tube even slacker.

[@krameohotman]

@@hardtailparty Awesome your advice is much appreciated! I live in Northern California and ride a lot of trails in the Sierras but my main terrain is steep and loamy with some tech and some flow. My main trails I shuttle. I want to slacken my head angle because I feel that at high speeds it would benefit my stability and allow me to shred a little harder. And I do plan to try the the new headset before adding a new fork. Thanks again!

[@hardtailparty]

You might like a mullet setup too. If I shuttled primarily, I'd run a mullet setup.

[@krameohotman]

@@hardtailparty right on, I'll let you know how I like that headset once it comes in the mail and keep you posted on where I go from there(if I still want to upgrade). Thanks man🤘

[@krameohotman]

@@hardtailparty I also like the mullet idea a lot because I can still toss on the 27.5 up front for mellower rides.

[@shamrock4840]

Steve do you have a rank system anywhere ? Im 6”4” what HT would be roomiest? Low stack is terrible btw

[@StrengthCircusDD]

I bought this bike back then and it has been a great hard tail for me but that seat tube angle is my only complaint. It wants to wheelie on climbs

[@tjrick7745]

nice job at 12:56 I'm looking to get one of these bikes

[@rjahn3000]

I think the fact that you can run a 29" wheelset and 27.5 is a big plus, thanks for the review! How does this compare to the Orbea laufey?

[@hardtailparty]

Stay tuned for the laufy review. The laufey likes to get more rowdy.

[@rjahn3000]

@@hardtailparty Thanks these two are on my list the third one is a Trek Stache if you get a chance a Stache review would be awesome.

[@hardtailparty]

@@rjahn3000 the stache is completely different. I've ridden a few. I'll see if I can find one for review.

[@illiefied]

Will you ever be reviewing the polygon entiat or diablo? Im slowly saving up for one but there are barely any good english video reviews on them.

[@hardtailparty]

Probably not. I can't find any info on the diablo, and the entiat looks like old school geo. It wouldn't be my first choice for where I ride.

[@jpjpz1000]

Do you think adding an angleset and riser bar to my Timberjack make me stop wanting a Paradox so bad? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the money to swap frames.

[@hardtailparty]

Depends on your budget, but I like the paradox 3x more than the timberjack.

[@ayzeproductions]

I just bought the TJ SLX 29 today on a large. I am 5.94 ft tall with a 33" inseam and I cant reach the ground while seating on the saddle. The bike feels huge! Is this normal for hard tails? It's my first one. I am new to MTB transitioning from road biking. Really nice trail and review! Thanks for doing it!

[@hardtailparty]

Did your bike come with a dropper post, or a rigid post?

[@ayzeproductions]

hardtail party yes, it come with dropper post which is a game changer for me however when on the seat with the proper seat post height I can’t touch the floor unless I lower it with dropper post or come out of the seat. All my previous bikes I could reach the ground while seating. i’m just wondering if I should’ve gone on a medium instead of a large. Thanks for the attention!

[@mikealcheck]

@@ayzeproductions I'm curious about this too. I'm right there at the cut-off.

[@ayzeproductions]

Mike Alcheck I am used to the bike’s height now and it’s great! How is it going for you?

[@Hoeks21]

I'm new to mountain biking and was going to test ride the Roscoe 8 and Timberjack. Any others you recommend to try in the 2k price range?

[@hardtailparty]

specialized fuse comp 29. See my other reviews, many fall in that price range.