I was waiting for a like year for this video. I know due to injuries that you wouldn't be able to really ride the bike hard. I would agree that the muted feel is from the material and tire insert. The handling of the bike is from the geometry. So that combination gives you the sensation that you are experiencing. So happy that you finally get to ride a real hardtail with proper geometry since your focus on the channel has always been budget bikes but now you understand the massive gap in the way they feel and handle. A well designed aluminum frame with geo is honestly not much different in feel as this bike. But you will save over 2 lbs on the climb. Like a 2023 Marin San Quinten will blow your mind because it rides amazing and you can run a 175mm dropper weight 2-3 lbs lighter and it will ride just as good as the Marino frames which doesn't have a reputation for having good riding steel frames anyway.
Oh yah brother, that is sweet, and steel is real!!! But I'm thinking it's all about the wheels....... Glad to see it on the trail but bummed I wasn't there to try it. Great stuff with Kevin, not often you can drop him
Man inqish you were there to! Heard some stuff happened and we are sorry to hear it brother. Next year or a little trip before hand! The bike needs a little Chuck U!
I'm running the 29r version with a rockshok Yari 160mm . It almost climbs good. The bike seems to be locked onto the trail. I'm using a suspension dropper.
I got a Stanton slackline steel ( their Taiwanese version) and it feels great. But the Santa Cruz chameleon MX and RSD Middlechild are both aluminum and they are very comfy too! So maybe a good bike is just a good bike no matter what it is made of.
Vibration dampening. It would be interesting to hear a 'ding' on different frames with a spoon or whatever, to hear how sound travels thru different frame metals. That would give you an idea of vibration dampening.
Cool video. I had a Marino FS built in 21 with custom geometry all 725 steel. It’s a bit of a bugger climbing but a hammerhead on the DH. 145mm rear travel 437 mm chain stay 480mm reach 660mm stack 64 degree hta 75 degree sta 150mm coil fork 29er. Super quiet. Happy Trails.
I have a Carbon and a Steel MTB. My Carbon is light fast Stiff but chattery. And can feel more of the trail. Even with tubless setup. My Ritchey Steel bike is smooth riding. And like you said. The steel deadens the trail features and gives a comfortable ride. Im older and was around when steel was the norm. Not all steels are created evenly. Just like Carbon or Aluminum theres junk and theres Quality. Nothing beats a quality Steel bike in my oldman brain. Im happy yours rides great.
My first ever MTB was a small frame steel bike and it is still alive today. Planning on converting it to a cruiser bike as I already have a "main" XC bike that I am using as a hardtail. Praying for Wolfman to get better the soonest 🙏❤️
Any HT aficionado will sing the praises of steel. Do t get me wrong, I love a high quality aluminum ride, but the steel just hits different. Enjoy! Let the old man rest, you’ve done some cool vids without him too.
Beautiful build. Oh, you should be able to run those tires much lower. I'm talking 16-18 psi. I did a Chinese carbon hard-tail build that I put 2.75x2.8s and have run as low as 14 psi. I live in the Smoky Mountains so similar to your trails. Low psi on a hardtail makes you forget about full-suspension.
I still ride my old gt steel frames my go to when I bop around the streets. I just gotta video it I love a steel frame but at times the aluminum is lighter but flex more so.
I always liked a steel frame, just that little bit of give but still stiff in the right ways. Thing is a quality steel frame is probably similar weight to a lower quality aluminium frame but is so much better. They allow you to last longer as they don’t punish your body as much. I also like the appearance… the tubes are no where near as big as an aluminium frame.
For the price, I really don't think you can beat this bike frame as a starting point for a fun to ride hardtail. I want one, my only problem is, that the parts to build the bike the way I want it cost twice or more than what the frame does! Still, I do think that my next bike will be one.
I miss steel framed bikes. You'd think they'd be more rigid than aluminum, but it's the opposite. They flex a lot more. We're only talking a millimeter or two of flex, but that makes a huge difference in feel.
Have you been on a bike that slack with a front fork with that much travel. I wonder if that was also smoothing your ride out some. That is a really nice fork!
I believe the suspension feel and flex is called Compliance, I am no expert though haha. Glad that Wolf Man is on the mend and stoked that the Marino turned out to be such a sweet ride! That thing was super quiet, Cheers Gents!
You built a beautiful bike there! I think that most steel bike haters have probably not ridden one. They're worth the little bit of extra weight! Hope to see Wolfman back & healthy soon.
Aluminum is a lot stiffer metal than steel, steel will bend and flex where aluminum will barely have any flex if any , this is why that frame feels the way it does on the trails
I was waiting for a like year for this video. I know due to injuries that you wouldn't be able to really ride the bike hard. I would agree that the muted feel is from the material and tire insert. The handling of the bike is from the geometry. So that combination gives you the sensation that you are experiencing. So happy that you finally get to ride a real hardtail with proper geometry since your focus on the channel has always been budget bikes but now you understand the massive gap in the way they feel and handle. A well designed aluminum frame with geo is honestly not much different in feel as this bike. But you will save over 2 lbs on the climb. Like a 2023 Marin San Quinten will blow your mind because it rides amazing and you can run a 175mm dropper weight 2-3 lbs lighter and it will ride just as good as the Marino frames which doesn't have a reputation for having good riding steel frames anyway.
Wolf tick can we get a cat's meow a ride❤❤
Get well soon we miss you, brother speedy recovery. You guys make a great team🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
So good to see you back, Mr Wolfman. Blessings, my friend.
Wishing the Wolfman a speedy recovery and wow what a great bike looking forward to more reviews on it.
Beard transplant looks awsome🎉
You need to bring the Marino to east TN! We have 7 lift assist downhill parks within a 2 hr drive.
Oh yah brother, that is sweet, and steel is real!!! But I'm thinking it's all about the wheels....... Glad to see it on the trail but bummed I wasn't there to try it. Great stuff with Kevin, not often you can drop him
Man inqish you were there to! Heard some stuff happened and we are sorry to hear it brother. Next year or a little trip before hand! The bike needs a little Chuck U!
I keep telling people, "Steel is real"! 9 out 10 chipmunks agree.
🤣🤣
You will love the new edits to the top of Hayes on your next ride 😉
Get well brother! Sending prayers your way! Nice seeing yall at the tulsa agf tournament.
I hope steel is real, I know all my welding burns can't be imaginary
I'm running the 29r version with a rockshok Yari 160mm . It almost climbs good. The bike seems to be locked onto the trail. I'm using a suspension dropper.
I got a Stanton slackline steel ( their Taiwanese version) and it feels great. But the Santa Cruz chameleon MX and RSD Middlechild are both aluminum and they are very comfy too! So maybe a good bike is just a good bike no matter what it is made of.
That bike came out sick! That super slack front end reminds me of the grim donut
Vibration dampening. It would be interesting to hear a 'ding' on different frames with a spoon or whatever, to hear how sound travels thru different frame metals. That would give you an idea of vibration dampening.
Cool video. I had a Marino FS built in 21 with custom geometry all 725 steel. It’s a bit of a bugger climbing but a hammerhead on the DH.
145mm rear travel 437 mm chain stay 480mm reach 660mm stack 64 degree hta 75 degree sta 150mm coil fork 29er. Super quiet. Happy Trails.
I have a Carbon and a Steel MTB. My Carbon is light fast Stiff but chattery. And can feel more of the trail. Even with tubless setup. My Ritchey Steel bike is smooth riding. And like you said. The steel deadens the trail features and gives a comfortable ride. Im older and was around when steel was the norm. Not all steels are created evenly. Just like Carbon or Aluminum theres junk and theres Quality. Nothing beats a quality Steel bike in my oldman brain. Im happy yours rides great.
My first ever MTB was a small frame steel bike and it is still alive today. Planning on converting it to a cruiser bike as I already have a "main" XC bike that I am using as a hardtail. Praying for Wolfman to get better the soonest 🙏❤️
Awesome bike, HT rule. Hopefully Wolfman feels better soon.
Any HT aficionado will sing the praises of steel. Do t get me wrong, I love a high quality aluminum ride, but the steel just hits different. Enjoy!
Let the old man rest, you’ve done some cool vids without him too.
So I want to know... out of all your bikes I want you to do a top 3 & top 5 you would keep. And you have to sell the rest. What would you pick?
Beautiful build. Oh, you should be able to run those tires much lower. I'm talking 16-18 psi. I did a Chinese carbon hard-tail build that I put 2.75x2.8s and have run as low as 14 psi. I live in the Smoky Mountains so similar to your trails. Low psi on a hardtail makes you forget about full-suspension.
I still ride my old gt steel frames my go to when I bop around the streets. I just gotta video it I love a steel frame but at times the aluminum is lighter but flex more so.
That bike was smooth and quiet. 🤫 I can understand why you liked it so much. Hope Wolfman is recovering well.
I always liked a steel frame, just that little bit of give but still stiff in the right ways. Thing is a quality steel frame is probably similar weight to a lower quality aluminium frame but is so much better. They allow you to last longer as they don’t punish your body as much.
I also like the appearance… the tubes are no where near as big as an aluminium frame.
Sweet Lord, what a beautiful beast of a bike you've built, Jeremiah.
For the price, I really don't think you can beat this bike frame as a starting point for a fun to ride hardtail. I want one, my only problem is, that the parts to build the bike the way I want it cost twice or more than what the frame does! Still, I do think that my next bike will be one.
I miss steel framed bikes. You'd think they'd be more rigid than aluminum, but it's the opposite. They flex a lot more. We're only talking a millimeter or two of flex, but that makes a huge difference in feel.
Awesome review guys! Beautiful bike!!
Glad Wolfman is feeling better and heal up quickly, I am way too excited for this review!
Have you been on a bike that slack with a front fork with that much travel. I wonder if that was also smoothing your ride out some. That is a really nice fork!
I'm sold, gonna have to get a steel bike now. Such a good looking ride, one of my favourites so far.
Get well soon Wolfman 👍🍻😎
I believe the suspension feel and flex is called Compliance, I am no expert though haha. Glad that Wolf Man is on the mend and stoked that the Marino turned out to be such a sweet ride! That thing was super quiet, Cheers Gents!
You built a beautiful bike there! I think that most steel bike haters have probably not ridden one. They're worth the little bit of extra weight!
Hope to see Wolfman back & healthy soon.
They have been making bike from steel for years. Then everyone wants faster and lighter, and that is not steel
What happened to wolf man? Is he okay?
Coming from budget bikes, I’m sure this bike feels like a dream.
Aluminum is a lot stiffer metal than steel, steel will bend and flex where aluminum will barely have any flex if any , this is why that frame feels the way it does on the trails
Praying for a quick recovery, glad your doing well…
Canfield N9 here, ya steel is where it's at...
Get well Wolfman We're all pulling for you.
Speedy recovery! Welcome back :)
Great looking bike smooth
Does it climb pretty well or is the weight too much?
I wanna ride Hayes Creek so badly.
Awesome review! Damn.
Get better Wolfman
Looks awesome.
Am i first?
Hey fellas
I have 2 steel frames that I have yet to build up
Well your gonna need to!!
Steel hard tails for life ill never buy another aluminum hardtail lol
Dude!! That SH$T WAS AMAZING