Banshee Paradox v3 Review - Hardtail Party
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- Опубліковано 24 лип 2024
- In this episode I review the Banshee Paradox V3. What a bike! But it won't be the ideal bike for everyone. For my terrain, I can't imagine a better hardtail. Want to support this channel and help it grow? Tell your friends about it, and consider becoming a Patron: / hardtailparty
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I just sold my full suspension and just rode this bike. I had never heard of this brand and I was really surprised how much I liked it.
Subscribed a few weeks ago, good stuff mate. I love smashing around on hardtails so keep the reviews coming. I will check out some of your past reviews now.
Thanks for sharing, man! Been looking forward to this one!
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More thoughts about this bike that didin't make it into the video:
1) This bike feels like it has a steep seat angle, and I LOVE it. I used to think seat angle didn't matter quite so much on a hardtail, but after getting used to the steeper seat angle on this bike, every other bike feels too slack.
2) This thing weighs roughly the same as most titanium frames, and costs significantly less.
3) I feel like this is the future of fantastic hardtails. We're always going to have companies make cheap hardtails with no regard to ride feel, but the companies that do pay attention to ride quality will stand far above the rest. Bravo Banshee!
4) I was going to do a review where I talk while I ride, but I didn't want to miss anything. This bike was is so significant and ground-breaking that I didn't want to do it a disservice by forgetting something while riding.
Is the 2020 Orbea Laufey on your list to review. I would like to hear 👂 your opinion.
@@memphismikebikes7443 it is, in fact. I already filmed the review. I just need to edit it.
hardtail party 🎉 😎
Still hoping to see you get your hands on a chromag. This was a great review. I just bought a new bike and watching this made we want one of these...
@@Adamas_83 I've ridden a surface and a rootdown. Great bikes with killer geo, but they ride pretty stiff. Not supple at all. Which is fine, but the main reason people put up with steel weight and price is for a supple ride. The chromag rootdown and middle child steel ride very similar. Unfortunately, chromag wasn't interested in sending me a frame to review.
Got a Paradox V3, with a 150mm Pike Select, full SLX drivetrain and SLX quad brakes, Fox transfer dropper post, One Up Carbon bars with 35mm rise, 32mm length Raceface stem, and 2.60 tubeless Honcho Terevail tires.
It is a wonderful bike so far. No matter the terrain.
did you build it or bought it as a complete bike? I'm looking for one
@@chargersvb I found a too good to pass deal on pinkbike. The build cost 4400 and the guy sold it to me for 2300. I thought i was getting scammed but the bike arrived exactly as it was on the ad. It is a truly amazing and capable of everything bike.
@Frank ### I just hit 300 miles on my build best bike ever
@@alabaster4263 Yes sir, tremendous bike indeed.
Just pulled the trigger and ordered one. Largely based on your reviews. Great content on these videos! I recommend your channel to all of my riding friends.
Congrats. It's my favorite hardtail I've ever ridden. Give it a few long rides before you judge it, it's probably going to take some time to adjust to it. Thanks for spreading the word.
oh man I want one. Great review!!
Hey Steve! Thanks to your excellent review of this frame, I'm now in love! I recently bought and built up a used XL Paradox V3 frame as my daily driver trail bike. At 6'5", it's been a struggle for me to find a frame with adequate reach and stack. Wow! This bike has it! I put about 30 miles on it this weekend and was totally blown away by how capable, comfortable, and FUN this frame is! It climbs well, descends even better, and handles beautifully in tight, noodley forest singletrack without being twitchy. I was grinning & giggling the entire ride (my riding crew thought I was going nuts!). I've got mine set up with a 130mm Bomber Z2 and Bontrager XR4 2.4s front & back.
Thanks for inviting us to your party!!
Congrats on an excellent choice. It's a fantastic bike.
WOW! Without going back to rewatch, I don't think you gave your Ti middle child such a glowing review. Must truly be something special.
I feel like I did. The ti MC is an amazing bike. What makes this bike stand out is how they've been able to do something nobody else has done: make aluminum feel compliant. This bike is tied with my ti MC for my favorite bike as far as ride quality. Fit and finish on the Ti MC is top-notch.
Dude you’re such a connoisseur! You describe bikes like a sommelier describes wine. I can hear you talk about bikes all day .
Thanks for the great review. Your enthusiasm for this bike really comes through.
I just bought this frame about 10 days ago (large, raw finish). I had planned on waiting for your review before I committed to it but they were running a 30% off special so I pulled the trigger. I was in 2 minds whether to watch your review since I'd already bought it but I'm glad I did.
I'm building it up slowly as we're in lockdown here. Can't wait for the world to return to normal so I can take it for a ride. Keep safe and keep the videos coming! A lot of us around the world will need to live vicariously through your riding for months to come.
Congrats on a killer frame. The stack will be too high for some people, but I love the geo. It's a special bike. What makes it so great is the ride feel for the price.
What a bike.....sooooo happy.... Spot on review... This frame is absolt amazing!!! 💯👍💯
You are so lucky, or maybe I should say earned the right to be able to test all of those different
bikes. I would chew off my left arm, just to be able to test ride a few of them. I spent a pile of
time in California, I wish that I had taken the time to look around instead of working so hard.
Thanks for showing me all the cool bikes. Have a great week and party hard in the mountains.
Well now, This was in my top 5 hardtails to demo. I think it just moved up into my top three that I am most curious about now. Great review thank yo so much!
What other two are you curious about?
@@hardtailparty My current list is in no perticular order Orbea Laufey, RSD Middle Child, Banshee paradox, Kona Honzo, Santa Cruz chameleon, Diamond back sync'r, Rockymountain growler 50, Marin San Quinton. I just kicked the Commencal Meta HT off my list. the rear triangle is bone jaring harsh even for a hard tail. I mean knock out your out fillings bad. For the most part I looking for AL frames. Unless I find a steel frame bike that is light enough. But my list will change as I discover other options and ride others I bet Iam still a good half year out from making a decission.
I have a sync'r carbon on its way to me for review, and I'll have a growler coming too. I will have ridden all those bikes in a few months. So you'll get review videos of all of them except the san quentin (i didn't film my rides on that bike). Stay tuned...
As an ex-banshee rune owner, I can vouch for how good Banshee's customer service is. They really pay attention to the customer.
Great review, man!
I can't spend too much time on their website, or I may end up with one of their full squish bikes too.
Built one with 27.5” rear 29” front. DVO diamond. 2.5 maxis aggressor rear minion front. Everything you said about it it true. It is FUN
I decided to go back and watch some classic HTP. There are so many great videos worth revisiting. This is a good one - Steve has so much knowledge.
I think I want a Paradox now. It's beautiful and sounds like a really good bike
That orange paint job is 🔥 I might repaint my GT hardtail that color to match my new Fox 32!
Yes I felt the need to party hardtail party that is!🤘
Just the video I was waiting for! I’m looking forward to hearing more about it in your ride videos as well. Oh, how about a top ten, or maybe 11, hardtails video ranking the hardtails that you know and love?
Great review mate, they sell here in Australia yet another contender for my first hardtail
This is one of my all-time favorite bikes.
Whenever I hear people panic about bike material flexing, I always picture the Tacoma Narrows Bridge 😂
Thank you so much. Now I just need to buy one.
Thanks for keeping hardtails alive! Still a place for them in Minnesota, are trails are very pedally and love that explosive acceleration.
Right on! Hardtails are often the better choice for many trails. A lot of my viewers are finding joy in the simple hardtail over their full suspension bikes. I like both, but hardtails always have a special place in my heart.
I'm new, I bought a salsa spearfish I love but thinking of getting a hardtail. A coworker is letting me borrow his specialized rockhopper. But have ridden at Lebanon hills? I live in southern Minnesota actually.
Hard tails? That’s excessively plush. Fully ridgid is still alive! No need for suspension at all. Keep it simple.
Fully rigid is also a hardtail in my book.
This bike looks sick. After riding the GT Avalanche with it’s flexy sear stays I’m in love with HTs that offer a little bit of compliance.
Yeah, it makes a big difference when the frame flexes a bit. It always makes me laugh when companies talk a out the increased stiffness of their new hardtail. I wonder if anyone at the company has actually ridden each model, or if they just keep cranking out new models and marketing them however they want. In this case, banshee put a LOT of thought into the frame design and it paid off.
I think everyone watching this wants one!
It's a special bike. There are lots of special hardtails out there, but as far as aluminum hardtails go, this one takes the cake (so far).
@@hardtailparty Do you know if this is patented? In some ways it would be cool to see more hardtails do stuff like this but also Banshee really deserves success for this
I'm a dyed in the wool steel hardtail rider. However I have ridden some aluminum hardtails that were not so bad. This one sounds pretty good. Not sure it's something I need, or want, it its fun to hear about. Its nice to see reviews about stuff that doesn't cost crazy money, no its not cheap, but the whole bike could be built for a few hundred more than a Ti frame.
@@SWFBrickbox great question. I know a few other frame companies do similar things, but I haven't found another frame that does one this well. I doubt it's patented. A lot of other companies make the same claims as banshee regarding a supple aluminum frame, but they're mostly empty marketing claims. The banshee actually lives up to its claims.
What are some of your favorite hardtails that you would consider something pretty special?
Awesome review and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this bike! I just bought a Paradox V3 frame and I’m super excited to get it built! But I do have a question for you, what bike do you like better? The Paradox or the Pole Taival? I love both bikes and I really considered the Pole but they were sold out. I guess I’m asking you your opinion on what bike do you think is a nicer bike?
You sold me on this. Put pre order in today. Hope it feels like a bmx with gears and fork when I get it rolling. Thank you.
It's a fantastic bike. There are other bikes that feel more like a BMX with gears, but this is a great bike.
@@hardtailparty which hardtails do you think would be bmx like? I ride a Floval Flyer 24 on pump track, a 26 STR quad show bike path cruiser. Just picked up an old used Niner air 9 to hardtail till I get bike built.
Love your videos. Could you do one on the orange P7 please?
Just picked up a used frame in raw! Building as a 27.5x2.6 11 speed, 130-140 fork. I’m stoked af!
That bb is going to be low. Should corner like a banshee.
@@hardtailparty Thanks Steve! Your reviews really helped me decide. Finding a used was the icing!
Good review 👍
Looks sweet !!
Great review steve,im thinking about selling my sentinel carbon,cause im riding more and more my cheaptrick from alutech.
it has the same data as the paradox has........
guys and girls,ride more hardtails, fullsus for the most of us i think is overrated.....
Once again steve,your reviews are the best!!
cheers from switzerland
Whenever you give this kind of review, I get into trouble!
Sorry! If it makes you feel better, these frames are in short supply right now and tough to get.
When you are ready to sell yours, I hope you let me know!
@@skibikehike7364 sounds good. I have no intentions of selling it, but I'll let you know if I do.
Great review! I’d be interested to see how she would fair in a mullet set up
My terrain doesn't have long enough downhills to benefit much from a mullet setup. We have a lot of climbs, and I feel like these climb better with a 29/29 setup. If i shuttled more, or my climbs were grinds up a fire road, a mullet setup would by interesting.
Awesome, Steve. You hit both of my areas of interest for this bike. 1) low bottom bracket number translating to more pedal strikes. 2) ride quality between wheels sizes. I was a bit worried the review would get skewed by the “cheater” Zipp wheels. 😎 Do you feel like there were more pedal strikes on the 27plus wheels or 29? Great job on the review and I like the stationary dive into the bike feedback vs riding. I do think you get a bit more detail out. I LOVE hearing Banshee take a criticism (cable routing around bottle cage) and use it to refine the product. That’s 👍 from me.
I think I've had two total pedal strikes in the past month. I don't strike pedals much, and the bb isn't absurdly low, it's just lower than my mc and most other hardtails. I didn't notice a difference with the 27.5+, even though it's technically low on paper. I just know a lot of my viewers complain about pedal strikes and they'd rather not hit have to think about hitting their pedals vs excellent cornering cog.
hardtail party when I decided to go with the Hightower vs Tallboy, BB height had a part to do with my choice. In the low chip setting, size XL, TallBoy (332mm) Hightower (340mm) plus any gains with bigger fork... the Paradox being 322mm, that was eye opening to me. I was tapping pedals a few times in the tech on the TallBoy during my one-hour demo. The trail was a lot of technical boulders and rock garden. Side note: I want to get the MC in both wheel sizes over to the same trail. I’ve never run into pedal strike issues on the MC but haven’t had it on the same trails. - - Just double checking - - my Turbines are 175mm with the MC BB height at 320mm which is lower than the Paradox 3 listing online at 322mm. Huh! I guess it’s like you say... you have to ride a bike to know a bike. Am I missing something with the MC BB actually being a tad lower than the Banshee?
@@Benxl-bn3cr the bb feels higher on the mc to me. I don't usually have issues with pedal strikes, I've learned to time my pedals so I don't hit them unless it's absurdly low.
hardtail party I’m getting better at that.
Most beautiful hardtail tubing imo, but I would probably go for the raw color option instead of the yellow, and hope the blue decals can be removed without too much issues. The little corner tube connecting the seat tube with the top tube is so flat and elegant looking. 850€ just for a hardtail frame is quite the sum though, especially with such quality issues.
Is the 65 degree head angle with 150mm travel? The geometry specs on their homepage are not very clear on that.
Hi mate love your reviews I’ve got a Ragley big wig race and finding it a bit of a slog at times would changing the parts over to a banshee frame make a lot of difference to ride feel as it will be lighter so easier to pedal etc
Would love to see a comparo of this to the Middlechild Alu when it becomes available 😉
I should have my hands on an aluminum mc soon. Stay tuned...
You prefer this as a 29er or 27.5 set up? Found out my local shop started selling em, gonna buy 1. Also im 5’7 30 inseam, longer arms for 5’9ish torso. Should I go small or medium? Whats the best travel amount for trails? 130-150? Thank you, hope i can get some answers.
Hi Steve, Trail builder from Denmark calling in.
Mate what a great tube you got, the best bike reviews ever. One can feel your passion and no bs. As a Hard-Tailer thats been around the block (120mm to 160mm rear travel bikes) I really appriciate your effort on trying to tell the world HELLO hardtail is not just XC or Wallmart! it is actually close to pure MTB.
Regarding low BB: Your thoughts on Paradox v3 with tires size 27.5 x 2.4/2.6 like Ardents or Forkaster 2.6?
I love my old Cotic BFe (27.5 -2016) its me quiver killer :-) but too short reach. You helped me to narrow my next bike down to 3 haha. Transition Throttle (Carbon "Compliant") Cotic BFe 27.5 2020 or the Paradox v3. You should try the Throttle OMG it does not feel like a carbon and is so fun. Hope more companies get it right about hardtails, maybe start riding them them selfs :-) I actually wrote to Santa Cruz, and 2 other companies and told them about the current misunderstanding and opportunities they have be change the way the look at hardtails and instead see them as funmaximators (business case)
Looking forward to more great stuf in this tube! stay safe and stay smiling on the trail!
the paradox already has a pretty low bb. If you're running 150mm fork it'd be ok. At 120 or 130mm, it'd get fairly low. It's worth a try though.
@@hardtailparty Thanks. Running a 150mm Pike
I finally broke down and I bought the frame I can't wait to get it
Congrats
where did u get that? i can’t find it anywhere 😭😭
@@verticalcreations I'm from Rhode Island and my local bike shop Blackstone valley bicycles has a couple large and an extra large left in raw I hope this helps if you pay they might ship to wherever you are
Looking at picking one of these up. Have not had a hardtail since I sold my Whyte 905 a couple years back now, but thinking I want one again to supplement my Enduro bike. Mainly concerned about sizing though. I am 5'10" and my Full squish bike is 480mm reach and 1267mm wheelbase and is an absolute aggressive trail destroying machine and feels AMAZING. For my hardtail though, I want something more playful, but the 443mm reach on the Medium seems short but the 475mm of the Large seems a bit long for a hardtail for my height. Maybe I could counter things with a longer 50mm stem on a Medium?
Great review and great channel, I've got a Ragley Blue Pig bought on Chain Reaction Cycles: geos are on par with modern hardcore hardtail (64 hta, 450 reach, just 73° sta could be steeper) and it's steel. I love it but I would definitely like to try other hardtails as well, have you try it?
I haven't ridden the Blue Pig yet, but I hope to get a Ragley in for review in the next month or two. I've heard great things about the blue pig.
@@hardtailparty thanks for the fast reply, I've subscribed to the channel, your contents are awesome! Keep it up! 💪
3:41 "nice nice nice-mean" Haha! I enjoy your reviews a lot. (Did you try any NS bike?)
I wonder how this compares to the marin san quentin. Any chance you will test that one?
I love how you mention in the Commencal Meta HT AM Review at the 4:20 mark, how the Banshee (Paradox V3) ruined you. :) I was looking for the Commencal originally and ended up picking up a V3.
Good choice. Those bikes aren't even close. The banshee rocks.
@@hardtailparty Thanks for the awesome reviews. Your videos have me pumped to get out to Sedona again. 👍
Hi, I am interested in buying a Paradox. I am 1.65m small and the smallest frame is an M size. Would you say that this frame is too big for me and is it maybe possible to ride it as a mullet? I am riding a Rune V3 currently in the size S. Cheers
Upgrading to V3 from the V2, look forward to the new geo.
Paradox v3, SC Chameleon or Chromag stylus for long ascending rides (30km)?
Awesome review Steve as usual , Has the Paradox V3 been updated ? Their new chart says it has a 425mm chainstay rather than a 430 cs mentioned here ?
No, it hasn't been updated. I thought the geo chart used to say 430mm chaindtays but now it's got me questioning myself.
HT party nice channel. The paradox v3 bought me here. Iv ordered a frame weeks ago but could still be weeks away. Should I cancel the purchase and go with a stanton or ragley or something steel or is the paradox worth the wait? Building up an aggressive winter hardtail any advice appreciated
I do my private bike consulting via patreon. I like the paradox, I think it's a great bike depending on where and how you ride.
Wow this over 99% of steel frames?! That's quite a statement. Obv much of that is coming from the design you highlighted, but I also wonder if it being 7005 T6 contributes to that.. Seems the vast majority of alu hardtails are 6061. I came here after seeing your Pinkbike comment on the new GT Zaskar and glad I did. Wasn't aware of this bike before. Thx for the heads up!
99% of the aggressive steel frames I've ridden lately. Lightweight steel trail/xc frames are still going to be softer. But this is way softer than s chromag, rsd, etc.
Have you ever ridden a reynolds 853 bike? I've got a cotic soul 4th gen and the previous gen flare max and i love them. You said you would take the paradox over most chromoly bikes but i was wondering what you thought about reynolds 853 compared to this.
Yes, I have. I've owned.a cotic soul. Very cool bike. Reynolds 853 is just the tubing. Ride feel has as much to do with design and consrxution as tubing make or material. See my video on "is steel really real." I prefer the feel of the paradox over my old cotic soul. There's another Reynolds bike I like a lot, the ionic Johnny rotten. It felt more supple than this banshee, but I'm not sure which feel I prefer.
I'm seriously considering this one, though it will probably be a while. But question for others who may have done it... is it a hard transition to go from old-school geo to modern? I'm currently on a Jamis Exile II with 74/72 seat/head angles with 450mm chainstay. I love the maneuverability, but I would really like the slacker head for more confidence on the technical descents as I'm realizing that as I get older I feel like I am losing a lot of my nerve on sections I used to think nothing of, and think this could really help.
it's not hard if you're willing to work at it for a week or two.
Great review Steve! I'm building one of these up and have a spare 140mm, 51mm offset Pike fork I was planning to use. Would it be worth it to spec out a 42mm Pike instead in your opinion? Looks like 44mm offset is what's recommended on the dirt merchant website but I prefer Rockshox to Fox. Riding will be a mix of rocky technical with some flowy single track in and around the Bend, Oregon area. Thanks!
I also prefer rockshox to fox. You'll be ok on a 51mm offset, especially if it's what you have. If you didn't already have it, I'd say to go to the 42mm offset. I find that the shorter the travel, the less you notice the offset. For bend, either one will be just fine. Personally, I prefer the shorter offset, but not enough to warrant buying an entirely new fork just for that.
@@hardtailparty thanks for the info. Keep doing what you do! Too much emphasis these days in the mountain bike industry on making challenging terrain easier and easier to ride. Hardtails are where it's at!
What a fab review, frame ordered to become a 120mm Trail bike paired with the new SID Race day Ultimate fork - can’t wait 🤩 This is replacing the very fabulous Pipedream Sirius S5 which rides amazingly well but stack too low for my arthritic neck......
I've been dying to try a sirius
@@hardtailparty I adore it, build quality is amazing but stack too low for me, rides sweet...mines going on eBay this week a sad day indeed. Thanks for a great channel by the way 👌
@@hardtailparty I’m 5’ 10 and have ordered a large, how did you find the medium please?
Actually skip this...I’ve rolled the bars back and put a saddle with longer rails on pushed right forward...I want this steel bomber to fit me 🤞
Great review. Have you ever ridden the Nukeproof Scout?
Just read through the comments. Thanks.
Hey Steve, recently bought an AB oval 30t for my chameleon, just wondering what bashguard/chain guide you're running there and if you can recommend???? Would love an AB branded guard but they are way up there in cost to comparable models....
I run an mrp
Great review, thanks to her I am waiting to receive my Banshee paradox V3 painting. How about rear traction on technical steep slopes as it is flexible aluminum?
The flex won't change traction on climbs. It's not like a FS, it just has a bit of give to it when you hit fast chunk.
Being soft in small and medium blows, I would settle for it. My idea is to mount it with 130mm and Rekon race 29 2.4 rear Xc wheel, thank you!
Is the cost in the frame justifiable compared to the Ragley big Al because I could see you really like that bike is well
Did you keep this bike or sold it? Looks like I want to buy one after watching your video.
Man, another bike added to my list...well frame lol
This and the polygon fs
What do you think the threshold degree of head tube angles on hard-tails is between steering with the pedals versus the handlebars?
I think everyone should learn to steer with the feet regardless of head angle. With really steep head angles, it can be tough. I feel like steeper than 68 and it gets tricky. Even if it's tricky, it's still better technique to steer with the feet.
Good stuff as usual! Glad to see the subscriber total starting to take off. At $849 and 2.3kg, I'd rather take a well-built Reynolds 853 steel frame. The cost and weight would be about the same, and you get the resilience and overall radness of steel. To each their own though, this bike looks sick too.
Thanks man. I like a good 853 frame too, but I haven't found many great ones lately. I recommend my "is steel really real" video. I've only ridden one Reynolds 853 frame that felt as good as this, and it cost twice as much as the banshee. Most other Reynolds frames ride stiffer. Plus this will be a lot lighter and won't rust. But, to each their own. I've ridden both and the banshee is every bit as good. I'm not sure why steel has a perception of being more "rad", but people definitely think that.
I wonder if Banshee is working on a V4 or just a V3.2 of this frame. Would be hard to improve this one, but who knows...
Thanks for the great review Steve! I’m trying to decide what fork travel to run. Both Banshee and my local shop recommended 140mm but I think you rode it with 150mm. What are your thoughts on this? Also, I will probably run it as a 29er and am considering the XC cushcore to keep it light. Do you have experience with the XC insert or do you think I should just go full cushcore and not worry about the weight?
Without knowing where you ride or what your trails are like, it's hard to make a recommendation on anything.
I have a set of the xc cushcore but I haven't installed them on a bike yet. I'd recommend running your wheels as is first, then making adjustments as needed.
140mm vs 150mm isn't a huge difference. 0.5* hta difference. It really depends on terrain.
Hi Steve, Love your channel and all your reviews!! How does the paradox climb on long, steep xc climbs? Does the front wheel lift a lot? thanks
Not to me. But I"m used to slack bikes with long reach. Stay tuned, i'll be testing this out in 120mm travel mode soon...
@@hardtailparty Awesome can't wait! I was thinking if I build one it would be 120mm.
@@adamrossi7010 do it. But be warned, all paradox frames are sold out and may be sold out for a while. Demand is high.
Is the an Absolute Black oval chainring? Looks like their milling and ,hard to tell with the camera angle, but looks oval. 32?
Good eye. That's exactly what it is. You can see the details in my build video.
hardtail party as a flat pedal dude, I realize that ovals are HUGE for me! Plus I’m old! I love watching you videos except that my next HT is always the one you review UNTIL the next one😁 grass is always greener 😁
How much would a decent mid level build turn out to be with the paradox? Looking to get back in mountain biking and have been watching all your review...ALL. This seems to win (this and the Middlechild). I've never built up a bike so total newb here...
Depends on what you mean by "decent." I have friends who have built hardtails for less than $1k, but they're super savvy, watch all the deals every day, they know which components to get, and they know how to save money on it. Most mortals will spend $1500-2000 with new parts for a decent build.
Hey! I'm building a paradox right now, and wondering what size stem you went with on your builds. We are about the same size
40-50mm
I am 230lbs, do you think this bike would feel the same for me?
have you gotten a chance to shred any of the Kona Honzos? I have the ST and love that thing!
Yes, I have. Im glad to hear you love yours.
Doesn't have the paradox V3 425mm chainstays?
I've seen a few other reviews on this bike with a 29" front. I think MTB Telly did that to his Paradox in his review. What are your thoughts on this? On mullets in general?
Yeah, I've seen his reviews. In my opnion, it depends on the terrain. The steeper (downhill) the terrain, the more I like mullets. If I lived in the alps, I'd probably run it as a mullet, but my trails have a lot of ups, downs, and flats, so I keep them balanced.
It sounds like differences between 29 & 27.5 for you were actually less for this bike than you've experienced on others. Did it come down largely to comfort, and that slight traction improvement with 2.8, or did you find more to drive you to the 27.5, which I know you generally prefer. I know you've mentioned you aren't tall, and Im trying to understand how much this bike changes across the wheel sizes. Thanks for the detailed info you put in all your videos.
Like most bikes, this bike has a different feel with each wheelset. On 29s, it's faster, holds its momentum more, and feels a little more serious. With 27.5+, it has more traction, is more playful, and a little easier to throw around. They're both fun for different reasons. Keep in mind it's a 3/4" difference in radius, so it's not an enormous difference.
I only had HT since I was 5 years old...aluminum hard tails are the best. NukeProof/Commencal AM Chromags... and the rest (most are aluminum) and the best bikes for a price (only frame). Comps are always different on every bike.
I think you would also love the Nukeproof scout, maybe you will test one some day🚵🏻👍🤘. Great review
I've tried to reach out to Nukeproof, but they haven't responded to me. I'll see if I can find one locally to test. I doubt it will be nearly as compliant as this, but the geo looks good on paper.
As a scout owner, I don't think it will ride as smooth as this. But the scout does do a similar trick on the chain stay and rear drop out area with a cut out ( but not a complete hole )in it to make it feel less harsh and I honestly don't feel any harshness on it with 2.8 on there but the banshee looks to be on another level in terms of compliance engineering. But yeah I would love to get your opinion on how the scout is. I love this bike and I don't have a need for a full suspension bike because of how great this bike is.
s14tat I am also an Nukeproof scout owner. I have the 290 expert from 2020 and I absolutely love it. It rides much smoother and eats small bumps much better than my old Santa Cruz full suspension bike. I feel like all the thinks he mentioned do also fit to the Nukeproof scout. But thank you for sharing your opinion. It’s always also an personal thing. Ride on 🚵🏻👍🤘
@@joshuawagner4872 I'll be surprised if the Nukeproof is as compliant and smooth as this. I'd really like to try one to find out. I'm glad to hear you're loving your Nukeproof.
@@s14tat that's really good feedback about the scout. I've heard a lot of great things about it. Hopefully if enough of my viewers reach out to Nukeproof and ask them to send me one for review for a month they'll listen. I haven't been able to get a response out of them. I'll keep trying though.
What length of fork travel are you using here?
My 2016 canfield nimble 9 is my favorite ht so far I hope it never breaks. The new nimble is so long it's like semi truck
Have you ridden the new nimble 9 yet? I have one coming in a month for review. Can't wait.
@@hardtailparty no but with the wheelbase being almost 49" in xl I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like it as much as mine
Banshees have something special about them !
So, I looked on line to find a Paradox and its like a needle in a haystack. Are these only offered as a frame? Where can you get a complete bike thats not used?
Frame only unless you're able to find a dealer to custom build one up for you.
I'm Just about to buy the paradox v3 for my 50th birthday, with 29 F/R
but i can't get any solid information on sizing.. Any advice would be
greatly welcome.. Im exactly 5'11
I will let you know my RAD when I get the black anodized of the Large in June (fingers crossed)
Hi, my name is Beppe, first of all congratulations for the channel, what better person to ask for advice on buying a hardtail. What I'm looking for must be a comfortable trail / all mountain for days in the saddle, good uphill and excellent downhill. I'm undecided between five bicycles, Cotic Bfe Max / Cotic Solaris Max for the love of steel, Orbea Laufey / Gt Zaskar Lt for an economic issue and Alutech Cheap Trik because it is beautiful. Since I don't know English well "I live in Italy" and I hardly understand what you say in the videos, I would like to read your opinion of the bikes I have described to you, or even some alternative advice, in order to arrive at a choice for a purchase imminent. Thanks for your attention, bye.
Hello beppe. I charge for my bike consultation service. I'd be happy to help you here: patreon.com/hardtailparty
The Ramones lol, Love that band.
Decided to order a banshee.....cant decide if to get raw finish or paint. are there any disadvantages to a raw frame???
It's not actually raw. It has a tinted clear coat on it. So the aluminum is still protected. The raw looks amazing in person.
So is it an enduro or a trail bike? Cause on the website they have it listed as a trail/all mountain.
it feels like all if the above to me. Those designations are all just suggestions/marketing anyway.
How much travel does it have
I have a lyrik 160mm I am taking off a yeti to build a hardtail, either a cotic, ralgley, or this beast? do you think the 160mm travel will jeopardize the geo too much?
I'm going to be running a 130 on this bike in the future.
hardtail party so too much travel... dang
Steve, if you have to choose one, RSD Middle Child or banshee paradox?
That depends. I go into more detail on that stuff with my bike consult patrons
Can you only buy this as a frame.....?
Those hollow bits could have awesome uses in gravel bikes
Agreed.
how's the clearance for mud in the back wheel?
Decent
So are there carbon bikes that have that back triangle idea to them? Like more supple?
Supposedly, but i haven't ridden them. The ghost lector is one that comes to mind. I hope we see more.
@@hardtailparty thanks for your answer. It would be awesome if that sort of engineering comes around more to carbon. I found your channel today, and I'm watching everything :p
Great content.
Do you think you will ever make a how to protect your frame video and some of the items you use to protect it? What was the bb change on 27.5+?
Hah, I'm the wrong guy to make a video about frame protection, I almost never protect my frames.
The bb change was not significant between 27.5+ and 29. I didn't measure it, but I'd expect it to be close to 1/4"-1/2".
@@hardtailparty But you use chain guards and a bash guard too.
@@mellissanash7517 oh, i understand your question now. I thought you meant protect the paint from scratches. I believe i illustrate the bash guard on by buildup videos, but I'll make sure to point it out clearly on the next frame build video i do.
@@hardtailparty thank you!
What do you think about this vs the updated Santa Cruz chameleon?
I have reviews of both, see my other videos.
Thanks for the review, been looking at pulling the trigger on a hardtail awhile now. Been looking for a bike with around 500 reach and similar geometry as this Paradox.
Ever ridden a Pole Taival, Guerrilla Gravity Pedalhead, or Wonder Signal Ti?
Sonder Signal Ti**
@@alexandertaylor8870 no. I've been trying to get all 3 of those in on review, but no luck yet.
I may have missed this but how does it climb?
Extremely well. Probably my favorite climbing hardtail.
How does the paradox climb and pedal on the flats? You gave it a 10 if I remember. Can’t be as good as the DV9 can it?
Great question. The dv9 is quicker bike because of its weight, and snappier/stiffer on acceleration. The banshee is a much more forgiving frame, but it still accelerates nicely. I have my banshee built up with Enduro parts, so it's going to be heavier. The bikes have very different personalities and don't seem to overlap a whole lot, though I suspect you could build this banshee to be a lot like the dv9. The banshee is far more aggressive, while the dv9 leans more toward a lightweight trail bike with great cornering manners. The paradox gets my vote for steep, technical, and fast trails. For mostly flat riding, I'd pick the dv9.
On a steel honzo which is great but looking for something snappier and with better climbing and acceleration. Honzo is super stable on the descents but pretty mediocre everywhere else. Looking for sometimes that pedals great on long mile rides (25+). Was thinking of doing more of a trail build on the paradox. Any further thoughts on dv9 vs paradox for that type of riding? My terrain is mild to medium tech with punchy climbs. Love the channel!
@@davidbritton700 I'd definiteñy vote for the dv9 for what you describe. If you feel like the honzo is stable on the descents, the dv9 will feel equally stable. The paradox will feel FAR more stable, possibly more stable than you want (due to the slacker head angle).
Awesome! Greatly appreciate the feedback.
@@davidbritton700 happy hardtailing. That dv9 is an incredible bike for what you describe.