RSD Middlechild - EXTREMELY versatile.
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
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Parts seen in the video:
RSD Middlechild - bit.ly/RSDMidd...
Berd Spokes PolyLight - bit.ly/BerdSpoke
NOBL TR35 Rear & TR32 front - bit.ly/NOBLtr35
Onyx Racing Vesper Hook Flange Hubs - bit.ly/OnyxRac...
Specialized Ground Control Tires - bit.ly/Special...
CushCore XC Set - amzn.to/3IvAr6r
CushCore Orange Valves - amzn.to/3Ix48nu
Grips - collabs.shop/k... (Code SAGAMTB for 10% off)
Power2Max NGeco Power Meter - bit.ly/PowerMe...
Tools:
Bike Repair stand with scale in arm - amzn.to/3ioCsXR
Rubber Mallet - amzn.to/3uVP2R6
Bottom Bracket Removal tool - amzn.to/3X0JIYl
Breaker bar - amzn.to/3YuKoGB
Chain Whip - amzn.to/3vKJAAR
Cassette Lockring Tool - amzn.to/3WQZOnT
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It’s late in the series, but it would be cool to see the Marin San Quentin compared too!
I was thinking that as well but he's only doing 29 in wheels this season
Love the Quentin but this test is 29er only
I've been saying this on almost every one of these videos
@@64Spokes Dang, I didn’t realize till now that the San quin only came in 27.5. He should do a 27.5 to mullet conversion series in the future with it or just a 27.5 only series
Maybe he could do the el Roy
Would like to see a Canyon Stoic or Giant Fathom on the new episode of hardtail quest! Sick video, cant wait for the next. Good luck
no, i rather have new bikes that hardtail party nor evans have tried before,
A canyon stoic would be awesome for hardtail quest
Loving this series Evan! A few comments
- the horizon balancing gave a really cool POV vibe, but some settings would definitely need some tweaking for video use
- I think it would only be fair for the bikes if you tested the top two at the end of the series back to back
- it would be really cool if you did like a "fork quest" after this series using the winning bike, like keep everything else constant and test all of the forks (rockshox, fox 36, marzocchi z1, cane creek, dvo, etc.) to try and find the best fork. I love the way you test stuff methodically like in the high-low and this series.
Great ideas.
Love that idea of the "fork quest". If you do this Evan, dont forget to throw in sr suntour (one of their high spec forks not the low end trash) & ohlins
Dude this series has been so great! Geometry is like some kind of magic isn’t it? What I think would feel weird, actually doesn’t feel weird at all when riding. Anywho… I am so excited for the steel hardtail series coming up 🤠
I love this series! All Hardtail content is booming!
You should try the Dartmoor Primal, great geo numbers with compliant feel.
R u polish guy?
@@fafinnneven non-polish guys know about dartmoor brand
I have the 2016 Primal 29 and even though it isn't my main bike and I actually don't need it...I still build up a new bike with it!
Here’s my prediction: the last bike in this season will be an Orange Clockwork. We’ll just have to wait and see 🤷♂️
It would be super cool if he took everything he learned about geo and every review area he did and made his own custom bike with the exact geometry he likes. Idea probably crazy expensive but would be cool
HT Party did that. He made some interesting observations in his reviews on his custom bike. Tying back to Evan’s comment in the video, geometry is voodoo.
He said it was a Chromag in a reply to another video saying it was a British bike but it’s actually British Columbia (Canada). I’m hoping you are right and Evan didn’t make that mistake
Wrong
Dude the editing is so sick as always great video.
Was already looking at an RSD and here you go scoring it higher than the Nukeproof which was the other bike in the quest. If I do get the RSD I'll go with the cromo one for a steel is real feel. Loving the series.
I saw a video review of the steel RSD by Hardtail Party and it wasn't smoother than the aluminum version. I'm also a steel frame fan and used to have two steel hardtails. My previous one was a Chromag Wideangle and I replaced it with a Nukeproof Scout 275. Scout was a bit harsher, but I can also run plus tires on it to make it smoother than the Chromag. Then again, Chromags aren't known to be plush for steel. If I were to do it all over again, I'd get a Stanton frame.
@@leokuo7127 Stanton's look nice, but the versatility of the RSD and having it built in my home town makes it a bit more accessible. I also like the provincial emblem on the back of the seat tube. My Optic has the maple leaf there. And I'm more patriotic than I thought LOL
I came across a company the other day with kind of a similar bike. Wyatt Bicycles, the vista frame specifically. They say its an aggressive trail bike but it doesn't feel out of place jumping. Obviously too late for this season but may be something that peaks your interest. Made in usa too.
Yeah I saw one of those on Pinkbike and considered it, but was worried it was more of a fat bike frame
Love my Vista. Great choice. @wyatbikes
@@glenhuizenga6251 Awesome to hear. They are on my list of bikes I want to give a try. Plus their prices on complete bikes really arent bad considering they are a tiny company and usa made. Alot of the usa bike companies unfortunately are out of my budget.
Well done Evan, I’m glad that you saw the versatility of the Middlechild. I ran mine with 27.5 x 2.8 wheels and tires and then went 29 x 2.6. You just can’t beat a bike that you can play around with.
which do you prefer?
I personaly think in the next three bikes will be Whyte which is a British bike brand.
Highly requested Canfield? Looks like a fun frame though.
I meant to say highly rated 😂 I feel like the Canfield will be the lowest viewed video out of the series
That’s interesting that the Middlechild rated so highly as a 29er. Although it can handle different wheel sizes…Alex from RSD would definitely say it’s more intended to be a 27.5 wheel bike. Side note the steel version would solve some of the compliance issues and look better in my opinion.
True that this frame was designed around 27.5” wheels, not 29ers. Maybe the sliding dropouts help in keeping it fun and versatile with various wheel sizes in spite of the higher BB. So many variables but it works!
Regarding the steel version, I’ve read several comments from various sources that the steel version is not as compliant as people think it would be - actually, it’s almost as stiff as the aluminum frame. Now, if the Ti version could enter the search, it would win hands down in the compliance department while keeping everything else the same. But alas, this HT Quest series only involves aluminum frames.
I really like that frame, looks like my ns decade dirt jump frame but beefed up ! Plus with that higher bb and adjustable dropouts it's extremely
similar to a dirt jump frame, interesting
Dude I am loving the mid school BMX you are putting in the videos! Those ProConcept BMX's where amazing bikes!
I definitely wanted a Pro Concepts, Staats, or Redman but my parents wouldn't buy it for me haha. I'd love to build one of those up now
I am biased since I have this bike, but some of the criticisms he had are solved by running it with 27.5s, which is the intended build version. I have 2.8 plus tubeless which can take really low pressures. It eats up chunk and smooths out trails. Also, I found having the sliding dropouts changes the feel of the bike immensely. I didn’t think it would. When I had the rear wheels all the way forward, it didn’t feel quite right. It felt unstable for me when going down technical trails. Moving them to the middle made the bike handle so much better. But that may change for others. So those sliding dropouts add a HUGE value to the bike due to changing ride feel on what a person prefers.
I think this bike would really shine in skate park taking big hits with a raked out 160 mm fork with 38 stanchions like an old rockshox totem (40 mm) or a zeb
So happy your doing these hardtail reviews and your tests format is great.
Please bring in a Marin san Quentin.
Would love to here your thoughts on that one
I really want to see him try the Kona Honzo ESD. I think that’s what it’s called. I just think it looks awesome
Season two is going to be steel frames
@@EvansMTBSagacan’t wait!
I'm also waiting for that so bad
Thanks for subtlety including the spreadsheet. The RSD looks sick, could probably do better on the looks score if the components matched a little better. Also wondering if it could of perhaps scored better on flow/jumping/cornering if the trails were dry. You were still clearing jumps despite the wet conditions, pretty impressive and glad to see it still scored well despite the disadvantage but not a fair comparison IMO.
Yeah that's why I went to a paved trail to get confirmation. It wasn't an amazing cornering bike like the Rocky MTN. I really liked how poppy it was for jumping. I believe the RSD scored much higher for jumping than the Scout
Please do a Marin el Roy. It’s a unique frame and very well built. I would love if you gave it a shot
At the end of this series you should get everything you have learnt together about fit and geometry and get a custom frame made and try to make the dream frame for your, like Berm Peak did. Loving the series.
I love learning, hence this quest and my MTB Saga. I'm just about finished with season 1 and I'm only settled on 74° STA and maybe 64.5° HTA, but that's negotiable. Still figuring things out!
My 8 year old son has a 26" Nukeproof Cub-Scout coming in the mail today!! Just wanted to share my excitement!!
Oh wow that's going to be an awesome bike for him! I can't wait til my kids are that age
@@EvansMTBSaga he currently rides a Commencal Ramones 24 and that bike has brought him pretty far! Once they get to 20” there are really amazing bikes to choose from. Every size up gets more and more expensive though. Haha.
I’m from the uk and here the Vitus sentier is a really popular bike it would be really cool to see you review it
You must be turning into a master mechanic with all these swapping out parts to frames. quite the workout too it looks like.
Haha it feels like it. I can swap a frame in about 15 minutes now
@@EvansMTBSaga I recently did a lower fork service and took me like 3 hours lol, first time and took breaks though.
Realy cool vídeo, and
you need to tru the Specialized Rockhopper .
Great Series ! Re: geo: you should consider stack + bb height as indicator for handlebar height so you probably shouldn't change handlebar rise...
I am Ns eccentric 29er owner. With 150mm front travel. I love my hard tail😊!!!
versatility is key, and sliding dropouts should be a +10 for any frame. And yes, I am biased…SS Chameleon Mullet with a 160mm coil is my go to ride.
Great video as always! Have you considered checking out the Santa Cruz Chameleon or the Salsa Timberjack? Two of my favorite hardtails!
You didn't watch the video, did you
I did miss that part on the first viewing lol@@80nodrog
I'm betting that the last bike in the series is a Cotic Bfe max
Love to see the tests!
Also if you want something nice and slack with unique features around 130-140mil travel that sticks to the ground like glue and just hunts corners: Stif "Squatch". Lowest BB I've ever ridden on a 29er and it's amazingly fun. Also looks rad cause steel.
last bike will mayb be a cotic?
I am an hour from there factory. Can't wait to see there 160 front and 145 rear full squish
Unless they start smoothing out the welds, it's not a bike I would give a 4.9 on build quality. Just look at how nicely stacked and consistent the weld beads look on the Rocky Mountain on the head tube vs this bike. Hopefully, it makes up for that in how it rides.
Look at the Kona Honzo ESD, slack, short chain stay, very playful while still being shreddy!
Great review. Of course I’m biased because that is the exact bike I have. My is in Plus 27.5 mode with 415mm. chainstay. It is in the stiff side but it climbs well because it is stiff at the bottom bracket. I also run 50mm worth of spacers to get me in a good riding position.
maaaaannnnnnn i've been hoping for the yelli screamy, hell yes
I can definitely say based on my experience that shorter chainstays are better. I have an old 26er xs aluminum xc frame that I installed a 27.5 wheels and a 2.1 tires on it and I have to say that the whole bike feels more responsive and easy to control.
I might make it into a mullet build where I'd install a 29er front wheel with a beefier tire on it and a 100mm airfork so that it can handle chunkier terrain.
Sounds like a fun bike! Tinkering is awesome
Ooh Stanton, Bird or Orange coming up?
Hey Evan,
I would like to purchase a Middlechild. Unfortunately all that Alex has left is larges. I am 5’10. What size are you running and how tall are you? Do you think I’ll need to throw on a short stem?
Thanks 🙏 really appreciate it . I will say if u add. Giant fathom that will be great too
Good series, have you managed to get your hands on the cracy geo "On one hello dave" from Planet X uk?
Could you list the weight of every bike in the description?
I am a BMX fan so this bike looks amazing to me. Also I do like that Canfield frame. The copper color in a single track/XC set up would be a fun bike.
Why not try Haro Double peak? It's a hardtail. Overall great series can't wait to see the final frame you have in store for us to see.
hey Evan, You should try a canyon stoic, i've had one for a few monts, and i enjoyed every minute of riding it.
NS Bikes Eccentric is a contender too!
Great review and brilliant series!
I would have loved for you to give the Ragley Marley 290 a go.
Does the EC44 not add 13mm to the stack
I don't know if that's factored in, pardon my ignorance on that!
I hope it'll be the Bird Zero!
The frame design is pretty nice, but i'd peel the "middlechild" and "rubber side down" decals off.
Looking at this frame really has me wanting to grab one. Would you think this frame paired with the super gravit tires from the kollosus video be too chucks for this frame?
It would be a heavy bike, but probably super fun!
@@EvansMTBSaga It seems like you could bash it around and the tanky nature don’t he set up would soak it up.
Try the Chromag Rootddown next!
Cool vid man! You could auction all your frames off like Paul Aston, if you couldn't return them :)
Canfield nimble 9 it on my radar even though I already have 2 hardtails
Thank you for the video Evan. I really appreciate this series 👍
Np Ryan thanks for watching!
Woohoo! Ontario Canada Rocks! . Well. There's a frame option for an all North American build then!
Marin el rey would be one of the most extreme hardtails you'll ever test. At least do that
Try the NS Eccentric
Great series. Maybe you can look ať Dartmoor frames.
Try the Fuse, one of the best I think
Omg, the middlechild has been my top pick for a while now and even if it's not gonna end up your top pick..(I rly wonder what would ofc) but I'm saving money to import this frame next summer. Maybe I can ask some bikeshops if they can help distribute rsd's awesomeness, and with reviews like this one, hardtailparty etc why wouldn't they want to sell this?
Thank you so much Evan, really loved to see you comparing stuff your own way
edit: just mailed the biggest bike shop in my country if they want to be an official distributor..but i have no hopes whatsoever lol
Edit2: yes plz test 26" nobody has done that before on a review afaik
That’s up to RSD
hey what about the merida big trail
The frame reminds me of the GT Labomba a lot.
I don't love the color, or the fat top tube. But i sure would like to ride one. Build quality looks really good. Ride, price, looks. In that order. The thick tubes make it look like a kids bike. For the twentieth time. 2022 Santa Cruz Chameleon!!! Edit...I guess ill stop asking. HAHA
I can't get ahold of a Chameleon. I really tried. I have a feeling they're all out of stock because a new version is going to be released soon
You are probably right. The current model is the 2022. There has to be a 2024 dropping considering there was no 2023. I wonder if they will do carbon again? Im sure we will find out soon! @@EvansMTBSaga
Very serious question- the geometry of this bike is IDENTICAL to the banshee paradox- why did they score so differently?
They aren't identical. STA - 74 RSD, 76.3 Banshee. RSD longer reach, way lower stack, higher BB, slacker head tube.
Great Video! You should review the Chromag Rootdown or Doctahawk!
Lol! The best hard tail and sexiest hard tail in the world now is the new pinarello dogma XC! Made in Italy 😊. I have a Santa Cruz and now after 8+ years of waiting next year will bring the new pinarello 🎉 yey!
You need to try the Specialized Fuse! Great all around HT!
Out of stock everywhere
I’m really curious to see your review on the Yelli Screamy, I’m considering getting this frame, I personally owned the Canyon Stoic and the RSD middle child, I can say that they are both great bikes, but I really love the Canyon Stoic at the moment.
So I’m guessing that you are going to review the On One Hello Dave, am I wrong? If it is that it definitely will be different than the other bikes.
I really love the Ti Middlechild !
I’ve been enjoying this series, thank you. Wondering if the final frame will be an On-one?
On one or cotic i reckon
I also think it’s Cotic.
Cannondale Habit HT
Would love to see the Surly Krampus compared with the group!!!
the orange clockwork!!!
Dont be shy give the Canyon stoic a try
Best looking bike so far IMHO 🤘
Will Charles come back? :(
They do have a cromo version that might be more compliant , i have the rsd 291 and the compliance is way better than the commencal meta ht i used to have .
Interesting! I'm eyeing up the ti version too!
_Time for some chunk runs_ ha ha ha ha my inner 8 year old had a good laugh at that 😂
try kens tyran x3 frames they are on a budget side
Curious about sizing, at 5'10 average proportion I'm leaning large. Any advice?
I'm 1" shorter and the medium fit perfectly
Maybe try out a Silverback Slade...
Cotic BFE max for the win
Just get a Canfield Nimble9 and forget about the rest. 🤙🏻
I hope you try Asian brands.
I'm curious how they hold up to bigger brands😂😂
Very heavy frame, check a Lynskey Live wire Ti frame.
Orange crush or a vitus Sentier !! both solid frames
This series is all most done, but do not have one bike please try out the Marin bobcat 4. Can you do bike giveaway.
Gonna do the Specialized Fuse?
you should try dartmoor hornet frame
would love to see the Orbea Laufey on these series 😊
The last frame is a Stanton
Are you gonna do a Santa Cruz chameleon. I'm pretty sure those have sliding dropouts
Could you do rockhopper I’m thinking of getting it
I bet it is a Stanton 🤙🏾 Switch9er 🤟🏾
I ride a ns eccentric and its great
Can we see a mullet 27/26 and 29/27 RSD, Scored the in the same spreadsheet.
That would be interesting!