I’m planning in getting a Bombtrack Cale AL as my “trail bike that can do bikepacking well”: https://www.bombtrack.com/complete-bikes/cale-al
This would be my first MTB that I would take to my local trails to learn… well, how to MTB 🙂 and in the future in bikepacking trips (think Switzerland Alpine 1 or Hope 1000).
I like the mechanical simplicity of a hardtail, that they are cheaper and lighter than full-sus, and I think adding bags and stuff is simpler than in a full-sus.
I live in Ireland so availability is kind of an issue besides the big brands (Specialized, Trek, etc.) but I can order the Bombtrack online (from a site I ordered a bike before from, and I’m a competent mechanic).
I’d love to get something more boutique like a [Mason RAW](https://masoncycles.cc/products/raw-frame-only) but I don’t think paying this price (frame + fork is the price of the complete Cale AL) is justified given that I don’t know what I like (or if I’ll get hooked with MTB or not).
Thoughts?
by _KeyRefrigerator