Anyone got a Sherpa?

[faustus]

I've been looking at a Sherpa for a while, as I want to consolidate my MTBs to one bike (have a gravel bike as well) with something a bit more sprightly but also quite versatile as I have a rigid and 120mm fork I could use. Keen to know from any owners how they find them for general duties as well as bikepacking, any good? Bikepacking would only ever be a fairly small proportion of its use, though i'd want it to be reasonably capable wherever I decided to take it. Pretty much ticks all my geometry boxes as it's not too slack or long, and not designed for a longer travel fork (like the Solaris). Any feedback welcome!

Ideally i'd like to get a large Scrambler or large Mk5 stooge and fully commit to rigid life, but I think getting one will be tough (and the Scrambler not due till spring '22)

For reference I currently have a 2018 Kona Unit frame set up rigid and it's pretty good, but a bit on the small size for me. Also have a longitude XL frameset which I keep meaning to build up, but feels like I don't need 2 big rigid 29ers that do the same thing and have similar-ish geometry (not a stealth ad...yet!)

Thanks.

[Bearbonesnorm]

No but I've had a go in one

[faustus]

So have I, and the general build quality was utter sh!te! Tranny engine in a 70s filing cabinet... The bike version must be better!??

[Shewie]

One of my first jobs was driving a pretend TV detector Sherpa van around various estates in the NW.

So I got all the grief but obviously never caught anyone

[Dyffers]

I have an XL 2Souls Quarterhorse 853 steel frame with which I've been doing exactly what you want the Sherpa to do: I have a sus fork and dropper post for the bigger days and a rigid carbon fork and Thomson post for bikepacking, most recently the WRT2021. It's done both brilliantly for a few years but...I've been tempted to the weightweenie side and have bought a Santa Cruz Highball carbon frame to replace it as I'm getting on a bit, don't live near anything really gnarly and haven't actually done any proper 'bigger days' for yonks.

The SC setup rigid is ace and flys along but will never get chucked down a rocky descent but (Stealth ad alert!) the boss says the 2Souls frame now has to go so if you wanted something a bit less common than a Sherpa in XL size drop me a pm.

[faustus]

I have an XL 2Souls Quarterhorse 853 steel frame with which I've been doing exactly what you want the Sherpa to do: I have a sus fork and dropper post for the bigger days and a rigid carbon fork and Thomson post for bikepacking, most recently the WRT2021. It's done both brilliantly for a few years but...I've been tempted to the weightweenie side and have bought a Santa Cruz Highball carbon frame to replace it as I'm getting on a bit, don't live near anything really gnarly and haven't actually done any proper 'bigger days' for yonks.

The SC setup rigid is ace and flys along but will never get chucked down a rocky descent but (Stealth ad alert!) the boss says the 2Souls frame now has to go so if you wanted something a bit less common than a Sherpa in XL size drop me a pm.

Interesting, pm'd you!

[wriggles]

i have a Mk2 Sherpa set up with rigid forks and 2 x 10 gearing for Chilterns bimbling. Nicest riding steel 29er I have ridden (your old Town Crier is pretty good as well ). Welcome to pop over and take it out for a blast mate.

[yourguitarhero]

I actually drive a Sherpa!

[faustus]

Nice going!

[faustus]

i have a Mk2 Sherpa set up with rigid forks and 2 x 10 gearing for Chilterns bimbling. Nicest riding steel 29er I have ridden (your old Town Crier is pretty good as well ). Welcome to pop over and take it out for a blast mate.

Thanks very much, I may yet take you up on that, as I plan to ride over to my old Chiltern stomping ground fairly soon. Good to know they ride nicely too!

[Specialist Hoprocker]

I've got a gen 1. It's great. Versatile, comfortable, nice to look at. I'd recommend them

[gallowayboy]

I have a next gen sherpa, it goes on long and short day rides, bikepacking trips and occasional razzing about on woodland gnar(ish) trails in Calderdale and beyond. I've built it up with EX471 wheels, 2.6" tyres and a McQueen 120mm fork, all of which may contribute to it not being the lightest, poppiest bike in town - it weighs more than my stumpjumper full suss.
That said, it rolls superbly, has a secure planted feel on all but the twistiest steep bits, is comfy on long hard days, loaded up or unloaded. Its only downside is a perceived weakness in climbing.....but that could well be down to the burly build, or my ability and fitness. I love it, hardly ever ride the stumpjumper any more, and would say its a brilliant all rounder compromise.

[faustus]

Thanks specialist hoprocker and gallowayboy, all good to know. It's good that a few are commenting on versatility and comfort, pretty important considerations for me. If I was to go for it, i'd be looking at one of the taiwanese 4130 frames, which they reassure me have almost identical tube butting and profiles, and actually have about 20g less metal than the 853. Not 853 but should be pretty nice - much like the town crier actually!

[TheBrownDog]

Rode a mate's 853 Sherpa a couple of weeks ago, just for a few km round a reasonably technical trail in our local woods. Super bike. He's got a SID on it and it felt like a rigid fork till you hit a bump (does that make sense?) He's also got the SRAM wireless shifty gears thingy on it ... I was pretty skeptical about but it it was amazing. Up a steep climb I shifted up while powering down, which on a mechanical group would have resulted in loads of nasty grinding sounds. This thing just shifted up and got on with it. He's got some nice wheels and finishing kit too. Can't imagine he got a lot of change from £4000 for it. Grk.

[Evesie]

I have a Gen 2 uk build & get on really well with it. Spent what seemed like ages trying various bikes, couldn't get on with the super long & slack HA latest offerings, narrowed it down to Sherpa, Solaris MK2 or the rarer Solaris Max mk1. The Sherpa turns brilliantly, which for a 29er, I found to be the major problem when compared to my 26er Cotic Soul mk1. I also have a 650+ wheelset which changes the bike to a very lively bit of kit for when it's dry or rocky.