How is it .....

[Bearbonesnorm]

... designed specifically for the Highland Trail?

https://bikepacking.com/news/chiru-high ... _8svBeS65s

[Dave Barter]

If they give me one I'll prove it isn't....

[Lazarus]

Pretty.confident its what is known as marketting bollocks

27.2 is an odd seatpost size for a dropper , do ypu get many brands in that size.

How many folk use a 34 single ring set up for the HT550?

[PaulB2]

27.2 is an odd seatpost size for a dropper , do ypu get many brands in that size.

Apparently there's quite a few...

https://singletrackworld.com/2023/03/27 ... ers-guide/

[Lazarus]

T a could only name two

[Bearbonesnorm]

Pretty.confident its what is known as marketting bollocks

I did wonder

[Cheeky Monkey]

:from his armchair:

Jeepers those cranks are FUGLY

:from his armchair:

[boxelder]

Knowing how much walking's involved, they've saved weight on pedals?
It's very unlikely you'd need more than one water bottle - I can't think where you ride for an hour on the route without passing an opportunity to get water.

[fatbikephil]

It's not a rigid singlespeed so no use on the ht whatsoever in my view

[Bearbonesnorm]

Jeepers those cranks are FUGLY

Oh, I thought they'd just not taken the protective packaging off.

[ton]

regardless of the marketing, it is very nice.
the pinion Chiru bike is another belter.

[rivers]

Pretty.confident its what is known as marketting bollocks

27.2 is an odd seatpost size for a dropper , do ypu get many brands in that size.

How many folk use a 34 single ring set up for the HT550?

I have a 27.2mm dropper on my gravel bike. Weird size for a mountain bike...

[johnnystorm]

... designed specifically for the Highland Trail?

Aping the Salsa Cutthroat it has a list of Scottish chip-shops laser engraved on the downtube?

[faustus]

Marketing aside, I do think it looks really nice. I'm not that keen on the Ingrid crankset, but the rear mech is very aesthetically pleasing (the price, not pleasing). 27.2 makes a lot of sense for an XC/endurance bike, to design in a bit of flex comfort, and there's plenty of dropper options.

[voodoo_simon]

regardless of the marketing, it is very nice.
the pinion Chiru bike is another belter.

Excellent pun…

And true, the bike does look great

[redefined_cycles]

The Santa Cruz 2021 frame (and even later) are still sold in 27.2. Apparently (they and others) claim the thinner seatpost means a comfier ride. I'm no expert at the HT550 but having owned a (poor show - pardon my french) carbon bike which broke due too much power at the pedals (won't say which company it was, but, a poor show one that I wouldn't wish to badmouth anymore) carbon frameset I'd not trust many carbon bikes in the wilderness.

Though the Santa Cruz is carbon and itllbe ehat I do the HT550 on if I ever manage a black on the bb200 then a bb300 etc etc... In terms of ti, I don't get why they're still in fashion. Such a pest to put/weld together perfectly (commin enough seeing em with fractures isn't it!) and then out in the field who the heck can repair/weld a ti frame!

IMHO it's a steel that should be a 'HT550' bike... Surely, maybe the HOLT by Fairlight or summat similar. Nice name, Chiru are they trying to be the new Salsa. Also, still building in Ti or Carbon - not sure what Greta would have to say about that!?

[redefined_cycles]

Marketing aside, I do think it looks really nice. I'm not that keen on the Ingrid crankset, but the rear mech is very aesthetically pleasing (the price, not pleasing). 27.2 makes a lot of sense for an XC/endurance bike, to design in a bit of flex comfort, and there's plenty of dropper options.

Any reliable ones (like a Beand X) with decent drop that won't break the bank?? When I find one it'll go on the Highball...

[Bearbonesnorm]

it has a list of Scottish chip-shops laser engraved on the downtube?

That would indeed be a stroke of genius.

[faustus]

Marketing aside, I do think it looks really nice. I'm not that keen on the Ingrid crankset, but the rear mech is very aesthetically pleasing (the price, not pleasing). 27.2 makes a lot of sense for an XC/endurance bike, to design in a bit of flex comfort, and there's plenty of dropper options.

Any reliable ones (like a Beand X) with decent drop that won't break the bank?? When I find one it'll go on the Highball...

No idea what is a decent drop, but there's this, which might break the bank??
https://mtbriders.co.uk/products/pnw-co ... jIQAvD_BwE
Or this?
https://www.swinnertoncycles.co.uk/ks-s ... 9kQAvD_BwE
No idea on reliability but they all seem to need some servicing...

[redefined_cycles]

Thanks Faustus.

[Lazarus]

In terms of ti, I don't get why they're still in fashion

Because its the perfect material, nearly as compliant as steel and nearly as light as carbon The internet is full of pics of all sorts of broken bikes but there is not a website called " I have had a ti frame for a decade and nothing happened

[pistonbroke]

there is not a website called " I have had a ti frame for a decade and nothing happened

Yes there is and it's run by Scotroutes

Tbh, that was my first thought on seeing a Ti frame being marketed as a HTR suitable design, I wasn't aware that Ullapool boasted a surplus of our of hours titanium welders.

[Alpinum]

27.2 makes a lot of sense for an XC/endurance bike, to design in a bit of flex comfort, and there's plenty of dropper options.

When I had my ti frame made I went for the usual large diameter seat tube (as you would for a strong, exped capable bike) and for flex I can insert a sleeve and thin eg 27.2 mm seatpost... did the same to two rigid steel frames.

Doesn't/didn't Salsa promote one of their bikes as an ideal TD bike, very much like this one is for the HT550?
Now look how many TD wannabes and veterans ride one. The strategy seems to work. After all, bikepackers (Bearboners alike) are just humans.

[Bearbonesnorm]

After all, bikepackers (Bearboners alike) are just humans.

Dangerous assumption

[Dave Barter]

27.2 makes a lot of sense for an XC/endurance bike, to design in a bit of flex comfort, and there's plenty of dropper options.

When I had my ti frame made I went for the usual large diameter seat tube (as you would for a strong, exped capable bike) and for flex I can insert a sleeve and thin eg 27.2 mm seatpost... did the same to two rigid steel frames.

Doesn't/didn't Salsa promote one of their bikes as an ideal TD bike, very much like this one is for the HT550?
Now look how many TD wannabes and veterans ride one. The strategy seems to work. After all, bikepackers (Bearboners alike) are just humans.

But with the Cutthroat you can see the design specifics for the Tour Divide, it even has a map on it!!