HT TRAIL_V1

I haven’t set up my bike yet so I can only speak to initial impressions. The frame looks absolutely beautiful. Clean welds and a really nice paint job. The tubes have beautiful shape to them that is hard to appreciate in photos. The details like the brake mount and cable routing are very thoughtfully done. On top of all that it’s very lightweight which has me intrigued. You’re getting all the qualities of steel in a weight that rivals many aluminum frames in its category. I’ll update this after I assemble and ride it which will probably be in the spring as my attention is on snowboarding and the gym during the winter months but I have a strong feeling we have a keeper here.

This bike is boundless! It handles switchbacks with the same flickability that gives you endless amounts of fun when pushing it off jumps. Pedaling a hardtail is becoming a lost art, but if you understand the connected feel it gives you on a trail, this bike can bring you to the next level. This frame has details that some of the highest priced hardtails are missing, and offers them at a screaming deal. Kostrikin gets hardtailing to its core. Highly recommend this dart as part of your quiver.

Got mine pre-sale and have not regretted it one bit. Bike runs really good stock but, I opted for a 1.5deg slacker headset and it completely transformed the bike to better suit my local trails: very steep and techy! Climbs very sprightly too. Running a 150mm fork and a 2.6 rear tire for 5mm of rear "travel"😜! I ride my Kostrikin all winter and spring AND when my full suspension bike is in the shop.

Great build quality and finish. Even built as a heavy use trail bike this thing pedals almost like an xc bike while giving you the dh of a slack 160mm hardtail. I’ve been riding and racing since the 80’s and this is a sixth bike in my rotation and may just become the go to. I built with xt groupo e13 wheels and dropper race face cockpit and the marz 160mm fork from the sites build vid.

Been riding hardtails fo 35 years and this is the most comfortable hardtail I've ever ridden. It's also very responsive and climbs exceeding well. It's a great all arounder. I've put around 100 miles on it and haven't come up with a negative yet. I ride trails in Alaska and it dampens trail chatter of roots and rocks better than any hardtail I've ridden. I did a very budget build with inexpensive wheels and a rockshox 35 silver which I don't think is the reason for the ride quality. This frame is definitely worthy of a high budget build. I'm already excited to start upgrading. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. I'll I can say is WOW and incredible