Fairlight Holt hardtail review

Several months ago Fairlight announced the second generation of their Holt hardtail…

I’ve liked the idea of the original since its release as a sprightly and refined alternative to a sea of largely overbuilt and trail focused hardcore steel hardtails.

Despite being similar, even down to offering two of the same colour options, the 2.0 does have a number of relatively small improvements. One change I’m less keen on is the larger diameter seat tube. If I’m buying a steel frame I want a compliant and springy classic steel feeling, some of which comes from a smaller diameter seat tube.

An opportunity

A few days after the 2.0 was announced, a Holt 1.0 frame popped up on eBay.

I hadn’t been specifically looking for one, just perusing a saved search for frames in my (XL) size. Had one not come up on eBay it is doubtful I would have bought brand new instead.

Partly that’s because Fairlight always seem to have quite a long wait. They aren’t a company that usually has spare stock sitting around. At present a Holt is three to eight months away, depending on size and colour. I will pause here for readers to spit out their tea…

Anyway, deciding it was now or never to give one a go, a box soon arrived from the seller on eBay. Despite having apparently been built up and ridden, the frame could have passed as new.

Said frame is made in “central europe” from Reynolds 853. Fairlight doesn’t specify which country. There is a level of detail that goes far beyond what pretty much anyone else is doing for steel frames, short of custom builders.

From cable guides, to the custom Bentley machined brake mount and mech hanger, and of course the tubing.

A PDF of design notes is on Fairlight’s website. It runs to 61 pages(!) and explains the design choices and thought process far better than me.

I’ve had a number of steel bikes over the years.

Starting with a Singular Swift, then Cotic Solaris (version two?), followed by several Kona Units, and most recently a Pace 529.

The Konas are of relevance here. Having had three of them it was all the more noticeable when they ruined the ride quality of the last one. It was stiff as hell.

What did Kona change? Nothing much apart from widening the stays to accommodate plus tyres, and increasing the seat tube diameter.

My Fairlight build

Other than a PNW dropper that came with the frame, and Vittoria Torrente tyres, most parts have been transferred from a Trek Supercaliber that I also obtained via eBay earlier this year.

The rest of the build consists of a Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain, with SLX brakes. Deore for the chain, as I’m not a believer in pricey chains. A DT F232 fork, as at the time these were significantly discounted, and it is interesting to try something different from the usual Fox or RockShox. Nextie carbon rims with DT 350 hubs, Thomson bars and stem, and a Nukeproof Horizon saddle.

The frame makes use of a recent addition to the long list of bottom bracket standards, T47. This has benefits, but also cuts down on BB options. Deciding I had spent too much on bikes recently, Praxis Works was selected over Hope.

There’s a good chance this was a mistake, but it’s too early to be certain.

Building the bike up was uneventful. Nothing to report, other than external cable routing being pleasantly faff free. Weight came in at a perfectly respectable 26.5lbs with XT pedals.

Ride impressions

With the words “unashamedly XC” on their website and ‘lookbook’, Fairlight are clear about the Holt’s intentions.

The ride is zippy and nimble. While unlikely to win a world cup race, it does cover ground with ease. Owing to the oversized BB and carefully shaped tubing, it feels efficient to pedal. There is no perceptible ‘waggle’ to the BB area under power, unlike some steel frames.

The reasonably steep 75 degree seat tube angle (at my saddle height, with a 110mm travel fork) feels spot on. Cockpit is roomy with a 70mm stem. Top tube length is actually at the longer end of the scale, even for XL sizing.

Descending aboard the Holt is more than competent enough, while obviously not as confident as something more trail oriented.

The ride position feels slightly more perched than I would expect, but is easy to get used to. My full sus bikes obviously have suspension sag and the gravel bike is naturally a lot lower.

I wonder if the bottom bracket could do with being just a drop lower? The BB drop and stack height are similar to other comparable bikes on paper, so maybe it’s just a result of not having ridden a hardtail in ages.

After each of the first few rides I noticed the seatpost had slipped, even after checking the torque and applying friction paste.

In order for it to stay put I’ve had to exceed Hope’s recommended max torque for the clamp by quite a margin. Suboptimal, but nothing has broken in 400 miles so far, and the dropper still moves freely.

I haven’t measured it, but out of spec seat tubes aren’t unheard of, especially with steel frames. My Cotic was miles too big, and the Singular was so tight I had to find a retro 26.8mm post.

Woah! violet!

From an aesthetic perspective I thought the XL size was a bit of a gate upon first inspection but it has since grown on me.

Fairlight shortened the seat tube by 10mm for the new one. I guess it all depends if you’re coming from a road/gravel background or MTB as 52cm is compact compared to most drop bar frames.

Although violet wouldn’t be my first choice out of any possible colour, I do like it. Contrary to popular belief the fact that I have matching Fizik winter boots is entirely coincidental!

In summary

How about the all important steel ride feel?

Well, it’s the smoothest riding hardtail since my original Singular. Without both to test back to back it’s impossible to say which is smoother about 15 years (wow) apart.

Overall the Holt is a much nicer bike though. There is an elephant in the room though… those carbon wheels. They are undoubtedly counterproductive in achieving a magic carpet ride. I would like to try the bike with aluminium wheels at some point.

Overall I am happy with the ride quality. If that wasn’t the case, this probably would have been my last steel bike.