"All mountain" is probably the word of the year in the mountain bike scene. It refers to full-suspension all-rounders with suspension travel of between 140 and 160 millimetres. In view of this, it is quite daring to call a hardtail an all-mountain bike. The English forge On-One, which has been known for years for elegant but affordable steel bikes, has positioned the 456 Trail hardtail in this category and is not so far off the mark. The bike can also be safely manoeuvred through corners on rough trails. Steep descents and steps can be mastered without an excessive adrenaline rush. Uphill, the front wheel stays on the ground for a long time and the power transfer works perfectly thanks to the sporty riding position.
The secret behind the good all-round characteristics of the 456 Carbon clearly lies at the front. The slack 66 degree head angle would have been a "no go" for a hardtail a few years ago. It fits the On-One like a glove. It ensures safe handling on steep terrain. The fully usable 140 millimetres of the RockShox Revelation fork, the short stem and the fairly wide handlebars are a perfect match. These parameters, which would do credit to an all-mountain fully, almost make you forget the rigid rear triangle. The English also have a lot to offer the eye, even if a few splashes of colour wouldn't do the overall work of art any harm. The carbon frame, a debut project for On-One, is a feast for the eyes for high-tech lovers with its organic shapes. The in-house headset, the saddle with its art design and all the add-on parts look as if they have been cast from a single mould. There are no compromises when it comes to the gears and brakes. The SRAM X9 groupset and Avid Elixir CR brakes are a perfect match for the bike.
MY CONCLUSION
With its slack angles and plenty of travel at the front, the 456 Carbon has a huge range of use for a hardtail: alpine tours, marathons or simply shredding trails.
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