Our heartland has always been bombproof aluminium hardtails. Our entry level 29er is no exception, it uses a sophisticated TFS frame with the latest technology, full internal cable routing, tapered headtube and inboard disc brake mounts. There's no point making a bombproof frame and then hanging poor components on it. Despite the entry price point we load the Big Nine 15D with as much Shimano componentry as we can due to its reliability.