Man, I love a good hardtail, and the right one can do just about anything. You know the trope, a real quiver-killer. Well, the Sklar Bikes Tall Tale looks like one of those hardtails. And Adam Sklar has restocked the Tall Tale hardtail mountain bike, along with some geometry updates designed to improve the riding experience.
Oh, and there are two new color options as well: Sage and Gneiss.
Originally launched in 2023, the Tall Tale features 29-inch wheels, a 140mm travel fork, and geometry focused on trail riding versatility. The frame uses size-specific, custom-drawn tubing selected to balance ride quality with durability.
The Tall Tale is the type of bike that can easily handle both quick after-work rides and multi-day bikepacking adventures. The Tall Tale can climb efficiently while still providing confidence while descending.
Adam Sklar says that the Tall Tale’s design philosophy centers on practical trail riding rather than extreme terrain. It’s designed for riders who want a reliable, do-it-all mountain bike that performs well across different riding scenarios.
What About the Updates?
The updated version of the Tall Tale includes several no-nonsense improvements. For example, it now sports a steeper seat tube angle of 74 degrees, positioning riders for more efficient pedaling.
Shortened reach measurements are used across all frame sizes, creating more responsive handling. Small and Medium frames now feature external bottle bosses on the seat tube, allowing dropper posts to extend further without interfering with water bottle placement, a nice touch for longer rides.
Tall Tale Geo
**All dimensions in mm unless otherwise stated. Numbers are unsagged.
| Sklar Tall Tale | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STACK | 607 | 630 | 649 | 676 |
| REACH | 430 | 454 | 480 | 499 |
| EFF. TOP TUBE | 611 | 635 | 665 | 692 |
| HEADTUBE LENGTH | 88 | 95 | 112 | 128 |
| FRONT CENTER | 742 | 783 | 808 | 834 |
| BB DROP | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| HEAD TUBE ANGLE | 64.8° | 64.8° | 65° | 65.4° |
| EFF. SEAT TUBE ANGLE | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° |
| CHAINSTAY LENGTH | 427 | 427 | 427 | 427 |
| A–C (FORK TRAVEL) | 543 (130MM) | 553 (140MM) | 553 (140MM) | 563 (150MM) |
| FORK TRAVEL | 130 | 140 | 140 | 150 |
| FORK OFFSET | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 |
| WHEELBASE | 1164 | 1205 | 1220 | 1256 |
| SEAT TUBE LENGTH | 385 | 400 | 430 | 465 |
| STANDOVER HEIGHT | 700 | 708 | 739 | 820 |
| SEATPOST MAX INSERT | 190 | 207 | 236 | 271 |
Tall Tale Retail & Detail
Retail: $1,199
Complete SRAM 90 Mechanical Build Option: $4,850
Complete SRAM XO Eagle AXS Wireless Build Option: $8,800
- Frame Material: Double butted, heat-treated Chromoly Steel
- Rear Spacing: 148x12mm BOOST Spacing, UDH Dropout
- Brake Mount: ISO rear brake mount
- Tire Clearance: Designed for 29″ x 2.6″ tires (most 2.8’s fit)
- Seatpost: 31.6mm (stealth routing)
- Bottle Cages: 2 in front triangle, 1 under down tube (3 bolt cargo)
- Rear Rack Mounts: Included
- Suspension Travel: 130mm (size S), 140mm (M, L), 150mm (XL)
- Bottom Bracket: 73mm BSA threaded
- Headset: EC34mm/44mm
- Chainring Clearance: Up to 36T (Boost chainline 52mm)
- Cable Routing: Double butted, heat-treated Chromoly Steel
Adam listened to common rider feedback to implement these subtle changes while maintaining the bike’s core identity as a versatile trail hardtail.
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