I'm looking for a new frame and fork that I'd like to build up as a dedicated bike packing setup.I do some longer distance multi day stuff that I want to be comfortable on. I don't want another gravel bike.
I'm looking for something with lots of mounts that will take 29' with room to spare, I'd probably go for a rigid fork this time too.
I'm just looking for some recommendations really. Budget is on the realistic side, no boutique custom things unfortunately.
I had thought about a Broken Road but it seems they're built around a 27.5 ethos rather than full clown wheel.
I had thought about a Broken Road but it seems they're built around a 27.5 ethos rather than full clown wheel.
It can take 27.5" wheels, but I think it's designed around 29". All of the builds on the website are supplied with 29" wheels.
Broken Road’s titanium frame is designed for optimum use with 27.5/27.5+ wheels
I'm sure it's fine with 29 but I really want something thats designed for 29 that would take 27.5 rather than the other way round.
The Cotic is a good shout actually. Hadn't thunk of that.
The broken road 2.4 inch for 29er. My mates bike likes to have good clearance
Stooge, Brother Cyles and Swift have options
Brother Big Bro? Rigid "ATB" style bike, mounts galore including on rigid forks, 29er, not - as small manufacturer steel goes - wildly expensive, at least for frameset. Similar to the rigid Surly MTBs.
Sonder Frontier?
Rigid F&F or build options, nubbins on the forks and under Downtube, affordable...
Very happy karate monkey owner. All surly bikes are brilliant
Broken Road’s titanium frame is designed for optimum use with 27.5/27.5+ wheels
I didn't realise titanium was a criteria.
And I think that is a typo on the Sonder website for the Ti version given that all of the other stuff about it says it works fine with 29 wheels. The geometry of the Ti frame seems to be the same as the steel frame and that says it is "Optimised for use with 29" tyres"
The titanium version is also £1599 compared to £699 for the steel frame, so I would think the steel version fits better into the criteria of "Budget is on the realistic side, no boutique custom things unfortunately" but I don't know what your idea of realistic budget is compared to mine 😄
I've got no skin in the game, so to speak. I am sure there are plenty of other suitable options out there. But, perhaps don't discount the Broken Road based on what looks to be a typing error on the Sonder website.
Kona unit x
I've been using an On One Scandal HT for a few years, along with their Free Ranger gravel bike and thought I wanted a Cotic Cascade but..., on the last trip I used my Cotic Flare Max FS.
A FS is the answer, and I'm away next week using the Flare Max. Only downside of the Flare Max is an almost non-existent ability to run a decent sized frame bag - so I've installed a pair of Old Man axle packs to give me more storage.
Axle Pack Fork Mount - Ultralight and Stable | Old Man Mountain
The titanium version is also £1599 compared to £699 for the steel frame, so I would think the steel version fits better into the criteria of "Budget is on the realistic side, no boutique custom things unfortunately" but I don't know what your idea of realistic budget is compared to mine
I've got no skin in the game, so to speak. I am sure there are plenty of other suitable options out there. But, perhaps don't discount the Broken Road based on what looks to be a typing error on the Sonder website.
Similarly, I'm really not sure why the Frontier is dismissed out of hand seeing as it is actually closer to the original ask than any of Sonder's other frames; £450 for the Frame and Fork (£475 with a headset) rather than £700 for a bare steel frame. The Frontier is apparently designed for 29" rather than 27.5/27+ and includes all the mounts... Sub £500 is my idea of "realistic" for a frameset, by the time you find a Fork and headset the broken road ST as a frameset will probably only be a few quid cheaper than a full Frontier Deore build...
Is it just that Aluminium isn't as fashionable? and/or the angles (for a 'bikepacking' bike) Cos the OP didn't actually specify material, only ruled out 'boutique' and asked for "realistic" pricing...
My Frontier works fine. Currently setup with 29x 2.25 tyres and has space for mudguards.
Allegedly not as good as steel but rides so much better than my 2006 Kona Caldera which was my previous bike despite the lack of suspension that the Kona had.
Racks and cages all fit. Only niggle is that the main triangle is smallish which limits frame bag space but then a larger triangle would affect stand over.
Not ridden a modern nice steel frame but would be interested to compare how much better bike you get from approximately double the frame budget.
My Sonder Broken Road is 29”-equipped and always has been. Running 2.4” tyres with plenty of clearance. As mentioned above, probably a typo or sloppy copy and paste on the website for the frame description. For a fully built bike it says “Broken Road’s titanium frame is designed for optimum use with 29" wheels but can be swapped out for 27.5+ to help you tackle any journey that you thrust upon it.”
For the steel version it says “Optimised for use with 29" tyres; soak up uneven ground and enjoy a confidence-inspiring, stable ride at higher speeds.”
I also have a rigid Frontier that I built up from a bare frame. It’s a nice bike to ride and has plenty of mounting points for racks and bags. I’d say it fits the OP’s stated requirements for a budget 29er.
(There are a couple of XL Frontier frames for sale for £160 each on the Alpkit eBay outlet at the moment.)
If you can get away with a small or extra-large, Trek still have some 1120 framesets & forks.
Stooge are currently taking orders.
Love my Cascade, Never used it for bike packing but it's such a nice bike to ride. Mines has Sonder Scope bars with 15 degree back sweep, but used to have drop bars on it. I prefer it set up how I have it now though. The Salsa carbon fork it used to have were really nice as well.
They actually do non boring clours now as well!!
Kona Sutra? Similar to the Unit X in many ways but made for drop bars (and post mount brakes). Got the full build and it’s lovely. And can fit big 29er tyres too (I’ve got 2.25” on mine at the moment)
There are a couple of XL Frontier frames for sale for £160 each on the Alpkit eBay outlet at the moment.
Good heads up, there's one less now, thanks.
Love my Cascade, Never used it for bike packing but it's such a nice bike to ride.
I use mine for bike packing. Its a very capable bike, but definitely at the mountain bike end of the spectrum, if your bike packing is mostly off-road then I'd say its a great choice.
I run mine with a jones bar - just because I prefer the extra width for offroad riding. its got loads of bottle bosses and mounting point. I've also just got an ortlieb quick rack for it, which is great.
I really wanted a tailfin set up - but £600 for the tailfin setup (rack, panniers etc) versus £80 and re-use my existing panniers was just impossible to justify!
