[Closed] Chromag Bikes

My brother in law had a Samurai back in the day.
You were unlikely to break it.

I've got a 2017 Wideangle and I absolutely love it. It's one of the Taiwanese made frames so it wasn't crazy expensive (around £600 I think) but I imagine the pound must have dropped against the Canadian dollar in that time with Brexit.

I bought it direct from Chromag because at the time they had no dealers here but I think Pedals Bike Care in Edinburgh sell them now. Chromag were great to deal with and shipping was faster than I expected. Never got hit with any import duty but I think that was just luck!

Really well put together frame, nice detailling, good qualtiy paint work and rides really well. Great for throwing about the woods, enduro trails and long XC rides. It's not as fast as my FS but it's much more fun!

I don't think they're any more special than a Cotic or a Stanton, but the bent top tube means they don't look as good to my eyes. They do offer really expensive ones that are made in Canada, but that's worth nothing to me, am just as happy with a similar frame welded in Taiwan.

Iirc their Ti Surface model is £3200

Gtfo!

Photos

Photos 2

I have a Mk1 Rootdown.

I bought it from Shore Lines when they had the UK distribution and got a good deal on it as they were just about to ship the Mk2 frame with thru-axle rear and stealth routing and there was a tiny paint chip on the chainstay bridge.

I have gotten on very well with it and have no plans to change it even though the geo is not exactly LLS by current standards.  I had some questions before I bought it and they were answered by the big boss Ian Ritz, which is similar to Cy answering customer questions direct at Cotic, i.e. a very good thing.

It is a bit of cult brand for sure and you don't see many of them about, I think I have only ever seen 3 others at various events/trail centres.

I guess they are a bit like Cove, Rocky Mountain or Banshee in that they have an appeal based on where they are based (Whistler) and the riding around there.

Sourced a 2nd hand DeKerf Surface frame and in my opinion, it’s one of the best hard trail frames I’ve ridden. I’ve got a 2deg angleset in it, and I’ve increased the travel to 160mm from 140.

Can’t say what it’s like in comparison to a Cotic or Stanton but I like it and I like the fact that it’s a bit scarce on the trails (plus I’d probably be classed as a steel fan boi)

It does seem like overkill for the local Chiltern trails but it’s less overkill than the Starling is.

I had a 2016 wideangle. Sold it for a fs as I can only keep one bike. Regret selling it. When I have the space for two bikes I will build another.
They are heavy and built to last. They don't use fancy steel think its 4130. But they ride brilliantly.

I’ve got a 2deg angleset in it, and I’ve increased the travel to 160mm from 140.

I'd be interested in putting an angleset in, is the -2deg one with a 44mm headtube and non-taper fork?

Aren’t they all press fit bbs?

Some are threaded and some are PF92.

Specs are on the website.  I believe that is the least bad PF "standard".

I ran a Stylus in 26" flavour with 160mm coil Marzocchi 66s for a few months. It was a tank. I preferred the 456 Summer Season that it replaced.

Iirc their Ti Surface model is £3200

Gtfo!

That's virtually identical to the RRP replacement cost of my self build Pole Taival. Easy to get to that level with decent bits. Even then it's still not super tarty.

Ummm that's £3200 for the frame...

Ummm that’s £3200 for the frame…

But it's not though is it. On the Chromag website it's CAD3600 which, based on the CAD exchange rate with VAT added back on it comes to c.£2,500.

Never had a Chromag and no idea why I want one but I do. The Primer appeals and I'd like a go on a Doctahawk for giggles.

Scienceofficer

Easy to get to that level with decent bits. Even then it’s still not super tarty.

Chromag have got to that level with no bits at all, just a frame.

It's a bargain £2800

https://pedalsbikecare.co.uk/shop/2019-chromag-ti-surface/

Makes these look a bargain

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-ht-ti-frameset/

That Surface Ti is Ti, though.

Spenny, but if it's imported from BC and handbuilt by Chris Dekerf, as the steel Surface frames are (or were) then it's understandable. UK made Ti Stantons are £2K.

If they're made in the Far East, then it's really flippin' spenny, and should really be "Rootdown Ti" rather that "Surface Ti". And a lot cheaper. Maybe it's the US/China trade war tariffs...

Edit: Ignore most of that, I'm years out of date.

Ah, ok. That is silly then!

So consensus seems to be that they are pretty nice, but possibly overpriced. Design and materials (at least for the Taiwanese models) seem more on a par with Ragley than Cotic or Stanton.

Nice headbadges though

I’d be interested in putting an angleset in, is the -2deg one with a 44mm headtube and non-taper fork?

-2deg with 44mm head tube and a tapered fork. Adds a little bit to the steerer as both cups now sit external, which is also partially why I’ve gone to 160mm on the travel.

Frame wasn’t “that” heavy for a steely - it may be badged as “4130” but it is custom butted as per Chromag standards. For all those who think that 4130 just means cheap heavy tubes, you’re missing the point of having a builder who knows what they want a frame to do and how they get it to work.

They’re slightly more expensive because of the work needed and low production runs - only a max of 50ish Surface frames a year depending on demand and very few Doctahawks. Plus tax and import duty etc (currently 20% and 14% respectively I think?).

A Curtis AM9 starts at £1150. A Surface is 1900CAD so about £1100. More comparable than to a Taiwan-produced Stanton where a Rootdown is 870CAD - about £500

And I’d also reckon that those who’ve ridden a Rootdown would say it’s as good as a Stanton rather than a Ragley (no offence to Ragley owners)

853 tubing is just branded 4130 tubing. Believe the tubing hipsters or the “cult” following of Chromag....at the end of the day it’s how the bike rides that makes it good

-2deg with 44mm head tube and a tapered fork

Do you have a make and model number of the angle set?

Cheers

They are definitely on a par with Stanton or cotic quality wise. I test rode a Stanton when I was looking for a new 29er long travel hardtail last year and thought it was great but that the BB was too low for riding the rocky trails ( it'd be an awesome enduro race HT) that we have in the Peak District. In the end I went for a Chromag Rootdown and haven't regretted it once!

nedrapier
Subscriber
That Surface Ti is Ti, though.

Spenny, but if it’s imported from BC and hand-built by Chris Dekerf, as the steel Surface frames are (or were) then it’s understandable. UK made Ti Stantons are £2K.

They do still make their expensive steel frames in Canada, and sell cheaper versions with the sane geo made in Taiwan.

The TI Surface is Taiwan made.

Do you have a make and model number of the angle set?

Was from Works Components- details below for my M/L frame, which at the time had a 115mm HT

Product Code Description
2.0 Degree EC44 -EC44 - 'Tapered Steerer’
Head tube length 115-122 Set 4

If you’re near Reading and want a play let me know

853 tubing is just branded 4130 tubing. Believe the tubing hipsters or the “cult” following of Chromag….at the end of the day it’s how the bike rides that makes it good

Absolutely agree. I’ve owned a couple of Cotic hardtail bikes among a few other steel ones. Hands down the best one for me was a Stif Morf and I really regret selling it. I’m looking for something similar second hand, but leaning towards 29” wheels.

Rode a Morf (briefly) at Ard Rock when they launched it and it was a lovely bike. Wasn’t able to get one at the time - then 6 months later I found the Surface on eBay.

Maybe?

It was £3200 last time I checked for Ti Surface frame only

With ooooo get you axle included

Rode a Morf (briefly) at Ard Rock when they launched it and it was a lovely bike. Wasn’t able to get one at the time – then 6 months later I found the Surface on eBay.

Maybe?

Out of my price range unfortunately. eBay Bargain hunting for me! Steel HT being the main criteria 😀

There’s a Nordest Britango (29er) for sale on the Steel is Real for sale group

£300 for a Jeronimo frame

853 tubing is just branded 4130 tubing

I thought the branded 4130 was Reynolds 520. 853 is a different alloy with different properties. Unless you know differently.

Not that I “know” - just what I’ve read and picked up. 4130 is a generic cover-all description of a certain mix of alloys in steel to give tubing suitable for making (e.g. bikes).

Reynolds is a brand - they use different numbers to differentiate some of their products that are all essentially 4130 steel that have had processes applied to them such as air hardening and heat treating to give a product with different yields and tensile strengths.

Chromag use 4130 steel drawn and butted to their own specific standards - with no real emphasis on how it is treated (as far as I can see). Whether they use Columbus or other tubing manufacturers isn’t as important to them as how they want their bikes to perform.

Just saying that 4130 = Reynolds 520/525 is somewhat reductive and doesn’t take into consideration that many frame-makers would struggle to get a bike at a competitive price point if they used only Reynolds 853 or 631 in a frame. They specify different tubing for different parts and their skill is in putting it all together.

My Surface seems pretty compliant in the front triangle but the feel from the rear wheel shows that the rear triangle is stiffer than the front - my Starling is made from Columbus and True Temper Steel - the new Starlings use “some” 853 and some other tubes but it’s nowhere near as relevant as having a frame builder like Joe or Chris who knows what they’re doing

TL:DR. Most steel tubes in a bike are 4130. All 853 is 4130 but not all 4130 is 853

Or at least that’s my understanding

The relative ratios of metals in the alloy give you 4130, 4135, 4120 etc. Different processes give you slightly different mechanical properties and Reynolds as a brand badge 4130 with different properties as different numbers

Happy to read otherwise tho

Tmb467 +1

4130 shizzle

Reynolds shizzle

I see. I’d assumed it was in the alloy.

when you say Chris are you referring to Dekerf? I had a 725 Generation. It was a beautifully springy frame. No other steel bike that I’ve owned has come close for feel. Including 853. It was another time. 60mm fork and different regulations

And I want a Rootdown.

I have a Doctahawk frame which needs building up, once it was paid for, imported and tax paid for it cost about the same in GBP as the price in CAD. It is a a canadian made frame and the quality is as good as you would expect for a frame of that price. I will hopefully get it built in the next 1-2 months, I can't wait.

Yeah - sorry for name dropping when I haven’t actually met him 🤣 and maybe the AM9 / Surface comparisons aren’t as accurate as maybe an AM9 / custom DeKerf

an interesting read

I will hopefully get it built in the next 1-2 months

Where are you based? I’d love to see one of those on the trails!

Scienceofficer
Tmb467 +1
4130 shizzle
Reynolds shizzle

If all that's true, makes my old one-off Lee Cooper 753 XC frame even cooler.

LAT
I had a 725 Generation. It was a beautifully springy frame. No other steel bike that I’ve owned has come close for feel. Including 853. It was another time. 60mm fork and different regulations

I've got a 631 version. Completely agree, beautiful ride. Mine's now being ragged about Rigid SS. I recently bought a Sonder Signal, and my first ride on that reminded me of my first ride on the Dekerf, like the frames was flexing and compressing over the bumps and twanging me along, that a push on the pedal rewarded me more than a similar push on a different bike.

LAT
And I want a Rootdown.

@DrP off here has a medium frame he's looking to sell.

https://m.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=131375&pagenum=3840#commentid6777995

If you follow the pinkbike hardtail thread they seem to build up into really stunning bikes.

Probably not worth the money over any other premium steel frame but then what is.

tmb467
Subscriber
I will hopefully get it built in the next 1-2 months

Where are you based? I’d love to see one of those on the trails!

I'm in Cornwall, just looking at the unbuilt frame it looks ridiculously slack!

I've also got a Surface with a slackset and I love it, but it wasn't expensive and I know I wouldn't buy a new US made one simply because of the price. It's beautifully made and rides great, but having ridden some Stanton's and Cotics I'd be just as happy riding one of those.

I recently bought a Sonder Signal

What’s it like? Also on my list as I’ve never had a Ti bike, but I’m slightly wary of buying used.

it wasn’t expensive and I know I wouldn’t buy a new US made one simply because of the price

This. All over. My only requirement was a good steel hardtail frame within budget - just got lucky with a Surface popping up

@funkmasterp

Did you see the Sell & Buy - Steel is Real FB group?

This for £300 is a steal (pun intended)

Nordest

Need a full bike as my current (Stooge Speedball) doesn’t have any parts I can swap over. Will check out the group though. Thanks for posting it.

I had BFe (Mk2 I think 26") and unfortunately just didn't get along with it but it was a tough ol thing.

A couple of years ago I bought a Rootdown BA - brilliant bike.

Chromag though is probably a cult thing

I had a Bfe with a U turn fork and loved it. Very versatile and a pretty much indestructible thing. Once crashed it in to a tree at a silly speed and the only damage was to one of the grips and a slight scratch to the top tube. Was my first steel HT too

What’s it like? Also on my list as I’ve never had a Ti bike,

I like it. Read all the reviews I could find and don't feel like I've been mis-sold on any front. Versatile, but does the rowdy stuff nicely too. Fun.

I was looking for a new hardtail, tried a couple of steel 650b and 29ers 2 Ti 29ers, thought on balance, I'd end up with 650b given my local trails. Top of the list was a steel Stanton Switchback (I'd probably have held out for a 2nd hand) then Alpkit/Sonder had a 15% off sale and it was only a bit more expensive for Ti Sonder 29er over new Steel Stanton. 850 vs 700. Bit of a post pay day/credit card/ "**** it, why not Ti" decision, if I'm honest! 10 year warranty definitely helped the nerves on Ti.

Ive got a Chromag Samurai 65 frame for sale just now. I've also just bought a Stanton Switch9er to replace it. Paid nearly £1200 for the Chromag a few years back. Fitted a 1.5 Anglesey to the Chromag and it def made it ride a bit better but it was awesome anyway. Stanton is a bit cheaper. Not had a huge amount of rides on it. The Stanton is newer geometry and is slightly longer and it def rides superbly well. Which one rides better? I don't know. When you're in that price range I think a lot of it comes down to aesthetics as none of them are going to be shite. Chromag has more curvy tubes. Stanton tubes are straight. I doubt very much you would be disappointed with a Chromag. Search Google for pinkbike forums for rootdowns primers and surface in the 29er category. Well over 100 pages of builds to get you drooling.