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It looks like my Vassago Jabberwocky has developed a crack in the head tube / Top tube / down tube junction so on the look out for something new, hoping to transfer as much as possible across from the old frame, 27.2 seat post, BSA BB, 1-1/8" steerer Salsa Fork. 110, 135 hubs.... The frame needs to be steel with a XC geometry, Budget upto a grand ( gulp! )
So atm I've looked at
Soma Juice 29 - Relatively inexpensive ( comparatively )
Spot Brand Rocker 29 - Expensive, Pretty much changing all the components due to new hub standards etc
Vassago Verhauen - Expensive, Straight swap of most of the components, same Geo as the Jabber
Shand Bahookie - UK built, wheels will swap over with hope adaptors, colour matched fork 🙂
Any comments on the above or alternatives, experience of riding? My heart is with the Spot Brand but my head the Soma. The Spot would be pretty much a fresh build so would be increasing the spend by around 50%
Singular Swift?
Niner EMD or ROS
Pace 127 or 129 (I think it's called the 129)
Santa Cruz HiBall
For that sort of money surely you could go custom and get exactly what you want.
Does sound like you're describing a Swift!
If you'd consider aluminium, take a look at Ventana. Handbiilt aluminium. 3 SS 29er models. I have an el Toro (26" ) gathering dust, but it still is one of the nicest bikes I've ever known. You can have custom geo and paint for a little extra
[url= http://www.ventanausa.com/bikes/ ]looky here[/url]
Cheers Guys, I did look at the Ventana and the Niner EMD but my preference is to stick with a Steel frame. In terms of Aluminium there was a nice Soul Cycles Dillinger available but having ridden Aluminium HTs I prefer the feel of a steel frame.
The Swift is nice but iirc it has a 1-1/8" only Headtube ( and it only comes in light blue 😉 ), I'd prefer to go with a 44mm or tapered head tube to give a little more flexibility in terms if forks.
Looking at Custom, it was taking me way over my budget..... 🙁
Curtis will do you a lovely frame for that.
Vassago Jabberwocky has developed a crack in the head tube / Top tube / down tube junction so on the look out for something new
you could get it repaired/new headtube fitted?
or are you not attached to it enough to want to repair, and fancy something new?
No longer made but if you could find a 29er Cotic Simple frame that fits the bill pretty well (44mm headtube too), but I'd be hard pushed to look beyond the Swift for new options, just because they are so good for the money, depends if you really really want to run a tapered fork.
A tiny bit over your budget but check out the [url= https://www.btr-fabrications.com/product/chaser/ ]BTR Fabrications Chaser[/url], they do a geared and SS model, it's lovely, and they will do custom geometry too if you want...
Salsa El Mariachi, or Kona Unit?
What size?
I've a large el mariachi I've been thinking of changing.
It would be a medium or a large subject to manufacturer, but the Mariachi was the last frame I owned so looking for something a little different.
I really like a lot about the BTR frames but the brake mount, particularly the forward one, puts me off. It always looks a bit squint on the end on images. I'm sure it's not, just looks it to me.
particularly the forward one, puts me off. It always looks a bit squint on the end on images. I'm sure it's not, just looks it to me.
you let a trick of perspective on a photo influence you that much 😯
Looks good in the flesh, and stands out less once there's a brake on top of it anyway.
Yeah probably. Have you got one?
not a Chaser, I do have a BTR, but not with the new/current disc mount.
Wasn't the one with the lawhill rear was it, that was posted on a thread when the Ranger first came out?
yup, build is a bit different now but still going strong 🙂
Happy Days!
I really like them, but would struggle to choose between them and Curtis.
The thing that swayed it for me originally was that BTR answered my emails, Curtis did not, other than that it's a tough call, but Burf and Tam are so enthusiastic about their frames and ideas it's hard not to want to support them, and they were just getting going at the time so all the more reason to do so! And now I really really want a Chaser 🙂
for the OP, I'm sure you could get custom at your budget form a number of other builders too, 18Bikes, Shand etc.
Gary from Curtis prefers the phone. Lovely company to work with and of course fillet brazed.
The BTR looks to have more clearance but not the lovely swoopy seat stays.
I'm about to order a Curtis SS clone of my geared frame.