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What's out there:
Obvious candidate is a Cotic Soul, but I'd like something a little cheaper - a Stanton Slackline would be perfect but no taper steerer yet I think.
Suggestions on a postcard.
do you really need a tapered steerer - what sort of bit hits will you be taking on this lightweight and racy frame, and what length of fork?
I've already a brand new set of Float 140's that I'd like to use, hence the requirement.
I've already got a Charge Duster with F120's and would like to upgrade really.
At the moment, a CEN Soul is pretty much all there is that fits the hammertime/lightish requirement. I'm not launching off the Chatel gaps every day however.
I think your idea of lightweight and racey is different to the norm! Are you thinking more gravity enduro racey? A BFe weighs exactly the same as a Slackline and takes a tapered steerer. A Soul is lighter and less stiff/strong - I don't know what it takes to break one - I'm guessing either fatigue from thousands of miles of rough use or cased landings and crashes. Soul = 4.4lbs; Duster = 5lbs; BFe/Slackline = 5.6lbs (all medium).
You don't need a tapered headtube to use a tapered fork, a 44mm zero stack headtube will as well with the right headset..