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Looking for affordable suggestions really to add to say Bird, Sonder, Mondraker etc on the consideration/search list - looking *used* for a few £hundred max so anything from the last few years as I'm a bit out of touch.
Aluminium only (not steel or carbon) - ideally set up for more like 120mm than 150mm travel. Must be threaded BB.
27.5 or 29? Pinnacle have the Iroko and Ramin. Not super slack or long but cheap and good reviews.
Sonder Transmitter is brilliant. I run mine with Sweeps set at 120mm, it has a threaded BB, works great with 2.8' plus-sized tyres, but happy enough with something around 2.5-2.6. Dunno if you'll find much out there second hand at bargain prices, but great bikes if you can find one. Start at £1k new.
I’m struggling to believe we’re 3 posts in and no one has suggested a Santa Cruz Chameleon yet.
They are great, and seem to meet all your requirements perfectly. Already a few frames on EBay and classifieds
Chameleon was my first thought but do you mean the new one? Looking at £400 upwards second hand
I can barely believe no one's told him he actually does want steel 🙂
Pinnacle Iroko is way more fun than the price suggests !!
Sorry guys - forgot to say strictly 27.5" only. Sorry no steel. Been on the same Chameleon for ten years now but not looking for a 29er version or the previous models.
Chameleon frame on cycleshceme (if thats possible for you)
Bird Zero TR?
Second hand whyte 901 / 905 frame would fit the bill. Fantastic frames.
Newer Orange crush?
Orange Crush if it were me.
Orange Clockwork
Transmitter +1. There's a reason they are hard to find second hand.
Ragley Mmmbop. Love mine. Tricky to source.
You can get a small v1 transmitter for £150 new if that fits . Otherwise £300.
Will you fit a Large of XL? Orange Clockwork has all your bases covered.
http://www.bikescene.co.uk/Orange-Clockwork-120-Frame-13540-122-0.html
(I got a P7 from these guys back in November, it's ace)
Transmitter is great, but it is boost, so not going to work.
Dartmoor Primal / Hornet?
Transmitter is great, but it is boost, so not going to work.
Does it need to be non-Boost? My Transmitter isn't Boost anyway, it was one of the protos... not that that helps anyone.
Why no steel? Asking for a friend...
I highly recommend a Bird Zero AM. Love mine - it makes me smile more than any bike I've ever owned.
Ragley Marley? Always seem to get good reviews. One of the NS eccentric range.
Bird Zero TR here, good value and great fun to ride.
Take a look at:
Pinnacle Iroko (Evans own-brand, still good)
Trek Roscoe
Norco Fluid
Sonder Transmitter
Giant Fathom (27.5 - the 29er version is an XC bike)
Vitus Sentier (I've got a 2016 29er version and it's brilliant)
Vitus Nucleus (similar)
Nukeproof Scout
Boardman Hardtail (these are actually great)
Dartmoor hornet or primal.
I've got a Bird Zero TR with a 1.5 angleset. Long, low, very slack 🙂
And for sale. Get in touch if you're interested.

This is a bargain at just over £300.00, brilliant frames
Another vote for Bird Zero here!!
kayla1
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Why no steel? Asking for a friend…
Trouble is once to go steel its hard to go back!
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