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[Closed] Recommendations for an XC hardtail frame...

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Aluminium or steel? I'm looking for a XC replacement frame, 100mm optimised, to replace the current failure.

Currently looking at aluminium and struggling. Can't find a good old strong, not thin walled, aluminium XC frame, disc only, that has a reasonable top tube / head tube length.

I've no experience of riding steel so slightly blind if I go down this route. Quite like the Ragley but unsure about the chainstay, looks weak?

To be honest I'm struggling to find anything that designed to take a 100mm fork, has a reasonable 24.5in length top tube and a reasonable head tube length (140mm).

Carbon option - No, doesn't work for me, lets not go there. Out of the 6 carbon road frames and 1 mtb hardtail only 1 made it to the 5yr retirement of the garage loft.

I've tried all the usual places. Merlin, CRC, Wiggle, Hardgroves, On One etc. Anywhere else?


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 11:56 am
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budget?

Kinesis do some nice Alu frames + their Decade Versa is a great steel frame.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 11:57 am
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£400, maybe £500 but the wife is looking over my shoulder so.......


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:10 pm
 br
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Ti would be the answer, but not at that budget - but then as long as it lasted twice the length of time, it'd be the same price 🙂


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:14 pm
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I've broken a Kinesis cross with Easton tubing. I've looked at Kinesis but the more XC the more ultralite ,thinwall tubing, etc.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:14 pm
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I would have though there are loads of 100 rated frames about but not much in the 120+ category. All the big boys do a xc race bike, scott scale, stumpy ht, GT Zasker, Trek, Giant, Cannondale etc

I would have thought you don’t need to spend that much money as well, unless you are looking for an alternative to the above run or the mill but fully capable stuff?


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:15 pm
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Would love to give Justin Burls a call ....


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:16 pm
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Not sure that 24.5 is a reasonable top tube length, sounds a bit long unless it is a larger frame.

Classic stel XC frame - Joe Murray designed:

http://voodoo-usa.com/bicycles/bizango#

cheap black Kona Explosif (need to buy geared hanger):

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/kona-explosif-frame-item165925.html

or orange Explosif:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75351&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom

Cotic Soul has minimum 100mm forks

Rocky Mountain Blizzard:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/frames/mountain/product/review-rocky-mountain-blizzard-853-9304

Charge Duster:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/frames/mountain/product/review-charge-bikes-duster-frame-09-34921


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:24 pm
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I've spent 4 or 5hr looking. Spoken to Merlin (Had a Rocklobster and didn't break that) but the TT length is still too short.

I've looked at going to a 29er on a Scandel to get the head tube length but when you start adding forks, wheels it becomeS an expensive option.

Also considering buying a complete bike for the frame.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:25 pm
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Custom build from Enigma (more expensive though).


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:29 pm
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Don't Orange do an aluminium race no? Evo8 or something?


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:30 pm
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Sorry - Elite


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:31 pm
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Paul,

If your interested, I have a brand new old stock 18.5" Rocky Mountain Blizzard frame for sale around your budget. Mail me if you are at robin.stones@tesco.net


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:34 pm
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The Ragley's are designed for longer forks, I very much doubt you'd break one.

You don't need to spend £500 on a frame.

If you wish you could get a frame and a 120mm fork for £500 plus selling your old fork. You can play with layback seatpost and stem length too - do you have a good specialist LBS ?

Lots of threads on steel hardtails, have you looked at dialed bikes prince albert, cotic soul, orange p7, on one - most of these are optimised for 120mm forks but work with 100.

Specialised Hardrock and Rockhopper are good all rounders


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:34 pm
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how about a ti voodoo jab (17") * 😀

*frame up for sale next week


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:34 pm
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Like the Voodoo but ultra thin walls? How strong? Looks superb in the Orange.

Frame needs to take gears and sized 20in / 21in. 6ft 5in ish, I'm afraid.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:35 pm
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I was looking for an XC race machine for lycra riding.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:40 pm
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ultra thin but 853.

Would have to get the Bizango from the states as Halfrauds don't do it, so check the warranty as Voodoo had a rep for frames cracking a while ago, but my steel Wanga has been fine.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:43 pm
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I've also got a crazy light (2.7lbs) voodoo sobo which is crazily quick (but ultra, ultra thin!)


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:45 pm
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What is wrong with all the standard xc race frames that have been tweaked and refined by the big manufactures over many years.

I would have thought this would be the easiest type of frame to find.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:45 pm
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[quote> http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROO26SCVD/on_one_scandal_26er_vertical_dropout_frame

Too short on the headtube for me. Stem spacer police would be calling.

Not really on the LBS. I know my bike fit and have plenty of stems and seatpost options in the garage to play with


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:46 pm
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What is wrong with all the standard xc race frames that have been tweaked and refined by the big manufactures over many years.

Currently being shafted on a xc race frame that has been tweaked and refined by a [b]big[/b] manufacturer.

I just want something that works and fit for purpose. I've never had a problem with 7005 aluminium and I was much stronger back then hence the aluminium preference. Just can't find it.

I have 7 bikes and this hardtail is the only carbon frame left in the group. I would be supid to go carbon again.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 12:57 pm
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[url= http://sanderson-cycles.com/content/sanderson-life ]Sanderson Life 853[/url]


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 1:01 pm
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Pipedream Scion R853 - steel obviously will take forks up 130mm so 100mm will be fine and it is disc only.

I have a few in the shop you can see details on my website

http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk/Our_Bikes/Pipedream_Mountain_Bikes/pipedream_mountain_bikes.html
A shameless plug but it may be of interest or not as the case may be.

the 19" frame has a top yube length of 605mm and seat bube C-T length of 495mm. Cost is with delviery and all that is on the site along with all other frame dimensions.

Malcolm


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 1:22 pm
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Feel ashamed to have overlooked Sanderson and Pipedream 🙁


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 1:45 pm
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chumba? Built pretty strong by the looks of them.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 2:05 pm
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just looked and the current one is for a 5" fork. Could possibly get a Works Components headset made up to correct the geometry using angle/lower stack.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 2:22 pm
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20" Titanium Voodoo DJab.

Light

XC racey

Ti 🙂

Drop me a mail if interested .......


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 2:27 pm
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Thanks for the responses.

Really need a 21in or 22in. Picked up my hardtail this afternoon from the LBS and it looked small in a 20in.

Was slightly berated by the LBS as well (I didn't buy the bike from them) and was told that I should have bought a 22in which strangely I couldn't find at time or now but they can get hold of.

Voodoo looked good but nervous about cracking frames. If there is a weakness I'll find it. Non custom TI will be too flexi for me. My Burls is a monster.

Looked at the Chumba the other day. Nice but wrong fork and I have a Spicy for the rough stuff.


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 6:29 pm
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GT. Do they do an alloy Zaskar still ?


 
Posted : 17/02/2012 7:24 pm

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