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Hello,
I seek the opinion of the learned masses here, and hope you can oblige me.
Since I have spare wheels, crankset, brakes, etc sitting around the flat, and £125 quid burning a hole in my pocket I've decided to buy an on-one frame. The problem is, I can't make my mind up though as to which model.
Basically, I'm doing most of my riding at Epping forest (flat, usually muddy)so my Heckler whilst good fun, is a bit much (and I also feel obliged to clean it). The Heckler is going to be my "weekend away in Wales" bike for the time being.
I'll be fitting a Fox 120 Float off the missus' bike for the next few months while her broken wrist heals, and would like to try SS, but may end up 1x9 if the novelty wears off.
So which model (slot dropout, not sliding, or 456) would you recommend? Bear in mind I'm 14.5 stone, so nothing too flexy if you please.
I think that's all. Oh, just one other thing, can someone put my mind at rest and confirm that an 18" would be an ok size for a short-legged 6'2"er?
Thank you very much.
456 IMO - the fork will sit in the middle of the ideal geometry 4-6inches. The std Inbred is a 3-5inch frame. I had an 18inch inbred and am 6ft tall (have a 32inch inside leg). Think the 456 is just that bit more robust.
Thanks sv, that's kind of what I was thinking. The riding I will be doing on it will be pretty tame, but I read some old threads suggesting the other models may be a bit flexy for larger riders.I don't know anyone with an inbred so I can't take one for a spin to see if this is the case.
456 sounds about perfect given your criteria IMO.
slot dropout. You can run it geared when the weather is fine but then singlespeed it for winter months when the mud just stops everything working anyway.
I'm 5'10" with long legs (I buy 34" leg jeans if that helps and find the 18" perfect.
If you're not a big-air merchant I'd go for the standard 'not sliding dropout' frame myself. IMO the ride is that little bit smoother than the 456 and the frame is a good 1/2 pound lighter which can be felt. (I have owned both, and I'm 14st)
And the standard Inbred frame is still a tough beastie - people have been abusing them for years!
If you do go for an 18" frame you'll certainly need a 400mm seatpost.
(The only reason I wouldn't got for slot-dropouts is because I think they are fugly!!)
Thanks for the input gentlemen. Bearing in mind my wheels will never be more than 6" off the ground in Epping forest (unless I'm carrying the bike over some quagmire) a standard/slot inbred may be enough...any more opinions on the flexiness of these frames? Is it an issue at all?
If you're not a 'ardcore jumper then I'd go for the Inbred.My mate's a hefty 15+ stone & he hammers the hell out of his with no problems
I'm 14stone (ish!) and the std Inbred was great. IIRC only difference between that and the 456 is slightly different geometry and either the top tube or downtube is ever so slightly smaller in diameter. Either would be great - what about colour! That could swing it.
If your only fitting rigid or 120mm forks then the slot-dropout would be fine and also handy for trying singlespeed.
Here is a pic of my mate racing his rigid slot-dropout at the kielder avalanche race (and doing well too!), reported no issues other than a front puncture. He is prob same sort of size as you and also rides an 18".
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Could you get away with 140 on a Scandal? Why Scandal? Give you more of a contrast to your 'heavier' Heckler.
You could use either TBH, neither of them is massively flexy (skinny steel tubes notwithstanding). Slot version maybe a little more versatile in terms of gears v SS, 456 maybe if you want to stick longer forks on it at some point. Bearing in mind you've got a Heckler for that, I'd go with the Slot, build a nice "riding around the woods" bike with it.
A nice singlespeed would be good IMHO. If you want to get rid of the Heckler than 456SE.
Thanks all. I'm leaning towards the slot dropout at the moment. I love the Heckler and intend on keeping it, so going towards the lighter side of things for contrast appeals. I did think about a scandal, but the inbred being a fair bit cheaper puts it into the "take a punt on it" category, and it's been 20 years since I've had a steel frame so I'm interested in seeing what all the fuss is about to be honest. It's a shame it's only available in red though 😕
I would go with standard non-slidy inbred frame. It's still pretty burly and has gussets in all the right places. I also think that slidy dropouts are not pretty (having just got a £99 29er with them).
Other brands of frame are available.
In steel for £125?
Actually captain is right...I would rate the Merlin Rock Lobster Easton frame as my frame of choice for that kind of money.
In steel for £125?
Indeed.
Actually captain is right...I would rate the Merlin Rock Lobster Easton frame as my frame of choice for that kind of money.
I am interested in other suggestions at that kind of budget point, so keep 'em coming. 🙂
Asthetically speaking, I quite like the slot dropout inbred, apart from it's redness (and the logo on the seattube). I gaze admiringly at my rather brutalist polished 05 Heckler after all.