XC frames?!

[Howie]

howdy MAD,

i'm in the market for a new or second hand xc frame to build up for racing and i was wondering if the all knowing members of MAD would lead me in a good direction of xc frames?


i would perferably be looking for a light aluminium or even steel hardtail frame that could handle a 130mm fork but i could ditch that fork and go for a 100mm fork (suggestions?). Also the added bonus of no v-brake bosse's would be nice!


cheers for any help!


oh and congrats on the fancy new website!

[paddyobrien]

some of the kinesis frames could be good like this one. Designed for 100 - 130 mm travel


http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=15099

[Morgan]

Kinesis was my first thought too. There's a good review of one in this months Singletrack magazine. I've got a Cotic (http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/soul) which I would highly recommend. The Pipedream Sirius (http://pipedreamcycles.com/sirius_page_menu.html) looks good too.

[Sean]

Hi Howie,


Any thoughts on budget?


Not sure you'll need 130mm travel on a hardtail. 100mm is more than enough for 90% of the riding around Dublin/North Wicklow/most of Ireland

(I've even ridden the Canadian Nationals DH course and many DH trails on 80mm...)


My personal choice for frames would be:

Scott Scale 40 (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=15586)

Rocky Mountain Vertex (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25328) (They've also got cheaper ones)

Scott options for an unlimited budget (http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott_mountain_bikes.html)

Giant XTCs (http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant_hardtails.html)


Something there to suit every budget.

As for forks, Marzocchi MX's, Marathons and Corsas, FOX Floats/32s, RockShox Rebas and the superlight Manitou R7s would be my choices, in no particular order, with the R7 probably winning it on extra low weight and pimpy new design.


Maybe if you could let us know your budget, we could help some more.


Sean

[Martin]

All that Sean has said and this little number

http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=10

cheap as chip frame and can handle upto 130mm fiork i think

[Howie]

as much as i'd like a scandium,titanium or carbon frame, it's a fair bit out of my budget unfortunately. I could probably stretch to 350-400ish but thats my max. i'd probably be looking more for a second hand frame maybe.


i like that scott 40 and kinesis frame and i've been looking at xtc frame's as well but i've heard there heavy in comparison with other frames(?).


is the main diff between aluminium and steel just the weight saving versus the strength and stiffness of steel?


cheers for all the help and suggestion's.

[Morgan]

Steel frames are reputed to be a bit more comfortable. The narrower tubes are supposed to provide a "springy" ride and damp some vibration. I can neither confirm or deny this though. The Pipedream frame above would fit your budget nicely.


Actually, just read your post again - you say this is for racing. In that case as Sean says 100mm is plenty and will handle much more sharply.

[Fergal]

the Rockshox Rebas on my Canyon are 85mm and ideal for racing and general XC, they'll handle even tougher stuff like the boneshaker up 3 rock with a bit of skill & careful negotiation, the more travel you have, the more you can get away with but you'll never learn if you're bike keeps compensating for your mistakes I've found.

see what 100s you can find but don't be afraid to drop to 80mm if you find a fork at a good price

[Sean]

Given your budget, I'd certainly go for an aluminium option, either the Scott Scale or Kinesis.

No point in dragging around an extra pound of steel when there's lighter alu frames out there. Both the On-one and Pipedream pretty heavy for hardtail frames.

The Scotts are fantastically light, stiff and direct frames and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone (I've got a 2003 model which I love)


Sean

[paddyobrien]

errr .. just to point out that steel frames are often just as light as aluminium ones, the on one 456 is not designed as a race frame therefore its not light, its built to last and handle a lot more abuse.


If the bike is for general riding as well as racing i'd go a for a frame made for about a 100mm travel fork, just because you generally have more choice in that area. Also, you can generally run anything from 80mm to 120mm on that type of frame without messing up the handling. having said that i run 80mm forks myself and find them fine for everything.


I'll also counter the recommmendation sean made for the manitou R7 by pointing out firstly that sean loves uphill more than downhill and secondly that he's ... emmmm ... quite light!! the R7 and other really lightweight XC race forks can flex to an alarming degree under braking and on rougher tracks. Especially if you're not super lightweight yourself.