freeride hardtails

ilovedirt

What are some good budget, reasonably bombproof freeride hardtail frames? I want to just buy a frame, put some of the kit off my current MTB (discs, gears etc) onto it, and buy some 150-170mm drop offs or something like that so i have a bike so i can do some big(ish) stuff, but not be too heavy so it's not too hard to ride home again. Basically i want a cheapish all rounder that's bombproof and can run 170mm single crown forks.

Now i know that norco do some decent models such as the torrent, are there any other makes/models i could look out for as i might buy off ebay.

Cheers.

supersonic

Rock Lobster B52? 200 quid from Merlin, 150mm forks, Easton RAD frame.

jacktheoc

yeh norco are probably the leaders in strong burly hardtails so have a look at all their frames..i know the torrent can take a 170mm travel fork.
also have a look at the orange subzero which looks very nice,strong and can take 150mm travel..
i would probably go for a norco because of their reputation :!:

ilovedirt

wow, thanks for the fast response guys, i was actually looking at oranges now, i'll have to check them out.

I'd heard some people slate off norco before, but ya know, just wanted to check they're ok, but they look like they're built like brick shithouses.

supersonic

Wieght is always goung to be higher with these sort of frames as they are built burlier. Saying tha, have a look at the Santa Cruz Chameleon.

ilovedirt

oh yeah i know that, but ya know, i just don't want something the weight of a kona stinky primo or something huge like that so if i need to lift it i can XD

jacktheoc

doubt any will weigh as much as that , i would look at the norco torrent and the subzero.. also the chameleon got good reviews from mbuk and won the "do it all hardtail" test :!:

supersonic

Chameleon is only about 4.5lbs, very light.

ilovedirt

hmm, plenty to think about there, cheers guys!

dawnophile

Dialled bikes are going to do the 'Alpine' on sale in spring '08. A guy from DIRT magazine did the mega on one. Looking at the prices of their other frames, it should be cheapish.
Check out:

http://www.dialledbikes.com/news/index.html

The orange sub-zero is a classic, but they're not all that cheap, and god do they look ugly in their most recent incarnation.

the toffinator

i have the subzero from 06, which is the model with the one point five headtube and upto 180 mm fork capabillity. the bike is awesome and my mate has the 07 norco sasquatch and the orange is a lot better in my eyes and a lot of other people i know. i love it

jayson

How about the Mythic Scirocco frame, its bomb proof and will accept up to a 7" fork.

Easton RAD tubing with a frame weight of about 4lbs and absolutely solid, the head tube is 8mm thick so there's absolutely no chance of it ovalising through heavy use.

ilovedirt

some nice stuff there, but like i said before, i'm on a bit of a budget tbh...