Bike build, which frame ?

s1mon

Hi,

I'm thinking of building up a bike as I've never done it before and I really like the idea of building it youself and using the exact parts you want. At the moment I have a full suspension which is great so I want to build up a light weight xc hard tail as I have had a few hardtails a do like like them. It's going to be a long project as I don't have the money to just go out and buy all the parts at once. Frame wise the last few ht's were allumimun but earlier one's have been steel, though that was yrs ago so can't really remember how they rode. Need some recommendations for a good light weight frame, I do like On One frames, also Rock Lobster and Cotic Soul ?

Simon.

ride_whenever

rock lobster team tig, get them fully built from merlin, you'll save a tonne and still have a fantastic bike.

dunker

Kinesis Maxlight Kinesium Carbon XC Pro II
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=10497
love it in white.

rock lobster team ti with £300 off
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... goryId=106
looks like they only have 15" and 21" available though.

Mr_Orange

For steel, if you want to go back to THAT feel, then:

An Orange P7 or a Cove Handjob will both build up to very nice bikes with the right parts.

saintadolf

could get the new ( i think) orange prestige if you want to build a sweet old skool hard tail (unlike my ss which is just old )

unocogero

s1mon wrote:

I'm thinking of building up a bike

I am a total fan of Kinesis frames.

I have a Maxlight xc1 and it is fantastic. Very light, supple and forgiving and it flies on singletrack.

My singlespeed is built up at less than 24lbs now and would be under 26 even with disc brakes and gears. You can get then new for £200 and I saw one go for under £100 used on ebay.

But don't take my word for it, have a look at my picture and then check out this Bike Radar review:

http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/kinesis-maxlight-custom-9399

s1mon

Are these the same frames as each other, http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=10497 & http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=15098

Think I am going to go with an ally frame, just got to choose one :? On One have no more Scandals in stock my size anyway

Simon.

Ronstanson

If you want light weight, try and avoid steel.

I'd recommend this-

http://cgi.ebay.com/08-HangLun-Titanium ... dZViewItem

It's an old airborne frame, or the same as the new Van Nicholas frames-

http://www.vannicholas.com/WbmBikeHome. ... sDMWGhQ%3d

Costs the same as the Cotic Soul, and apparently people haven't been taxed on them by customs because of how they mark items as gifts. It'd build something light but tough and probably be very good fun.

If you must have an alu frame then I'd get this-

http://shop.freeflowbikes.com/2008-comm ... -121-p.asp

Heard some horror stories about the Maxlight recently, which I'd not expected. I was after a lightweight race frame that didn't cost the earth and was just about set to get it but then heard about cracking etc. I then decided on the Commencal, but got offered a 2nd hand Scott Scale for a price I could afford.

Chaka Ping

What length forks and what kind of geometry are you after?

Head down XC race bike?

Neutral trail bike?

Long-travel fun bike?

s1mon

Hi,

What length forks and what kind of geometry are you after?

100mm max I think, more Head down XC race bike? I have a full sus which is my all round trail bike so fancy building something that won't be too much like I have now.

Simon.

unocogero

Heard some horror stories about the Maxlight recently, which I'd not expected.

XC frames tend to crack if they are being used for more than they are intended for. I've had my maxlight for a year and it's fine...they're just not designed for jumping etc.

I did loads of research when I bought it and didn't flag up this fault.

If you go for the standard Maxlight rather than the pro you save 100 odd quid and add very little weight.

Cheers.

jayson

If i had the cash spare i would love to buy one of the re-released Orange Clockwork frames.

The Big Cheese

The Prestige?

Chaka Ping

For 100mm forks, I'd be looking at the Rock Lobster 853 and On-One frames you mentioned, On-One do 853 frames as well as their standard cro-mo ones.

Think they're £50 cheaper than Rock Lobster ones and arguably better looking too, though availability more patchy.

There was a big group test on UK steel frames in WMB last month.

I did my first full bike build on a Cove Handjob last year and it was very rewarding.

ride_whenever

or teh SCandAL

jayson

Cheesey wrote:

The Prestige?

Not the prestige but the actual Clockwork frame remade in 07, its a real classic

zero303

Head down XC you say, I'd be super tempted by the Orange Prestige as well!!!

And I actually mean the 08 reissue...

Oh, or if you can afford it a Vit T :twisted:

Jaba666

All depends on how light you want to go.... for a nice comprimise I would suggest a Kinesis Maxlight XC2

scottalej

Re: Not the prestige but the actual Clockwork frame remade in 07, its a real classic

I can recommend one of these if you can still find one. I run mine with a Magura Pheon fork 95 - 120mm, great bike, good fun. Reminds me of my old Kona Lavadome.