What do I hang my shiny new bits off Frame & Fork advice

stumpyjon

Ok I've just been rather lucky and won myself a complete XT groupset including wheels thanks to the wonderful guys at S*ngletrack and Madison 8) (plug over).

I really want to build myself a hardtail but have no idea where to start (apart from brakes, drivetrain etc. obviously). I've currently got a Stumpy FSR Elite which suits me well for trail / all mountain use so I fancy a superlight cross country machine for the hardtail build. I can work out for myself want I want in terms of bars and saddle etc but don't know where to start with regards frame or forks.

Frame: I'm thinking of spending £ 200 to £ 400 pounds on a frame (is this enough for a decent frame for XC), I've no particular axe to grind with regards to material just want something light and strong.

Forks: Thinking of spending £200 to £300 on forks, what sort of travel should I be looking at (I know this is also frame dependant). I've currently got Fox Talas on the stumpy with up to 140mm of adjustable travel which I really like but are way out of the price range I'm thinking of and probably have too much travel?

Any advice on where to start looking (I've been through the what bike threads) would be more than welcome.

Cheers

BlackSpur

The Viper frames on CRC look very nice. With regards to the fork, a Talas will not work on a superlight XC bike. A Reba or Fox F100L (if you can afford it) would be better.

Anonymous

frame wise, what about a kinesis xc 120 and for forks, prob best to go for a reba, merlin have them for good money at the moment.

Anonymous

sorry, i meant thisfor a frame but stil think reba for a fork.[/url]

The Spiderman

If you want to build something fast and light for your budget,how about the Kinesis XC Pro 2 as suggested or an On One Scandal?

The Pro 2 is aluminium with carbon stays,Scandal is Scandium,both are really light at sub 1600g,without having to resort to the expense of carbon or titanium.

I was fortunate enought to win a full XT groupset in a WMB reader survey,a year or so back,and put all the bits on my Giant XTC.With a pair of Rebas up front,its now a respectable 24.5lb,all in without having to resort to any really bling bits.100mm travel forks is all you need on a bike like this.

Make sure you get some nice light and fast rolling tyres.Schwalbe Nobby Nics or Conti Speed kings would be good for a bike like this.

The Scandal frame is £250 if you opt for the anodised version,add some Rebas,your XT groupset and some carbon finishing kit,and a sub 24lb bike is easily achievable.

stumpyjon

Sheepsteeth, I like the look of that frame, I've booked marked that for future contemplation. Interesting you both recommending the Reba forks, I'm assuming I should be looking around the 100mm of travel for what I'm intending?

The Spiderman

My Rebas are only 85mm travel,but next time I get them serviced I will get the all travel spacer removed,to give them 100mm.Its all you need on a bike like this.

Anonymous

i would say 100 mm is as much as you need for a truely lightweight trail bike. longer forks have more metal on them and are therefore heavier. in the 100mm category, there is little more you could want than from a reba. apparently the new range of manitous are good bits of kit, the r7 is very light but a bit pricey if i remember correctly, might be worth a look if you want something a bit different though.

the bonus for the kinesis frame is that the carbon stays will dampen trail buzz, mking it a much nicer thing to ride plus, in the silver colourway, its lovely looking.

stumpyjon

Yeah, that's one of the features I quite liked, especially as I'm used to a full suss.

Chaka Ping

Merlin do some well-priced frame and fork packages.

Otherwise, maybe have a look and see what's up for sale on eBay or the classifieds here and on other bike sites?

A lot of people strip XC hardtail bikes for the components and you might get a very good deal.

Chaka Ping

Merlin do some well-priced frame and fork packages.

Otherwise, maybe have a look and see what's up for sale on eBay or the classifieds here and on other bike sites?

A lot of people strip XC hardtail bikes for the components and you might get a very good deal.

milkywhite

Other people have said it, so I'll say it too.

Get some Reba forks. Light (3.5 lbs), stiff, multi adjustable dual air. Very plush. Under £200 on Merlin at the moment. You don't mention wheels, but if you need some go for handbuilt ones from Merlin. IIRC, XT hubs on xc717 rims with DT DB spokes will set you back £140.

zero303

He got XT Wheels with the groupset...

BeardedDave

Another vote for the Maxlight XC Pro 2 and Rebas. I used to have one built up with the Rebas, as a XC machine and it was fantastic. Nice and light and nippy and great fun to ride. The frames really are very nice in the flesh. This is my old one:

milkywhite

zero303 wrote:

He got XT Wheels with the groupset...

So he did. I just got up. Not at my sharpest

thirty1

There is a review in this months MBUK where they have a Brodie Kinetic. You can buy the frame from the importers for £350. MBUK say it's a really fast bike and a well made piece of kit too.

stumpyjon

Wow, thanks for all the comments, definitely leaning towards the Rebas and I still like the look of the Kinesis frame but I'll have to do some more research before fully committing (and find some money).

Yep, got wheels as well, all the bits turned up yesterday except the wheels, which will be coming soon. I've never seen so much packaged bling (I always buy OE from CRC or Wiggle to keep costs down), tempted to just keep it all packaged up on display .

Chaka Ping

I have a new and unused set of 2008 Reba SLs with Poploc remote lockout (handlebar mounted switch) that I've just taken off a new bike, if you'd be interested?

Anonymous

someone i know was riding a salsa which has carbon stays and looks absolutely gorgeous:

http://www.salsacycles.com/motorapido08.html

his was red though and was fitted with 100m fork. might be worth a look maybe?