building a hardtai, what frame?l

kenone

Right, sold my hardtail early this year to get a full suss (which is great). Last weekend i punctured the lowers on my forks in wales so this week my mate lent me his hardtail to ride the local trails and i have to get another one!
I want a fairly light and sturdy steed but havent got a big wedge at the minute, so was thinkin of buying bits and pieces when i can and build it up. Seeing as the exchange rate is so feckin good against the $ im wondering if i should import the frame from the states as i may be able to swipe a bargain?
Most of the riding is gonna be fairly flat forest trails and im trying to learn to jump abit better so a strong frame is essential and singlespeed maybe an option.
To be honest i aint even been riding bikes for a whole year again yet so my knowledge is limited but im very practical and keen so any ideas of frames or even whole builds would be much appreciated.

supersonic

So how much wonga?!

Buying form states is subject to import costs, VAT, and extra delivery fees. Plus complications with warranties.

Custom building in parts gives you the exact bike you want, but often works out much more expensive than getting an off the oeg one.

kenone

can prob spend 300 on a frame, and i was under the impression that you dont pay vat on parts? Just on whole bikes, And i know its gonna cost me more. i would love to go and by a grands worth of shiny hardtail but ive only just paid for the feckin giant and now gotta spend 120 squid getting new lowers fitted on the forks . but i can scrape cash from here and there so thought it would be fun/educational to have a go at bulding myself.
What frame would you buy in my situation as its the first thing on the list?

kenone

second hand frame ideas?

supersonic

Out of curiosity, what forks?

300 quid is the price of the venerable GT Zaskar - a frame which is reknowned for its sturdiness at a good weight. However, it is more XC/trail based rather than for jumping. Its difficult to get a frame that does both, and is warrantied for jumping. Many jump frames are over engineered to cope, and weight to match. Hardcore hardtails can handle them better, are lighter, but still not warrantied for all out jumping.

hoathy

How about that cotic soul some one is advertising for £250 in the classified section? It look awesome.
Steel is Reel and 853 is the dogs nads.

kenone

lol, i knew u were gonna say that. I do like gts though, just helped my mate get his first bike (avalanche 1) and its awesome for the dollar. Erm, im no dirtjumper so the frames not gotta be bombproof but sturdy. I guess its a battle between weight and strength with frames innit. Forks, would like something with atleat 100mm travel and i know its gonna cost me atleast 200 quid so any suggestions?
Used to have zocchi mx pros on my old hardtail, they were good.

hoathy

here's the link:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... ight=cotic

supersonic

Also Kinesis Maxlight, Rock Lobster Tig Team 853 and SL are other light HT frames for 100mm forks.

kenone

sonic, what do you think of the cotic frame?

supersonic

I think its a very good frame for the money, very light at 4.2lbs. 100-130mm forks - I've often said if i was going to get a steel frame, it would be this one.

http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/soul

kenone

yeah just been lookin at there site, ffs ima sucker for shiny things
Kinda fits the bill for me, geo suits forks between 100 - 130mm nice. Not that keen on baby blue though, but another 180 odd for a brand new frame mmmmmm. waddya reckon sonic?

kenone

Havent ridden a steel frame for prob 10 years, ive heard people ravin about the ride feel though.

supersonic

Like alu, steel can vary in how it feels depending on the designer. Havy steel frames can still feel dull, but many say the Soul is a lively ride!

I would say the extra money is worth it to get the full warranty and piece of mind. Fit a fork like the 100-130mm U turn Revelation and you have a stunning combo.

hoathy

The ride is awesome, i have an 853 kona hot, an on one inbred and a 631 dawes, and if i had the cash i'd have that cotic in a second. Shame you don't like the colour.

dirtbiker100

soul for sure. i'd love one. was thinking of buying one but didn't have the cash so got the on-one inbred 456 instead.

ABBOTS MIKE

On-one 456? not sure about the weight, but it is billed as a freeride hardtail, 100-150mm fork, steel, £150 but not in stock, guess it depends how much of a hurry you are in.

http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/O ... 56_30.html

and its red

hoathy

If the weight is anything my inbred then its quite heavy, although cotic say that their soul isn't light either, as although its 853 its beefed up for strength.

supersonic

Soul is 4.2lbs! One of the lightest steel frames on the market. The BFe is heavier, and beefed up.

OnOne 456 I have seen quoted anywhere between 4.9lbs and 5.5lbs. Hell of a lot cheaper though!

hoathy

supersonic wrote:

Soul is 4.2lbs! One of the lightest steel frames on the market. The BFe is heavier, and beefed up.

OnOne 456 I have seen quoted anywhere between 4.9lbs and 5.5lbs. Hell of a lot cheaper though!

Ok, it said all that stuff about beefing it up etc thier website... maybe selling themselves short. weight weenines have got a listing for it, the explosif is lighter... but i guess that acedemic.

supersonic

Probably older listings I imagine. Not sure they even make the Explosif anymore, which is a great shame, especially the True Temper Ox Platinum version.

ABBOTS MIKE

weight weenies puts the 456 at 2.3 kgs, or a whisker over 5lbs

hoathy

supersonic wrote:

Probably older listings I imagine. Not sure they even make the Explosif anymore, which is a great shame, especially the True Temper Ox Platinum version.

Yes, particually awesome, and indeed they don't make it anymore, my MTB frame is a Kona Hot from 1998, it was the one up from the expolsif at the time, its ridiculously cool.