Cove Handjob

ewok

Is this the best hardcore xc frame for under £400?

SuperCove

Yep...

But then I would say that!

Chaka Ping

Hello, I've got one of these - but haven't tried anough other steel hardtails to answer your question.

What I would say is that it's not really a "hardcore" bike at all. It's pretty much a normal XC bike (with quite thin tubes - which make it light), but with the angles adjusted to make it brilliant fun and very confident on the downhills.

So you wouldn't want to be doing gnarly stunts on it and you should look at more solid bikes if that's your intention. I believe Cove have issues with people jumping and hucking these bikes and then being surprised when the headtube snaps off.

Saying that, it'll handle the odd little jump, double or drop on XC trails perfectly well. I'm just saying to be aware it;s not a freeride bike.

schmako

Definately not hardcore, my mate dented his on the Glentress red and it can no longer be used.

ESHER SHORE

its definitely not a hardcore frame

we had a guy at Esher Shore about 3 years ago hang his up on a small tabletop jump and snap the head tube clean off...

for what it is, its a great frame, but you don't want to be jumping on it...try the Cove Stiffee or Mythic Scirocco (both aluminium) if that appeals...

artillerydave

if you want a good hardcore hardtail frame you could do a lot worse than (shameless plug) my Rock Lobster B52 frmae that is currently listed on e-bay and in the classified here too, 130mm-150mm forks, easton FS tubing. It is tough as you could want. and a bargain!!

ewok

Its not going to be used for jumping just singletrack and the rough stuff in the lake district. I run Revelations up front so i need something with 130mm travel.
Thanks for all the help guys

BlackSpur

Cove Hummer XC if you can afford it. Or On-One 456 Ti.

ewok

I can only afford £400 as i have a wedding to pay for

Chaka Ping

The HJ works great with Revelations, I have the air U-turn model on mine.

Sounds like it might be just what you need.

The only note of caution I'd give is that the climbing position can become a little uncomfortable for me on very long seated uphills.

But you can't have it all and that's the price you pay for the brilliant handling downhill.

Also, the thin steel tubes at the rear ma\ke the frame comfy, but it can get a bit wandery if in very rocky terrain.

These issues only emerged for me in Spain, where the riding is that bit bigger than the UK. Big rides in the Dales and the Welsh trail centres I've visited were well within it's capabilities.

SuperCove

If you are after a frame to take a 130mm travel fork then the Handjob will not be for you... 100mm is best.

Chaka Ping

Supercove - I'd have to disagree with you about that. Mine feels a bit odd with the fork at 100mm, but snaps into focus when I wind it out to 130mm.

What year is your frame? The geometry changed from '06 onwards.

SuperCove

Mine is a 2007 and much prefer on 100mm.

I have riden one on 130mm forks before and just did not like it.

Again I suppose is down to the old chestnut of it depends on what you like and how you ride....

indysmith

ewok wrote:

I can only afford £400 as i have a wedding to pay for

Ah, bad luck!

You looked at this at all? http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/2008bikes/crush.php
Or this if you want steel http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/2008bikes/p7-pro.php

BlackSpur

If you can find one, regular 456 frame would be great, and much cheaper! you could use the change to buy more bike bits, or perhaps put more towards the wedding (I know what I would do !).

scottalej

Stretch to £420 and buy a Cotic Soul.
That and the Cove Hummer are the only HTs I've ridden that are truly set up geometry wise for a long travel fork.
I had a 2007 P7 which was too slack at 130 but great at 110-115. Very compliant frame but heavy and overpriced.
I demo'd a Cove HJ and Hummer. The HJ was similar to the P7 but lighter. The Hummer was ok, didn't blow me away considering it's 3 times the price of the HJ but handled a 130 no problem and the light weight made it a great climber.
I own a Pace RC303, over priced, badly built with crap paint, again better suited to 115 travel as it has a slack seat angle.
I recently bought a Cotic Soul which is just fantastic with a 125 Phaon fork on it there's no need to wind it down on the climbs. Not as compliant as the P7 and Cove but more responsive. Build and paint quality are just fantastic. Has to be custard yellow with green graphics.

beancounter

I was just wondering, is the next model up the Cove Blowjob?

bc

ride_whenever

no the hummer, it's Ti...

ewok

Thanks for all the help guys i tried a mates HJ and loved it so have put an order in for 1.Thanks again

scottalej

Nice bike, was my first choice until I tried the Soul.

ewok

It arrived today and im building it now I think I made the right choice it looks so good in orange