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Suggestion for hardtail frame

Big JonnyBig Jonny Posts: 76
edited August 2008 in MTB buying advice
How do folks, I feel its time to replace my frame. I am looking for a hardtail style with about £500 to spend. I would like it to be able to take forks up to 140 but I can also run at 100mm too.
Also I would prefer the frame to take standard headset and none of these integrated jobs.

So far I have considered the Santa Cruz chameleon which I really like the looks of, but the bottom bracket raises concerns.

I have also considered the onone scandal but I cant get it in my size.

Kinesis pha5e and particularly like the xc2. I am a great fan of Orange bikes but cant find a hardtail frame that takes my fancy other than the p7 but I don't know if I want to return to steel frames. Or the crush is another choice.

So can any one help me find a frame.

I will also throw another spanner into the works. I am tempted to go full susser and if was to would like the orange 5 but does any one know what kind of weights the fox rp23 air shock can take.

Thanks Jon

Posts

  • BlackSpurBlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    Not considering the On-One 456?
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • Big JonnyBig Jonny Posts: 76
    its a nice frame which I do like but its only in red and also Its a chromo I wanted an ali frame if possible.
  • BlackSpurBlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    Cove Stiffee?
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • Big JonnyBig Jonny Posts: 76
    Now I am very keen on that frame and have asked my local dealer if I can test ride one. Does any one have an answer to my question about the fox rp23 I would love to get an orange 5 but would like to know about the shock first.

    cheers Jon
  • donnie murdodonnie murdo Posts: 986
    Orange P7

    Orange Crush

    Cove Stiffee

    On-One 456 Summer colour of gunsmoke grey

    Pace RC305 XCAM

    Cotic Soul

    Cotic BFe

    Charge Duster (not sure about travel limits??)

    Surly Instigator
  • Big JonnyBig Jonny Posts: 76
    Thanks for the replies, the cove stiffee has really taken my eye.

    THe cotics are also nice looking bikes, and the reviews read well. I will keep you up to date after I take a look tomorrow at the LBS.
  • donnie murdodonnie murdo Posts: 986
    Forgot to mention

    Dialled Bikes

    Alpine and Prince Albert
  • Snow-JunkieSnow-Junkie Posts: 13
    Get a P7 or a the Santa Cruz youve got in mind is pretty awesome from what i gather along with other santa stuff.
    My P7 runs the standard 140mm you hget with it and rides a dream.
    Everyone i know who rides orange loves the quality, especially with the steel bikes which are comfortable, smooth and can be hammered about till your hearts content.
    t
  • BlackSpurBlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    Forgot about the Pace - it is absolutely lovely! Here is one that belongs to a guy on this forum - hope he doesn't mind me posting this!

    pbpic2183055.jpg
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • jammieeeeejammieeeee Posts: 389
    Santa Cruz Chameleon
  • mcbazzamcbazza Posts: 251
    Big Jonny wrote:
    Now I am very keen on that frame and have asked my local dealer if I can test ride one. Does any one have an answer to my question about the fox rp23 I would love to get an orange 5 but would like to know about the shock first.
    That's a tricky question to answer. Because, it depends on the bike/frame, and how it applies it's forces to the shock, which determines the leverage, which determines the pressure required inside the shock.

    All I can say is: a quick hunt of the Fox site mentions to not put more than 300psi into the rear shock.

    Not sure that this will help, but, I'm about 15st (riding gear on), ride a Stumpy with a Fox Triad, and my shock needs 220-230psi for the sag to be correct.

    If you can't get an answer here, try asking Orange.
    Stumpy, Rockhopper (stolen!) & custom SX Trail II - that should do it!
  • Big JonnyBig Jonny Posts: 76
    Cheers for the reply mate, I will give orange a ring tomorrow. See what they say, Its a pain in the censored being 6'8". cheers again.
  • toolonglegstoolonglegs Posts: 18
    Just jumping in on this thread...Big Jonny at 6foot8 what size top tube length do you ride?...I am 6foot4 and seem to have alot of trouble getting XC HT that are big enough (always end up with a 140mm stem) and strong enough for me...I break at least 1 a year.
    PS...I have no mtb at the mo as I found a big crack in my top tube on my last mtb.
  • Big JonnyBig Jonny Posts: 76
    I understand your problems, is a pain, I currently have an XL giant xtc with a hope 110mm stem then a bontrager 2 inch high rise bar. This stem is fine for me and rock solid, I have run it for 2 years also. The frame is a 64cm top tube which is a little cramped to be honest.

    Ive been looking at the cove stffee in its biggest version which I should be able to fit.
  • Chaka PingChaka Ping Posts: 1,451
    That Pace would be top of my list to test ride. Looks a bit more versatile than the Stiffee.

    Don't think the Cotic is what you're after - it's a lightweight steel frame that takes forks up to 130mm. They do a heavier version called the Bfe, but you were after alu anyway?

    Still, I think you're right to look into full-sus - it's going to protect you and the components on your bike I reckon.

    Give Mojo (UK Fox importers) a bell about the weight limit for the RP23, if Orange are no use.
  • mboltonmbolton Posts: 11
    What about the on-one scandal 29er? Back in stock at the end of the month I think £262.51 for the frame and £131.25 for the On-One 29in wheelset with Kenda Nevegal tyres and tubes.
  • Big JonnyBig Jonny Posts: 76
    Hi, orange where no hope sadly, so I will try mojo. I dont want to go 29 really as I have alot of components stacked for this build including wheels.
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