4"/100mm Frame -SC Superlight or any other options??

MacAndCheese

I'm looking at replacing the frame( and rear shock) on my Kona kikapu, I want a lighter and generally better suspension frame that will pair nicely with the Fox F100 rlc's I have up front. It will be used for mainly XC and ripping through singletrack, and must be able take a bit off abuse as I'm around 13.5stone and don't always ride with the most finesse shall we say.

Curently I'm pretty much set on a Santa Cruz Superlight , I've wanted one for ages but before I spend my savings a little voice is telling me I should check all my options first!

price limit is 1500 absolute Max, preferably less and must be available as frame only.
so far have also looked at:

Orange ST4 - very nice, but think is designed for a longer fork
Commencal Super 4 - reviews say it's a bit heavy and I think it also wants a longer fork.
Turner Flux - superb, but too damn expensive!

If anyones got any other Ideas or comments on any of these frames please let me know

This is the bike it shall be going on if that helps(full spec can be seen from link on my sig'

Thanks in advance for any advice!

supersonic

I'd add to that the Giant Anthem and Scott Spark.

RealMan

The superlight is meant to be brilliant.. Just go for it

ride_whenever

yeti asr alloy?

MacAndCheese

Thanks for the advice guys,
SS - the giant and trek look like pretty good value, both seem to be available for around 900 notes, will definitely look into them more closely

Ride_whenever - Yeti is a suberb looking bit of kit, great idea but can't find it for sale in UK on the web (only had a quick look) but judging by US prices it may be a little out of my league.

RealMan - Don't tempt me!

RealMan

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/older-categorie ... 93crx.aspx

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... t-mtb-8861

http://santacruzbicycles.co.uk/bicycles ... t/mba.html

http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/5669

There aren't ever so many bikes that deserve to be described as "legendary", but we reckon that Santa Cruz's Superlight is one of them.

The new Superlight is stiffer and faster, but still a classically simple all-rounder

Probably the last MTB frameset I'll ever need.

Oh wait, you said don't tempt you.. My bad :oops:

supersonic

I think the 'superlight' tag is a bit optimistic!

Dazzza

It's a bit of a barge by today's standards, i've handled the superlight and it falls pretty much in line with my tomac revolver, fast agile and a good climber but heavier than it should be, it's nothing special compared to more modern designs.

As supersonic said look at the giant anthem, it's bike of the year and with good reason, the super 4 is nice but i've heard of one too many horror stories of commencal frames breaking, it put me off.

Lapierre might be an option.

Another good thing about the anthem, the alloy version is lighter than the carbon and the frame is the same only the components vary.

I bought an x3 and threw everything from my tomac which included a very nice pushed rp23 rear can, now my bike is lighter than the x1 about 23/24lbs.

And despite the light weight it feels taut and rigid, not at all flexy like i expected.

stu8975

+1 For Anthem X (im not biased - honest), light too..my medium (18") frame weighs a smidgen over 5lbs inc shock (currently bike just under 24lbs - and no xtr in sight)

MacAndCheese

Thanks again everyone,
The giant is tempting, especially as I unfortunately just this afternoon had upto around £100 swiped from budget due to sending my forks and headset to the LBS to be serviced due to a worrying knocking noise...

I noticed it comes with a intergrated headset so I will be able to fit all parts myself (the headset is the only part I don't have tools/skill to do myself) which will also save me money. It can be fitted with standard 32mm forks right??

MacAndCheese

ignore that last question, just seen that one of it's specs is with a 32Fox fork, so must be fine.

The Spiderman

The Anthem has been a victim of its own success in that most of the 09 ones have sold out and the 21010 ones haven`t been released just yet.You`ll find it hard to find the frame only option at the moment,as most have sold out.
Best option is to buy an X3 which you may just find,and sell the redundant bits.Rutland cycling did have a few listed,for £1000,which is only£100 more than the frame.
I reckon you will get 300-400 back that may meaning the frame will only cost £600.

nax-ian

Hi Macand...
Well after months of my Superlight being sat in the garage trying to sell it as frame only. I decided to re-build it an try an sell it as a complete bike.
It's a 19'" white powder coat job, it's in really good nick, only done about 600-650 km, I've gone all "roadie" if you wondering why it's for sale.
Hoping to index the gears this afternoon, then it'll be rady to roll.
Whadaya think, I'm open to sensible offers.
Mail me for pics, specs an price an so on.
Ian
eastwest@naxos-island.com

MacAndCheese

Spiderman- your right all the small and mediums seem to have gone in the giant. Will have a proper ring round tomorrow though.

Nax- thanks for the offer but unfortunately I'm a 5'7 short arse, and I like my bikes quite small ( kona is 16") so 19" is a bit bigger than I want I'm afraid- still, bet it looks the nuts in gloss White!

Dazzza

MacAndCheese wrote:

ignore that last question, just seen that one of it's specs is with a 32Fox fork, so must be fine.

Thats the us version we get the race face ride gear and rs tora forks up front.

I bought the x3 after wanting the frame only option i got lucky as my previous rear shock fitted perfectly 165x38 iirc.

Anyway got the x3 threw on all the bits from my tomac and flogged most remaining bits on ebay, the x3 is a bargain for what it is, you even get the same titanium bits the higher models have.

Integrated headsets are easy, far easier than standard pressed in ones you have bearings top and bottom, you have the crown race as usual for your forks at the bottom and a wedge that slides on when the steerer tube is in place, then just use your spacers and tighten it all up.

The head tube is a bit on the long side 5.1 inches i think plus whatever you'll need for your stem etc.