Is The Scandal The Best Value Lightweight Hardtail XC Frame?

holiver
holiver Posts: 729
edited November 2010 in MTB buying advice
Hi all,

I'm looking to put together a new hardtail after just having snapped up a bargain fork (unused 2010 100mm Recon Race Solo Air for £130 off Ebay). Looking around the Internet, the On-One Scandal seems to be well priced.

However, can anyone else recommend any other options? I don't particularly want to spend more than the cost of a Scandal, and am open to frames of either aluminium or steel construction.

Will also be checking out the classifieds.

Cheers
2013 Kinesis Racelight T2

Comments

  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,741
    scandals are very good, or have a look at the inbred, also a very good frame (would work great with the 100mm fork you have).

    keep an eye out for a kinesis as well, kinda low on stock on new ones now it would seem but you may get another ebay bargain
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • joshtp
    joshtp Posts: 3,966
    probably one of the best value, yes. Handsomedog also make some good frames, but in reality, I'd probably go for the ScandAL
    I like bikes and stuff
  • Andy!
    Andy! Posts: 433
    merlin frames worth a look too: http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... s/list.htm

    their own frame are made by kinesis and the rock lobster have easton tubing (ally ones) or reynolds 853 (steel ones)
    Merlin Malt 2
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Not sure if they are still going, but the Dirty Jo Full and Semi Creme are nice looking frames and cheap as chips....not to sure if there still going though...Handsomedog's or even a secondhand Giant XTC which is a great frame for a custom build....
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    If looking for frame only, then it's one of the better options.

    There is also the carbon fiber frames from the fast east on ebay many good recommendations from users on here.

    Or if you don't mind 2nd hand a Boardman frame can be had for ~£100.
  • holiver
    holiver Posts: 729
    Yeah, I've a Merlin currently, and the Malt 2 might be an option. Might also give them a call to see if they can do the full build I have in mind, minus the fork.

    Really not keen on having V brake bosses ruining the lines of the bike, which are present on a lot of the cheaper options.

    Have spotted an 18" (I'm 6') Sanderson Breath for £200 too. That might be worth a look.
    2013 Kinesis Racelight T2
  • Andy!
    Andy! Posts: 433
    Sanderson are nice.
    Merlin Malt 2
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    I had an eBay carbon frame last year, about £200 and 1240g, sorted! Short top tubes though, would prob suggest a 20".
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Can't speak for best, but it's really damn good. Mystifies me a bit why people buy Inbreds still, they're not that much cheaper and they do the same job, less well. Though that might not be true any more, someone was telling me the newer non-scandium model is stiffer than my older one was but for all the crap you hear about stiff alu and compliant steel, you'd think mine was a steel bike. Not noodly but a wee bit compliant. Lovely.

    In the end it wasn't the bike I wanted it to be, and didn't fit me right either, but it was still a great bit of kit.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    steel frames aint light lol
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

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  • Sgt.Fatknacker
    Sgt.Fatknacker Posts: 83
    Andy! wrote:
    merlin frames worth a look too: http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... s/list.htm

    their own frame are made by kinesis and the rock lobster have easton tubing (ally ones) or reynolds 853 (steel ones)

    +1 for the lobster. I've got the tig team sl, made from easton race tubing. love it to bits !
    If a tree falls down in the forest, and no-one is close enough to hear it, will my wife still hate me ?
  • holiver
    holiver Posts: 729
    Actually looking into the Rock Lobster TIG Team builds has got me thinking. A full XT build (although not sure if that includes brakes), with a Marzocchi 44 RLO fork comes in under the price (£1,034) I could build a Scandal to a lesser specification, although I would want to spec better wheels. Could then sell the Marzocchi and get my lighter Recon on there.

    Think I will email them to see how much customisation of the build (especially the wheels) they can offer, and how much it affects the price.

    Cheers for getting me thinking!
    2013 Kinesis Racelight T2
  • beardytwo
    beardytwo Posts: 174
    I ran a Dirty Jo for a few years (still have the frame) and that weighs 4.5lb for the 20" (more like an 18"). Thats not that light for an XC frame certainly not compared with a Scandal. Although was very good value. I think they have folded now although the brand x and handsome dog frames are the same. Decided to go in a different direction so bought the mmmBop (3.7lb for the 18") But seriously considered the scandal when it original catered for longer forks aswell. Only appears to be warranted for 100mm now. Or was I dreaming?
  • holiver
    holiver Posts: 729
    Yeah, Scandal is "up to 100mm" forks.

    mmmbop looks interesting, but my forks aren't long enough.

    From my calculations the effective top tube of the 18" Scandal is 2cm longer than that of the 19" Rock Lobster. Might have different characters on the roads and trails.
    2013 Kinesis Racelight T2
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    The Scandal didn't pass the CEN tests with a 130mm fork but I think it's the same construction as when it was allowed one- it's just On One aren't allowed to sell it as being suitable, even though it probably is.

    That said, mine was a barge with 130mm forks in, a waste of a good frame IMO.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • beardytwo
    beardytwo Posts: 174
    That it explains it..I'm not going mad..Glad I went for a Ragley now.. :D

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