What Hardtail frame?

Huck Finn

Looking to build a new hardtail based around RS Reba 120mm forks and XT groupset, wheels and brakes.

I currently own a Claud Butler Cape Wrath but it doesn't feel right with 120mm forks on.

I'm looking for a bike build which will be fairly light yet burly enough to be thrown about. I'm happy to get some decent air off jumps and tabletops but my current steeds geometry is a little steep.

I'm looking for a frame designed for 120 forks, with "Trail" slack geometry and a decent weight( The Cape Wrath frame is surprisingly heavy!)

I'll consider anything if anyone recommends the right bike. I'm 6"3 so need a 19-20" frame.

Thanks in advance guys!

supersonic

What is your budget?

The Rookie

Well an on-one frame will come up I'm sure, or you could check on ebay as you get some really good value frames on there sometimes!

Simon

frankspencer1979

I can't pretend to be knowledgable on this type of thing, in fact, i'm the last person you should listen to, but if i were capable of knocking up a bike, i'd knock up a ragley blue pig.

paul.skibum

Ragley piglet maybe with a 120mm fork
But you cant beat a Cove Handjob for a bit of roughty toughty xc and fits a 120 fork very nicely - I have had one for 7 years and it rocks. Perfect for trail centres, peaks, alps and everywhere in between (I run mine with 100mm forks but newer models good for up to 130)

felix.london

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=65611

??

Northwind

Budget pls. Then if it's big enough I'll tell you to get a Soul or a Carbon 456, and if it's not I'll tell you to go out robbing

Huck Finn

Firstly, thanks for all the replies guys. Some good frames there i'm sure!

Supersonic and Northwind, my budget is probably going to be around £350. I have no problem buying second hand if the right frame comes up.

I really fancy the Ragley Piglet. I've liked it since it came out in the last year. My only concern is weight. My concern may be completely unfounded but i haven't owned a steel bike since i was a kid. What sort of weight would a fully built up Piglet in a large size weigh?

I've got plenty o time to mull this decision over. Gonna do this build over the new year to have a "project" over the dark months. On One? I know they are considered good, but can any owners tell me why they'd ride one over anything else?

Cheers again lads...

lock1981

That sunn looks good thinking about that myself :P

Huck Finn

It's a looker for sure. Slightly worried about cabling issues as most of my riding is done around South and Mid Wales, which can be a little moist at times

paul.skibum

My cove has no light kit on it but comes in at about 26 lbs - I wouldnt imagine a Piglet is much more.

Cabling issues are best sorted with a full run of outers and zip ties if your bike doesnt suit it!

felix.london

lock1981 wrote:

That sunn looks good thinking about that myself :P

Yeah me too

Huck Finn

Your Rockhopper looks good Felix, how does it feel pushed hard downwards? I'm sure it's good going up.

Unless i find one second hand, the Cove might be out of my range at £450ish. The Piglet would be within budget though.

Cable routing points will be something i'll be checking out as i'd rather run them as the frame intends than have to cable tie large swathes of the frame. I maintain my bikes well so am only to happy to service cables fairly regularly.

voodooman

Get a voodoo wanga (steel) or bokor (7005 alu) frame. Joe Murray designed, strong and light and best of all you can change to a singlespeed later if you want. Paint is thin though, so be warned - but the ride is smooth and forgiving, yet fast and aggressive if you want it to be.

lock1981

Blue pig ?? I'd have one if they were a little cheaper

lock1981

That sunn is only 120 fork so no good for me! Nearly bought it too :P

Huck Finn

lock1981 wrote:

Blue pig ?? I'd have one if they were a little cheaper

Looking for one to suit 120mm fork. I want an all rounder including good climbing ability, so feel that frames designed around a 140mm fork may be a little too biased towards descending for what i need.

I'm really tempted by the Piglet, but will definitely be keeping an eye out for a Cove within my budget.

I suppose i'd need a 20" Piglet frame being 6"3 and lean would I? Not sure i'll be able to test potential frames out. My Claud Butler is 20" and my Ghost AMR was 19.5".

lock1981

Sorry didn't read the start

felix.london

Huck Finn wrote:

Your Rockhopper looks good Felix, how does it feel pushed hard downwards? I'm sure it's good going up.

Been riding it on DH tracks all summer - great fun, if a little bumpy at times :?

..and that was with the old MX Bombers on it. Lifts are closed now so I can't test the new Reba's on the really steep stuff but should be even better 8)

Huck Finn

Being rattled to hell and back is all part of the hardtail charm i find. I don't kid myself i'll ever be the best rider, but i find the hardtail just as fun as i ever found the Ghost.

Slow Loris

I've seen a few bargains on ebay recently so I'd recommend checking there regularly. A brand new Sunn Prim frame went for £75 a few days ago. I would have got it for myself but already picked up a new Genesis Latitude frame for £99 last month.

Huck Finn

I've decided to get myself a Ragley Piglet frame at 20" and now have a couple of issues.

I had a good look around Ragley's site, and it seems loads of Piglet owners are running them with 130mm forks for "extra playfulness". I have a RS Reba 120mm fork which i was going to use, but as a mate has offered to give me what i paid for it 3 weeks ago i'm wondering if i'd benefit from a bigger fork.

I may be wrong, but can't you adjust RS Revelations from 120-150mm? If so, what model is my best bet? Don't care about age if it is in good nick.

Secondly, i was going to put a set of Shimano XT wheels on it but fear they may be a little flimsy. Can anyone recommend a burly yet light set of wheels. £350 will be the budget on the wheels.

I've got that excited feeling of a project looming

The Spiderman

RS Revs come in a variety of flavours.Some have adjustable travel some are fixed,
The ones that are fixed can sometimes be reduced by dismantling them and adding an internal spacer.

RL and RLT versions have standard motion control,Ti versions have blackbox dual flow damping.

Only differnce between the RL and RLT is the external floodgate adjuster.

For a Piglet though,I`d probably stay with 120mm forks.If you wanted more travel you`d go for the Pig.

For wheels I`d look at the current deal on Superstar.SS Switch hubs with Flows for £220 is a good deal.

jimilindley

I would really reccomend a Carbon 456 from On One, I' run 140mm forks, but it climbs really well, even better than my 80mm trek XC bike did. Its very light for a bike that can handle 160mm of travel too. Seems to be close to a do it all bike

Huck Finn

Thanks for the replies guys. The info on forks and wheels is appreciated Spiderman.

Out of curiosity Jim, when climbing on a hardtail with 140mm, do you need some sort of travel adjust on the fork to steepen the head angle enough? Or is the frame's geometry that well dialled?