Which Full Suspension Frame

Darryl_1983

I currently ride a Commencal Combi Disc (2005) most parts have been changed now, think only remaining original part is the frame and the seat post. Size is large, however i think it may be slightly on the small side.

I've wanted a full suspension bike for a while now, but couldn't justify the price of a full bike, so been thinking about picking up a second hand frame. I'm 6'2'' and weigh 15 stone, most of my riding is XC (trail centre), but want something that will also be capable of more extreme terrain (Not alot more extreme, i'm not going to be jumping massive drops etc). Will be used around the peak and lake district, and i'm also planning on doing the coast to coast next year. But also due to being bigger than most cyclist i don't want my frame to be overly flexy under my weight.

Would also like to have lock out to the rear as i do ride to work, however i'll probably make the commencal frame up into a commuter bike at some point.

I'd be looking at getting a frame, shock and fork, then transferring all my existing conponents over to that. Although i'd also like 9mm or 15mm axels instead of the QR i've currently got to add to the stiffness.

What should i be looking for? budget say around £600. Something like a Specialist Pitch, shock? fork?

Can list current spec of the commencal if it'll help.

1mancity2

Not a massive budget for what you want, what forks do you currently have? frame will more than likely come with the shock.

Pudseyp

For that I would look at ebay, you should get a nice frame with shock for around £400-£450 leaving £150 for a fork and you can pick up a Recon/Reba for that..

Darryl_1983

I know it isn't much of a budget, and can add to that if needed, but that is why i was looking at second hand frames. New bikes don't seem to cost much more than new frames, the frames available separate are obviously better quality. Seen a few nice frames on ebay going for around £300-£400 with shocks. But i've not got the knowledge to pick the good frames out. Also it's difficult getting bikes in my size, most seem to be medium or small.

Was also worried about the shocks not being able to cope with the weight if a lower end model.

Just need ideas on which frames/shocks combo and forks i should be looking out for. given my uses, size and weight.

Currently i have a 100mm 2011 recon silver with a x-frim spring to cope with my weight.

lostboysaint

Got a nice XL Yeti ASR frame (08) with RP23 shock which would suit you and that riding perfectly and I'd do you a very good price on with seatpost, headset etc. (I'm 6'4")

DCR00

i got an FSR XC frame off eBay for £220

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SPECIALIZED-X ... 4160295e4c

you may scoff, but its the old Stumpjumper geometry

i got some RS Sektor 15mm QR off Merlin for £350 ish

get them reduced to 130mm and you have a FS bike for under £600

TBF i upgraded the rear shock to a brand new RP23, but if you get the Expert frame, it comes with a Fox shock (i have the Comp frame which came with a crappy X Fusion shock)

weight wise, i wouldnt worry, i weigh 15 stone and used to ride a carbon HT that weighed 9.5kgs

supersonic

To be honest, I wouldn't bother! Half the bits from you combi might not even fit (headset, seatpost, seat collar, front mech, cables, disc hoses, bottom bracket and so on), and to be brutally honest, it was an entry level bike so I guess parts are fairly weighty and coming to the end of their lives. Especially when for you budget you can get something like this:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... Suspension

1mancity2

Something like this maybe?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-S ... 1e6911f9eb

Or a full bike

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-S ... 1c21a6b0f3

Just one example

Darryl_1983

supersonic wrote:

To be honest, I wouldn't bother! Half the bits from you combi might not even fit (headset, seatpost, seat collar, front mech, cables, disc hoses, bottom bracket and so on), and to be brutally honest, it was an entry level bike so I guess parts are fairly weighty and coming to the end of their lives. Especially when for you budget you can get something like this:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... Suspension

Problem with stuff like this is that there only ever in stock in the smaller sizes.

Everything on the combi other than the seat post has been replaced already. Most of the stuff is around a year old. But i see your point, however say i was to spend £600 -£700 on a good quality frame, shock and fork. Then another £100-£150 on hoses, cables, seat post, etc. Would i end up with a better overall bike using my existing parts.

I've got:
Shimano M545 crank (Double - with small ring removed)
Superstar plasma chain device,
XT Hollowcore 2 BB
X7 rear mech and shifter - no front (1x9)
Shimano M595 Brakes with 203F 180R
Mavic EX729 rims with XT hubs (brought early 2006 - still running like new)
Easton EA50 bars - low riser
Truvativ Hussefelt Stem 40mm
Cassette PG970
Nuke Proof Headset
Seat post is 27.2mm -

I know a few of these will likely need replacing. Seat post, headset + clamp, maybe hoses and cables if too short.

If the answer is no then fair enough. I'll just have to bite the bullet. I just don't want to spend say £1000 on a full bike to have to start upgrading bits straight away, because there lower spec. Obviously things like springs will need to be done unless air sprung.

Darryl_1983

lostboysaint wrote:

Got a nice XL Yeti ASR frame (08) with RP23 shock which would suit you and that riding perfectly and I'd do you a very good price on with seatpost, headset etc. (I'm 6'4")

Wasn't looking to buy until early next year to be honest, just looking for ideas of what would be best.

BUT, if you can send me more details, i may be tempted.

supersonic

Might be worth upping your budget slightly, buting a whole bike, swapping parts that will fit, then sell off the excess. Buying frames on their own usually works out as poor value.

A grand gets you this:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab

or this

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#dtab

You have some decent parts there, but nothing on these needs upgrading, and both have very good forks.

supersonic

Available in larger sizes lol.

Darryl_1983

You might be right actually, i'd not really thought about doing that.

These both solid bikes then?

Did also notice the Gaint Anthems for sale at pauls cycles.

supersonic

Yep, both good bikes, but the Canzo is the more solid of the two, and longer travel. The Anthems are great bikes, but very XC oriented - may not be enough for what you want to do.

Beatmaker

If you did decide to go down the frame route, there are some cracking deals on Kona FS frames on CRC at the moment.

chemicalviking

i have had my eye on a giant trance x4 for my birthday but must admit that canzo looks amazing value plus its got my fav lime green on it so its bound to be fast.

gmacz

Same height here and was roughly same weight, lost a stone and a half on the bike.
Anthem is my new bike and I think it would easily fit the bill.
XC and extreme XC might actually be the same thing depending on where you are.
Especially not alot more extreme.
I have seen some extreme xc tracks that were equivalent to fairly basic forest tracks elsewhere.
15 stone is really not that heavy.