Frame ideas for an AM/FR big hitter

felix.london

OK - I have a set of 180mm Rockshox Domain 318's and a set of brand new Flow's on Switch EVO's plus a few other bits and pieces lying around (Easton Haven bar, Superstar 50mm AM stem, Easton seat post, a saddle etc)

I'm looking to upgrade a few bits on the DH bike (Trek Session 8) this season - brakes and gears to start with; so a set of Elixr R's and and a SRAM X7 drivetrain will be available too (will swap these out for Zee)

So I'm looking for a frame that I can build up with these parts and probably sell on to part-fund a (used) 140-160mm AM bike next year. But what (used) frames should I be looking at? The fork is a 1.5" steerer so (luckily) that kinda limits my choices I guess. The fork can also be wound in to a more manageable 160mm if required.

Was thinking a Spicy or Kona Coilair but the steerer wont fit in those frames...any ideas?

rockmonkeysc

Giant Faith is really nice if you can find one. Kona Entourage is good, basically a Operator frame built up with 180mm forks. Cannondale Claymore is also good if you can find one.
Most frames with 1 1/2" head tubes are at the heavier end of freeride rather than the all mountain end of things.

felix.london

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Giant Faith is really nice if you can find one. Kona Entourage is good, basically a Operator frame built up with 180mm forks. Cannondale Claymore is also good if you can find one.
Most frames with 1 1/2" head tubes are at the heavier end of freeride rather than the all mountain end of things.

Cheers. Tbh - I could build it up into more of a FR/DH bike I guess. Might make more sense with that fork and those wheels. Fairly sure a mate that runs a bike hire shop would take it off me or just sell it to a local. Will check those frames out.

Thanks

rockmonkeysc

If your going for a FR/DH build then most downhill frames would do the job with a 180mm fork.

The Rookie

Your fork will fit in most 44mm frames using an external lower headset instead of the 44mm semi integrated.....so that opens up a whole host of circa 160mm AM frames.....

El Guapo from on-one?
Tapered - check
160mm - check
AM - check

£600
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRT ... _rt3_shock

felix.london

The Beginner wrote:

Your fork will fit in most 44mm frames using an external lower headset instead of the 44mm semi integrated.....so that opens up a whole host of circa 160mm AM frames.....

El Guapo from on-one?
Tapered - check
160mm - check
AM - check

£600
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRT ... _rt3_shock

That was my original plan - to wind down the fork to 160mm (or leave it at 180mm) and whack it on an El Guapo. The frames are cheap enough and a brand new frame would keep the sell on price up

Just not sure if that Domain is a bit on the heavy side for that frame...

The Rookie

It is a little 'chunky' but not enough so (to my mind) to be out of place, just at the end of the spectrum - not on a Carbon EG though!

As you say, brand new frame and as long of the rest of the components won't look 'too old' in 12 months it will be a 12 month old bike....

felix.london

True

angry_bird

Funny it says on Planet X that the EG frames are £799... except for a small brown one? Yet on On-One they're all still £599. That's weird.

Either way they're out of stock until late May, had a few quality control issues, the price appearing to be going up could be related to this I guess as they've had a couple of batches that have been off spec and they haven't been able to sell.

ilovedirt

A spesh enduro (one of the newer ones) would be on my list if I was in your situation. I'd not bother with a coiler/coilair, they're crap. A Spicy would be good, and the Entourage does look very good too, but more on the freeride side of things. A Rocky mountain slayer would be really sweet, the newer ones are awesome. I'd try to keep the travel around 160mm with an air shock if I were you, You've already got a downhill bike, a freeride bike wouldn't be too much different. You'd be surprised what a modern all mountain bike can handle, whilst still being very pedalable. I'd be comfortable taking any modern all mountain bike down a downhill trail, except maybe the most gnarly, steep stuff there is. Even my hardtail feels comfortable on stuff like that as long as the trail isn't super rocky.

Oh - Santa Cruz Nomad. I'd love one of them. Can be had pretty cheap these days.

felix.london

Angry Bird wrote:

Funny it says on Planet X that the EG frames are £799... except for a small brown one? Yet on On-One they're all still £599. That's weird.

Either way they're out of stock until late May, had a few quality control issues, the price appearing to be going up could be related to this I guess as they've had a couple of batches that have been off spec and they haven't been able to sell.

I see, I didn't know that (probs with frame).

Have been keeping my eye on them for a few months now. Nearly pulled the trigger on a medium in black at the end of last year but didn't do it...don't know if I regret it or not after what you've just told me :?

Just looked through your thread there. So you have the domain on yours, she's a bute isn't she. Have you done any big rides with some big ups and downs on yours yet? Would be very interested in how she rides.

My 180mm Domain should eleviate the problem with the bottom bracket at least

felix.london

ilovedirt wrote:

A spesh enduro (one of the newer ones) would be on my list if I was in your situation. I'd not bother with a coiler/coilair, they're crap. A Spicy would be good, and the Entourage does look very good too, but more on the freeride side of things. A Rocky mountain slayer would be really sweet, the newer ones are awesome. I'd try to keep the travel around 160mm with an air shock if I were you, You've already got a downhill bike, a freeride bike wouldn't be too much different. You'd be surprised what a modern all mountain bike can handle, whilst still being very pedalable. I'd be comfortable taking any modern all mountain bike down a downhill trail, except maybe the most gnarly, steep stuff there is. Even my hardtail feels comfortable on stuff like that as long as the trail isn't super rocky.

Oh - Santa Cruz Nomad. I'd love one of them. Can be had pretty cheap these days.

All good bikes for sure. Have ridden a 2011 Enduro - awesome and had a spin on a Slayer at the weekend...and that was probably the best bike I've ever ridden..truly outstanding machine (can't stop thinking about it tbh)

But wouldn't it be sacrilege to whack a nearly 3kg Domain on any of those frames?

ilovedirt

Nah, might as well do it and then save for a lighter fork Better than buying a cheap frame and regretting it later. Geometry/ride is more important than a bit of weight. Even if the domains aren't the best thing ever, they'll do.

felix.london

The whole point was to get rid of these weighty parts (fork & wheels) and use the rest of the bits to raise a bit of cash to go towards a proper AM/Enduro bike (have I said how awesome that Slayer was!)

bennett_346

How big of a big hitter do you mean? I'm not sure some of those frames mentioned would be ideal for big freeride hits...

felix.london

bennett_346 wrote:

How big of a big hitter do you mean? I'm not sure some of those frames mentioned would be ideal for big freeride hits...

Was looking for frame suggestions that would go with the 180mm Domain and the Flows really, that to me says big hitter and also would be easier to find a FR/DH frame to fit the 1.5" steerer but there are obviously AM/Enduro exceptions like the El Guapo and I'm sure plenty of other frames too.

The Rocky Mountain Slayer suggestion has got me thinking...anyone know if that would take a 1.5" straight steerer? a 2007, 2008 model?

bennett_346

I'd be worried about damaging an El Guapo frame doing big freeride hits.

ilovedirt

Pretty sure only the newer slayer has the 44mm(or is it 1.5?) head tube, the rest are 1,1/8" I *think*.

felix.london

ilovedirt wrote:

Pretty sure only the newer slayer has the 44mm(or is it 1.5?) head tube, the rest are 1,1/8" I *think*.

Yeah - having a quick look around, I think you're right there.

felix.london

So a straight 1.5" steerer will fit a tapered 44mm/56mm head tube, right?

bennett_346

If a 1.5 steerer fits in, surely it's not a tapered headtube?

felix.london

bennett_346 wrote:

If a 1.5 steerer fits in, surely it's not a tapered headtube?

Not only am I talking rubbish there...I've just had a look at the forks and it's a straight 1 1/8" steerer anyway!

I was getting confused. I wanted a mix taper head tube (like the el Guapo) to off-set some of the A2C length of the 180mm forks with an internal bottom BB cup - that's why I was looking at that frame in particular.

So - AM frames with a Mix Taper 44/49.6mm head tube are what I'm after.

ride_whenever

Get a voltage...

rockmonkeysc

ride_whenever wrote:

Get a voltage...

Why? They are a bit rubbish, even Stinky's ride better.

felix.london

Must admit - it's not a bike that I've heard (or seen) much about.

What's the difference between a Rocky Mountain SXC Slayer and just a Slayer ?

Is it a steeper (more XC) version of the Slayer or is the SXC an older version of the Slayer? :?

ilovedirt

Not too sure, think it's lighter and has carbon stays, not too sure about anything else

rockmonkeysc

If it's a straight 1 1/8" steerer then the Specialized SX trail is an excellent ride with some uphill ability and they are bombproof. A lad used to ride one on our club xc rides and keep up with the fast group and then properly abuse it on the freeride stuff at the local quarry.

felix.london

ilovedirt wrote:

Not too sure, think it's lighter and has carbon stays, not too sure about anything else

Carbon stays - yeah OK that makes sense..that's the one I had a ride on...and loved it!

Cheers.

felix.london

RockmonkeySC wrote:

If it's a straight 1 1/8" steerer then the Specialized SX trail is an excellent ride with some uphill ability and they are bombproof. A lad used to ride one on our club xc rides and keep up with the fast group and then properly abuse it on the freeride stuff at the local quarry.

SX Trail is a good call. Could be fun with a 180mm fork!

OK - cheers chaps. Got a few good options there. Now just a question of finding one of them!

rockmonkeysc

I have seen SX trail's with 160mm up to 200mm forks fitted. 180mm should be spot on.

felix.london

RockmonkeySC wrote:

I have seen SX trail's with 160mm up to 200mm forks fitted. 180mm should be spot on.

Looks like a good bike. The head angle seems pretty steep anyway for that kinda frame (68º) so the extra A2C length could slacken it off quite nicely.

Looking at an L now but all dimensions (TT, WB, SO) seem to be smaller than my M Session. Guess it's a bike for a different job but looks like it should fit fine.

Have you ridden an SX Trail?