Budget/Beginner bike frames.

carl1983

Am I right in thinking that many budget/beginner mountain bikes share the same frame as much more expensive models with only the paint and parts hanging off it that changes? I was looking at the Cannondale trail 7 vs their trail 1 there is £750 difference but the frame looks identical?

As I said in another thread I am a roadie and going to buy a MTB this week so instead of going for the budget bikes with good reviews like the rockrider 8.1 It might be better to buy say the cannondale trail 7 and upgrade parts myself when I've had a taste of MTBing.
I built my road bike from scratch so have the knowlede to upgrade any parts I wish and this way I will have a more proven frame.

Make any sense?

cooldad

Frames are generally the same - yes, but that Cannondale has nasty everything else - like buying a decent road frame with gas pipe forks and rod brakes - why would you?

There is generally nothing wrong with budget frames - loads are made in the same factories anyway - Specialised are owned by Merida, who also make a few billion frames a year for other manufacturers.

The Rookie

There are very few bad frames out there.

Carrera HT frames are all the same from Subway to Fury. The older Carrera frame was the same weight size for size with the Spesh Rockhopper frame and made in the same factory with near identical geometry.

You'd be better off buying a decent bike like the RR 8.1 than a snotter you can make as good a bike for a lot more money while riding an 'expensive' frame that is no better.