Which steel 29er frame - Rockhopper doner bike

Rich_H

Hi all

Ever since I rode my brothers Whyte 19 steel (years ago now) I've been tempted by a steel hardtail frame. I currently have a 2013 Rockhopper Comp 29er. I've recently come into some unexpected money, so have £500-£1000 I could spend on just a frame, and then move the majority of the Rockhopper parts over, then sell on that frame. I upgraded the Rockhopper to Reba 100mm tapered forks.

So.....what steel frame to go for? I've had a look around and both the Salsa El Mariarchi and Cotic Solaris look good. The Ritchey P29er gets great reviews, but the looks don't do it for me. So what options are out there? All suggestions welcome, and key for me would be that the 100mm tapered fork and majority of other Rockhopper parts would swap over.

Fill yer boots!

The Rookie

Pace RC129, a beautiful looking frame.

oodboo

Stooge

rockmonkeysc

These are absolutely stunning frames
http://www.curtisbikes.co.uk/frames/curtis-am9/

Aluminium frames have come on a lot, there's now barely any difference in ride quality between steel and aluminium.
Titanium is a much better upgrade http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRTITFL29/titus-ti-fireline-evo-29er-frame

oodboo

Stanton sherpa

Rich_H

Thanks guys, keep them coming.

I like the Pace129 - but it looks like a straight/non-tapered fork.
The curtis is lovely but based around a 140 fork.
The Stooge is interesting but not for me
On One Titus is based on a 120mm fork

Skookum and Sherpa looking favourites from this list so far:

Sherpa - Reynolds 853 - £500 - http://www.stantonbikes.com/content/sherpa-853-available-now

pipedream skookum - 853 - 490 (incl seatclamp and headset) http://www.pipedreamcycles.co.uk/shop/skookum-29er-r853/

Pace 129 - Reynolds 853 - £695 (http://pacecycles.easyspaceshops.com/epages/100056984.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/100056984/Products/PACE-RC129/SubProducts/RC129-M-MC)

Ritchey P29er - ? - £539 (http://www.acycles.co.uk/ritchey-29er-mountain-bike-frame-black-yellow-2015-12991.html)

Salsa El Marirchi - kung fu - £599 frame only (or £1200-£1500 for a complete bike on pinkbike)

Salsa El Mariachi - Titanium frame only - £1000 second hand on pink bike, and looks second hand......

On one titus titanium - 799 - http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRTITFL29/titus-ti-fireline-evo-29er-frame

cotic solaris - 853 - 675 incl headset and bottom bracket: https://www.cotic.co.uk/order/framebuilder/solaris/

Actually, its too hard, I might just stick with the Rockhopper......!

rockmonkeysc

Curtis will build with custom geometry (to suit shorter fork) for a little extra cash

oodboo

Can you extend your forks to 120mm?

Rich_H

Dont know if the Rebas can be extended, so I suppose thats a possibility. As would be ebaying the 100's and looking for some 120's. Having seen whats about, I'd rather pay nearer the £500 for the frame and then have some money left over for bits I will need for the build (headsets/bottom brackets etc). The crank on the Rockhopper isn't the best, so that could do with upgrading if budget allows.

I'm definitely leaning towards the Sherpa - can that run 2x9 or 3x9 (or even 2x10)?

The Rookie

Yes, why would you think it couldn't?

Rich_H

Two reasons:
1. I'm not very bright....
2. The vast majority of photos show it with one ring up front!

Thanks for that. A further image search on google turned up this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78633376@N06/15998051178

I'm pretty sure I'm going to order a Sherpa frame in green. And start looking around for upgrades - crank being on the list. And shifters. And.....

Nightmare. In the guitar world they refer to GAS - Guitar Acquisition Syndrome. I appear to have MTBAS, or BAS for short. I hear its quite common....

oodboo

N+1

The Rookie

N+1 until it is constrained by D-1 (where D= the number of bikes that results in a divorce, though this number can change with time due to acclimatisation with the current value of N)

You may well need a new front mech as it may have the wrong clamp size of cable pull or other constraint.

veronese68

Very pleased with my Solaris.

Rich_H

I've ordered a green Sherpa. The deal included a seat post clamp and Hope head set.

Now, about the front mech - on here:
http://www.stantonbikes.com/content/sherpa-853-available-now
it says: "Standard clamp-on front mech mount"

Whereas this site: http://wideopenmag.co.uk/2014/02/stanton-bikes-sherpa-853
says "It’s always the little details that make the difference, a direct mount front mech keeps things tidy and just look at those welds."

I've mailed the dealer I've bought the frame from, but if anyone knows which (3x9) mech I need, dive in.

Levi_501

If it was my money, I would be looking at a Niner SIR. I have often thought about them, but the silly BB puts me off.

oodboo

A fine choice, looks like a lovely colour as well.

I think this mech should do:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xt-m781-conventional-3x10-front-mech/rp-prod67202

Seat tube diameter is 34.9 and you've got a cable stop for top pull.

The Rookie

This photo http://wideopenmag.co.uk/2014/02/stanton-bikes-sherpa-853 shows you need a direct mount front mech NOT a clamp on, but others appear to show a plain tube.

You'll just have to wait for the frame to arrive.

oodboo

From the stanton website:

*Standard clamp-on front mech mount

As there's conflicting info you're probably best waiting for the frame to arrive and see what's what then.

Rich_H

And so it begins:

New frame:
http://postimg.org/image/avoltcqdz/

Rockhopper doner bike:
http://postimg.org/image/ft26egsd3/

Thanks for everyones help choosing the frame. If anyone wants me, I shall mostly be in the "MTB Workshop and Tech" forum

Rich_H

Just because it annoys me when I find threads like this that dont follow up:

http://postimg.org/image/9rbh4huvf/

Should be finished tomorrow

oodboo

Coming together nicely.

The Rookie

Sweet!

Rich_H

And its finished*
http://postimg.org/image/5kv6laa0d/

*well, they're never finished are they? My brother says to remove the 'pie dish' from the rear wheel. A dropper post might be a nice addition. I could replace the standard specialized bars with something flashier. And so it goes on.

But for now, I am very happy - I think it looks fabulous. Hopefully I will find time to ride it this weekend.

oodboo

Looks great, I do like that frame.