Steel 27.5 Trail hardtail frames - options ?

jomoj

Hi

I'm looking into building up a 27.5 HT trail bike and quite fancy one of the newer steel frames as a base.
On my potential list so far:

Cotic Soul 27.5
Genesis Latitude (2015 or 2016 version)
Pace RC127
On One 45650B

budget is up to £500 Anything else worth taking a look at?

cheers

m1tch666

Stanton switchback?

careca78

Hi

I had the same questions (but in my case for a 26er frame) and also considered:
Stanton (http://www.stantonbikes.com/bikes)
Dialled (http://www.dialledbikes.com/Dialled_Bikes/MTB_Index.html)
Commençal (http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/2015-c102x2353604)
Ragley (http://ragleybikes.com/#products)
Pipedream (http://www.pipedreamcycles.co.uk/products/frames/27-5-inch-wheels-650b/)
Bird (http://www.birdmtb.com/zero-hardtail/)
NS (http://www.ns-bikes.com/frames-forks,26,pl.htm)
Production Privee (http://www.production-privee.com/PBSCCatalog.asp?CatID=1321476)
BTR Fabrications (http://www.btr-fabrications.com/product-category/frames/)
Chromag (http://www.chromagbikes.com/bikes/bikes-overview)
And many, many more…

In the end I chose the 456Evo2 and I've liked it so much that it became my #1 bike!
First of all set your budget, bike’s main mission and see what parts do you have available. If you intend to buy each and every part (assuming buying new) to assemble then the bike will be more expensive than picking one off the shelf.
Don't forget that the frame is only the beginning and choose carefully to avoid incompatibilities. Take for example if you want to go really aggro and want a new fork it will be difficult to get one with a straight tube.

Happy shopping

jomoj

thanks - that's a great list. Re: the build, I've been putting my own bikes together for a while so I know it doesn't always work out the cheapest but in this case I have everything apart from the frame, fork and wheels so I'm hoping it will come together without major hiccups.

The Rookie

If you are looking to save (a bit of) money, the 26" Fox forks have enough clearance for 27.5 tyres as long as you aren't going crazy on tyre size.

cubedean

As careca78 pointed out, be aware that decent forks with straight 1-1/8" steerers are getting very difficult to come by now. This is one of the reasons I sold my Orange.

At least make sure that the headtube is 44mm internal diameter, this will allow you to run the cane creek 44/49 headset cup to run a tapered fork. But I'm sure you probably already know that anyway.

jomoj

@Rookie / cubedean - cheers, I actually have 26" fox forx on my current bike so I guess at a push they could be used as a temporary solution but I'd rather do the lot in one go really.

I like the look of the Stanton particularly, hadn't heard of them before so will investigate further.

careca78

I don't know if it helps, but On One 45650b frames are currently on sale, with prices starting at 199£ depending on options.