What trail bike frame...

edrussell · September 2011

Hello all. It's yet another - what should I buy question.

I have/had a Pace 405 built up with a revelation 150 fork, and xt end kit / carbon stuff hanging off it.

It's snapped :-( Basically the downtube has completely sheared in half (and not on a crash but a rather sedate ride - not sure what happened there) so I'm going to take all of the bits and build up a new bike, but I'm not sure what frame to put it on.

What do I want?

I've been getting into slightly bigger jumps and drops etc. So I'm liking a bit of extra travel (150 for now but maybe 160 ish when I've got more money for bits). I do most of my riding in UK trail centres so I have to pedal up the hills so it needs to be lightish.

I'm quite taken by the SB-66, though I'm also tempted by something carbon.

What's good, what should I try to get a ride on?

No real budget. I'd like to spend as little as possible but I'm getting resigned to spending up to 2k on the frame...

Ed.

386ka · September 2011

I would consider the Giant Reign or Reign X frameset. Both are light for their class, and climb pretty well. Also, the Maestro suspension is very good. I think that you can find review on Bikeradar for both.

Cheers.

PS, links for both

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bik ... 323/44751/

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bik ... 036/51151/

Northwind · September 2011

Obviously I'm a fanboi, but, if you can find a new Cotic Hemlock they really are bloomin superb... Manage not to feel like "too much bike", while still being stupidly capable. Nothing amazing or magical about the design or construction, just really good geometry attached to really nice suspension.

Other usual suspects... Five, Zesty, Blur, etc etc. Blur carbon or Mojo if you must spend the budget. TBH you could get a complete bike that'll do exactly what you want very well, for less than your £2000.

paul.skibum · September 2011

S Works Enduro Carbon frame?
Giant Reign X?
Trek Remedy 9.9?

£2k for a frame gives you a fair range to chose from to be honest.

DCR00 · September 2011

Yeti 575

styxd · September 2011

Slightly bigger jumps and drops? How big? If you're riding uk trail centres then surely the jumps and drops are small?

Buy a decent hardtail, with the cash you've saved you can go on a skills course and learn how to ride it properly. Then you won't have to worry about it snapping when you land.

lostboysaint · September 2011

DCR00 wrote:

Yeti 575

Wot he said.

1mancity2 · September 2011

edrussell wrote:

I'm quite taken by the SB-66, though I'm also tempted by something carbon.

Ed.

They do a Carbon version.

Pudseyp · September 2011

Tomac Vanish
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=46088

Or if your a large frame....then this is an absolute steal...the Devinci Hectik
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/devinci-2010- ... frameset-1

edrussell · September 2011

Thanks all - apart from styxd. My riding and landing is fine - I actually have no idea how it snapped, it wasn't a duff landing as it was round cannock and there really isn't much round there to launch off... Slightly bigger means just that, not a 10ft gap but some uk black run features.

Anyway...

I found the Remedy 9.9 for 2k. Tempted to take a ride. I'll look into the cotic, and I'd discounted the giant in my head for some reason. And a ride on the Tomac. Lots of testing coming up :-)

Thanks all.

tofu21 · September 2011

Have a play on a mojo HD and see what you think.

oodboo · September 2011

I like the look of the new Ragley G6 but, as it's a Ragley you'd probably have to wait 6-12 months before the frame is available.

paul.skibum · September 2011

The Nukeproof Mega might work too or Santa Cruz Driver 8.

styxd · September 2011

Thanks all - apart from styxd. My riding and landing is fine - I actually have no idea how it snapped, it wasn't a duff landing as it was round cannock and there really isn't much round there to launch off... Slightly bigger means just that, not a 10ft gap but some uk black run features.

So you're riding uk trail centre black routes and you managed to snap a frame? I'd seriously consider a skills course, much better value for money than a new bike that you cant ride properly.

I'd say a solid hardtail with about 100 - 120mm of travel is the ideal bike for uk trail centres, you've just got to know how to ride it. A 160mm bike is useful in the alps, but thats it. Cedric Gracia used to race world cup downhills on a 7inch travel bike.

felix.london · September 2011

What about this;

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBC ... e=Mountain

Not bad for £1300 (plus delivery from US)

btw - 100mm HT 'hopper is doing me fine in the Alps (DH runs and all)

although I've gotta 120mm Reba that's going on any day and I'm getting a DH sled in time for the lifts to open next year

Northwind · September 2011

styxd wrote:

So you're riding uk trail centre black routes and you managed to snap a frame?

It was a Pace, you can snap them by giving them a hard stare never mind a hard landing.

felix.london · September 2011

Northwind wrote:

styxd wrote:

So you're riding uk trail centre black routes and you managed to snap a frame?

It was a Pace, you can snap them by giving them a hard stare never mind a hard landing.

agg25 · September 2011

Trust your first instinct and go for the Yeti SB-66!

rob_514 · October 2011

What about a Lapierre Zesty? Bit of a shameless plug as Ive got a zesty 514 frame for sale but they really are top bikes. Climb well and more importantly descend even better. The one Ive got has a carbon rear end too so super light and feels super stiff on the trail.

Anyway if your still in the market for a new frame and you fancy a look here it is - http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12806670

Rob

What trail bike frame...

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