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26er Frame Suggestions

jaspsjasps Posts: 27
edited July 2017 in MTB buying advice
My ten year old MTB frame has split at the head tube recently so I am looking to buy a new 26er frame.

I thought all I had to do was simply choose a new frame and transfer all the component parts from the old frame to the new one. However, things have obviously moved on since I bought the bike back in 2007 and my choice for a new 26er frame seems to be limited.

I just want a frame, the components on the old bike are all of a high spec and still have many years use left in them. My current (now broken) frame has disc brakes and a fork with 100mm travel.

I don't have a particular budget in mind, just looking for suggestions. I have looked at an On-One Inbred and this is my default choice at the moment, however, I had one before and I wasn't overly keen on it but am willing to give it another go.

Thanks.

Posts

  • mattyfezmattyfez Posts: 638
    edited June 2017
    Pipe dream and cotic do steel 26er frames.

    Is your head tube tapered or straight?

    There's a few here too, I picked up a cube 26er frame from them for the same reasons, took just over a week to arrive.

    https://www.bike-discount.de/en/shop/hardtail-26-8669

    Choice is limited though as you've noticed. Especially if you have a straight steer fork. I got lucky with a new 2014 model cube analog frame for €80.
    Guess it must have just been laying around in a warehouse somewhere so they were selling it off.
  • jaspsjasps Posts: 27
    Head tube is straight.

    Thanks, I'll take a look.
  • swod1swod1 Posts: 1,639
    Doesn't matter about a straight steerer tube as you can get a crown race reducer that will fit your fork.

    I'm getting parts together for a hardtail and going to buy a Dartmoor hornet frame they will work with 26 or 27.5" wheels.
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,748
    Why get a new frame when there are plenty of good quality 26" frames in good condition going on evil-bay? Personally if fitting older components and using an old wheel size I can't see the point in spending so much more for a new frame.

    That said, most 26" HT frames will run 27.5" wheels, so you could modernise later.
    10.1Kg FS Litespeed Niota Al
    retired 9.6kg Carrera Kraken
    The Carrera Hardtail combined thread - come on all you Carrera's!
    The Sons Scott Genius RC20 build
  • swod1swod1 Posts: 1,639
    The Rookie wrote:
    Why get a new frame when there are plenty of good quality 26" frames in good condition going on evil-bay? Personally if fitting older components and using an old wheel size I can't see the point in spending so much more for a new frame.

    That said, most 26" HT frames will run 27.5" wheels, so you could modernise later.

    yes mine is going to evolve from being my work commuter bike for a few weeks into a hardcore hard tail to go along side my FS bike but I do see your point. that's why I was buying a new frame.

    The op should look for a good used boardman mtb frame or something else on ebay maybe?
  • trek_dantrek_dan Posts: 1,366
    Look for a used Kinesis/Merlin (branded by Merlin but made by Kinesis) frame on Ebay. Plenty around and they ride great, much nicer than Inbred.
  • jaspsjasps Posts: 27
    I've found a used Kinesis Maxlight XC2 that I like the look of, happy that it is just going to be a straight transfer of components apart from the fork. Will my 100mm travel fork be ok with this frame? After looking at a few other builds, seems most are using 120mm travel fork.
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,748
    100mm will work just fine.
    10.1Kg FS Litespeed Niota Al
    retired 9.6kg Carrera Kraken
    The Carrera Hardtail combined thread - come on all you Carrera's!
    The Sons Scott Genius RC20 build
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