WANTED: Steel hartail frame

[dgaddis1]

I'm wanting to build up a hardtail single speed, but don't have the money/space to buy another bike. So, I'm looking to buy a frame and swap my parts over to it.

Must have disc brake mounts, and be a size "medium".

Looking to spend $150-200.

Bill - any chance of you letting go of your SS frame at that price?

I've found a Jamis Exile SS frame brand new for $260..but I'd like to spend less than that.

[seenvic]

Only steel frames I've ever seen in this price range are some older Nashbar frames. Been about a year or so since I've seen the blowout. Lately, all I've seen on aluminum frames.

Ebay is prolly your best bet...something used but not abused. The IF I ride came off Ebay as a frame only.

[nitro]

So what are you going to with your FS frame? Give it a rest for a while, or sell it?

[dgaddis1]

I'll be keeping the Anthem for sure.

And the more I think about it, the less point I see in buying another frame right now. Race season is just getting here, and I'd much rather spend 6hrs on a full suspension then a hardtail. And it would be a huge pain to swap parts back and forth.

[seenvic]

Feb 4, 2009 8:06:23 GMT -5 dgaddis1 said:

I'll be keeping the Anthem for sure.

And the more I think about it, the less point I see in buying another frame right now. Race season is just getting here, and I'd much rather spend 6hrs on a full suspension then a hardtail. And it would be a huge pain to swap parts back and forth.

The last sentence is a deal killer.

[brianW]

Dustin, If I recall you have an old Trek 830, turn that into a single speed. No disc brakes but you'll have the hard tail... no rigid SS.

[dgaddis1]

Yeah, but that bike has all kinds of issues. Mostly, it doesn't have enough clearance for tires wider than 1.95". And, it's incredibly flexy. Like, really, really, really flexy. Think spaghetti noodle. After it's spent some time in boiling water. And it's a little small for me.

[JIMMYC]

if you ride enough years your back will be glad you rode full suspension.

[azdrawdy]

Feb 4, 2009 9:29:03 GMT -5 JIMMYC said:

if you ride enough years your back will be glad you rode full supension.

Aaaaarrrgh! C'mon Jimmy! Here I am sitting on the fence, getting ready to order a Salsa Mamasita 29er frame, and you throw this out! I have ridden nothing but FS since '94 (think the first Manitou FS), but really, really want to drink the 29er koolaid, and then you toss out some reality!


MD

(minor hijacking admitted, DG)

[dgaddis1]

Don't get me wrong, I like my full suspension bike. But, I also really like the simplicity of hardtails. Even though the Anthem has a really good suspension design, and I don't notice any pedal bob, when I jump on someone's hardtail it's evident just how much more power makes it down. Hardtails are easier to bunny hop too.

Bill's single speed that Russell built is awesome, it's so much fun to ride. It's got a really short rear end and it just responds. It's so easy to flick around, hop, etc. I've ridden a Jamis Exile (26" wheels, steel, ss) also, it was fun too, but I like the geometry on Bill's bike better. Based on feel, I think Bill's SS and my Anthem are very, very similar geometry wise. Both have a steep head tube angle, which I like. The Jamis has a more laid back HT angle.

Ideally, I'd like to get a SS 29er for shorter rides, and leave the Anthem with all the gears on it and use it for long rides and races.

I just need to convince Drew he should ditch the Redline and upgrade to a Trance......

[dgaddis1]

Feb 4, 2009 9:43:23 GMT -5 azdrawdy said:

Feb 4, 2009 9:29:03 GMT -5 JIMMYC said:

if you ride enough years your back will be glad you rode full supension.

Aaaaarrrgh! C'mon Jimmy! Here I am sitting on the fence, getting ready to order a Salsa Mamasita 29er frame, and you throw this out! I have ridden nothing but FS since '94 (think the first Manitou FS), but really, really want to drink the 29er koolaid, and then you toss out some reality!


MD

(minor hijacking admitted, DG)

The solution is very simple MD - get a full suspension 29er. ;D

Nitro - you need to post a pic of your new steed. Talk about bike porn.

[seenvic]

First Manitou suspension bike? The one with the "rear fork" for suspension.

Did that last longer than a month?

The Salsa is a nice ride.

For around here, a steel hardtail is great. Actually, a steel hardtail is great just about anywhere.

[JIMMYC]

......if you only have room for one, i think FS. I say get a bigger place, you can never have to many bicycles.

need to start a thread on who came back to mtb because FS, how's that for a hi-jack

[nitro]

If I were you Dustin, I would definitely keep the Anthem, and save up just a little more and look for a used Redline Monocog. I have seen those go complete for around $300-$400 bucks. They are not the lightest, but the frame is really nice for the money. You could always add a suspension fork later if you think you need it. Since I have my new FS 29er, I have decided to turn my old frame into a full rigid just to have something completely different to ride.

OK, you mentioned bike porn. Here is my new ride...

[nitro]

Feb 4, 2009 9:43:23 GMT -5 azdrawdy said:

Feb 4, 2009 9:29:03 GMT -5 JIMMYC said:

if you ride enough years your back will be glad you rode full supension.

Aaaaarrrgh! C'mon Jimmy! Here I am sitting on the fence, getting ready to order a Salsa Mamasita 29er frame, and you throw this out! I have ridden nothing but FS since '94 (think the first Manitou FS), but really, really want to drink the 29er koolaid, and then you toss out some reality!


MD

(minor hijacking admitted, DG)

Have you thought about a Salsa Dos Niner? That's pretty much a hardtail, but you still get a little edge off the bumps with that 1" rear Relish shock. I came very close to getting one of these frames (decided on a Niner Jet though).

[dgaddis1]

The niner looks good Chris. The set-back seat post flows well with the frame.

I'm glad you got the Niner instead of a Salsa. Other wise I'd have to change you in my phone from Niner Chris to Salsa Chris.

So the old frame is getting built as a rigid? SS or geared? Go single speed and it'll be stupid light.

[seenvic]

Chris,
That Niner looks good....then I got to the pedals and thought....WTF?

[nitro]

Dustin -- I am going with a full rigid. I found a matching used rigid fork, so that sealed the deal. I am not sure about SS though. You are right that it would be crazy light! I am not sure if my knees could take it.

Bill -- Yep, the pedals kind of ruin the visual. I sprained both my knees over the summer, and due to the pain was unable to unclip from my normal clippless pedals -- so hence the Powergrip pedals. I have actually grown to really like them though. They will be coming off when my new crankset comes in...

[dgaddis1]

Feb 4, 2009 13:44:11 GMT -5 nitro said:

Dustin -- I am going with a full rigid. I found a matching used rigid fork, so that sealed the deal. I am not sure about SS though. You are right that it would be crazy light! I am not sure if my knees could take it.

Try it! My bike is going to stay geared for a while, so you can borrow my conversion kit and tensioner just to try it out if you'd like. If you like it, you can then get your own tensioner and spacers, if you don't like it, you're not out any $$$


Besides, if you SS you don't have to spend a bunch more money on derailuers and shifters and all that jazz.

And it would be super light ;D

[azdrawdy]

Feb 4, 2009 10:25:22 GMT -5 seenvic said:

First Manitou suspension bike? The one with the "rear fork" for suspension.

Did that last longer than a month?

Yeah, that one. Rode it for years. The bike was beautiful, but the elastomers that made up the rear "forks" would crumble after a few months. May have had something to do with the AZ heat. Who knows. The head tube cracked in 2001 and I got an NRS from AJBW to replace it.

MD