Am thinking of building up a 4-5″ bike from some parts I can cannabalise from existing bikes.

It would have to be
– available frame-only
– take a tapered steerer Fox F120 fork
– be compatible with normal QR rear wheels (rather than 142mm or bolt-through)
– ideally have a 30.9 or 31.6 seatpost.

Probably something of the 100-125mm travel then, and probably more “trail” than “race”. And closer to £1k than £2k.

So far I reckon possibilities (money no object!) are:
– SC Nickel or Superlight
– Yeti ASR5
– Orange ST4

Anything else?

Trance X?

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-trance-x-frameset?zenid=43bd19432cf8182252caf71fa37483a8

I can recommend the Yeti ASR5, quick uphill and down. You can negotiate a good deal on the frame at most dealers, I got £400 off my ASR5C.

Bikescene have Specialized Camber pro frames at £699

2011 Turner Flux?
Only minus is I think that year didn’t have the 44mm headtube; as on the 2012’s
Excellent warranty if it breaks, to take into account.

Hi
Bikescene also have ST4 for £699 (or did last week!!!)
Cheers
Steve

El Guapo is too much bike at 6″?

maybe an FTM carbon?
http://on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRTITFTMCARRS/titus_ftm_carbon_frame_and_monarch_shock

135mm travel, seems good.

Ventana El-Ciclon.

Nuke Proof Mega seems to be the default frame suggestion at the moment.

Saracen Arial frames fit your requirements. Very good bikes.

Thanks for suggestions – keep them coming. Good shout on Bikescene but naturally it would be an 18″ ST4 and they don’t have them.

Things like Megas, El Ciclons and Ariels are all too much bike and are built around 140/160 forks; it’s really a 100-120mm bike I want rather than anything bigger.

I’ve got a brand new Trance X frame listed in the classifieds?

Medium, frameset only version……perhaps the ultimate 5″ all-rounder in terms of weight, geometry and efficiency!

£700 and it’s yours!