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1. kevster - Member

   I posted earlier in the week regarding finding a crack in the head tube/down tube junction. This leaves me in the market for a new frame.

   Current options and thoughts are:

   - Second hand 853 PA to match what I had previously
   - New PA although I think they're not as hardcore as they used to be, Mike has quoted me trade price
   - New Dialled Alpine also at trade price
   - On One Summer Season
   - On One 456
   - Ragley Blue Pig

   I loved the way the original PA rode and used it for everything from XC to DH. Only thing is I would have liked a slightly slacker head angle for the steeper downs and messing about as this is what the majority of my riding involves these days.

   What are peoples thoughts and recommendations?

   Posted 10 months ago #
2. ChunkyMTB - Member

   Get an Alpine!

   Posted 10 months ago #
3. toys19 - Member

   I cannot belive the Bfe is not on that list, IMHO its the best of all the hardcore steel hardtails

   Posted 10 months ago #
4. bullheart - Member

   I'm pretty sure Mike at Dialled might replace it...

   Posted 10 months ago #
5. kevster - Member

   No the frame was well out of warranty so gave me choice of PA and Alpine at trade prices, circa £100 less than RRP.

   Cotic Bfe would be good but need something around £300 or less as totally skint at this time.

   Posted 10 months ago #
6. daveells - Member

   I recommend you buy my 853 prince albert .Happy days all round

   Posted 10 months ago #
7. kevster - Member

   I am considering!!! Have you got some close up pics?

   Posted 10 months ago #
8. lipseal - Member

   Don't fancy an MmmBop then?

   Posted 10 months ago #
9. MrSmith - Member

   New PA although I think they're not as hardcore as they used to be, Mike has quoted me trade price

   really? what makes you think that?

   Posted 10 months ago #
10. toys19 - Member

    BFe = 370 delivered. Not that far out of your bracket. Save for a week and you'll have it.

    Posted 10 months ago #
11. daveells - Member

    do you some pics tomorrow

    Posted 10 months ago #
12. empy - Member

    Alpine at trade price - yes please! (wish I had a broken PA)

    Posted 10 months ago #
13. Munqe-chick - Member

    +1 Alpine at cost. More suited to your current riding than the PA, and better value than the competition given Mike's offer. Got a Mk1 and love it.

    Posted 10 months ago #
14. coogan - Member

    Alpine. An complete and utter blast of a bike. I love mine.

    Posted 10 months ago #
15. soobalias - Member

    i want toys19's life, where you have £70 surplus income in a week!

    Is the current PA still the same geometry as your was? if so i would plump for that.... that said the alpine is hardly heavy and i love mine, just as well as it took me three years to save up for it

    Posted 10 months ago #
16. toys19 - Member

    HA , I mean imagine if you thought about it you could save 70 quid in a week, eat as low budget as possible, never eat out, always cycle don't train/drive, dont buy a single pint. Most people widdle £70 a week away on so called "neccesities".

    Posted 10 months ago #
17. kevster - Member

    MrSmith - I think the tubes have been reduced in size and some minor geometry tweaks.

    toys19 - There is no way I could save an extra £70 a week. I cut out all luxury items some time ago when I got my mortgage!

    I love the way the PA rode, used it for everything, only time I wanted a slacker head angle was on the downhill trails at Innerleithen. For 98% of riding the PA felt fine.

    Posted 10 months ago #
18. ChunkyMTB - Member

    Alpine!

    Posted 10 months ago #
19. PeterPoddy - Member

    OP - Why not ship it off to a professional to be repaired and repainted?

    Posted 10 months ago #
20. MrSmith - Member

    MrSmith - I think the tubes have been reduced in size and some minor geometry tweaks.

    i would check the facts with the organ grinder

    Posted 10 months ago #
21. kevster - Member

    Geometry Change

    Top Tube Thickness

    Posted 10 months ago #
22. MrSmith - Member

    so is it 'not as hardcore' ?

    Posted 10 months ago #
23. dangerousbeans - Member

    Kevster, Gary Lager is advertising a BFe in the classifieds.

    Posted 10 months ago #
24. walleater - Member

    If you love the way it rides, then repair / paint sounds like the way to go to me.

    Posted 10 months ago #
25. Coyote - Member

    It's a steel frame. Get it repaired but not repainted. Scars should be worn with pride!

    Posted 10 months ago #
26. t-p 26 - Member

    What ^^^^ said, it IS steel four-fox-ache

    Posted 10 months ago #
27. kevster - Member

    I was going to get it repaired/repainted but not sure it would be as strong as it once was so was going to keep it for possibly making up a second bike in the future.

    Posted 10 months ago #
28. JPcapel - Member

    I have had a MKII and MKIII PA.

    The latter really was brilliant.
    I have also ridden the alpine.

    I think what you ride will dictate any decision between these 2 dialled frames.

    The PA really does do it all, and is slightly lighter than the alpine and I'd say a slightly softer feel (perhaps having less bracing designed into the frame).
    To crack a PA is an achievement - they are bullet proof (IMHO), I chucked mine (both models) off everything I had the balls to ride.
    Are you sure its cracked, I had a custom paint job done on my MKIII and the surface of the paint cracked around where the down tube joins the head tube, I rubbed the paint off and the weld was fine below, just the painted had fractured.

    A riding friend got an alpine, which ticked some of the boxes for changes I'd want to make a PA perfect (for me), lower top tube, slacker HA. However the PA has a character when ridden that makes it so good, not sure messing with the ingredients would keep this.

    Get another is my suggestion. They are ace. Friend uses my old PA as his chicksands 4X/dual bike and loves it too.

    Posted 10 months ago #

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