I can't afford full sus but I want something I can mercilessly thrash in all conditions - mainly downhill but a bit of climbing ability would be good.
I've had a go on an Evil Sovereign and that is pretty much my dream bike but I can't afford. What are my options in terms of frames? NS Surge? Orange Crush?
Bike Forum
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Hardcore hardtails
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Posted 2 years ago #
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456SS, can't beat it for the price.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Orange P7/Cotic Soul?
Steel rules.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Cove Sanchez.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Chameleon
Posted 2 years ago # -
Banshee Paradox
Posted 2 years ago # -
Chameleon for hoppity, hard core fun.
Posted 2 years ago # -
ns surge is great.
i've got one. nuff said.Posted 2 years ago # -
"Cove Sanchez"
What? I thought that was a dirt jump frame?If you're starting from scratch your best bet for decent value might be going for complete bike for eg like:
Marin Rocky Ridge (top of the range):
Kona Five-O (2 models):
Genesis Abyss (or the steel Alptitude):
NS bikes Core (1 or 2):
Posted 2 years ago # -
chammy !
Posted 2 years ago # -
Sold my Cotic BFe as it was too good for me
Posted 2 years ago # -
I was in the same situation and got a Orange P7 Pro about a month ago - it is awsome DH and feels solid. I have it with the Fox Float fork which was an upgrade but well worth it - this frame can take a longer travel fork which some hardtails arent set up for geometry wise. I could have afforded an entry level full susser but opted for a top end hard tail. I have no regrets with this bike!!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
DMR Trailstars worth a look
Posted 2 years ago # -
Orange Crush or Marin Rocky Ridge (I went for the second one and love it)
Posted 2 years ago # -
BFe/Dialled Alpine/NS Surge/Stiffee/Chameleon/456/Bluepig/MMBop/Tran sition TransAM.
Take your pick, like as not they'll all be fine.
And the Sovereigns down to 500 odd quid now.
Posted 2 years ago # -
oh bugger it... i'll post my alpine again... i love this bike
Posted 2 years ago # -
Cove Stiffee, Santa Cruz Chameleon, Marin Rocky Ridge Genesis Core(?)
Posted 2 years ago # -
The new BFe, obviously.
Posted 2 years ago # -
BLue Pig
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hardcore Hardtail you say?
Probably a bit beyond what you had in mind, however either a Trailstar or an Exalt would make a good bargain bin thrasher frame...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Gonna get me an NS Surge soon as my RM flow has a crack, she has done me proud though...
rj; where are evil sovs £500 BTW?
Posted 2 years ago # -
simply_oli_y - Member
ns surge is great.
i've got one. nuff said.Any chance of a pic Oli?
I'm seriously thinking of getting one of these frames myself right now, to save my full sus over the winter (Rear shock WILL need a service, and all the bearings will need replacing if it gets ridden through the winter grime). I'd be building it with Fox 36's and some reasonably hardcore kit, and the NS Surge looks ideal to me... Well, not as ideal as an Evil Sovereign, but the Surge is less than 1/3 the price!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Another Rocky Ridge fan here, I've since fitted bigger tyres, gone ghetto tubeless and dicked about with the handlebars/seatpost, and what i've ended up with is amazing fun on downhills, but climbs ridiculously well, perhaps better than my dedicated xc hardtail...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Dialled Prince Albert anyone???
Posted 2 years ago # -
That DMR looks great are they rockshox judy dho up front?
You can't go wrong with any of the above, I have a new style chameleon frame for sale in the classifieds.
Posted 2 years ago # -
yea, here you go.
domains are borrowed, something slightly lighter would be nice.
can wander a little, climbing with forks at full travel. so better with talas over van/float. but i'm sure you'll manage.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Chromag Stylus - £585 on CRC
Truly a real hardcore hardtail!Posted 2 years ago # -
Not a Soul, they're great but they're not that hardcore. Though a bit more hardcore now that they're warrantied for 140mm, I'd still want something a wee bit slacker. 456SS or Mmmbop is what I'd be looking at, personally, but there's all sorts.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Oli, that's the Large rather than the Medium I assume? How tall are you? I'm 5ft10 or therabouts. Thinking the Medium (15.5") would be right for me, with a 410mm Thomson post (inline)...
Forks would be 36 Floats, but I've got used to riding my full sus bike (Giant Reign X) with these up front uphill, I just run an inline post and I'm quite adept at bending my arms a lot and leaning forward whilst climbing! Are those Domains you're running the 115-160mm travel version? And how do you find it as a general use "XC" bike (for lack of a better term), not just for throwing off things? I've got an XC hardtail for taking out on more specific XC rides, but if I'm out messing about for a few hours, inevitably you're going to have to do some up and along as well as just down...
Chromag Stylus - £585 on CRC
Truly a real hardcore hardtail!With a hardcore price too!
Very nice, but at that price I'd still have the Evil Sovereign every time. In fact, I'd have a Cotic BFe at 200 odd quid less than that Chromag to be honest!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I can't recommend a Surge enough, why it was me who introduced Oli to one (probably). I spent a summer in the Alps doing XXXC so there was lots of brutal climbing and awesome descending and it was a dream. Run mine with coil u turn pikes. Climbing is mint.
Sam, just buy one. (Assuming it's you).
Posted 2 years ago # -
That DMR looks great are they rockshox judy dho up front?
Taking the piss?
If not they're older model 7" Boxxers with a bad rattle can paint job....Posted 2 years ago # -
Taking the piss?
If not they're older model 7" Boxxers with a bad rattle can paint job....sorry i honestly thought they were, still years ago I'd have walked over hot goals for a set of judy dho
Posted 2 years ago # -
yea thats the large. i'm just over 6'1. and like my bikes long.
medium would suit you fine.
yea wind down forks, and good for general riding,. done 70km days on it without too much worry.jcrompton did indeed introduce me to it. banging good fun it is. our mate has a sovereign (bastid) and while its lovely, its 3 times the price (on the new tange tube set). and not that much better.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Orange crush or Sub Zero
Posted 2 years ago # -
Dialled Prince Albert - good on everything from xc trails to downhill courses:
Posted 2 years ago #
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