Why oh why have I waited so long to try a nice steel frame out? Anyway I have now and I’m now gobsmacked at how much difference it makes to the ride quality.
My previous xc ride was a alu ss kona caldera 2004 I think. I loved it. Still love it . But done some epic rides on it and it really does hammer your back . Im gonna keep this frame as it’s super light and super sharp handling and use it for 4x next summer.

Bought the new ride from here off Elspaniel . (cheers again mate). Swapped bits immediately and here it is.

Ok so I know not everyone will dig the retro purple. I think it worked better on the Kona but still looks good on the DMR.

Spec-
18” Dmr Switchback
426 Revelations 130mm
King purple headset
Thomson elite stem 90mm ( might go to 70mm)
DMR wingbars Purple 710mm ( nice and wide for leverage outta the saddle)
LX disc brakes
Alligator Purple 180/160 rotors
American Classic Front Hub on X717 rim db spokes
Hope XC Rear/Ti freehub (am classic rear is a bit crap)
S-Works Captains (Front ghetto tubeless)
XT 760 cranks
Ti Bash
Surly 32t SS chain ring
SS 16t cog
kmc kool chain
Thomson Elite 26.8×330
Charge Spoon
ODI Long neck lock ons
Carbon Spacers

Nice, I like the purple bits as well 😀

Here’s my Trailstar. I recently thought about replacing it but I’m just gonna keep it for now til I get good enough to justify a new, slacker frame.

It’s also going SS soon since the gears are skipping even more than usual and I have all the stuff ready!

ss is the way !!

Trailstar pics as soon as it’s finished…

Still rocking my old Swichback.