Hi, I'm just after some idea's as to a nice steel hardtail for xc, some touring and a bit of everything really. Something that is nice and will last a looong time.

I've been thinking: pace, rocky mountain blizzard, indy fab deluxe (drool)…

You lot got any other suggestions I could look at? I'm about to get a new Trek 8500 warranty replacement frame but might consider selling it for something with a bit more longevity and character…

Mike

Salsa ala carte. New one is very nice and around £575 f&f

geometry first. steel-schmeel. Get one that fits.

how much travel do you need/want?

I'd be tempted by an Explosif, just for old times sake.

Rock Lobster 853. Lovely bike and good value as well.

I just brought myself a Genesis Altitude 30 and love it. Nice geometry with a slightly slacker head tube. The kit's good and I'm hoping the frame itself will last a lifetime. There's eyes for panniers and what not if you ever fancy turning it into a tourer. It's a real do all bike and it looks beautiful.

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain/altitude/altitude-30/overview/

Get Curtis to build you something.

Or – an Orange P7 should do the job nicely (just thinking of bosses and stuff really.

Salsa a la carte with rigid forks

I'd be tempted by an Explosif, just for old times sake.

Only bike I've ever been disappointed with, rode one, was desperate for it to be "just so" and in fact it was dull and un-involving.

Whyte 19, was looking over one yesterday, very nice (apart from the SRAM gears, but that's easily fixed)

I always end up back on my P7 for stuff like that, think it's mid to late 90's one before slidy droputs, 100mm reba up front, non of the extra burly reinforcing they've put on them now, just rides nice all day.

I've had a Blizzard for five or so years and still think it's fantastic. The frames are quite pricy now but you sometimes find them on sale. They have a slightly shorter TT so the riding position is a bit more upright but I find the geometry is perfect for the riding I like to do: tight, twisty, fast singletrack. Mine has rack mounts (check if they still do) and I've taken mine touring across Sri Lanka and it was very comfortable. Can't fault it and the paintjob is superb.

I got a blizzard frame from Wiggle half price some months ago and am very happy with it, but would consider it a silly amount of money at full price.

Just checked the current price of Blizzard frames on Wiggle – £870!!
WTF?? They were £650 last year.

My new p7 is lovely.
you can ride it all day and it soaks up all the abuse the trail can give.
After riding either an ali htail or my ful suss for years,
now , after riding the p7, my body(back ache etc) feels as though it's been on the full suss.
they are pricey though and I was suprised how heavy a steel bike was.
but once it gets going….crikey.top fun.

They were £650 last year.

Not sure if I'd even pay that, tbh, when a complete Genesis Altitude is a grand with Maxle-equipped Rebas.

On-One inbred?

Sanderson (similar geometry to one one, but more expensive and better looking)

Or if your 5'10" or under look at postie rich's sunn enduro?

Kinesis Decade…good value frame and can be set up SS with ease.

Something from enigma.

Indy fab (which I own) then Pace 104 (which a mate owns) in Morris blue.

2* top class frames seperated by £800!

+1 Kinesis Decade for the value 🙂

anything but a Kona Explosif, its an On One Inbred (basic cromoly) at Cotic Soul (853) prices. Lots of far better value choices many of them already listed (kinesis, Genesis, or a Cotic Soul given the prices of the frame's youve mentioned).

Im sure the blizzard was being blown out by the mail order usual suspects a while ago, winstanleys have the 2009 in 18" for £520.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/25032/Rocky_Mountain_Blizzard_Frame_2009

Love my 853 Curtis, old school geometry with slightly longer TT, never fails to put a grin on my face whilst i'm riding it.

Gary is quiet at the moment too

You can get a brand new Genesis Altitude 30 frame with Reynolds 853 tubing for £375, excellent value and frame is cherry red.

I have one myself and love it, great finish and the paint is pretty strong.

No need to look for others, the Altitude will tick all your boxes.

As above.

Cotic Soul – No question, just buy!

The Kinesis Decade Prestige Virsa above is £314!

cheers guys, some nice ideas above. At the moment I'm leaning towards a second hand blizzard (I'm not prepared to pay the full current retail for one!) or leaving it until next year and maybe splashing out on an indy fab, we'll have to see! It say's on their site $1600 ish for the frame, does anyone know what the real world price would be after custom tubing/paint/options etc? It would have to be a long long term investment!

Charge Duster?
Tange Prestige tubing.
Current model is chunky looking and next years in incredibly skinny – take your pick.

built up a pine mountain (columbus) for the missus – really nice
not sure marin still make them tho.

Tim at Sideways Cycles will give you a current price for the Indy Fab.
http://www.sidewayscycles.co.uk

It was £1250 when I bought mine (plus £200 for prismatique and silver headbadge).
But that was when the dollar was weaker against the pound.

At significantly less than that:
UK Made: Enigma or 18bikes
Taiwanese: Pace 104 for classy looks or Soul for geometry.
American: Spooky Horror Taxi?
Fully built bike: Saracen Kili Flyer, Genesis Alpitude.

Robin Mather

as he said earlier – something from Enigma. ErgoST or Element

http://www.enigmabikes.com/egost.html

http://www.enigmabikes.com/element.html

Over a grand on a steel frame!

Go see Dave Yates, at least then you can tell people you built it!

I've had a few steel hardtails over the years – currently riding a sanderson life with 100mm reba's . Used it for XC racing,enduro stuff like mayhem,12 hour solo etc. bit of touring -Cuba and some UK stuff – andjust general dicking about on. Can't fault it – last time I was in love with a bike so much was back in the early 90's when I got my first clockwork (which is now my SS).

Michael, you do not want a steel frame!

There's a steel bike test in this month's (September) What Mountain Bike, top marks went to the R853 Pipedream Sirius.