Look to upgrade the frame on my shop bike to something that I can use to go too glentress and also dart about town on etc.

Currently have a GT ruckus onepointzero which I quite like, however if there’s something better that’s not too pricey I wouldn’t mind upgrading it.

Anyone got any suggestions on what’s a good all round aluminium frame, if you have any photo’s that would also be cool!

I’ve got an Orange Evo 8 I got from the classifieds. I’m now running a pair of Marz 44 Micro Ti’s at 120mm on it and it’s pretty good. Rest of the kits the same though. Probably a bit bling for leaving outside the pub on a regular basis, though.

Get thee over to the kinesis website and have a look at maxlights

XC orientated, Orange Elite frame, £549.99.
http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/elite_frame/

Fun orientated, Orange Crush frame, £349.99.
http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/crush_frame/

Santa Cruz Chameleon’s look good. Get one of those!

Merlin malt 2???
Extra £15 off at checkout as well…

Never ridden one but those Chumba hardtails look well nice.

Some good frames, like the thought of a chameleon or the kinesis, orange looks OK too, if a bit ugly!

My Chumba HX1 is great. Cheap too.

Cove Stiffee, currently almost half price from Chain Reaction:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=80607

If the 17.5″ fits, I’d definately go for that. I’ve had one since last August built up with 130mm forks and fairly light but strong parts and it’s easily the best alloy hardtail I’ve ridden. Lightish, very responsive, climbs fine and is a great descender with the slack head angle. They’re not as harsh a ride as some people make out, although I run a 2.3″ tyre and plenty of seatpost showing.

Kinesis?

Mmmbop, ugly as sin but oh so capable.

Santa Cruz Chameleons are pure, grin-inducing, hooligan-esque fun!! You’ll feel like you’ve been gang raped if you ride it all day, but hey ho!

You’ll still be smiling while nursing your battered arse!

Whyte 19?
http://www.whytebikes.com/2012/bike_page.php?ModNo=W-1-010-12

wow the price.. i got an old one very much cheaper than that. new ones are slacker, probably (even) more fun, and stronger. mine’s scary light, feels like a coke can.

Chumba HX1 here too. Very cheap at the moment.
Great service from Si at Progressive

The frame is really nicely made and finished. Surprisingly compliant ride for a hardtail, never mind an Aluminium one, but also stiff where it needs to be. I also think it looks fantastic.

I keep thinking I should just keep to 29er like my other bikes but I can’t bring myself to part with it…

you need a Kinesis Maxlight!

Always liked the look of the Stiffee’s and the chameleons, will look into the others later on.

+1 for orange crush!

What kind of fork travel are the frames, is the stiffee a long travel fork say 150mm and will it run with 120 to 140mm forks?

The forks I have are 110mm to 140mm?

HX1 is good with 140mm

Kinesis are underrated in my opinion.
UK designed too if that makes a difference to you.

You need a stiffee! A green one, probably 15.5″ with a hope headset would be ideal!

Sinister Ridge
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Cove stiffee

Cove Stiffee! Here’s mine which will look a little different soon. It’s currently running some Pikes which I’d like to change and the wheels are also going.