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Looking at building up a cheap XC Hardtail for a) local loops, b) the odd XC or 'gravel' event/race (e.g., Dirty Reiver) and c) preserving the full suss in winter.
Frame only as a base. Looking at the Niner Air 2-star, Sonder Dial, or even waiting to see what the 2024 Procal Al will look like. Would like a chisel but don't want to Spend 1k on a frame or 1k on a full bike fit with parts I'll struggle to sell. Open to the communities thoughts 🤙
Personally I’d do what your saying not to, either chisel or bmc twostroke alloy full bikes, very good deals out there at mo on both and sell all bits
I was going to say Two-stroke as well, the cheapest one is barely more than a lot of frames.
Take the bits and throw them on an old frame as a commuter or something. Or just rag it as it is unless you've got deep pockets and want something more bling.
Leftfield choice, it's only £117.99 + £20 delivery
https://www.wiggle.com/p/ns-bikes-eccentric-cromo-29-frame-2021
It's steel but only 2.6kg for the medium. How much does a XC aluminium frame weigh?
The money saved could be put into some light wheels/tyres and a decent fork. Should be able to build it to about 12kg which is lighter than a lot of alloy XC bikes with low end components.
I'm going to get one, just can't decide whether to get a large or a medium at 183cm.
How much lighter than that frame? About 0.8kg. Not that frame weight is the most important thing.
Carbon is down around 1kg and alloy 1.8kg so yeah that ns is way too heavy.
I'd go with the Sonder, and I'd custom build (unless you coulf afford one of the top spec off the peg bikes).
Regards buying a cheaper build and selling the bits you want - disagree.
Even unused, theres not really much value in a bunch of stripped down SX or NX gear, for instance. It'll have the wrong tyres on, you end up changing the saddle to your favourite brand etc...
Whereas you could piece together a mix of new and used bits, (11 speed XT or XTR is a bargain!), maybe a nice used, SID or Fox 32, for instance, and end up with something much, much nicer.
This is especially true if you already own any bits that might work well.
ETA - absolutley not that Cromo NS - I've had plenty of 'nice' steel bikes over the years but I dont think thats a particularly nice one, and nor do I think it meets the intent of the OP either.
I did the same with a 2017 Boardman X9 Pro hardtail frame. The thing is light and absolutely rapid, I love it. Mine's about 11.2Kg with Reba fork, Fulcrum wheels and XC tires (still experimenting). I reprayed it matte black from the rather grim lurid lime green and black, chucked a -20 deg stem on there and from a distance it looks pretty pro too.
I was just gonna say you might consider buying a used Boardman (or similar) for £500ish and tweaking the parts to your liking.
That's what I'd do anyway.
There's the same Boardman full bike as my frame on FB marketplace right now with GX 1x11, REBA RLT, Guide 4-pistons for £200. Absolute steal.
Thanks for the responses, all 🤙
Have you seen the Kinesis FF29? It was re-launched last year and they do Aluminium bikes very well on their Road/Cyclocross models so I'd imagine this is great too and currently 34% off on Merlin if they have your size:
It might be worth seeing if you can get a Giant XTC frame, really good quality and loads of clearnace, comfortable with 2.4s. The standard build is good value too
I've not tried either of the two you suggest so they might be even better
That Kinesis looks great