[Closed] Cheap eBay Kinesis Frames - any good?

It's made of kinesis alloy tubes, but not necessarily [i]by[/i] kinesis. (Their own frames usually look a bit more adventurous in terms of tube profiles or hydroforming, and have paint and logos on them). It is not a bad price but neither is it worth lot more than what they are asking for it. You would get the same sort of thing second hand on the classifieds here for half that.

Having said that my brother has an old (kinesis tube sticker on it) merlin malt one which looks almost exactly like that one, cost about as much and its fine; lightish responsive and sensible handling with a 100mm fork. Sentimental value to me too, as it was my first 'proper' bike build. 🙂

looking at the quality of the other parts that the seller has for sale i'd guess at it being of low quality and probably some retro angles that might be a bit funny.

How about these at merlin

[url= http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/mountain-bike-frames/sale-frames/sintesi-707-frame.html ]Sintesi 707 frame - £80[/url]

[url= http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/mountain-bike-frames/sale-frames/2004-merlin-malt-1-plus-finishing-kit.html ]Merlin malt 1 plus finishing kit for £100[/url]

All terrain cycles have some old Handsome dog frames they're selling off cheap too:
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/m/1_Bikes%2Band%2BFrames/7_Frames/99_MTB/136_HandsomeDog/

Strange to have a budget singlespeed conversation without anyone recommending On One. Guess I'll do it.

I have looked at that frame on ebay a few times, not sure about the Kinesis bit at all, it looks very similar to the cheap XC frame from CRC or the Dirty Jo frame, that as far as I can tell are one and the same frame too.

I had a Dirty Jo frame I builtup as a SS and it was a great frame, light and responsive and not at all harsh.

Others to look at are the Bee 1 frames at CRC AT £120 or just spend another £80 and your into a On One Scandal & its all ready for SS so you can save the cost of a tensioner... Thats assuming you after a light frame, if you aint bothered about that go for the steel Inbred.

CRC frame.
[url] http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=12529 [/url]

Dirty Jo Frame
[url] http://www.dirtyjobikes.co.uk/Frames/Dirty_Jo_Triple_Butted_Frame [/url]

DJ built as SS
[img] [/img]

Thanks for the advice folks - lots to look at and think about here.

I think I may well wait a few more weeks and add the extra £80 to get a proven branded frame

In the end I went for the £95 (delivered!) eBay frame and built my SingleSpeed. I went out on Cannock Chase last night for the 1st time and it rides really well - in fact for the price it's staggering...

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Looks pretty good.

As julianwilson said, it looks exactly like an '04 model Merlin Malt 1 frame - I built one up last year:

[IMG] [/IMG]

Only difference I can see is the rackmounts.

It makes me wonder why anyone would spend any more on a Alu frame.

My frame weighs ~1.7kg and the fully built bike weighs in at just over 22lbs. Climbs like a Billy Goat on speed.

The lightness makes technical singletrack exciting (!!) as it's a bit twitchy, but it's all part of the fun - and after all that's what it's all about 😀

@ orangeevo

I've just been looking into cheap frames to build up as cheap winter hack bikes, so I'm interested in what you'e done here.

Tyre clearance looks a bit tight - what size tyres have you got on there?

OrangeEvo, I know it's in the eye of the beholder but there's something about that bike that makes it fugly. It's probably just the mudguard. I suppose for the price you can't argue.

makes it fugly

How very dare you 😯

The thing that makes it look a bit odd (I think) are the tyres - they're super skinny 1.8's with most of the knobs worn off (oo-err). I'll put the 'normal' 2.1's on and I think you'll agree it'll change the aesthetics for the better

OrangeEvo, what size are you after. I have a 21" ebay kinesis frame for sale.

On a similar note I bought a cheap but new cross frame £84 from Ebay for training and general riding. The thing ain't pretty but it's does a proper job. I think the welders last job was building Cheiftain tanks, makes my MTB look like a mince machine

Tyre clearance looks a bit tight

Lots of tyre clearance, I wouldn't worry about that. When I took it out on Cannock Chase last week, the amount of mud was biblical and it never clogged against the frame.

fugly

Here we go - aesthetics improved with normal fat tyres...

[img] [/img]

Get some stilsons on the V brake lugs and remove em... Looks nice...

Does anyone know if these frames are still knocking about, can't seem to find them? Found this on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MTB-frame-Triplebutted-aluminium-5-sizes-not-Brand-X-/260691724024?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item82639c5009#ht_1566wt_982 similar?

I'm after something with rack mounts as well, cant tell from the pics?

[url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kinisis-Alloy-18-5in-MTB-Frame-brushed-silver-/360366431394?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item53e7835ca2 ]here[/url]

I have a medium I'm selling - email me if interested.

Thanks but they don't have the size I want 🙁 (medium or 17.5)what are the other alternatives for a cheap but light shiny mtb frame with rack mounts?

cheers

Matt