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Looking at a new frame and been after a Soul for a while. However there seems to be loads of nice steel frames on the market now - so is the Soul still what I should be looking at?
It's to pair up with a set of 130mm Mag Menjas (I've ridden them on a Soul at a Demo day and liked it - and I have Menja's anyway). Riding will be peaks/Dales/Dalby plus endurance events (24/12, SITS, Wiggle) sort of stuff.
Are genesis available as frame only?
I've spoke to the guys at Kinesis and I'm not convinced the Virsa will take the 130mm fork as well as a Soul but they do look nice.
Does anyone know anymore about the new steel Whyte 19? Could be an option?
Ultimately, is the Soul worth the price tag?
My opinion is yes.
but i'm biased.
TBH I would have another tomorrow without any shadow of a doubt.
go for it. best hardtail ive owned.
According to KUK website the Virsa designed for a 100mm-130mm fork.
Vortexracing - biased how? 'cos you already have/had one?
yip, you asked for it, I'm going to have to post a piccie
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there you go.
Brilliant little frame
Yes. Very adaptable, very fun, nice nice bike. I'd be lost without it.
Soooooooo tempted for one. Thought of a short travel xc bike but I keep coming back looking at a steel hardtail.
since the pic posting has started
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I love mine, and love riding it. But now the price is up to £470, be interesting to see how it compares to the sanderson life which you can grab for £349.
Now I will be stoned for this but NO
I have a s/h simple and it is a bit nicer to ride than my old inbred but not hell and all
So I would of liked a soul to replace my trance but at £470 it is a huge hit when a 456 is only £125.01
So is the soul worth £344.99 more than a 456 sorry I do not think so
I have had delivery of a 456 today
Riding a 456 at the mo.................
vortex- you running 120 maxle rebas? thinking about them...any good on the steep climbs?. got revs atm, thinking of getting lighter.
I moved from 454 Pushed Pikes to the 120mm Reba teams. They are damped as well as the pushed pikes and I used to run the pikes at 125mm or so anyway, so they are great, just like a 'ickle pair of pikes' but without the u turn.
Make sure you get the teams with blackbox damping.
They just suffer from a bit less arch clearance.
The Soul may now be £470 but I notice that the new Orange R8 (853 too) is something like £570. So reasonable but what other 853 frames come in cheaper than a Soul?
Having said that I think you can get a UK built Rourke 853 for something like £600 or at least start at that. But starts making a custom frame attractive/affordable.
But now the price is up to £470, be interesting to see how it compares to the sanderson life which you can grab for £349.
The Life is longer in the TT, lower at the front/more XC and designed for a 100mm fork. Dull grey colour too.
That said, I've had nowt but joy from mine for 3 yrs.
I've not tried enough of the competition to really judge, but my Soul really just ticks all my boxes. I'd prefer if it was warrantied for 140mm- I wouldn't object to a little more weight- but it's done me proud, latest escapade was bits of fort william's world cup DH track and it just gets on with it.
I thought the ride of the soul was better than a 456 - and that is saying something. I just liked riding the Soul for my more normal everyday riding. The 456 is best when really ragging it I reckon.
designed for a 100mm fork. Dull grey colour too.
Thought they looked quite nice in the flesh. I looked at getting one from my LBS, but when the shop monkeys suggested I went and 'googled' the frame to get details on it, I didn't buy it on general principle. I did email the distributors who said it would be fine up to 130mm. Others would also seem to be running them with more travel to
[url] http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/calling-sanderson-frame-owners-what-forks-are-you-running [/url]
If the R8 is that price, then I'll revise my comments on it seeming a bit pricey compared to the alternatives.
I've had a Soul, a 456 and a couple of other steel frames (shorter fork based so not relevant here) and currently have a Prince Albert. If I had to choose again? I'd probably get another PA. If your heart is set on 853 then go for it but if not you need to ask if the extra layout is really worth it. (In that spirit the 456 is an absolute bargain for a great no nonsense frame)
Best frame I have owned, my only regret is that I sold it, 'have felt I am between them ever since'.
a 456 is a chow mein Pot noodle to the souls' wonton noodle soup.
Got mine in the post this morning 😀 : [url=
- 1 minute of your life you will never get back & bulder's bum warning.
Only had time to take it down the park n back, no complaints so far but heading for the hills tomorrow!
If it turns out my Orange is too big then i will be heading to the cotic website for a soul! especially as the new P7 is almost the same price!
I've got a Soul and also had/got an 853 geared Inbred and a RM Blizzrd.
I prefer the Soul as the size (19") seems to fit me a little better than the 18" Inbred. Though both very similar bikes in fit and ride quality, running the Soul with 120mm Reba's like Vortex and the Inbred had 130mm Fox Talas.
The Blizzard never seemed to fit well due to the short tt
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Now with Flow rims and lower stem
WTF is going on in that video with those bars thingies? don't they distract your eyes from looking where you're going?
crazy. sort of thing the germans have on their (shopping) bikes.
nice frame though.
Nice, ruined by the bar ends though (the position of them more than anything - very odd). Why not go the whole hog and put time trial bars on!