I have been looking at the hardcore steel frames as a second frame but can people tell me what'difference' will a
evil sovereign at £595
over a dialled alpine/BFE 390 ish
or
on one summer season 169
and what will be better with a 160mmfox fork??
Sovereign has some bling factor attached and is, I think, made from better quality Reynolds steel.
BFE - Probably better quality steel than 456SS but I'm no expert.
Summer Season is heavy.
Reckon the ride of the dearer frames is probably better if you're good enough to tell the difference - I'm not, so am happy with the Summer saeson.
thanks dbeans, any other views
you could always go 2nd hand with a top quality frame.
I did (Cotic BFe)
Surely the geometry has a greater influence over the ride quality than the blingtanium quota.
Sovereign doesn't use particularly exotic steel, IIRC it's just 4130 cro mo. (it a 6lb frame if that sort of thing bothers you) it's pretty flexible though in terms of how you can set it up, so I think you're partly paying for that, and partly for it's perceived exclusivity. And you get loads of stickers...
Every Sov rider will rave about it though, so it must be doing something right, I suppose.
Befe, good all-rounder, would be my choice out of those three.
Summer season, as Brant says it's for the 'nadge' it's geometry is quite specific. For steep techy slow stuff, dunno how it is as a 'regular' bike