I currently have a 17.5" Stiffee which I love, but would really like a frame that can take a 31.6 Reverb (from one of my other bikes). I'm looking for something that doesn't feel like a drag on the climbs but is as much fun on the descents as the Stiffee.
Any suggestions on what might fit the bill?
I did think about a BFe but for some reason, I'm just not smitten by them. No particular reason and perhaps I shouldn't be a looking for a frame to set the pulse racing, but it just doesn't do it for me. Any other suggestions?
The Alpine is great, such a fun and responsive ride. I'm selling mine as I'm finally able to admit I'm just an XC rider!
Carbon 456?
C456 - cheap light and strong.
C456 - cheap light and strong.
Pick 2....
So which is it not, then?
Hmm, not bad, but any more suggestions?
Evil Sovereign will take your 31.6 Reverb and a great frame too
Sovereigns are not easy to come by! Silverfish have some, but £600 is more than I had in mind.
Glasgowdan - what seat tube is your frame?
alpines to date have been 27.2
think mike is upping that to take a dropper for MkIII
C456 great frame for the dosh
Sov doesn't really fit the bill, much heavier than a Stiffee.
[img] https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSIoFPq00YpHHHhHHdtt5QoYnUqJmR6rMxcEBkPkTauuVRger1W [/img]
How do you define fun? My Soul is a blast downhill and plenty fast enough uphill and the new one takes a larger diameter dropper post.
All current Dialled Bikes frames take 27.2mm. Some future frames (e.g. 29'er, Alpine) will take 30.9mm, not 31.6.
Do you want something with similar geometry to the Stiffee?
I borrowed one from a friend when my bikes were nicked, and then bought a Saracen Zen - which was remarkably similar but with a sensible height bottom bracket (stiffee was way too high I thought).
Shortish TT, relaxed handling, very playful, light, very well made - and takes a 31.6mm post.
Was going to singlespeed my frame, but drop me an email if you might be interested.
Chumba HX1?
Just waiting on spokes and it'll finaly be built up this/next week 🙂
How do you define fun?
Can't say I have a clear answer to that, but I guess on a bike it generally involves speed, being aerial, nimble and feeling compact but not small. I have a Domain to go upfront so the point about the weight of the Sovereign is something to bear in mind I guess.
I can see the logic in the C456, but why can't they have made the finish prettier?! Aesthetics by committee? I'm not a serial swapper so I'd really like something I'm happy to look at for years to come.
With a Domain to go up front and take a 31.6 post you could do a lot worse than a Ragley Troof (like mine).
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I really like it 8)
Some really good ideas here - I'm liking the Zen and the Chumba, but the Ragley has just gone into the lead.
@messiah - what height are you and what frame size have you got there?
I'm 5'11" with 33" Inside leg. That there Troof is a 17". I had a an 18" Mmmbop before it and wanted a frame to take a bigger fork and be a little smaller with much more standover height.
Picture with saddle at XC height when using spd's.
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Thanks - I'm 32" leg and 5'10" and a bit, so it it's looking like a 17" for me too.