[Closed] Just killed my Explosif - help me find a replacement steel hardtail!

The new Explosif looks v.nice.

It does but it's 650b - I'll need to use my existing 26" wheels. Plus what's with the cable routing under the top tube? That's gonna hurt when shouldering the bike!

Cove Handjob XC is a very nice fast steel frame.
I love my Decade Virsa as it has quite "tight" geometry but it isn't the lightest.

No more new Rock Lobster 853's, sadly.
Merlin have stopped doing them.

Owch. 😯 You were lucky that wasn't a child's face.

leggyblonde - That Decade Virsa looks interesting - having the option of going single speed is nice, and one reason for buying the Explosif.

Rusty - I know, but not averse to picking up a lovingly used one!

Stanton Slackline? On One 456 Evo?

I can confirm that the new 650b Explosif is an incredible bike. Just completed 1000km offroad in the last 2 months. I have to carry it over at least 10 stiles/gates every ride and I've never noticed the cable routing. 26'' will fit fine. Especially with the sliding dropouts. Get one!

GNARLY DUDE!!!!

It does but it's 650b - I'll need to use my existing 26" wheels.

I can't see why slapping normal (26") wheels in would be a problem. Or am I missing something?

I love my Virsa and use it with 120mm forks. I bought it to replace my old Kona Muni Mula (1998 model) which was stolen.

I heart my skinny Duster, closest thing to my early 90s Kona I've found - though I suspect my Kona is a bit twangier than yours. Also porbably happiest at 100mm if it's an issue.

I had a Decade Virsa before and was very happy with it (especally ss)but it was a size too big (classifieds bargain I tried hard to make work) so I moved it on for the Charge.

Dont those new explosifs weigh something like 6lbs for the frame?

Go with a second hand 'classic' Soul you wont regret it. The Altitude and Breath seem pretty good too. Also check out Pipedream Scion or Sirius

Snap:

[url= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4064/4510226363_8bea2b37b3_o.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4064/4510226363_8bea2b37b3_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonjohntaylor/4510226363/ ]Second death of my Unit[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/simonjohntaylor/ ]Simon J Taylor[/url], on Flickr

I went from my Unit to an Inbred, which felt like a tank in comparison although I love it now. Now on the lookout for a beaten-up Soul or Simple in need of a loving refurb.

Haha, in that case I blame the King headset! What was the first death?

Seriously though, I always thought that if the frame was going to break anywhere it would be there - it looks under-built.

First death was corrosion in the downtube which was uncovered after stripping back to metal (prior to the brown paintjob). I had a gusset plate added to cover the corroded bit which was up near the headtube, which may have been partly responsible for the extra stress in that area which caused the second and final death... To be honest, the HT was quite corroded inside. Bike was 3rd hand to me 😉

Also look at the Pipedream Scion or Sirius - they're lovely frames, lightish, toughish, twangyish but not too extreme in any direction - a proper trail hardtail.

I have a Soul for sale if you are interested. Medium, orange colour and have Magura Thors to suit also.

I went from a 2005 explosif to a Life, and prefer it. Great with 120mm fork.

mt - it's something I'll need to save for (I'm building up a track bike at the moment) but that sounds perfect! Out of interest, how much for the frame and/or fork?

Pace RC104, option of running gears or single speed, 26" wheel, and I believe they have them on special offer at the minute.

£250 minimum for the frame. Not to sure on the forks, given to the new price of the things I say £350 to £400.

Frame is a Mk2. 1 1/8 headtube. 27.2 seat tube. Its well used but well loved. Unfortunately I'm in the N-1 situation at the moment.

I echo the suggestions for Pipedream as I own one and that's the law.

Their Skookum I believe is a 29er but can also do 650b. Really good value. Had my Sirius for 4/5 years now. Very happy with it.

*cough* large RL 853 frame for sale - see my posting history (sorry) 😳

mt - cheers, not something I could buy straight away.
addy - good try 😉 I'd be after a 16" or equivalent.

Pace RC104, option of running gears or single speed, 26" wheel, and I believe they have them on special offer at the minute.

Damn, you made me look at the RC104 and then the RC129...E Type vs Austin Allegro 🙁

leelovesbikestoo - Member

I'm not rushing to sell so get in touch later I may still have it.

mt - will do!

Dialled Albert Classic 853? Love mine 😀

Cotic Solaris.

if you get something with a tapered headtube, I'm shorlty selling some 120mm Velvets with tapered steerer 🙂

Surly Troll?

Loving my new Cove Handjob build with 120mm - got the (bright yellow!) frame from CRC for £220 a few months ago, dunno if they have any at that price now.

Cheers guys, lots of good recommendations. Interestingly though, not really much new on the market in the last few years!

If I weren't riding what I'm riding, this is what I'd be riding. Comes in all three flavours too.

[URL= http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz145/mangatank/97373349dcc21a13fb52d1cc9f10db1f.jp g" target="_blank">http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz145/mangatank/97373349dcc21a13fb52d1cc9f10db1f.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

I've seen that Ritchey before - It truly is a thing of beauty. A nice [massive] nod to the early ones.

We ex-Explosif owners know class when we see it 😉

Haha <knowing wink>

EDIT - what the hell happened to 26", Genesis?!?

Dialled had some Albert Classics 853's for £200, might be all sold now

Cotic BFe will ride fine with 120 but will take more travel, I have 150/120 Sektors and the bike rides well in either setting. Cheaper than Soul (not sure why really), bit stronger but not heavy IMO and not "overly stiff" is my finding.

If your near Gloucestershire, I'd weld that frame for you. Wouldn't be pretty, but I can't see why it wouldn't work fine.

Thanks for the offer, but I was thinking about a newer frame anyway. Just a bit sooner than I was planning.

I thought I'd recommend a P7 as I bloody love mine, but that Ritchy looks retro-tastic! And so do the new Explosif's

So that's absolutely no help at all, is it? 😀

P7's high on the list. What year is yours?

I'd love another Explosif in the future, but I think I'll go for something a bit butcher this time as a 'do everything' bike. It felt a little feeble in the Cairngorms over the weekend, and I want to do more big mountain riding.