So, I'm looking for a new frame but looking at the options the list seems long and distinguished. It needs pruning.
I currently ride a Rock Lobster with a Fox F100. I like that it's light, it's quick in the tight and twisty stuff and it's comfortable all day. I probably like that its 853 but couldn't say for sure. I don't like that I have a Pike air u-turn in the shed gathering dust while I ride with a fork that I don't think cuts the mustard. I do think I'm riding to the limits of the frame and fork.
So time for a new one.
There are some great sounding options out there. I'd really like to try one or two but the rub is that I'm a short-arse. 5'6" in my thicker socks. So I'm wondering if there are any kind-hearted local (I'm Exeter based) souls of diminutive stature who might let me have a ride on their similar bikes.
The short list looks like:
Cotic Soul & BFe
Chameleon
Alpine and Prince A
Genesis Alpitude
Pace 305
Whyte 19
Sanderson? Chromag?
And some burlier ones: NS Surge, Stanton, Transition?
And no doubt more...
I'll build it singlespeed and I'd ideally avoid tensioners so adjustable dropouts and the like are "nice to haves". A seat tube that can take a Reverb is too.
Thoughts much appreciated!
Luke
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Back when I was riding 26 I enjoyed my http://www.dialledbikes.com/products/mtb/love-hate.php
Dave - does that come in a 16" or just the 1.6"? Sizing hair-splitting aside, that little metal flap over his front wheel looks like the perfect remedy to your mudguard woes.
Cove handjob?? CRC had some cracking deals on the frames.
Pace 325.5 is the latest and gets great reviews as does the ragley piglet.
i looked at the surge, the stanton ( slackline i guess? ) and the transition. seemed heavy, not bringing much new ( 'i couldn't find the frame i wanted, so i had one built', err, yeah, just like a load of other ones... ), and expensive respectively. IIRC, but we're talking a while back now so i may be mixed up a bit/info may be out of date.
i'd suggest canning anything with seat tube bottle bosses as one way of thinning the pack.
Doug has samurai cromags but they're both 18".
sanderson and bfe just seems a bit 'more of the same' to me. may as well buy a 456.
you can demo the SC locally ( bikeshed ), but be careful - keith will have you sold in no time.
I know you're only interested in trying something out at the moment but I've got a genesis alpitude I wanna swap or sell as its an overkill for me just thought i'd throw it out there.. 16.5" smallest they make.
or just the 1.6"?
this is the 1.6"
I know someone who might have your lobster when/if you sell, also Exeter based (ish)
Ragley Blue Pig or Piglet?
This is a bit scarey:
1) I'm 5ft 6 in my thickest socks also (5ft 5 3/4)
2) I'm A devonian dwarf in exeter.
3) We share the same first name.
4) I have difficulty finding small bikes.
The best hardtail I have found is the Cotic BFe xs (tried 456, inbred, Orange P7, and some alu framed bikes that you would not be interested in, they were all too long in the reach dept)
You are welcome to have a go on my BFe. My email is forum name at hotmail with a com on the end.
I think the Cotic Soul is exactly the same geom as the BFe so if you wanted something lighter less burly then that would do it.
Now try and find a decent full suss that fits you..
Thanks for the advice all.
Myles - I'm hoping to give one of those a try but I might have another source for one if it looks like the right option. If I like it and that doesn't come off I'll certainly give you a shout. It does strike me as odd they've discontinued their steel 26" frames given the ones I've seen about and how well liked they seem to be.
Toys - thanks! I've dropped you a mail.
Now try and find a decent full suss that fits you..
On the Cotic theme, I ride a Hemlock. Curiously I get on well with a medium. Perhaps because I use it for different stuff, perhaps I'm just used to also riding bikes which are technically a bit big for me. Either way I love it. So I'm v keen to have a go on your BFe.
Also keen to have a go on anything else out there if others have suggestions, particularly frames with adjustable dropouts and the like, which could be the only drawback I the Soul for my purposes.
No Devonian dwarfs but I know of a brummie chimp if it's on any use?
crc have a small handjob in their clearance or recycled section because it has some scratches at the back end apparently, from memory (at lunchtime, bit of a goldfish me!) it's £225 which is a bargain.
does have vertical dropouts but perhaps a half link or the magic ratio whatever that may be will allow you to avoid tensioners.
just a thought
Alright Luke, very long time no see.
Gravity Bike are holding a Transition demo day up at Haldon this Saturday 9th. There's a little about it on the Exeter Trail Riders page on Facebook. Could be worth a look
gets great reviews as does the ragley piglet.
Worst bike I've ever owned, although a lot of that was due to the geometry not working in a 20". I would imagine it translates quite well to 16". However, I found a couple of holes in the welds and the paint was appalling. Seattube wasn't the smoothest inside either.
BFe's are nice enough and well priced but they're kind of boring and uninspiring to ride. But they do look nice and come in some good colours, so there's that.
You're welcome to a spin on my Cotic Simple or my Soul, both 16inch/small and in Exeter, currently both set up SS too, one rigid one with boingers...
drop me a mail if you like 🙂
bah BFe haters, what exactly is wrong with it? I find it twangy and it begs you to thrash it. What more could you want from a hardtail?
Luke have sent you an email.
Should also mention friend who I ride with a lot has a Small p7 so could probably blag you a go on that too
BFe's are nice enough and well priced but they're kind of boring and uninspiring to ride.
One man's boring is another man's balanced whilst one man's inspiring is another man's nervous?
Amedias - have sent you an email. Would love a spin on your soul/simple. Had half an eye out for a 2nd hand 16" Simpe for a few years but to no avail.
Gets great reviews as does the Ragley Piglet.Worst bike I've ever owned
Is that the Piglet or the Pace?
Transition demo day up at Haldon
Drat - cant make that. However I think if I haven't snapped the Lobster that probably means I should keep to the lighter end of the scale...
Is that the Piglet or the Pace?
Piglet.