Need of more info for Steel HTs

I thought I knew what I wanted until I came to this forum. My world of steel hardtail frames has opened up since then.

I’ve looking for something that’s not too heavy that takes a 100 mm fork and is good for relatively flat single track.

Was first looking at the piglet and on-one but they seem to have the really long top tubes of most ht frames.

I’ve read and searched on this forum but there are a couple frames that are interesting that don’t have too much information about that I would love for some more info.

First is the Sanderson Breath. The price is right and though a few have mentioned it the feedback has been only positive. (I have a budget of up to about £340)

The most appealing is the new Charge Skinny Duster but information is scarce but most people either love or hate the skinny tubing (I love it) and the geometry is more appealing with a slightly shorter top tube.

Geometry looks appealing on the Rock Lobster 853 along with the price and weight but I want a quality paint job and apparently their paint job is rubbish.

Pipedream Scion looks promising but I feel it’s a bit on the high side of what I would like to pay.

Kinesis Virsa seems to have positive reviews as a Single Speeder but mixed as a geared.

if the top-tube on an inbred is too long, get a smaller one.

and a 400mm seatpost, which will flex a bit, making life comfier.

they’re not light, but they’re not heavy…

Hmmm…about the inbred. Would it be better to have an 18″ with a shorter stem or a smaller frame? I’m 5’10” with an 33″ inseam so I think I’m on the line for either size. How is the finish on the on-one?

Inbreds are so cheap you can afford new paint as and when needed. Get one, ride it.

I have a decade virsa which i run as a 1×9 with 90mm forks up front. Ride alot around Afan etc aswell as alot of natural stuff and i love it. The only thing that seems to hold it back is the pilot!!!

33″ inseam?

18″ inbred.

try a few stems – see what you like.

I’ll keep my eyes on the Inbreds. Waiting for them to release their swap-out dropouts frames.

The power of suggestion is strong. The more paid the “better” performance right? 😛

Inbreds are long, if you’re looking down that route at 5’10” with a 33″ inseam (same height and leg measurement as me incidentally), go for a 16″ Inbred with a 400mm post, not an 18″ one. Probably a 75-80mm stem should be about right I’d say.

Or go for the 18″, but be prepared to run something very short like a 60mm stem on it.

Rock Lobster 853 is nice, I’ve seen a few in the flesh and very much liked them. Sanderson is a bit slack I found when I tried one out briefly, though this was a few years ago they may have adjusted the geometry. Kinesis Virsa is a nice frame, though quite expensive for what it is I must say, but it definitely rides very well.

There’s always the 2nd hand market too, which opens up a new world… Cotic Soul, Genesis Altitude 853 (highly recommended by me, have had one for the last 2 years, it’s ace!), Kona Explosif (if you can find one) etc…

The more paid the “better” performance right?

You’d like to think so wouldn’t you…

However, the number of people I know who have had expensive all singing all dancing bikes, and now ride something basic like and Inbred and prefer it, would point to the opposite!

Yeah if I was to get an inbred I was thinking of a 18″ with 60mm stem.

I’m not much for slack geometry.

After shipping I’d save about £70-80 with On-One compared to some of the aforementioned frames but if the price difference means a better frame then I don’t mind the price diff.

S/H ain’t an option. Wanna a new frame that will last 5-10 years.

S/H ain’t an option. Wanna a new frame that will last 5-10 years.

This is steel you’re talking about. As long as its not been crash damaged, buy a 2nd hand one and it will last you 25 years if you look after it and don’t let it rust!

This is steel you’re talking about. As long as its not been crash damaged, buy a 2nd hand one and it will last you 25 years if you look after it and don’t let it rust!

Sorry, that’s not what I meant. Steel ain’t that popular here in Sweden, so to find it second hand would be hard and to buy one from the UK with shipping, I’m in the price of new frames. I’ve looked.

Searching the forum, people mention that Inbred tend to be bit of a harsh ride. Coming from riding aluminium, I don’t want to buy a new frame just to be kicked in the ass by that frame also.

Searching the forum, people mention that Inbred tend to be bit of a harsh ride. Coming from riding aluminium, I don’t want to buy a new frame just to be kicked in the ass by that frame also.

Having ridden plenty of steel frames, I’d put the Inbred at the top in terms of comfort, to be honest. The Soul is as comfortable & bloody ace, & certainly has it over the Inbred in terms of weight; but its £300+ more expensive, so its kind of expected.
Comparing the Inbred to a Pace 303 its like a short travel suspension frame. Long skinny seatpost helps, which I think is why a lot of steel frames stick with 27.2mm dia. I’ve not tried a Sanderson, always wanted to, but sadly never have. Always read in eagerness any info on them, & a few folk have said the cheaper Cro-Mo Breath actually has it in comfort, over the 853 Life. Going back to steel really changed my perception of what I should be expecting out of a bike. Going back to the Sanderson, they have quite bowed seat stays, & dont have the wishbone joint like the Inbred & Cotic Soul; & I’ve always wondered if this gives them a more resilient ride.
I have a 29er Inbred now, & that rides lovely; but I appreciate its not everybodies cup of tea. But it is comfy. I’m decided to sell the FS now, as the Inbred does everything I want.
When I first built my 26er Inbred I honestly couldnt believe it was possible for a bike costing that little to ride so well.
Size wise, I’d say an 18″. With your inside leg you’ll still have plenty of post showing. I’m 5’9″ & was on a 16″. It was a bit small to be honest, seemed to have an enormous amount of post showing. I had a 90mm stem, & I reckon an 18″ with the same size stem would fit you perfectly.
As regards forks, in my opinion the Inbred is perfect at 120mm, but 100mm is just as good if a bit quicker in the steering.

Inbreds are great, they are long in the top tube as so many other steel frames for high speed stability.

Have ridden a few different steel frames and not much difference in any of them, if i was after one now i would look at the Genesis Altitude/Latitude/ io they look pretty nice and can pick a frame up second hand.

Rock Lobster would be on the list too if i was after 100mm travel, great frames.

save up a bit more and get a Sanderson Life.

How about a brand new old stock 2008 18″ Rocky Mountain Blizzard (Reynolds 853 handbuilt steel) £400

E-mail robin.stones@tesco.net for pic/details.

How ‘whippy’ do you like a frame to feel? If you want something that’ll flow with the trail, a nice springy 100mm forked singletracker, the Rock Lobster or the Charge may be ideal. If you’re a bigger or stronger rider who likes to pushh the bike when it gets techier, a slightly larger main-tubed frame may be better.

I’ve a Sanderson Life (the 853 version). Great frame, but very flexy, took some getting used to as my other frame was a 456 which was very stiff (for a steel frame).

It is long, but I still run a 110mm stem on mine, so not so long that you can’t customise the fit.

Pipedream Sirius.

How ‘whippy’ do you like a frame to feel? If you want something that’ll flow with the trail, a nice springy 100mm forked singletracker, the Rock Lobster or the Charge may be ideal. If you’re a bigger or stronger rider who likes to pushh the bike when it gets techier, a slightly larger main-tubed frame may be better

I’m average size but I consider myself a bit of a power biker that likes to rip through the technical.

I just checked my current bike and it has a 60cm top tube with 100mm stem which I don’t find too stretched out though.

Inbreds are OK and very very cheap. I don’t like them much myself but they do the job.

my Rock Lobster 853 is coming up to 5 yrs old and the paint is still pretty good. Used every wed night in the mud all through the yr too

I had an early Rock Lobster 853, managed to to rub the paint off on a bit of the head tube through cable rub, the rest was fine though. Far better than the standard of paint on Inbreds from what I’ve seen.

The Rock Lobster to me felt quite stiff for a steel frame, like a half way house between steel and aluminium.

I’ve built up a Decade Virsa today, looking forward to putting it through it’s paces tomorrow.

I’ve built up a Decade Virsa today, looking forward to putting it through it’s paces tomorrow.

Decade Virsa though a bit more expensive, I like the swapouts.

Tell me how it feels. The finish seems nice. What color you get?

I’m waiting on On-one to release of their swapout Inbred before I decide what frame I’m gonna get.

Thanks for all the advice. I just order an Inbred. Mostly good reviews for the best price.

I ordered a new headset and installation, is the rest of the bike like the BB already faced? Or is that something I have to request?

I have a PA that I really don’t need and am in Sweden, Lund. Do you want to buy it?

I’ve got a PA and an original Inbred and love them both but in different ways. The Inbred feels springy and has a bit of give (i’m 100kgs) while my 853 prince albert feels much more solid and bullet proof. The good thin about the inbred is you can buy one and if you don’t like it you can ebay it for not much loss. Enjoy

I have a mark 1 pipedream sirius and it is very nice. I currently have mine built for more road type work, but am hatching plans to get fat tyres back on it as soon as possible.

go for a touch of class…. rocky mountain blizzard 🙂

Dave

Thanks for all the advice. I just order an Inbred. Mostly good reviews for the best price.

I ordered a new headset and installation, is the rest of the bike like the BB already faced? Or is that something I have to request?

They don’t come pre-faced from On One I don’t think, or at least my 29er Inbred didn’t…

I really get on with my singular swift, just to throwa spanner in the works.
It rides loveley and versatile when you want to change it about e.g. Ss or gears, rigid or sus forks

I have a green Virsa. I love the way it looks but the paint job seems a bit, er, fragile. Few chips already after only a few rides. Who cares, though, eh? It rides great!

Decade Virsa though a bit more expensive, I like the swapouts.

Tell me how it feels. The finish seems nice. What color you get?

I’m waiting on On-one to release of their swapout Inbred before I decide what frame I’m gonna get.

A little late, as I see you’ve gone for the Inbred, but I’ll answer anyway. The Virsa feels very nice, it’s very much what I was looking for. It has more give at the back end than the Rock Lobster. The loss of power from the additional flex is noticeable (plus it’s a little heavier than the Giant XTC I’ve been riding), but I was expecting that. On the downs, it’s made me perhaps a little too enthusiastic. That and the more upright riding position, compared to the Giant, have meant the front end getting a little wayward (it spat me off like a bitch this afternoon :D). What really impresses me is on the flat, it just bowls along. Wind up a bit of speed and it just flows and maintains momentum really well.

As soon as I can get the front end a little more planted, I’ll be a very happy camper. I got the Black (£308 from Wiggle with platinum discount, they didn’t have Green). The finish is nice and shiny at the mo’ and no chips so far. Not so sure about some of the Castle Greyskull decals though.

sanderson Breath +1

very good, well finished frame.

mine has taken plenty of abuse from 4′ drops to silly crashes…

Sanderson Breath +1 also.