There are certainly a lot of choices – even for just UK steel frames. I ended up going for a Pace RC529. Partially because I always wanted one as a kid when they used to make the box-section framed RC100. It’s due early May. I have most of the parts or are on order, so very keen to get hold of the frame now .. I thought I could easly wait! 😀

Enjoy the Big Wig – it was top of my list, before the Pace took over 🙂

Posted 3 days ago

The Sonder Signal ST I put together for the kid went together nicely and all the angles look “right” to me…

Posted 3 days ago

I’d say look at an Orange P7 29er, but I’ve just checked and it’s July at the earliest.

Having said that, I do love mine, I’m just under 6″ with a similar long body, shorter legs issue and ride a large size frame. Mine was 2019 model so 130mm forks, this years has gone to 140mm

Posted 3 days ago

despite that have pulled the trigger on a Squatch.

I came <-this close-> to buying a Squatch. Please come back and let us know your impressions after yourlve ridden it.
It certainly looks the part, I imagine the paint looks amazing in the flesh and there are lots of really nice touches on the frame design.
My fear would be a squashed cockpit but you can always potentially size up as the seat tube is pretty short

Posted 2 days ago

The Sonder Signal ST I put together for the kid went together nicely

Very tidy! If I wasn’t so impatient I’d probably have bought one myself, the copper looks brilliant and it has to be pretty much the best value out there in an industry of inflated prices.

Posted 2 days ago

I’d say look at an Orange P7 29er

Fab looking thing. Yes, the wait is a bit long for me. Also feel a couple of its contenders have a few more fine details than the orange when comparing features, but I’d definitely still happily ride one

Posted 2 days ago

That Signal and P7 look ace. I too would probably have gone for a Signal ST if they had one in my size. Squatch should arrive this week, but it’s frame only so I need to move parts over. I very nearly went for a Big Al based on the Hardtail Party review, but the reach is on the short side in XL at 480mm and Ragley also recommend a 140mm fork and mine is 130mm. Neither are huge issues but it was enough to push me towards the Squatch.

@SlimJim78 I’m looking forward to reading your ride report when it arrives.

Mini-PSA – Plush Hill cycles have two Big Al frames in stock in XL, if anyone is looking for a frame.

Posted 2 days ago

Nice Moxie! It’d be about 100000% better if the seatstays weren’t above the seattube but it’s still ace, great colour

Posted 2 days ago

I’m holding out for the Stainless Steel Bird HT. I’m sure there is no advantage over cromoly other than not rusting but I like shiny things

Posted 2 days ago

Woah, that prices up favourably! Any further fall out with customers post ‘Sick’ debacle?..

I end up buying one of the sell off frames. As a whole process i’m pretty happy with it. That was 2 years ago now (how time flies) and geometry has caught up a fair bit with the mass market so there are other options about. Think I would be buying off the peg now if I wanted something 64 degrees head angle, custom if any more. I don’t think his involvement with sick has hurt his reputation, in fact I would say the complete opposite.

Posted 2 days ago