Mountain Biking - Hardtail opinions

I know this has probably been hased and rehased here, but what is a good hardtail. I am looking to selll my Pro~Flex and go back to hardtail. I am not building a SS, but here are things I want:

1. Disk brake mounts
2. Replacable derailer hanger
3. Aluminum frame

I was kinda hoping to built myself, so a pre-built is not necessary. Looking to do mostly XC, so super-strength for FR is not an asset. Just a light frame at a good price. Thank you indvance for you help and suggestions.

I have a GT Avalanche 1.0 size Med. or 16" center to center with a WTB momentum comp ST headset pressed in, without the rear canti studs. Yours for $225 plus shipping. Brand new never built up except for the headset of course.

try to find a gary fisher, frame, and a rock shox psylo xc, fork, and all of this should fit your criteria. heres what ive got, it has everything youd want:

god i hate my computer~!!!

light and affordable....hmmmm

if you want light id go with a airborne.verynice Ti bike but they are up there in cost

affordable id get one of the many treks, specialized or khs

khs makes a really nice racing hardtail and not too expensive
frame or the hole bike availible frame-499 bike-2499 frame weighs 3.2 lbs

http://www.khsbicycles.com/Alite40.JPG

Before I offer an opinion what type of riding are you doing. Any downhill, flat cross country, vertical xc, trials, combinations thereof, freeriding, north shore freeriding??

There are so many frames to choose from. Almost every manufacturer will sell you a frame only from their lineup. Also, closeout deals on frames abound, just pick up any mt. bike publication and cruise through the adverts. You can usually find anything from a XC racer to a HUCK machine and everything in between. Heck, I think it was Nashbar or Performance was selling an aluminum frame for around $170. If you want steel, they had one for around $80.

Plus, the used market is incredible right now! You could get a great frame AND fork for the cost of a new frame!

L8R

Well, my timeframe has just expanded sice I took a digger this weekend and broke my collerbone.

I have seen a bunch of KHS frames for sale, but I wasn't sure how good they were. I heard the name, but never had experience with them. I know lightweight and affordable are contridictions, I meant as light as possible for around $250.

I am 6'1" and will be doing mostly XC, with some jumps along the way, but nothing considered "extreme" I didn't know there were different types of XC. I would say mostly flat, with some hills.

On a side note, when do most LBS have end of season sales? Now, August, September? I jut thought if I could get a deal on a whole bike, that would almost be better.

Thanks...

Deals are starting right about now. The new models should start showing up and the old ones must go! You will get a much better deal on a complete bike over a custom build, but.....you may not get the satisfaction of having everything you want.

I doubt you'll find a deal on the showroom for a frame only, unless your LBS carries a wide assortment. Usually a frame is a special order thingy! However, you could ask if there are any closeout deals available. I know we get special prices on current year and last years stock starting right about now! If you're not in a hurry, ask your shop manager/owner to talk to the rep about finding a deal on a frame. They may have a few available.

Good Luck
L8R

I am on my second TREK frame, since the first got cracked and made a creaking noise after a few rough years. I'm 6-2 240 lbs and ride hard but not extreme. Riding over basketball sized rocks on steep downhills is part of the regular trail though.

The new frame is WAY better than the 99 model was. It has the three criteria you listed, plus the tube that goes from the bottom bracket to the headset tube transitions from an oval at the bottom for strength to a vertical oval at the top for strength. Very thin walled aluminum alloy.

Also. My last TREK hardtail frame was a 21 incher. I got my new one in 19.5 and find it a little faster down the steep narrow turns.

So far all the shopkeepers here are recommending Giant XTC se frames. They are light( 1.5kg) and cheap( US$200++ here).

However I don't know if this frame has the hanger you want.

The Giant is a nice frame and I believe comes with the replaceable derailleur hanger. But there are sooooooooo many other great frames available I wouldn't limit your selection to just one manufacturer.

BTW, it's Nashbar, www.nashbar.com that has aluminum frames for only $149.00. Also check out www.jensonusa.com for good closeout deals.

L8R

Supergo has a pretty slick frame for $129. Light and inexpensive.

get an orange frame they are the coolest hard tail ive ever seen and road they are so nice