Mountain Biking - Favorite hardtail frames for <$600

Hi there beloved community members,

Any thoughts on favorite hardtail frames for a fella on a budget?

With my Fisher Aquila permanently converted to commuter duty, I need to get a new frame. This frame will hopefully be the last frame. Originally I had my heart set on a Reynolds 853 unit, but I am starting to reconsider aluminum...

Two top contenders are: Santa Cruz Chameleon, Spicer mtb

Both get rave reviews.

Eventually (October...please God) i will put a 100mm travel fork on it, a 2x8 drivetrain with a chainguard, and some bizarre goodies on it so that i can resume explorations in Wissahickon and Jim Thorpe. I like riding uphill, I like catching modest air on downhills, I like practical equipment...what else...I run V-brakes...that's about it. Would you mind sharing some of your ollective wisdom and help me find some more candidates?

Peace,
BK

I think Jamis Dragon frames run about $700, they are Reynolds 853 in case you can afford a little more money. Jenson USA used to have a deal for them for only $450 but i think they ran out, might want to check with them just in case though. I'm sure you could find one somewhere for closer to $600 if you look around especially with the '03 bikes coming out soon. And with the complete bike selling for $2600 you can always lie to your friends and say you spent a fortune ;) The only problem is the bike is speced for a 80 mm fork so a 100 mm may play around with the geometry a bit. Sorry that i couldnt help much about the $600 dollar range but the Dragon may be something to look into.

Hmmm...I think the kona roast would be in that range. This is my favorite geometry on a bike and it is bombproof.

Check out Vulture Cycles in Bend Oregon.
http://www.vulturecycles.com/

A few people have gotten his frames over on the MTBR Single Speed Board (http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?folderDiscussionsByDateD@155.6vnSaz2mdGu^1@.ee7b974) and are raving about them. I believe they paid $500 and that was with custom geometry. A quick search on the board should turn up pictures and info. Vulture does geared bikes also.

Maelstrom, Toker, BikerX

Thanks for the response.

I actually spoke with the Vulture guy last year about his bikes. A true custom machine would be nice, but I think my meager $$$ might go farther with a production frame. But the eccentric BB is a very cool idea...

BK

Originally posted by Buddha Knuckle
A true custom machine would be nice, but I think my meager $$$ might go farther with a production frame.

Thing is, you can get the custom bike for the production frame price. $500 is what this guy (http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?13@135.Rn0GaEqvkBB^288885@.ef64bf5/9) paid for his Vulture. Will probably be my next frame. No affiliation w/ the guy, just seems like a great deal and a few people on the other board are very happy with theirs.

oooh.

That's different.

I'm on the case. Thanks RiderX.

BK

Are you looking for a hardtail huck machine or a XC ride?

If huckster, try Planet X, or Porn King or a good used bike.

If XC, then the sky's the limit. There are sooooo many frames out there that meet your criteria. If looking for a well made frame, lightweight, and good looking, look at Haro (www.harobikes.com). They sell their XC bike as a frame only for about 1/2 the price of other companies similar frames.

L8R

I think Klein has some excellent hardtail frames

Def. Klein has some awesome hardtail frame.
*dream hardtail frame* Klein Pulse II Frame w/ night storm paint job......*drools........

Hey all,

Thanks again for the thoughts. Klein frames are sooo nice. Haro was huge on the radar screen when I was a teenager drooling over BMX bikes, but I haven't really given their bent frame mtbs a serious look. I have wonderful things about them recently, however.

UNFORTUNATELY, the hunt is postponed. My significant other's dad has invited us to join him in the Cayman Islands (those are the tiny, tourist choked, and featureless islands nestled between mtb meccas Jamaica and Cuba) this Xmas. The catch is I have to pay my way out there (just shy of $1000). Brownie points with future dad-in-law don't come cheap, and in this case it will cost me a new mtb. Cry with me. It burns...burns...

BK