Mountain Biking - frame suggestions? (ht)

hey guys I am in search of a new frame (as some of you know about my experience with that welded m2 frame a few months ago - i tossed it instead of building it).

i am looking for a 7000 series alum frame, s-bend seat/chainstays, light ~3lbs no more than 4lbs. i know about the jenson usa, nashbar, and supergo/access frames. in fact i am leaning towards a 03 access xcl frame (anyone have any reviews on the frame? pros/cons?), but before i commit I would like to hear what are your opinions.

I am looking to spend no more than ~ $200 for a decent quality frameset, custom steel (ritchey, bontrager) is out of the question, and i would like a somewhat normal/traditional XC geometry. what i'd really like is a frame of similar quality/craftsmanship as the 1991 specialized m2 frame (the welded one from before, and man that frame is light now that i stripped it of parts!!). thanks in advance

i cant give you much advice if you're asking sub $200 frame but i can tell you that i've seen snapped weyless/access frames and that they tend to be heavier than advertised\

look'em up at www.mtbr.com

The best sub-$200 frame I can think of would be a GT Zaskar. Well it is actually just about $200.
You might wand to check out Azonic DS-1. Granted it will not have the perfect geometry for xc and it does not have mounts for disc brakes but you can pick up a frame for around $150.
Your best bet would be to look at some thing used. Check out Ebay. Also check out PinkBike.com. Their link is below :

PinkBike (http://www.pinkbike.com/)

Under $200 is going to limit what frames you can choose from if you are intent on buying new. For that price used would be the best way to go.

Slainte:beer:

I have a frame for sale, a specialized P3. I was going to include a headset, seatpost, mrp chainguide, cranks, bb, and chainrings for $250. The frame is light but I dont know the exact weight. Size Medium.

Look around.I picked up a '01 spec m4 pro stumpjumper frame new,never built for less than $200 recently on ebay.

alright thanks guys. yeah in fact i would really love to have a specialized m frame. hope to find one soon

I'm going to have a brand new medium 2003 spec stumpy m4 pro for sale. It will be more than $200 but not much. Email if interested tonydeore@hotmail.com

Here's a pretty good deal:Jamis Frame (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=18830)

Not a bad deal for a 7005 aluminum frame!

L8R

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
Here's a pretty good deal:Jamis Frame (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=18830)

Not a bad deal for a 7005 aluminum frame!

L8R

i saw that before. looks like an okay frame but i don't like the shapes of the tubes and that frame is disc only. thanks though

also i am not a big fan of the new specialized frames, but would prefer maybe a late 90's stumpy or m frame. i was also looking at schwinn moab ($150 new) and wheeler titanium ($225 new) but both are size 21" and while i can fit that size frame it doesn't allow me much versatility (i'm 5'11). got a friend who might be able to get me a used cannondale cadd3 for $100, but i never knew too much about cannondale so i don't know if i should get it. also found a scott summit frame for $100 but i have never heard of that particular bike and i couldn't find specs on scott's website. and the access xcl (the better of the two that were on supergo's site) still looks quite tempting.

i don't know if i should just jump on those frames i mentioned or wait around a while longer for an older specialized stumpy m.:( see originally i planned to spend only around $100 for a decent frame (i don't need the equivalent of a $1000 hardtail bike) so i can build up, but as always the "if i pay a little more i can get something so much better" philosophy is biting hard. heck, i would be happy to pick up an older rockhopper a1 fs comp frame from ~96, but then again, if i am going to spend let's say $100 for that frame then i might as well get a nicer frame for not that much more

I just built a Jamis Komodo frame I picked up on eBay about a month ago. I speced it with one level higher on the drivetrain than Jamis delivers it and wound up spending $1,100 total. I have only ridden it once, but am lovin it so far.

i think i have gotten it down to two frames:

93 specialized m2 fs for $50 or with headset and indy fork $75

02 schwinn moab 1 brand new $150

the m2 is size 18 (what i currently ride, but a TAD TAD bit on the small side) and it has been used for a few years, the schwinn on the other hand is size 21 (but schwinn geometry is different and so it's more like a 19.5 on regular bikes) and might fit better but it is brand new. i would like the new bike but it is a $100 difference (meaning i can pick up a used SID fork for the difference) and also i really liked the specialized m bike.

any special tips/points to help me make the decision? i am not in a rush so i still got a few weeks to weigh it out. thanks

Originally posted by Kustomz
I just built a Jamis Komodo frame I picked up on eBay about a month ago. I speced it with one level higher on the drivetrain than Jamis delivers it and wound up spending $1,100 total. I have only ridden it once, but am lovin it so far.

that looks like a great bike, how does that frame feel when you ride? in terms of responsiveness, stiffness, etc

Originally posted by tFUnK


that looks like a great bike, how does that frame feel when you ride? in terms of responsiveness, stiffness, etc

It is actually pretty plush. I figured that aluminum would transmit every little jolt in the trail, but it just floats over most anything I could throw at it on my one and only ride. With that in mind, it still puts the power down equally well and seems to be very efficient. The magazines have always seemed to like the geometry of this bike in past reviews and so far there are no complaints from me either.