Mountain Biking - Steel hardtail w/ v-brakes

Does anyone know if there any manufacturers out there that offer steel hardtails spec'd with v-brakes? Everything I've seen is disc and usually start around $1200. Ideally what I'm trying to find is a mid-level steel hardtail w/ v-brakes in the $6-800 msrp or so range. Complete bike. I know there's a number of steel frames w/ brake studs to be had.

Why v-brakes, you ask increduously? I'm in so cal and discs aren't really necessary and for the price I'm looking for I would prefer to deal with v brakes than budget disc brakes.

oops, frame only http://www.nycbikes.com/item.php?item_id=407

That's freakishly cheap. Too cheap almost.

mine is on my way

ill let you know how cheap is cheap

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22089

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22177

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22110

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22089

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22177

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22110

I'm looking for steel hardtails.

for the OP - I think it is tough to get any 'mid level' hardtail for that money, no matter the material. But especially difficult with steel.

Well I guess what I'd like to find is sort of the steel equivalent of something like the rockhopper. Decent frame, OK components... I was hoping there might be somethign out there I wasn't aware of. Steel has become sort of an exotic material though.

Steel has become sort of an exotic material though.

It is definately thought of as a 'boutique' now. You best bet would be to find a cheap 4130 frame and do a build up.

Something like a SOMA groove or nashbar has a couple of offerings.

http://www.rei.com/REI-Outlet/product/748740

It's a disc though.

It is definately thought of as a 'boutique' now. You best bet would be to find a cheap 4130 frame and do a build up.

Something like a SOMA groove or nashbar has a couple of offerings.

Sort of like v-brakes. When you start looking for bikes that come with v-brakes you start to drastically reduce the herd. I bought by first disc brake bike this Spring and I am very slow to warm up to them. I much prefer my v-brakes on my other bikes, but maybe that will change some day?

I think you would probably have to build to get the bike you are looking for.

Most likely. But I know building a bike- this is for my wife, actually- is going to cost more than $800. I wish more mtbs in general had v's. For me discs don't justify their markup to the msrp. I'd rather have the 100 extra dollars in msrp the discs represent go to a better fork or wheels, you know?

I know you don't want/need/like discs but since you mentioned the bike is for your wife (it's a small frame)

check this out (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI307B03-Jamis+Dakota+Xc+Bike+05.aspx)at jensonUSA.

No comprimise there at all with the parts. XT shifters, Fox Fork, avid BB7's . Nice spec for 800

Yeah I saw that, great bike. She's not nearly that tiny though.

Most likely. But I know building a bike- this is for my wife, actually- is going to cost more than $800. I wish more mtbs in general had v's. For me discs don't justify their markup to the msrp. I'd rather have the 100 extra dollars in msrp the discs represent go to a better fork or wheels, you know?

I agree totally with you. But still, the manufacturers cater to the market. Most prefer disc brakes, even though we don't. It's similar to the suspension fork, not everybody needs or benefits from one either, but good luck finding a new mountain bike without one.

1. Find a steel MTB with good components and disc brakes (not too hard to do) even if its a little more than you wanted to spend. Make sure it has mounts for v-brakes and rims that are compatible with both v and disc.
2. Strip the disc related parts off the bike and sell on eBay as "unused"
3. Use the money from the sale to compensate for spending more than you wanted to on the bike and buy an "unused" set of v-brakes that someone stripped off a new bike.
4. Send me a PM thanking me for finally getting exactly what you want.

Redline monocog, but it's single speed, and it's fully rigid. The same is true of the Kona Unit.

Trek's 820s are steel, but they are kind of beyond entry level... and probably heavy as a tank.

I think it's interesting that Kona makes the Hei hei supreme with v brakes. counter intuitive for a 6000 dollar bike, no? Perhaps it's a weight thing.

I ebayed a fileted brazed 853 Renyolds Zanotti frame for $200. Found a NOS set of mavic 217 ceramic rims for $80, then ebayed the rest of a mixed NOS M900/M950 XTR group. Added in a cane creek S6 headset ($35), Ritchey/michelin tires ($30) and a set of titanium bars ($25). Spent $250 at LBS for professional build on wheels and odds and ends (cables/housing/stem/chain/face HS and BB...) to complete things. Wheels are serviced (trued) free of charge by LBS after break-in.

< $1000 and I have steel hardtail with NOS XTR components, weighs less than my Columbus steel bianchi superleggera road bike that has all campy SR components.

Whoops, MTB has XT FD and pedals (cage).........

If I did the above build with cheaper wheels and LX/XT level components cost would have been much less, weight a bit more (i.e I found complete NOS LX wheelset for $80, went to my winter beater).

Note that I already have the tools needed to install all components, this would set you back a bit more but a good investment. It also took ca. 1 year on ebay to purchase things at reasonable prices.