Mountain Biking - On-One Inbred "Not Sliding Dropout"

I currently have an 02 Rockhopper 19" and I'm starting to think it's a bit small (I bought it when I was 11, I'm almost 19 now... O.o). I'm pretty sure I want a steel hardtail, and ideally I can just toss all my parts from my Rockhopper onto that one (minus BB, headset, cables, and whatnot). I'll end up doing mainly XC, some long distance touring. A full suspension frame is pretty much out of the question because of money and longevity; I want a frame that will last me for the rest of my schooling (rest of undergrad, grad, probably even DMA) and hopefully longer.

Currently I'm looking at the On-One Inbred "Not Sliding Dropout" model. It's cheap, steel, and I've heard good things. If anyone has any experience with these frames, I'd greatly appreciate some input :)

Are there any other good XC steel frames under around 500 bucks that you guys recommend?

Thanks!

um, I ride an old steelhead. don't know if azonic still makes them, but swobo makes a very similar frame.

you can get a steelhead for like $140 onj pricepoint. But, if the OP thinks that the 19" specialized is small for him, then the steelhead is the wrong size. It'd also be the wrong type of frame, really, for XC and touring.

I don't own an inbred, but i was looking at them. the one you're talking about, with the vertical dropouts, makes a lot of sense if you intend to use all/most of the componenets from your existing bike. No weird dropouts, suspension for short travel or rigid fork, and clearance for everything. I don't recall if these have v-brake bosses or not, but i think they do take either rim or disc brakes. If your specialized is a disc model, then no worries anyway.

I don't see why that frame wouldn't suit your needs. Go to the "other" site (eMTpy-Bee-aRe) and see what others think...

-rob

This is along the same lines. And I'm fairly sure it doesnt have a 72 degree HA (I want to say I saw it else where listed at 68 or 9 with a 120mm fork).
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=22288

i was in your boat earlier this year and i bought the on-one (mine has sliding drop outs). the other frames i was looking at were voodoo bizango and wanga, soma groove, and salsa ala carte. i also was interested in the jamis dragon but i didn't want to order a frame off ebay (and i wanted to build it up my way). as for the how the inbred rides i have no complaints but i will not be able to do a good trail ride for another month or so (i have knee surgery in a week).

my bike because i can
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p125/kcullan/Bikes/1.jpg