Mountain Biking - Budget Frames?

I have a 6 year old Gary Fisher X-Caliber that is giving out on me. I've upgraded parts on it over the years so I don't want to buy a new bike, but want to use many existing parts and build up a new bike from scratch.

I started looking at frames and the name brands like Likespeed, Airborne, Merlin etc. are incredibly expensive.

I found two frames though that are only $299 and seem to get good comments on mtbr.com They are the Spicer mountain bike frame (www.spicercycles.com) and the Weyless Ultra (www.supergo.com)

I was wondering if anyone here knew anything about either frame. They seem to be made from good materials, with decent geometry. So whattya think? Are these frames a great deal or a rip off?

Keep in mind that by going with one of these frames I'll be able to run all XTR and other lightweight parts with a Manitou Mars Elite fork.

Thanks for your thoughts...

Andrew

They both look like nice frames but I don't have any experience with either. You might check the warranty info for each frame. Also if you ever plan to go with disc brakes, it looks like the Weyless is set up for them, but I can't tell from the pic of the Spicer.

With frames, its not just materials and geometry that counts.
They need to well aligned and all the facing and threading done well. It is very easy to skimp on these, so find out before you buy.

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Frameset/product_21287.shtml

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Frameset/product_88528.shtml


MTBR is a good resource for reviews and the message boards or decent also. Keep in mind that some people are reviewing these frames with less than a months time with them. These frames are similiar to ones that come on production MTBs

Also try the reviews on www.bikemagic.com (as with MTBR you might need to wade through some rubbish though).

Richard

I've heard good things about the Weyless frames. No experience or knowledge with the Spicer.

Are you looking at the Titanium? If so, be wary! Titanium is expensive partly due to the amount of care needed to weld the tubes. It's painstaking to do correctly and thusly, costs more! I'd be concerned where the frames are made and who is making them.

L8R

Mountain bike did an article on just what your describing a fre issues ago and they used a Weyless frame that was a shameless copy of a Santa Cruz superlight. Seemed like a pretty good frame to me, and they had good things to say in the article.