Was not sure which subforum to put this in. Mods feel free to move if need be.

It's been a long while since I posted on the forum... looking for some advice on a new build.

I've had the good fortune to come across a few very nice semi vintage MTBs and gear. One fully built 2006 Salsa Ala Carte with a XT components, King Hubs, ti spokes, Mavic 217 sups, titec ti stem, ti post and lots of other goodies. The other is a late 90s Yeti AS3 with a XTR components more titec stuff. These have never really been ridden they are in near perfect condition.

The issue is that they are both too small for me. I was thinking about keeping all the components and wheels, selling the framesets and building up a all a rounder. These bikes were in my family so I don't want to get rid of everything. I may be able to make the Salsa work, it's a 17" and I'm 5'10". I wanna see what options are out there otherwise.

I'm babbling...

Looking for something that takes 26" wheels, steel, canti posts, racks mounts would be great. Would like to ride some light singletrack and blast some fire roads, maybe some bikepacking. I don't think I will run drops, I have my crosscheck for that. This bike would be more of a go everywhere bike, with a tendency towards dirt.

So far I have come up with:
Surly Troll
Maybe some sort of Rawland

that's about it...

Any advice would be much appreciated!

You could consider a Surly LHT frame set as well - there is a 26" wheel option. Not the most nimble of bikes offroad (b/c of the long chain stays), but reasonably priced and strong enough for fireroads.

I'd be looking for a vintage frameset or bike from around the same years, but in my size.

I think your instincts on building a Troll are good. I built one last year, with the same goals in mind. Wanted 26, gravel and fireroads, bike packing, some trailriding, some commuting, etc. I built and rebuilt my troll and I love it. I keep on finding little tweaks to completely change the ride and feel for different purposes. I now have like 3 bikes in one. Very very versatile bike.

I recently rebuilt a Diamond Back Sorrento from 1994 and everyone who has ridden it loves it. Maybe you can try to find one of them neon green ones from the early nineties.

I used a threadless suspension fork. I went with the locking option to be fancy. In order to keep it extra comfortable, I went with an entry level suspension seatpost. Instead of 21 gears, I used an 8 speed (11-33) cassette wheel and only one relatively large chainring in the front. Thin Ribmo tires by Panaracer and I had a little speed demon with mad braking power on the street. I started with just the frame and rebuilt it using nicer parts like a BBUN-55 bottom bracket, cassette type wheel, double walled wheels.

I've seen this same frame in different sizes so you could find one that works best for you.

Why New ? there are a Lot of Nice Pre Suspension fork MTB's to be had .

Steel is still Good.

And they can be had dirt cheap.

Cannondale MTB frames from the mid 1990's also might be suitable. Mine is close to 20 years old.