knemo77

looking for a good frame to build up and bash with...need to be steel and very strong...thanks

Dannihilator

Evil.

bentrim

The Stumpjumper is an XC bike. Although the frame is overbuilt for an XC, it won't take a bashing for long.

Also, its parts are fairly light and not meant for hard use.

The Surly, being a cro mo frame will probably take a pounding for you. The Kona is sweet too.

bentrim

...also the Stumpjumper is aluminum.

Not sure for 2004 but they might still make the Hardrock in steel. Specialized has also introduced the P. Street in steel if you don't mind a dirtjumper style frame.

Since you mention you want to build the bike up from scratch, check out .243 Racing which is gaining a pretty big following. You can check their website at www.243racing.com

rasheed

if it weren't for the fact that i already have two bikes, i'd seriously consider getting one of these. .243 make some ultra sweet frames.

Maelstrom 

I vote 243 racing...the bikes KICK ass...been on one personally and met the builder...my next ht will be a 243 for sure

bentrim

I almost bought a .243.

It's the perfect example of the K.I.S.S. principle: no fancy paintjobs, no gimmicky designs,...

It's simple, it works, it's black, not the prettiest to look at but devastating. They should have called it The Glock!

TTT

I'm looking into building a bike as well. My main use of a bike is hunting. I climb all morning and come screaming down at night. I carry the bike quite a bit also so I realize this heavier .243 frame is probably not the best choice but I'm still intrigued. Is it crazy to use this frame for climbing & Xcountry???

rasheed

the .243 is designed more for north shore type riding and also urban riding... so i’m not sure how good it would be for climbing and xc riding.

about the weight, i was checking some other forum earlier and a guy posted a picture of his new .243 built up. if i remember correctly, he said it weighed about 31 lbs. that’s kind of heavy for an xc bike, but my gary fisher tassajara only weighs a pound less than that, and it’s a pretty good entry level xc bike. still though, since you say you carry the bike around a lot, i don’t know if you’d want to be lugging around a 30 lb bike all day while out hunting.

ParamountScapin 

Either Nashbar or Jensen (I don't recall which) has new Jamis Dragon frames (Reynolds 853) HT for $399, which is a great price. They also have the Jamis Komondo for $269, also a steel frame.

Jim311

1) Snipes Elemental. Strong as hell with a lifetime warrantee if you ever break it (Assuming you live to claim your warrantee) can take a 3 inch tire, works with dual crown forks up to 8 inches, they'll paint it any color you like, isn't heavy, and only costs like 330 bucks.

2) Evil Imperial. Unbreakable, accepts a 3 inch tire and any fork you want. Looks cool as hell but has some wierd geometry that might be odd for some. Awesome for urban/freeride stuff too.

3) .243 Cheap, strong, heavy.. just a nice frame.



You can probably tell that none of these choices should be used for XC..

bentrim

TTT,

By "cheap", I'm sure Jim311 means it in the context of cost: affordable, competitively priced, etc...

It is, by no means, cheaply made. It uses thick cromoly tubing so it is strong but heavy so I wouldn't bother considering it if you want a bike that you can sling over your shoulder.

If you're looking for a strong frame without the weight, you're better off with a Cove Stiffee FR (available through Jensons USA, or www.covebike.com) made of Easton RAD aluminum.

It is also a "North Shore bike" but is lighter, and has a much more neutral ride which is probably what you're looking for.

If you're looking for a cromoly steel frame which is a bit lighter than the .243, then the Cove Handjob is reputed to be incredible (although I've never ridden one personally).

Both of these frames are also competitively priced.

Jim311

Correct sir, the .243 is by no means a junky frame.. I wouldn't recommend something that sucked

Maelstrom 

I can't believe people think 31 pounds is heavy for a ht trailbike. It is more than light enough to 'sling' onto your shoulder. The biggest concern is actually geometry. It isn't suited to climbing but proper body positioning and some patience the .243 is fine. Don't let weights throw you off of a good bike. 31 pounds isn't THAT heavy. haha

Jeez I use a 44 pound trail bike and a 35 pound ht

Maelstrom 

Oh as for a recommendation I would go .243...best bang for your buck.

bentrim

True, but if you're counting bike calories, it's like an 8 lb frame, whereas a comparable aluminum frame is almost half that (around 4.5 to 5 lbs). Those few pounds do make a difference if this fellow is going to be riding the bike from dawn 'til dusk, or if he's not a very big guy (he didn't say), or since he's going to be carrying a lot of stuff with his bike: full panniers, maybe a rack, backpack, etc.

However, you're right. 31 pounds (or less with a lighter build) is not that far off from many full-suspension cross-country bikes. One rider/LBS shop guy said it's such a nice ride that you don't even notice the difference.

But I don't think the .243 Racing frame is meant for everybody. Personally, I would go with a Cove Stiffee FR (or similar frame), but - then again - I'm biased (note avatar).

Maelstrom 

Agreed. That bike is more suited to trail riding with the better geometry. The 2002 Kona Roast has the same geometry and suits pefectly as a decent all rounder

rasheed

bentrim beat me to the reply, heh. don’t get me wrong, i don’t think 31 lbs is heavy at all. i was just saying it’s heavy for an xc bike (not that the .243 was intended to be one) because that’s the general perception. most xc ht bikes weigh in the low to mid 20 lb range. my tassajara is 30 lbs and is considered to be heavy by a few people who’ve reviewed the bike... but for me it’s perfectly fine. i can still climb most hills i come across with it... and it’s not too much of a burden to sling over my shoulder to lug around if need be either – and i’m not that big of a guy, nor am i that strong.