View Poll Results: help me pick a hardtail basher
Kona----scab
6
33.33%
Surly----instigator
4
22.22%
specialized----stumpjumper
2
11.11%
other----please specify
6
33.33%
Voters: 18. You may not vote on this poll
new hardtail...please help.
#1
Alpe D'Instigator
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new hardtail...please help.
looking for a good frame to build up and bash with...need to be steel and very strong...thanks
#2
Still kicking.
Evil.
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Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#3
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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.
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.
Last edited by bentrim; 12-02-03 at 01:08 AM.
#4
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...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
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
#5
mmm babaghanouj.
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Originally Posted by bentrim
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
#6
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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
#7
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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!
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!
Last edited by bentrim; 12-02-03 at 04:42 PM.
#8
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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???
#9
mmm babaghanouj.
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Originally Posted by 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???
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.
#10
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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.
#11
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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..
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..
#12
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Originally Posted by Jim311
1)
3) .243 Cheap, strong, heavy...just a nice frame.
3) .243 Cheap, strong, heavy...just a nice frame.
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.
#14
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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
Jeez I use a 44 pound trail bike and a 35 pound ht
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Oh as for a recommendation I would go .243...best bang for your buck.
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Originally Posted by 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
Jeez I use a 44 pound trail bike and a 35 pound ht
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).
#17
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Originally Posted by bentrim
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).
#18
mmm babaghanouj.
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Originally Posted by 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
Jeez I use a 44 pound trail bike and a 35 pound ht