i'm looking to build a steel hardtail, basically for aggressive xc (riding up, no drops over 3 feet, etc.). i've had my heart set on a chromag samurai (https://www.chromagbikes.com/samurai.html) but can't stomach the price (1129$ cdn). can anyone recomend a versatile steel hardtail frame that can take 5 inches up front (and please don't say "surly instigator" - i want to be able to ride this thing in public) and weighs in at around 5 lbs?

.243 Racing makes some strong frames. I'm not sure of the price range tho.

https://www.243racing.com/

and there's nothing wrong with a Surly Instigator

Azonic Steelhead.

The 243 frames, and the Surly instigator are made for freeriding, much larger drops than you specified, and would be overkill for your purposes. The steelhead would be perfectly fine for what you want it to do, and a little more.

Wow first person I have seen even mention the cromag. Hometown made, but unfortunately they can't keep the price down on it.

Nickle\Titanium alloy chromoly steel. Probably around $8 U.S.

Make a really fast xc bike .

Check out Endless bikes, built in Ashville N.C.

Since when can't I ride the surly in public?

Price is listed on the site. CND MSRP: $599.99 -3 frames styles.

You might want to check out the cove handjob.
https://www.covebike.com/handjob.htm
It doesnt say the max travel fork but it does say its shore proven. If that means what i think it means, might be worth a look.
Quote for website "North Shore XC Machine"

surly make some frames that take a nuke to destroy.

www.peytocycles.com

he'll do a custom 4130 burly frame for what you want, around $850CA. look at the "wild bill" model.

i've got one made with a mix of columbus and true temper tubes. 5# even for the frame weight.

pics here; scroll down to post #1229.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...&page=50&pp=25

thanks for the advice everyone. i made that crack about surly because i think its a shame they're just so damned ugly. i took a look at petyo cycles (the guy's a student at the same uni i go to) and it looks like a good bet. the 4-5 month waiting time sucks though - i'd like to have a bike built by the spring. doesn't look like there is much variety in the kind of frame i'm looking for, which makes me wonder if its a bad idea. . . well, we'll see - i'll post pics once its cobled together.

you'll have to sacrifice an inch of travel but Zion makes a great air hardened steel frame. it is called the 853 and you can get it with or without an EBB.

.....im speechless, who the hell names their bike model "handjob" i mean come on....whats next, the kona *******, specialized missionary, rocky mountain oral??? i am just totally surrised that a big name company would make a bike named that....thats some wierd **** if you ask me....id love to tell people i ride a handjob tho...

Yeah the surly is UGLY! and thats what makes it beautiful

I think the name "handjob" is very clever marketing. I think cove has a few other bikes with suspect naming. I mean, its just a joke but your right, it would be sweet to say, "hey I ride a handjob."

Stretch: Cove makes a bike called the stiffee also, that's my ideal bike

They also have a G-Spot, a Hooker, etc.

Haha, an awesome sig if I did get one of those frames would be "Psst.. Wanna ride my stiffee?"

Two Four bikes make the Porn King lol

Its a cove standard. They have been doing it since the beginning. If you ever walked into the shop and talked to the guys you would understand. It suits

its on the back of jenson catalog #5

and don't forget the name of their seat clamp: the cockring.

man, i want a g-spot now...i been lookin at their bikes...looks pretty sweet

Great thread, I am also looking for a steel frame. I was wondering if anyone knows where to purchase a Chromag frame in the US? I have email the official website for almost a week, and haven't heard anything from them...
Thanks

Chromag Bikes - Dealers

Jamis and Soma both have steel framed mtbs.

I have a steel Marin Muirwoods 29er - cost me $415 back in the day.

Its marketed as an urban bike but since it has a MTB-tough frame, it can handle fire roads as well pot-holed urban streets.

You can find them on Amazon and eBay. Had a rigid fork but I actually prefer it since I upgraded it to take wider tires, they provide all the suspension I really need and then some.

Its a good value.

Thanks for the great information! very helpful!!

Mark