dhalbrook

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to find a loaded touring frameset with ISO disc tabs on it.

So far I've only seen two - the Rocky Mountain Sherpa, and the Kona Sutra - but it seems neither is currently sold as a frameset only. The Cotic Roadrat looks very intriguing, but the geometry just isn't right for touring (would make a nifty commuter though).

At this point I'm left thinking either I wait for something on Ebay or I buy a new Sherpa or Sutra and part it out, but the latter will be an expensive proposition and the former could take a long long time. A custom frame would work, but that is an even more expensive proposition, and either of the two frames listed above would work well for my application (the Sherpa being preferred).

My goal is to use my SON disc wheel in the front and build up a Rohloff OEM2 rear. As for the discs, I have my reasons which you may or may not agree with, but I'm still gonna want them

Any advice (how to get one of these framesets, or alternative framesets) is very much appreciated. I've tried contacting both Rocky Mountain and Kona but neither is what you would call responsive.

Much thanks,
Dolan

darkroast

Re: Sutra frameset, have you spoken to your local Kona supplier. I ask because, my supplier was able to offer me a 06 Sutra frameset - I did not get it as I did not go ahead with the build project.

dhalbrook

Thanks darkroast,

Every Kona dealer I've asked says the frameset isn't available (I've asked three so far). Apparently it was available the first year of production (2006) but not since then.

If someone knows of a NOS ~55cm frameset I'd love to know about it

darkroast

I notice that you are in Portland OR. Depending how keen you are to get a frame, you can try my local Kona dealer here in North Vancouver - Cove Bikes: 604 929 2222 and ask to speak with Craig. He had sourced a 54cm Sutra frame for me - this was a few months ago and at that time the cost was around CAD$375 - I had not confirmed if that included the disc fork. Good luck.

Hanif.

dhalbrook

At first I thought maybe you meant Vancouver, WA, but I see you mean Vancouver, BC

Thanks for the tip - I'll give them a ring tomorrow and see what the status is.

ijgrant

The caribou 2 from Devinci (they're in Quebec) has disc brakes, I wonder if you could get a frame from them..

NoReg

Canondale has discs, on the 2000, or whatever they now call it. I think people have wangled the frames, it may be a Kona type deal. You can also just buy a disc fork. I don't much see the point in rear discs. They are heavy and complicate plenty back there, while the stopping power is up front. Doesn't the Surly Crosscheck have disc tabs? Not my idea of a tourer, but it may be yours.

Cyclist0383

Stay away from the Sutra, it's a horrible design with many problems, the least of which is that the rear rack braze-ons tend to break off under weight. I use mine as a winter commuter now. There was someone else on BF who had the same problem with the braze-ons, and I also met a woman do a trans-Europe tour on a Sutra which she seemed to really hate for a number of design reasons.

For a touring frame with disc brakes check out the Marinoni Turismo Extreme.

https://www.marinoni.qc.ca/EN/Bikes/Touring/Turismo.htm

dhalbrook

I'm looking at Cannondale's site right now:

https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8TR1.html
https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8TR2.html

and I don't see any model with disc tabs. Otherwise the Cannondale frame would be high on my list. I'm still considering just swapping out a 700c fork with lowrider mounts and disc tabs and using it anways, and using cantis in the rear, as you suggested, but I'm not there yet.

As for disc brakes being heavy, they're pretty small, light, and simple these days - check out the Avid BB7 Road brakes for example.

The Crosscheck is a nice bike, but it's no loaded tourer. I'm looking for 450mm+ stays, and the ability to take real weight without becoming a noodle.

dhalbrook

Thanks - I'll check them out.

dhalbrook

Wow, didn't realize it was such a problematic frameset. This may point me more towards parting out a Rocky Mountain Sherpa instead. Thanks for the tip.

I've seen the Marinoni before. Wish it weren't so garish, and a carbon touring fork seems like a really bad idea to me. Nevertheless it may fit the bill.

Cyclist0383

^^^

They have other forks available.

Cave

Thorn nomad has disc mounts but is made for Rohloff

Orange has some good MTB frames suitable for touring (also a UK company)

-- edit

You're going for a rohloff wheel - surely you've checked out the Thorn website - if not go there now https://www.thorncycles.co.uk/ or www.sjscycles.com
They have a range of rohloff-equipped tourers and while they're not cheap they're still probably cheaper than buying separate frame, separate speedhub and building everything together.
Otherwise a custom frame would allow you to use the rohloff dropouts so you don't have to unscrew the torque arm when you change a tyre or pack the bike.