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FRAME FINDER Challenge

pHeller

Monkey
Nov 5, 2007
106
0
My 29er hard tail isn't cutting it. I need something more fun, more slack. That doesn't mean I'm leaving big wheels behind.

I need to find a frame with the following:

Cheap, but durable.
Lots of room in rear swingarm for slightly bigger wheel size (650B)
Designed around 180mm front fork
Really low bottom bracket (in 13" territory)

Really, price is the biggest concern. I'm hoping to build this bike for under $1500.
 

trib

not worthy of a Rux.
Jun 22, 2009
1,456
388
Are you looking for really low bb so you can slot the 650b wheels in and get a normal height bb or do you actually want a super low bb?
 

trib

not worthy of a Rux.
Jun 22, 2009
1,456
388
I know that all X-fusion forks are 650b compatible and that's where the knowledge runs out sorry.
 

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,005
Seattle
I have no idea if it clears a 650b or not, but the first thing that comes to mind is the Scott Voltage FR. Geo is pretty adjustable via different shock sizes and by swapping the forward shock mount. They're cheap, burly, and can take a 180mm fork.


What are you planning to run for tires? I'm not aware of any really burly 650bs yet.
 

pHeller

Monkey
Nov 5, 2007
106
0
This is actually going to be more of a AM/FR bike, but the adjustable and slack angles of the bike are probably only found in DH rigs.

So because of this, I'd like travel, but since I won't be racing I don't need huge tires. 2.35 will be plenty.

I love the Voltage FR, but I've never seen a frame for less than $800. Though I'd have no problem owning one with 26" wheels.
 
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BUNKERCHUNKS

Monkey
Apr 8, 2008
217
0
EAST COAST
The Scott Voltage is the best deal you will find for a quality frame. I have no regrets with mine,fills the gap between
my 29'er and my turner DHR.
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
This is actually going to be more of a AM/FR bike, but the adjustable and slack angles of the bike are probably only found in DH rigs.
So is the extra 6lbs of frame weight.


Don't build an xc bike out of a dh frame just to get something low and slack. Seriously.......that's retarded.

Between anglesets, offset reducer bushings and some attention to tire sizes you can find what you're after without pedaling a 12lb frame around with more travel than you need.
 

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,005
Seattle
So is the extra 6lbs of frame weight.


Don't build an xc bike out of a dh frame just to get something low and slack. Seriously.......that's retarded.

Between anglesets, offset reducer bushings and some attention to tire sizes you can find what you're after without pedaling a 12lb frame around with more travel than you need.
:stupid:


I have a 28.x pound bike with a dropper post, 5" of travel in back, 6" up front, a 13" BB, and a sub 66 degree HTA. It is teh awesomesauce™.
 

pHeller

Monkey
Nov 5, 2007
106
0
The Voltage FR sounds like a good mix, because it isn't a specific DH frame.

If I would have posted this in the 29er forum, everyone would say "just buy a FS 29er" or "it'll handle like crap" or something to that extent.
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
If I would have posted this in the 29er forum, everyone would say "just buy a FS 29er" or "it'll handle like crap" or something to that extent.
That's because most of those guys are zealot hacks and buying a road bike to ride in the woods is the extent of their 'thinking outside the box'. But yeah a shorter travel bike outside of a true dh rig is a much better idea.
 

Pslide

Turbo Monkey
You might want to check into an Orange Alpine. Low and slack and may have the rear tire clearance for 650B due to the swingarm design. I'd check with Orange on that one.

If you think it's low tech, don't believe the hype. Those who've ridden one know it's a killer bike.

EDIT: Sorry, forgot about your price limitations...Orange is probably out.
 
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HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,005
Seattle
Banshee Spitfire with some custom offset shock mounts to make it a hair lower and slacker.
 

marshalolson

Turbo Monkey
May 25, 2006
1,770
519
i have a giant reign x setup with a vengeance right now. plenty of room for 650b. tons of space around a big 2.35 tire right now. it sits at 13.6" and a 66deg head angle with a 1deg angle set, and i am going to make some off-set reducers that will drop the BB about .5" pretty easily.

sounds like the ideal setup for what you are looking for, IMO.
 

drastic.

Monkey
May 16, 2011
145
0
pleasanton, ca
i have a giant reign x setup with a vengeance right now. plenty of room for 650b. tons of space around a big 2.35 tire right now. it sits at 13.6" and a 66deg head angle with a 1deg angle set, and i am going to make some off-set reducers that will drop the BB about .5" pretty easily.

sounds like the ideal setup for what you are looking for, IMO.
offset reducers...the eyelets for the shock?
 

SuspectDevice

Turbo Monkey
Aug 23, 2002
4,157
359
Roanoke, VA
What the hell does 650b offer that 26 doesnt? Different just to be different?
It's half way between 26" and 29".
It is really, really, really rad. Not surprisingly, you get the benefits of both. In blind testing(you know what I mean) I find that riders who regularlay ride one wheelsize or another don't really notice much. That's the whole pointy though. Not different, better.

Downsides? Small selection of tires. Absolutely nothing else.
The very best all-around tire I've ever used is the the Panaracer Rampage(I was really surprised). The Pacenti NeoMeto. It's like a Nevengal that doesn't totally suck is a Rampage with a different name.


One of the things that has been holding the wheelsize back is that the production 650b bikes have been comuing from brands that consumers have a hard time getting excited about(KHS,Jamis, etc.)

Most of the XC/trail bikes I get orders for are 650b. Heck, I've stuck a bunch of XC racers into National Championship jerseys on my sweet Pacenti tires.
There are fairly well founded rumors that Specialized will have some 650b bikes next year. Specialized would do for 650b what Fished did for 29'rs.
 

alpine slug

Monkey
Jun 10, 2011
190
0
What the hell does 650b offer that 26 doesnt? Different just to be different?
Exactly that.

Unless I'm trying to sell you a 650B frame, and then I'll write paragraph after paragraph about how it's the best of both worlds, and about how the Rampage... errr... ahhhh... Pacenti Neo-Moto... is the best all-around tire ever.

....

jesus, Mickey. cut the salesmanship. it's freakin' obnoxious.
 
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SuspectDevice

Turbo Monkey
Aug 23, 2002
4,157
359
Roanoke, VA
Dude- I'm an evangelist for the wheelsize, but a plurality of small companies that make **** to order are building an increasingly large number of 584erd bikes.

-------
Have you ever spent any time 650b wheels outside of DirtDemo or done side to side comparisons?
 

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,005
Seattle
Mickey, if you can get someone to make a proper 650b DH tire you'll be my favorite person ever. Any idea what a minimum order size might have to be to talk someone into it?
 

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,005
Seattle
Yeah I figured it was going to be a lot. :(



I wonder how well cutting/sewing the upcoming Minion 29er would work....
 

alpine slug

Monkey
Jun 10, 2011
190
0
Dude- I'm an evangelist for the wheelsize, but a plurality of small companies that make **** to order are building an increasingly large number of 584erd bikes.

-------
Have you ever spent any time 650b wheels outside of DirtDemo or done side to side comparisons?
I've spent what I would bet is more time on 29" bikes than most people in RideMonkey's DH forum, and I've been riding 26" MTBs for over 20 years. I grew up riding motos on various wheel sizes.

The differences between 26 and 29 don't require "splitting". They're not big enough to split.

But then, I'm not in the business of selling bogus fads... unlike you.

You're nothing but a pushy salesman, Mickey. I don't care what racing history you have. I don't care how much you love bikes and want to "grow the sport." You're obnoxious. You're obnoxious in your evangelizing for racing, and you're obnoxious in this thread.

The sport doesn't need "growing." People who need to be conned into riding bikes aren't helping "the sport."

People who love riding bikes will continue riding them, even if whatever it is you call "the sport" is dying.

You need to live another 20 years before you spout this "grow the sport" nonsense. You sound like those fools who lamented the "death of skiing" in the 90s.

/rant

this is applicable: 302 Found
 

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,005
Seattle
:rofl:


Coming from you, calling anyone short of Carrot Top obnoxious is hilarious.