[DH Dad]

I'm way out of touch as to what's available these days for beater hardtail frames, and I'm not interested in these top of the line/full featured frames as I want something that's no more than say $500. Steel is fine and may be desirable. Last I knew was Planet-X/DMR and Azonic were the way to go for a cheapish HT (even though Planet-X has higher cost ones as well).

Got lots of parts to throw on it (including a fork and hayes brakes) so I'm looking for a winter project that will cost me under $1000 to complete.

 

[auntesther]

trail riding or park type stuff?

 

[MMcG]

$1,000 can allow you to put together a pretty kick ass bike - I'd hardly call that a beater bike budget -auntesther has a good question - trail bike or park/urban type ss?

The Transition Trail or Park is a steel frame and can be run ss or geared I believe and I think it is under $400 if memory serves me.

Do you want the frame to be new or used?

If it were your size - Syadasti has a sweet 2004 Cortina 4130 hardtail for sale in the buy and sell forum - very tempting!

 

[HypNoTic]

The Azonic Steelhead frame retail for 170$ canadian. Give a look at this puppy. A complete build for street based on this frame can come around 800$ US.

 

[ssaddict]

The DOC is at the upper end of your price range but I'm pretty sure you won't find these features at these prices anywhere else. Give her a look, there will probably be more info after Interbike next week.

http://www.evilbikes.com/doc/doc.htm

 

[MMcG]

when will those DOCs actually be available to purchase? By this winter?

 

[-dustin]

you can preorder now through both Unreal and Go-Ride. Ben charges a $125 deposit.

-edit-

Spam:

you can buy my Imperial frame, seatpost clamp, e13 reducer cups (with IS-2 headset) for $500 plus shipping.

spamage

 

[ssaddict]

Without any further delays or problems, they figure just in time for Christmas.

 

[DH Dad]

trail riding or park type stuff?

Definately not a pure park bike but also not trail bike in the sense of long trail rides, more of a "in-between" that can be used for urban and tech trail/non-high speed stuff. I've got no parks around and have no desires to drive and find one. I imagine it'll be used mostly around work or home when I've got a spare half hour to screw around but not enough time to take the RFX down to Nam or Lynn.

 

[Smelly]

azonic steelhead is about as cheap as frames get.

 

[buildyourown]

I'm really happy with my Steelhead. If money is your driving factor, I'd get one. It does a pretty good job of combining trail bike with park bike.

If you had more money to spend, I would get the DOC. It is a lot more bike.

 

[Slugman]

I love my chepo frame... Soul Cycle Titan (http://www.ridesoul.com/frames/titan.html).Around $200...

They also have a frame that is for single speed...

 

[Wingnut]

That D.O.C. would be a great buy. The geometry is sooo suited to playing. The short chainstays make a bike quite lively.