[math2014]

Hi all,

I currently have a Specialized HT rockhopper 2003 frame. My riding habits are long rides on a variety of terrain. I ride hard and i am fairly sized (200lbs). Mostly i like DH (natural terrain not man-made courses with jumps and drops) and singletrack. Anyhow i am fed up with the alluminum and it's limited lifespan (specialized just announced a 5yr warranty instead of the lifetime i had on my frame...). Anyhow i am considering the following frames and i would love to get your precious advice. Pay in mind that i wont be able to test ride any of these frames....

Litespeed Lookout (Ti, can accept only CaneCreek integrated headsets...)
Cove Hummer HT (Ti, Made by Litespeed, FR friendly)
Cove Handjob (Colombus Nivacrom Steel)
Merlin XLM (Ti, XC only?)
Specialized SX (FS allu, hehe i like HTs but i am considering this one as well)

On any of the above frames i ll attach the following components.
Marzocchi Z1 5" fork, RF accessories, Time Z pedals, XT discs,gears.

So far i am leaning on the Cove...it looks like a frame that can last a lifetime of hardcore riding...

Cheers.
Yannis

 

[hitek]

Look into a 5" travel FS frame with a stable platform shock

 

[RITFreeRider]

Yeah that's a good idea. It'll give you the plushness of fs while still giving you kind of a ht feel.

 

[math2014]

So basically i should save my cash and steer clear of Titanium, and maybe get a Kona Coiler frame or a Specialized Enduro SX.

 

[binary visions]

Avoid the SX no matter how sexy it may be.. Angles on DS bikes are screwy and while you can probably put up with it, there's no point in dropping that kind of cash on a bike that's not exactly what you want.

Coiler might be your ticket though! Also, the Azonic Saber is pretty all-aroundish.

If it were me, I would not be concerned with the lifespan of my bike. At a certain point, bikes get abused too much to say that aluminum's limited fatigue life is a concern. Sure, you could have a lightweight XC only bike and then maybe a Ti bike that will last you a lifetime is the way to go, but for someone who rides hard and weighs 200 lbs., you need to be looking at frames as a disposable commodity. Be more concerned with how well the frame is built and whether or not it will crack underneath you then whether or not the thing will hit the end of its fatigue life in 5 years.

 

[math2014]

Hmmm, basically from what i understand i should stop hearing silly voices that say alluminum dies fast. My frame is relatively brand new....not even a scratch after 10 months of use. I suppose i should keep my frame and cash and maybe upgrade some parts that i need. I just got a bit of a Ti fever by looking some litespeed frames on a new bike shop.... But i also hear some interesting stories about cracked Ti frames. Anyhow i thought that if i would spend 2000$ for a Ti frame , it would never break....so far i am very happy with my FR/XC rockhopper frame...i just got a bit nervous about stories for the fragility of alluminum.

Thanks again.

 

[RD]

I have an SX. you definitely don't want one. It is a slalom bike. You can't really sit and pedal the thing, the angles are so slack.

Although, I use it as my trail bike, but I like to hike and ride mostly. Hike up the hills and pedal my ass down them as fast as I can

 

[Triphop]

If you want a hardtail that will stand up to your size and riding...check out a Santa Cruz Chameleon. I may be a bit biased as I own one, but the bike absolutely rips on the descent, and is actually a very nimble climber. 1" square chainstays, burly seatstays, headtube gusset as well. The geometry would suit the 5" Bomber perfectly.

I was looking into the Cove Handjob as well, but read that it was quite flexy, which steered me away. I wanted a strong, nimble bike...and the SC is definitely that. Not to mention you can convert to SS.

edit...I just saw that you are currently happ with your frame and its a 2003...I say save your $$$ and ride that for awhile, and when the time comes by either frame failure or just personal want revisit the new frame idea.

 

[math2014]

Thanks for the help so far guys.


I think i ll rule out the Ti HT option as it is veeeery XCish and i am into heavyXC/light FR. Basically i came across a perfect (for me) FS frame which is covered with a lifetime warranty on frame/bearings/swingarm, its a Marin Attack Trail 4-5-6" rear travel. Any opinions would be wellcome.

 

[binary visions]

Just out of curiosity, with your frame being a 2003, why are you so anxious to replace it? Is it not working out for you? Do you really need the full squish? What, in particular, are you dissatisfied with?

 

[math2014]

to be honest with you my frame is ok, no problems with it, its just that i want to try bigger stuff and on a HT i am on the lookout all the time in order to balance and not fall through rough terrain, and maybe sometimes to have a less tiresome ride since i ride epics sometimes. Anyhow i got a special funding by my University so i became a bit spendy lately. other than that my frame is a bit xcish and i would like something more aggresive like the marin i posted earlier, and also i would like something with a full lifetime warranty (the spesh got back to 5yrs).