[triumphbc]

So after 3 years of riding my Evil Imperial, I've decided it's time for a new frame and was hoping I could get some advice/suggestions from those with hands-on experience with the frames I'm considering. I also have a USB Molly Maguire which has become my street/park/jump bike, so I'm looking for something to handle singletrack and rough trail duties (including uphills and steep descents) and some jumping. I run singlespeed though I'd like the option for gears, and have a Fox Talas (80-130mm) fork which I usually run in the 80-90mm range.

What I like about the Imperial: Solid construction (maybe too much so), great descender/jumper, versatility.
What I don't like: Weight, Seat post extension for pedaling

DMR Trailstar2: good price, steel, ?pedaling geometry?

Evil Sovereign: steel, not much weight improvement, expensive, trusted brand, ?pedaling geometry?

Sinister Ridge: good weight ~5lbs, expensive, prefer steel, ?pedaling?

So, any comments or other frame suggestions are greatly appreciated. Including if you think it's senseless to switch from an Imperial to one of these frames for my purposes. Thanks!

 

[mandown]

i'm currently checking out the on-one inbred 456. steel. tough. good weight.http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=3&MMN_position=3:3

 

[binary visions]

I went from an Imperial to a Sovereign and found that the Sovereign had everything I liked about the Imperial, but in a more trail oriented geometry.

Plus, let's face it, Reynolds 853 = BLING.

 

[triumphbc]

That's really good to hear from another Evil owner who came to the same conclusion and made the switch. I really like the tubing and dropouts on that frame. My XC buddies are dogging me on the trails, but I still like to slalom and jump. Can you tell me more about the perceptible differences seeing as that frame is really gonna cost me.

mandown: What's the 456 weight? I couldn't find it on their site, and do you know where to actually buy one? Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[mdc]

I've been riding my Ridge for the past few months and love it. I built it up as a longish travel SS for trail riding and it feels awsome. Even with the slack angles it seems to handle much quicker than my full suspension bike (Heckler). If I didn't get the Ridge I probably would have looked into the 456 or the Sovereign ( i love Evils dropouts...)

 

[binary visions]

Feels quicker instead of more stable and lazy like the Imperial, which I attribute to the steeper head angle. Seated pedaling is actually easy and enjoyable, unlike with the Imperial.

Plus, you gotta love the dropouts

It's not quantifiable and I've not ridden enough of a gamut of hardtails to judge but I also feel like I get jackhammered less riding the Sovereign. Just feels a little smoother to ride.

Not that I've ridden it much in several months

 

[triumphbc]

"Seated pedaling is actually easy and enjoyable" This is really the one fact I need to be sure of. I really want to want this bike and get myself another Evil. Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[mandown]

the 456 is available here
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14575-175_ONOIB5-3-Parts-60-Frames/On-One-Inbred-456-Frame.htm

or here
http://unrealcycles.com/catalog/item53.htm

weights are claimed in the 4.5 to 5lb range.

 

[triumphbc]

Thanks mandown. I'm torn now, the price of the 456 is really attractive It's not as multipurpose as I was intending, but for the price seems like it may be worth a try. As I said, I don't really "need" another jumping frame so that feature of the more expensive Sovereign may go unused for the most part. I do like this frame much better as a low cost alternative, better than the Trailstar. Also, from my limited frame geometry expertise, it does seem like it would pedal better than the Sovereign from a traditional standpoint. ...it's unfortunate it only comes in that weird blue

 

[Lumagent Morple]

I just went from an Imp to a Sovereign, and I gotta say, with a 410mm post, the pedaling is exponentially better. I use this bike almost entirely for trail riding with the seatpost jacked up. You can easily build it up to a decent weight (mine is 30 pounds). I'd recommend the Sovereign if you liked the Imperial.

 

[mandown]

ok, did i miss it or did someone say the DOC yet? all this talk about the Sovereign, but none on the DOC? they are the same bike, right? one just has "fancy steel" and costs more.

 

[mandown]

oh, just to confuse the issue more - check these
http://chromagbikes.com/products.html

 

[binary visions]

ok, did i miss it or did someone say the DOC yet? all this talk about the Sovereign, but none on the DOC? they are the same bike, right? one just has "fancy steel" and costs more.

Well, except for, you know, two degrees of headtube angle, two degrees of seattube angle, 3/4" of bottom bracket height, 3/4" of chainstay adjustment... you know, little things

The Sovereign is 2 degrees steeper on both headtube and seattube angle, has about 3/4" lower bottom bracket and chainstays can be adjusted up to 3/4" longer.

 

[mandown]

 

[dirtydirtysouf]

oh, just to confuse the issue more - check these
http://chromagbikes.com/products.html

nice bikes.....wish i had known about these before i bought my steelhead

 

[triumphbc]

Thanks everyone for your input. I just ordered a new On One 456. Another Evil is just too much for me to spend right now, and I don't feel the need to Ebay my old frame. I also noticed that the geometry on the Sinister Ridge and On One 456 are almost completely identical (the Sinister ST being just .5" shorter) I've ridden a friend's Ridge and liked it, but decided on the On One for the steel and cost. I can't wait for everything to get here, thanks everyone for the info.

 

[mandown]

let me know how it works out. i am still considering buying that frame. where did you order it from and what size did you get (how tall are you)?

 

[triumphbc]

I ordered it from Unreal Cycles, PricePoint was sold out. I got the 18" and am 5'11". I think that should be the right size for me, hope so.

 

[mandown]

cool. get that sucker built and let us know how it rides. i may have to order one up too.

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

i personally LOVE the soviergn for anything...it is the most versatile bike i have ever ridden, i have ridden dj trails on it, and raced it hardcore xc....I dont know what else you could want.

Go with it.

 

[mandown]

maybe you would want some extra cash for other parts?

 

[Shortbus]

knowing they are hard to come bylthumbsdown: , but I'd totally recomment the Imperial SL if you can find one used. Everything Imperial minus the slack seat post. I came to my Imperial SL after selling my first gen Imperial and absolutely love it. I ride mine everything from XC, through urban to light DH, its a blast.

the sovereigns do looks awesome too. I wish I could contribute something a little more useful to this thread (sigh)

 

[mandown]

I wish I could contribute something a little more useful to this thread (sigh)

dude, you brought the poop avatar, that is all we ever need from you to be useful.

 

[Shortbus]

haha damit now i feel i'm just being used for my avatar

 

[triumphbc]

So I finally got the 456 built and went for it's inaugural ride today at Fountainhead. I'm SO glad I got this bike. I loved the Evil, but I just had so much fun riding trails today. I did have to file my derailleur dropout some to get the rear wheel to fit, which was a bit irritating, but it's fine now. Thanks again for the advice, I'm really happy about it.

 

[Shortbus]

that bike looks sweeet
I can swear I saw that same frame sitting at my local LBS in Ashburn a couple days ago

Mebbe next time you head to fountainhead and don't mind a slow rider I'll join ya.

 

[mattmatt86]

I might be selling my Imperial soon, only caus I got a sweet deal with Morewood.

 

[bikeordie351]

if you're looking to sell it, i'll definitely buy it

 

[mandown]

give us an update on the ride! weight, feel, problems, the works. i'm still considering one of these. give us some dirt!