Single Speed Hardtail Frames

Single Speed Hardtail Frames

Author
Discussion

dai1983

Original Poster:

2,902 posts

148 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
quotequote all
Hello gents,

I've got an old rigid chromoly 1998 Carrera mountain bike that I've owned since new and will likely never sell. I was considering getting it powder coated, replacing all of the 3x7 drive train that's completely worn (non replaceable chain rings) and upgrading the cantilevers to v brakes.

Then man maths hit and I've since been looking at frames that are up to £350. The issue is that there are loads out there and I'm all confused by it all. At the moment the Ragely Marley has good reviews but is Ali and coming from my ali CX bike I get scared off by the words "harsh" ride. The Planet X offerings seem like a bargain and I can get a SS Inbred frame but reveiws say its heavy and old fashioned. The Cotic Soul seems like a favourite but if I paid £550 I couldn't buy forks and wheels that would do it justice.

Single speed appeals as the routes here don't have massive climbs and I'm also planning on using it to do a fair amount of bikejoring with the dogs so low maintenance is a bonus.

Cheers, Dai

Fluffsri

3,161 posts

195 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
quotequote all
I ride an Inbred and although it may be considered heavy it doesnt ride heavy, if that makes sense? I love mine! I had 2 at one time, ss and a geared version. I have the frame from the geared version, dont want to part with it lol, I stripped it when I bought a CX bike.

Also the Inbred has the slotted dropouts.

Edited by Fluffsri on Thursday 12th January 15:01

neenaw

1,212 posts

188 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
quotequote all
Try and get hold of a used Salsa El Mariachi frame or a Singular Swift if you can.
Both great frames and will ride much better than the Inbred.

Herman Toothrot

6,702 posts

197 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
quotequote all
On one are currently selling a limited single speed frame for £144 but they are also doing £10 off with voucher code. I just bought one to Alfine 8 speed as a winter bike.

dai1983

Original Poster:

2,902 posts

148 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
quotequote all
Cheers for the ideas. I see that Cotic have number of older BFe 27.5 frames at £249 which sounds ok. The only difference is that the new frames have options which are above my budget at this time anyway. Grey or green in colour apparently but I need to email to ask the size.

I've also noticed the pipe dream Sirius R853 is about £300 now and had sliding dropouts. I also like the pictures of the lairy pink colour but I think only a red 18 inch is left which doesn't give me much choice.

gazza285

9,780 posts

207 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
quotequote all
I have an Inbred, it's not the lightest, but it rides great. It's a 29er, but the rigid forks are designed for 26" wheels, they have made the steering very responsive, which I like. I'm not a fan of the trend for slack angles.

I have a Cannondale SL3 as well, although only the frame is original now, it's a much lighter bike, but just isn't as much fun to ride...

broster

489 posts

176 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
quotequote all
I just finished building a single speed, I just looked for a good cheap frame local on eBay. Ended up with a trek superfly 9.6. Great bike!

dai1983

Original Poster:

2,902 posts

148 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
Found this:

http://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/2016093/ which interests me but takes 26 inch wheels. I doubt that wheel size would make a difference for what I intend on doing.

And also a used Karate Monkey 29er frame with rigid forks for £120. It seems that 29er suspension forks seem to be more expensive than 26 or 27.5 ones.

chrisp84

408 posts

212 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
Herman Toothrot said:
On one are currently selling a limited single speed frame for £144 but they are also doing £10 off with voucher code. I just bought one to Alfine 8 speed as a winter bike.
Where did you see this? Looking for exactly the same as Op (ideally 29er).


dai1983

Original Poster:

2,902 posts

148 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
They had a sale on all of last week. They'll likely have another soon.

stripy7

806 posts

186 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
quotequote all
neenaw said:
Try and get hold of a used Salsa El Mariachi frame or a Singular Swift if you can.
Both great frames and will ride much better than the Inbred.
I have a Salsa El Mariachi frame for sale wink

dai1983

Original Poster:

2,902 posts

148 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
quotequote all
Still no closer to making my mind up. The more I look the more frames I find and get further away from making a decision. Partialy thinking that if I go 29er I can swap 29 wheels onto my 1x10 CX bike if the mood takes me. I have also considered just getting some spare cx wheels with some proper off-road type tyres instead of building a MTB. That would limit the trails I'd ride and also I don't want to bend the CX as I'm using it to commute on.

stripy7 said:
I have a Salsa El Mariachi frame for sale wink
What size is it and do you have an advert etc if it's still available?

There's an Inbred built up within 30 miles for £275 so I'll look into that too.