Giant XTC project...
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Disastrous

Original Poster:

10,211 posts

246 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
quotequote all
My dad *did* have a Giant XTC that was maybe 2-3 years old until very recently (mum decided to start the car in gear and crushed it against the garage wall!).

He now has a binned frame but has rescued absolutely everything off it (forks, wheels, running gear etc.) and it's all in pretty much new condition as he hardly used it. The insurance company has given him a new bike but he's said I'm welcome to take all the bits and source a frame if I want it so I thought I would.

My question is, I've been looking at Giant frames on Ebay as I know that they will fit the cabling in terms of where the moulded clips etc are (it's got hydraulic brakes) but does it really matter? Will *any* frame do?

If so, can anyone suggest where I might go looking for one? This will be my first bike build and I don't mind spending a good hundred quid or so on a decent frame...

G0ldfysh

3,318 posts

286 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
quotequote all
Plenty of online manufacturers for just a bike frame.

Google names such as On-one, Ragley, Cotic, others will be along with more suggestions I am sure.

Can choose then between frames in Aluminium, Carbon or Steel.

anonymous-user

83 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
quotequote all
i'd be tempted with one of the carbon ebay specials, there is enough bulid threads and discussion no bike radar to find out which are the good ones (from memory I think its carbonzone" and hundreds of people have bought frames with no issue. research and amateur sleuthing seems to indicate that some geometry is very similar to some of the big brands out there with manufacturing plants in the far east....

in addition to the frames above you also have kenesis. it depends on the length of the fork travel, intended use and budget but I'd go with Cotic or Ragley.

Disastrous

Original Poster:

10,211 posts

246 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
quotequote all
And is it genuinely no problem to fit all the Giant bits to another frame?

Flippin' Kipper

638 posts

208 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
quotequote all
Seat post size, front mech clamp and headset may not fit a new bike unless you source one with the same size (diameter) head and seat tubes.

You will also want to check the steerer length on your forks is long enough for any new frame.

anonymous-user

83 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
quotequote all
front mech: can be made to fit with spacers, they normally come with spacers in the box if you buy one on its own to fit the diameter of the seat tube.

seatpost: if its not 31.6mm diameter (pretty much mtb std) then i'd be surprised.

headset: assume for the sake of £20 you are fitting a new one thus can make sure its the right size but will assume size fitted to Giant is 1" 1/8th (again pretty much standard for mtb)

bottom bracket: will be 68 or 73mm, again its going to be £20 for a new one but you can check new frame first once its removed.

rear mech: no dramas

wheels: as above

Forks: if the headset fits, the forks will fit

stem: if the forks fit.....

you might need new cables as the routing might differ thus the outers will be longer. rt cycles is pretty cheap for that sort of thing. http://www.cyclerepairman.co.uk/details.asp?ID=153


snotrag

15,633 posts

240 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
quotequote all
Generally, as above - the vast majority of stuff will swap over.

However I have to take note -

31.6 is NOT a 'standard' for MTB's - many run 27.2, or 30.9.

Headset again - not quite such a defined standard anymore.

If the XTC is from the past 2 or 3 years then -

Seatpost will be 30.9

Headset will be 1/18th Zero Stack Integrated.

If your new frame doesnt match these types, you'll have to buy new. Perfectly decent headsets and seatposts are available from around £20 each.

Seatclamp will most likely be supplied with your new frame.

Cable routing differs from bike to bike, it is standard practise to replace with new.

Get 4mtrs of Shimano Outer, and 2 inner gear wires from a LBS.

Hydraulic brake hoses just clip on as appropriate - routing depends on frame, should have no problems.


You have a myriad of frames to choose from starting at around £100, it depends what you want.

You could even pick up another XTC frame, as they are actually very, very good frames for the money - only caveat being that they have very racey geometry (hence why Giant brought out the Talon range to sit alongside).

Worst case situation your maybe looking at another £100 spend over and above the cost of the framem quite possibly less if your clever though in what you choose.

Disastrous

Original Poster:

10,211 posts

246 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
quotequote all
Brilliant stuff guys. That's all tremendously useful and gives me an idea of what questions to ask when sizing up a potential replacement. Much obliged.

This should turn out quite exciting smile

Disastrous

Original Poster:

10,211 posts

246 months

Saturday 20th October 2012
quotequote all
Well, as it happens I won an auction on an XTC frame I had a bid on anyway, so all good; looks like it will be put together pretty much OEM.

Quite keen to get it sorted now!