A what frame thread, sorry.

[daimatt]

Hi everyone,

I have an old Kona Shred that I used in my younger days for a bit of dirt jump and 4X at Chicksands. Now in my old(er) age I don't use it so much and could do with getting a a bike to get some exercise on and ride more mild DH and XC trails. The bits on my Kona are good enough to transfer so really I'm just after a second hand frame, given it'll be second hand I'm thinking of spending about £200.

Any help for what to look for would be good if you can.

Thanks in advance

[Vladimir]

I have a 17" Stumpjumper HT frame for sale but it may be too old (2007) and I'm in Cornwall. Less than half that budget including 2010 Thomson Elite post ad done other too end bits.

I'd go for a nice steel number; something like a Cotic Soul, Cove Handjob or similar; they do everything pretty well and last forever.

[Celtic Dragon]

The above offer if the right size is a good one, so assuming its the right size worth a thought.

Failing that, scour ebay, the odd bargin crops up, I picked a 98 Rockhopper FS in need of a lot of TLC for £41! That wasn't just the frame, that was a complete bike! Ok I'll be spending £200+ on the rebuild over the winter, but for the summer £90 will see me out at Chicksands XC courses.

The last option, is to look at On One 456 frames. For a steel frame, they are about £200 and do some good discount on slightly older frames. They are currently doing 456 carbon frames for £400! http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOC456P/on_one_carbo... A guy in my town has one and its a beauty!

[pimpin gimp]

Have a look for another Kona, if you're trying to do this on the cheap you'll save yourself pennies by buying a frame that will use all the same seatpost, clamps, front mech's and BB's etc
Maybe have a look for a Hoss or something, they used to ride pretty nicely.

[daimatt]

Thanks for all the ideas. I didn't realise how much difference there may be in sizes for the ancillaries so the Kona frame idea may well pay off.

Do like the idea of a new frame for £200 so will look into the on-one frames and see what I have that may fit.

Thanks also for the offer of the bike, will give it a good thought.

[pimpin gimp]

With the on-one 456 you'll probably need a new seatpost & clamp, BB might fit depending on whether you have external bearings as the Kona is likely 73mm and the 456 would be 68.

Might also need to renew all cables if they've gone from partial outer on the Kona to full outer on the 456.

[daimatt]

Yeah, haven't really thought this through have I

I think a fork upgrade and maybe some new wheels (depends if the fork is a maxle or not) would be my best bet.

Cheers for the help

[Celtic Dragon]

daimatt said:

Yeah, haven't really thought this through have I

You don't need to, wheres your man maths?

[Vladimir]

daimatt said:

Yeah, haven't really thought this through have I

I think a fork upgrade and maybe some new wheels (depends if the fork is a maxle or not) would be my best bet.

Cheers for the help

I recently changed from a 2007 Stumpjumper HT frame to a Cotic Soul3 - I needed a new headset and seat post but everything else fitted fine. However I still bought a new stem, saddle and a few others bits just to be a bike tart...!

[daimatt]

haha, this is the problem!

I started looking at hardtail trail/xc frames at £200ish but it didn't take long to move on to Santa Cruz and Felt full sus frames. I need to get back on the bike and see if I get back in to it enough to justify a new purchase. I get caught up in fancy things I don't need that will end up in the garage not being used.