Oh God, another what bike!?

[Mr Scruff]

Well, kind of.

My Ellsworth Joker has done me proud over the last few years, performing faultlessly and generally keeping me grinning.

However, I've got a bit bigger, and bikes generally have gotten a bit lighter and now I think it's time for an upgrade of frame.

I'm keeping all the rest of the components as I've updated them over the years, I just need a reasonably large (I'm 6' 2"), reasonably light FS frame. Needs to be second hand as my budget is going to be tight, about £350 plus whatever I can get for the Ellsworth frame.

I don't do big DH, I'm mainly XC. I have a hard tail so I definitely want a lighter-weight FS - and if it makes and difference I'll want to keep my new Rockshox Recons 140mm for the front!

Any thoughts of frames folks - and links to them?

Thanks!

[Roman]

Some great offers on new frames here:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx...
BeOne Hornet
Brand X
Mountaincycle Fury
Viper Nitro
Viper Fugitif carbon (N.B. Short travel)

Edited by Roman on Monday 22 March 10:47

[mk1fan]

Second-hand Giant got to be worth a gander.

[Mr Scruff]

Open to ideas, any particular Giant? At the moment EvilBay seems remarkably low on talent!

[mk1fan]

Depends how much travel you want. The Maestro suspension system works well with all the travel options.

Orange Five or Patriot are worth a look too. Patriot with air shock and forks can be reasonable light.

Cove Hustler or Cemmencal Meta 5.5 also good.

[a11y_m]

A Giant Reign (6" rear travel) can be built up reasonably light. Models from around 2-3yrs ago came with 140mm forks so you should be fine with your Recons at 140mm. I've built my own Giant up a bit heavier and find it works well with forks set at 155mm though. Plus I paid £250 12 months ago for a 2007 Reign with Fox RP3 air shock in perfect condition, so should be well in your budget.

Or, a Giant Trance (approx 4" travel) is also an excellent choice in Giant, plus it can handle forks at 130mm travel well. There's also Trance X (5" travel) but I didn't like the geometry when I tried one - it felt too steep angles for the travel.

[Mr Scruff]

Sigh, in an amusing clash of cultures possible nowhere else other than Pistonheads it seems my 'new frame' fund has just become the 'sorting the rust on the Merc' fund.... Can't help but laugh!