Mass produced frame manufacturers (m*d&%n fun bike upgr

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Hi RBers, I been doing some research since test riding a bike last year, as i got my return to MTBing bike slightly wrong in 2003/4.
I'm reframing my small short fun all rounder bike and rebuilding with some lighter bits.
I know this isn't very Retro Bike but just thought I'd throw the manufacturers up for some comments if thats OK... :)

All frames are very similar geometry and similar sizes weighing from 4.2lb to 5lb

Commencal - apparently made by Kenisis in Taiwan, I have ridden 2 of these, a bog stock £600ish Absolut, and a 4 figure top of the range.
The separate frame is the 4.2lb 4x race frame, scary light :? but then I'm no hardcore nut and weigh under 12 st. Frame is £520, and I can get it with over 20% off currently with a Thomson seatpost
Call me mad but there was a certain X Factor about the way they rode, light and spritely...

Giant - Biggest Manufacturer in the world, they even make other big brands, Trek etc IIRC I rode a £390 bike (now £286 in sale)and trying to locate the frame only which is RRP at £295 and 4.7lbs apparently,t hard to get alone. Rave reviews and super versatile. the cheap bike rode quite well felt quite good, not a fair test being on rigid forks and clicking cable disks, could cope with it on an XC loop and would be able to do owt I wanted...

Yeti - most overbuilt of the 3, slightly more laid back, slightly longer. 5.lbs versatile as the Giant and prob the commie, they have got a great rep Yeti and I know you lot love em. Not ridden one. gonna look see if theres and Yetis at Cycle Surgery tonight.

Theres web comments about the first 2 cracking (under extreme use I imagine) Everyone happy with Giants swap out warranty though. Head says Giant, heart says Commie, and unknown says Yeti, and doubting thomas says hang on!

I also pondered some cromo jump bikes such and found varying production and strength differences, but half wrote em off as too specialist.

Any comments on these manufacturers of frames in modern day?



cheers
 
what exactly are you wanting to do with the bike ?

for comparison my trailstar set me back £26 for the frame alone and i saw an azonic ds1 ( the first ) complete bike go for £30 ( id have had it but im too tight :LOL: and i dont even like alloy :? :LOL: )

what size are you after ?

plenty of curtis frames go on the bay for the kind of money your saying . hand built t45 here in blighty

the alloy konas only a few years old go for cheap

have a look at unknown and dialed bikes mike and dibly are both decent blokes
 
Just monkeying about on, blasting about the city, some street if i was any good and in with the kids (bit too old), fast trails, XC with added playing, also got a local BMX track so playing on there. Basically one fun modern hardtail with 100mm travel fork. They all sound a bit overkill but it was having a go on the Absolut 4x that stopped my going back to a plain old XC type bike, just fun, all the fun, and lightness of XC bike.

So looking for moon on a stick basically! :p Seriously the Giant STP makes much sense really, not too expensive, and designed to do all and I like teh way the large is a respectable 15" seat tube.
Looking at around 5lb really now. I've finally decided my Dr Jekyll and its heavy cranks is too stodgy, and the forks make the geometry lay back and BB high (13.5").
really should consider stuff like a DMR.
 
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Thanks Perry,

Never heard of Unkown, I was thinking Unkown240, OLLie Chopper MBUK fame at first :D Good to see a forward thinking UK firm.
The blkmrkt bikes are getting loads of hype/good comments but the US S&M made Mob is in really serious money and advanced level with that. The Jap made Riot is cheap enough but in at 5.7lbs, which i know isn't a scandelous weight :) I'd also need to lower my forks 20 or 30mm permanently really.

Will have a look at those you listed.

If no one is nterested in this thread I'll take it to PM if thats OK. cheers :cool:
 
My mate Dan rides for Animal Commencal in the 4x and has had a hand in the design of their frame. He is very good, he LOVES riding for Commencal and loves the frame. I have ridden a few and they get great reviews....go with your heart! :)
 
^

Blimey! the Dan, wow!
You probably the only one who knows how many frames they have gone through then, if any, apparently they rode the Giants too before. :cool:

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Having a look at the Cotic bikes again too, Soul and BFe...
 
He doesn't break too many these days, BITD when he rode for Muddy Fox he was breaking his DH rig on a weekly basis.

He's riding a very nice one off Ti 4x now, same geometry as the alloy one. Beautiful! :)
 

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