You need to look at three factors – weight, geometry and brakes:
Weight – the Explosif, On-One Inbred, Orange P7, Prince Albert, Surly all weigh c2.25kg, the Cotic Soul/Simple, the Genesis Altitude 853, Merlin Rock Lobster 853, Orange Prestige weigh <2kg, the Blizzard weighs >2kg. The difference shows up in the ride/handling characteristics – do you want a stiff/strong frame or do you want a light frame?
Geometry – you’ll have to do the research, but the Explosif still has geometry for a 80mm fork, the Rock Lobster is best with a 130mm fork, Orange Prestige, Genesis, Blizzard = 100mm, Cotic, P7 = 100-130mm etc. So you need to match the frame to the type of fork you want to use and the kind of riding you want to do.
Brakes – most of these frames now are disc-only and there is no way of retro-fitting V-brake bosses
And in terms of value, a second-hand frame is HUGELY better value than a new one. A Fat Chance frame on eBay costs way less than a new Blizzard, so which is the better value?
Weight – the Explosif, On-One Inbred, Orange P7, Prince Albert, Surly all weigh c2.25kg, the Cotic Soul/Simple, the Genesis Altitude 853, Merlin Rock Lobster 853, Orange Prestige weigh <2kg, the Blizzard weighs >2kg. The difference shows up in the ride/handling characteristics – do you want a stiff/strong frame or do you want a light frame?
Geometry – you’ll have to do the research, but the Explosif still has geometry for a 80mm fork, the Rock Lobster is best with a 130mm fork, Orange Prestige, Genesis, Blizzard = 100mm, Cotic, P7 = 100-130mm etc. So you need to match the frame to the type of fork you want to use and the kind of riding you want to do.
Brakes – most of these frames now are disc-only and there is no way of retro-fitting V-brake bosses
And in terms of value, a second-hand frame is HUGELY better value than a new one. A Fat Chance frame on eBay costs way less than a new Blizzard, so which is the better value?