Best steel frame available today?

[Thorpie]

After opinions on the best steel frames available today. I am going to build my ultimate steel framed bike either towards the end of this year or into next and wondering what is the best frame to start with. Would be for XC and trail use so only looking for around 100mm travel on front fork, rigid rear end.

In my mind so far are - Cotic Soul, Genesis Altitude, Charge Duster, Rockymountain Blizzard, Rock Lobster 853. Any more to add to this lot?

Favourites so far are probably the Soul and Blizzard.

Trevor.

 

[mtbfix]

I thought you said 'best'? If it's put together in the Far East the snob in me says it does not find a place in this list unless by 'best' you are meaning in value terms.

Dekerf SST gets my vote.

 

[perry]

for me "best" would have to be something i had a hand in designing , hand picked tubing and stuck together by a craftsman i could phone at any time and have a pint with

every mass produced frame has qualities you dont particularly want . its how much you compromise with cost

 

[Dr S]

Well if its an off the peg frame you are looking for rather than custom....

Charge- a little short i found, needs a longer stem to feel comfy which upsets the handling. Suits a fork around 120mm. Wasn't great TBH

On One- too heavy, too long for me ( on really steep downhills I just couldn't get over the back of the seat enough which used to smack me in the nuts :cry: ) but mud clearance was great. Welds are tidy enough, but its cheep as chips so not exactly fitting your criteria of a top hardtail.

Cotic- Just bought one and its sat here in a box, so I will let you know how I get on!

Si

 

[Thorpie]

I thought you said 'best'? If it's put together in the Far East the snob in me says it does not find a place in this list unless by 'best' you are meaning in value terms.

Dekerf SST gets my vote.

I am after idea's, dont want to spend stupid money for custom built frames. I suppose in that case it would be best value for money available off the shelf, so to speak!

 

[mrkawasaki]

.

Have a look at the newly released Kinesis Decade special edition - particularly the Tange Prestige one...

Mr K

 

[mtbfix]

I had a Kinesis Decade in the shop last week and it is a very nice frame with good gear/SS options. The first batch of Prestige were produced with the name 'Virtue' which they can no longer use as Felt moaned about copyright. It is not mega light but one of these would be worth a punt in terms of something that will be very limited.

 

[messiah]

Scapin are probably the best steel off the peg frames. Very beautifully finished but approaching daft money.

IMHO many/most of the modern steel hardtails are overbuilt and going for the "Hardcore Hardtail" tag.

Save a little longer and custom.

 

[psyclone1976]

The new genesis frames are nice not complete 853, i think only the top, down and seat tubes are 853. Build to run large forks though 100-130. Disc only.


Sanderson Life is another alternative but they come in a horrible grey paint job. I like the look of these frames though and British built too

Dialed bikes - prince albert, nice frame and a good price but again designed with a geometry to run a 130mm fork.

http://www.dialledbikes.com/techspec/princealbert.html

Others worht a mention are the Charge Duster and voodoo bizango which comes with removable V Brake mounts??!?!? Perfect if you want to build it up with retro parts or just new v's

I've got a Rock Lobster Team TIG 853. Love it

 

[juiceboxx]

steel

if you have money, go with dekerf....also a guy in the next town over, a guy does a company called naked bikes. the guys name is sam and has won the handbuilt bike show 2 years in a row. naked bikes.