(Not) Hope MTB

[Pllacebo99]

deffinetly a steel frame rear triangle and dropouts confirm that - riveted cable routing is unusuall

 

[Frankenorange]

I know what it is after going down a rabbit hole

It is a 1997 DBR WCF frame that has 3 carbon main tubes bonded to steel lugs, head tube, and BB with a cro-mo steel rear end welded to the steel hardware.
The distinguishing thing that makes it a 1997 , and not an earlier example, is the larger down tube and the continuous diameter of the seat tube , just under where the top tube joins. Earlier frames had a reduction in outer diameter at this point.
This frame was used for a few different spec'd bikes with top of the range, and XC World Cup winning, being the DBR WCF 6.1 .

There has been a red and white one on Retrobike and there are lots of pics where you can see the details that match. They were well made and don't seem to pull apart like some bonded frames and are a little bit of MTB history. They also ride well apparently.

 

[Pllacebo99]

Yep I did wonder if there was a bonded frame under the paint but could see any obvious joins.

Now you solved the mystery it makes a lot more sense.

Riveted cable guides suggested carbon or Alu top tube.

From memory the 1997 red white DBR was kinda rare.

 

[Pllacebo99]

Ping!

 

[CTK]

Well played! Steel and carbon- pretty cool. I thought the rear seat stays looked DBish. Seller thinks its Aluminum. I worry what state its in under the paint.