UK/ European made off the peg Steel hardtails

[LeeDevelopment]

Ah, Coal Bikes are sadly no more, that's a great shame.

 

[pwebb]

Seen these in person and they are fine bikes, but not really what I'm looking for.

as above Shand could be a good place to start looking, they have open days frequently where you can go along and ride/test, plus two others I could recommend are Singular and Rat Bikes - depending what end of the UK you live.

https://singularcycles.com/pages/singular-workshop-the-nest
https://www.btr-fabrications.com/rat-bikes/

 

[Tommy27]

Just to reiterate since my initial post was unclear.

I want something made in UK, or if Europe available in UK. (Sour were, but it seems no longer).

853 or equivalent really.

Off the peg, but could try to save more to say go to Curtis to get their off the peg?

 

[bikeworkshop]

I'd make sure to chose a frame built for 650s
I'm not happy with this

"Oh yes our frame takes any wheel size..."

It's based around a large 650 tyre being the same O.D. as a narrow 700

But you should change frame tube profiles and geometry angles to suit the expected tyre size, and the frame should be built around a specific wheel/tyre size.

You can fit the wrong stuff in a cheap or used frame, but if you're spending good money on new you should get it right

 

[pwebb]

Just to reiterate since my initial post was unclear.

I want something made in UK, or if Europe available in UK. (Sour were, but it seems no longer).

853 or equivalent really.

Off the peg, but could try to save more to say go to Curtis to get their off the peg?

see above - singular swift may fit the bill - low volume off the peg, flexible builds

 

[Tommy27]

Singular make their bikes in Taiwan though. Which doesn't fit what I'm looking for.

 

[Tommy27]

I'd make sure to chose a frame built for 650s
I'm not happy with this

"Oh yes our frame takes any wheel size..."

It's based around a large 650 tyre being the same O.D. as a narrow 700

But you should change frame tube profiles and geometry angles to suit the expected tyre size, and the frame should be built around a specific wheel/tyre size.

You can fit the wrong stuff in a cheap or used frame, but if you're spending good money on new you should get it right

This is excellent advice, which probably makes a Curtis/ BTR more likely.

Cotic said if I'm going to go down the 27.5 route a plus tyre would work, but they don't think as well as a the 29er. I suppose one of the considerations I'm having is what if 27.5 does become impossible to find? But equally I have tried to approach 29ers with an open mind, but with wider tyres- say a 29 x 2.6 I just feel too high off the ground. I know a 27.5 x 3 is not even as big as a 29 x 2.1 but I just feel more comfortable with it.

 

[pwebb]

Swift make their bikes in Taiwan though. Which doesn't fit what I'm looking for.

understood, I am only going by what I have seen and touched and the quality is good on the singular frames so I think it comes down to small low volume batches made with care, versus high volume nastiness.

 

[Tommy27]

There's some truley amazing frames built in Taiwan, but I want to support localish builders.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Who actually makes the cotic escapade 853 UK model?
Their steel frames used to be taiwanese when we sold them