Description:Where do we start with this gem of a lightweight frame? We could mention such features as the gusseted head tube, replaceable derailleur hanger, machined dropouts, disk and v-brake compatibility, hydraulic cable braze-ons or the exclusive Setté seatpost quick release. If you’re worried that a 6061 double-butted aluminum lightweight frame isn’t strong then you will want to know about the reinforced and oversized downtube and the curved stays which are held together using a full bead weld. The only way you are really going to find out is to have one of these exclusive frames for yourself.
Submitted by
rob.char
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey Date Reviewed: October 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Round Valley Reservoir
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Lightweight(4.5lb - 18") I have 16, short chain-stay, rides like a dream, Love the matte black. Overall clean welds and looks great.
Weaknesses:
What more do you want from a $99 frame that rides great. No complaints what so ever by me.
Similar Products Used:
Scott Reflex 20, Kona Stinky if you think thats similar, Trek 820 (~5 years ago). All upgraded.
Bike Setup:
Rock Shox Psylo XC, Deore LX read d, Deore front d, Sun Rhynolite rims, XT hubs/pedals, Weirwolf tires, Kore bars, Shimano crankset.
Bottom Line:
The frame costs $99, there's nothing better on the market for the money. If your on a limited budget like me, this frame is a no brainer. I was struggling with frames because I needed a ~16" seatpost length with a longer then normal top tube, which this frame had. I took the parts and upgrades made to my 2006 Reflex 20 and threw them on this frame; its like night and day I love this frame. Its clean and simple. Would recommend to anyone. Feel free to send me a message with any questions at all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cms0415
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville, NC, Date Reviewed: October 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Bicycle post trails, Tsali
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
Great value. After riding full suspension for 4 years, I had to go back to a hardtail. This frame was the cheapest NEW frame I could find. The welds are great, construction is solid and the frame is super light. Outfitted with light components this would make a great racing bike!
Weaknesses:
the paint is wearing off on the head tube from cable rub to the front brake. chain slap chipped the paint off the chain stay after only a few rides, an easy fix with a chainstay protector
Similar Products Used:
schwinn from target 5 years ago. Raleigh Ram 4.0 Rode a friends rock hopper while my bike was in the works.
Bike Setup:
Sette Rev Saddle
Sette Seatpost
Mavic Crossride rear wheel
Cane Creek Terros front wheel
Stylo team 3.3 crankset
Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires
Avid SD 7 rear brake
Avid BB7 front brake
Avid SD7 levers
Sette Edge stem
Eastson EC70 carbon flat bar
Race Face good 'n' evil grips
Sram X9 rear deraileur
Sram X-gen front deraileur
egg beater chrome pedals
Sram X9 shifters
Noleen Mega Air Fork
Bottom Line:
A great frame and a great price!! Awesome customer service with pricepoint. Highly recommended! But nobody's perfect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alaj70
a Weekend Warrior
from Harvard, IL USA Date Reviewed: August 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Palos Hills Forest Preserve
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
A great deal at a great price...period!
While you could go out there and purchase a frame for a lot more money, you would be kicking yourself if you didn't first take a look at the Sette Reken:
* The welds are thick, solid and clean (a must-have for any respectable frame).
* The frame is fairly light; not too heavy.
* The frame geometry gives the frame a "second-skin" feel; it feels good on the straight-aways, as well as the twists and turns.
* The frame has fully routable cable/brake line stops.
* The all-black color just looks cool. (As a tip, it's easy to cover-up scratches with a black magic marker.)
Weaknesses:
Not many to speak of, but since this is an honest review:
* I would point out that the logos may rub/scratch off over time, but I didn't buy the frame for logos. Besides, for $100, you have to remember that "form follows function".
* The width of the rear triangle is a bit narrower than I would have liked. For instance, I have a 7" disc rotor on the back, but if I had put an 8" on there, it would have probably hit the frame. Right now, the clearance is within acceptable tolerances. It's close, but it works just fine. In short, stick with a 7" rotor on the rear with this frame. You can always throw an 8" rotor up-front on the fork (as permitted by the particular fork).
* The somewhat narrow rear triangle limits using a wide rear tire (e.g. 2.3+). Not a big deal though, since this is really a XC hardtail frame. Hence, slightly narrower tires are more appropriate. I'm using 1.9's.
The bottom line is that I am increasingly impressed with the Sette product line. This is the second Sette frame I have purchased (1 Shadow and 1 Reken), and both performed above expectations.
If you're looking for a good "budget" (and, I use this term loosely) hardtail frame, this is it! It's well constructed, and it rides like an extension of your body. It feels very natural.
I have now built 4...what I call..."component" bikes, meaning that I purchase a cost-effective, lesser-known-brand frame, and then add mid-to-high-end components on it. Frankly, it's a formula that has worked out great for me personally. You can save quite a bit of cash, while getting a fantastic bike in the end.
In fact, the Sette Reken is shaping-up to be one of the best bikes I've built so far.
Don't think twice..BUY THIS FRAME! You won't be disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerry Hazard
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango, Colorado Date Reviewed: May 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Bearclaw Poppy or Hermosa Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Price. The matte black color scheme. Decent enough craftsmanship - I've seen worse welds on better names.
Weaknesses:
Head tube too tall, especially with a suspension fork installed. geometry is a bit relaxed. frame logos are painted on.
Similar Products Used:
circa 2002 Jenson hardtail, 2002 Barracuda hardtail, Redline Dually
Bike Setup:
ell Bent Bars, Avid discs/Speed dial 5 levers, Monocog Rigid Forks, Weinmann disc bull rims, Hutchison Barracuda 2.3 tires, grey Oury grips, Race Face Evolve cranks, Synchros pedals, Hell Bent seat post, Selle Italia saddle. OLD singulator.
Bottom Line:
*note that my frame was shipped with the der. hangar not attached, but in a plastic back with the hardware to attach it - so it was not bent. I hope they continue this practice, as I've read a few reviews about them arriving with bent up hangars...
Not sure you'll find a better $100 frame solution out there. Build quality in general is ok, but if you figure the price - then its stellar. Welds are fat and even for the most part. Flat/Matte black paint job is solid and professional. Once its set up - the geometry, as others have noted, is not very aggressive - this frame is at home cruising fast and swooping the curves. a 120mm fork might be a little much on this frame, since the head angle is already kicked back a little more than usual. When I can no longer take the rigid Redline fork, I'll be looking for a 100 mm fork. An 80 mm might make this a bit more frisky and single track friendly, (responsive) but its really more of an "all mountain" feel. The frame is spec'd at 4.6 lbs, but I'm guessing its a little more than that. For an aluminum hard tail it feels a bit heavy - but that's really the only thing close to a "complaint" I can come up with. It feels pretty tough, I've only been riding it hard for a month, and have not yet really had a chance to pound on it just yet.
A more complete review can be found at http://soulsidedown.wordpress.com/the-100-solution-frame-review/ with photos of the frame set up (the build has changed somewhat since the photos were taken).
I give it only 4 overall for the sort of slack geometry, and the painted on graphics... ;) but it's a great deal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
the greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Fe town, oh, uh, S.A. Date Reviewed: April 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
river run
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
very balanced, comfortable, steady, neutral position, versatile, looks awesome
Weaknesses:
long head tube, maybe a little heavy (but not much)
my buddy has one with an 80 mm fork, which steers fine, but i felt very "forward" (weight bias). i never rode his on trails, but i got a 120 for mine, and i love it. might not be good to race, but its fun to ride. cheap, tough, and smooth. flat black is dead sexy. buy this frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rojo
a Weekend Warrior
from rancho cucamonga Date Reviewed: July 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
yo mama
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$89.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
Inexpensive. Came with a seat post clamp. Nice finish, if you like matt black. Electrical tape can be used for frame protection (neer invisibale). Not XC geometry
Weaknesses:
Arrived with a bent derailleur hanger. Took two weeks to get a new one.
Similar Products Used:
SuperGo Access
Bike Setup:
Fox Vanilla RLC 125, Race Face cranks. Mavic Crossland wheelset, Avid brakes.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! If you're looking for a well built inexpesive hardtail trail bike this could be it. It has a smooth ride for a hardtail and is not as twitchy as your standard standard XC bike. It's nice and stable at speed and predictable in the technical. It can be set up for either disc or post mounted brakes
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J
a Cross Country Rider
from Wendell, MA, USA Date Reviewed: June 2, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Hannah Schwarton's Remove
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$89.00
Purchased At:
Present
Strengths:
Very smooth ride. Curves seatstays take a lot of the harshness out of the New England roots and rocks. Has almost he same position as my 5" trailbike. Anodized black finish. $89 for this frame!
For $89 you can't go wrong. I took the shifting components off of my older(1996)Giant and turned that into a singlespeed knowing that I was going to throw an all mountain fork on the Sette. So far I have been totally psyched at how smooth the bike is in the nasty roots and rocks at Wendell State Forest both on climbs and descents. I've got a friend who ran almost the same setup on his Sette before converting it to singlespeed. Buy this frame if you need a new hardtail.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Erie, PA, USA Date Reviewed: May 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Erie's Wintergreen Gorge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
PricePoint
Strengths:
Stiffness, Value, Color, Geometry
Weaknesses:
None experienced
Bike Setup:
Reken Hardtail, 100mm fork, lower-end shimano drivetrain, sunrims ds2 XC rims w/ IRC mibro's, hayes mech. discs (basically the lightest sub-$1000 combo i could put together at the time
Bottom Line:
This is a fantastically built frame for the cost, and i have no negative experiences to list. My bike started its life as a $400 Raleigh hardtail, and with the frame being my first replacement, i noticed a huge jump up in performance on my local trails. The stiffness really impressed me, considering the Sette frame was over a full 2 pounds lighter. I recommend this frame to *anyone* looking to build from the ground up or improve your old trail bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Kzoo, Michigan Date Reviewed: April 21, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Strong sturdy frame lightweight and versatile. Love the matte black paint. Used it for a year and havent had a problem. I dropped it a few times on the trail and no dings or scratches.
Weaknesses:
Made in Tiawan or Korea
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Mesa
Bike Setup:
80mm Manitou fork, Avid BB5 front and back, sram x7 all around, decent rims
Bottom Line:
You cant beat it for the price. The frame is great for starting a build. Be prepared to explain to everyone where you got the frame from. Still not sure how to say the name, I think "set"? Im not thrilled about the geometry with a 80mm fork. I was wondering what size other people were using and how it rides. I feel like Im leaning way over the front wheel. Great buy cant go wrong here.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike D
a Cross Country Rider
from austin, tx Date Reviewed: January 5, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$69.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Production quality, asthetics, customer service
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh M80, Kona Koa
Bike Setup:
80mm fork, Hayes Sole hydraulic disc brakes
Bottom Line:
What a bargain, $69 for a quality frame. Beautiful welds, reasonably weight, seems very durable so far. A beautiful frame to look at in the livingroom.
The only problem I had was that the cast aluminum derailleur hanger was a bit bent when I got it. I contacted Pricepoint and they sent me two replacements free of charge. Excellent Customer service.
I couldn't be happier with this frame and I'd recommended it to anyone for aggressive trail riding and technical terrain.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim B
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashford, CT, USA Date Reviewed: December 5, 2006
6061 aluminum tubing is fine, but I would like higher quality stuff; frame a little "unfinished;" my frame's rear triangle is a little harsh, but no big deal; cast frame, which is a big deal, but it seems stiff, not brittle! Hanger bent; they sent me a new one without questions.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Tass '03 Some frame I don't even know the name of; it was repainted
Bike Setup:
Rockshox Tora, Avid Single Digit Brakes, SS setup not complete yet
Bottom Line:
Awesome bike. I would expect to pay twice as much as I did to get a frame like this and still think I got a good deal. Sette seems to have done a good job using cast aluminum; I would like to hear if anyone's frame broke in any way and how you rode it. I read a lot of reviews on this frame, and they were hard to find. NO ONE says the frame broke, which is hard to believe with the cast aluminum, but I believe it. If you are serious about building bikes, ss, xc, even all mountain, this is an awesome starter frame and the geometry seems sufficient. If you want a step up to a possible dj frame go with a sette shadow. Currently they are at 130$, which is great, but they only come in 16 in., I think
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
M R
a Weekend Warrior
from Minnesota Date Reviewed: November 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Price, Looks, Weight, Build quality and welds.
Weaknesses:
If I had to nitpick one weakness I'd say it's that the frames' geometry is more "all mountain" {as stated in a previous review} than xc, yet it's advertised as an xc frame.
The bottom line is that this is a great frame for the price paid. I guess the all mountain geometry could benefit from a little beefier tubing but I think the frame is pretty durable none the less. I'm really impressed by the quality of the frame, it's perfect!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Yung Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from McK Date Reviewed: August 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
anywhere
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
PricePoint
Strengths:
The price. The frame is agile and light weight. Flat black paint is steathy.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
GT, Specialized and Trek
Bike Setup:
The usual Shimano, Manitou fork, Ritchey and SunRingle stuff.
Bottom Line:
The frame is quality one. Handles with precision. For $80 it is the deal of the day. The frame is light compare to my ten year old GT hardtail. And of course it is made in Taiwan, bicycle manufacturers capital of the world.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ USA Date Reviewed: July 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Superb frame, well worth the listed price, and a steal at $100
Weaknesses:
none
Bottom Line:
This is an update to my previous review below. After spending some time on this frame, I realized that it is very aggressive and more of an all mountain hardtail, than a cross country frame the Sette says it is. I spent the first two weeks in July riding in the Northwest, and the bike performed flawlessly. My bike setup is somewhat heavy, with Singletrack wheelset, Hussafelt cranks, Rock shox Revelation 130mm fork, and various other bits brings the wieght to just about 30lbs. The bike feels like it can do anything, which led me to think the same thing, and of couse led me into a crash test. The frame survived just fine, and the anodized finish is quite durable. With my setup,I had to work harder on the climbs, but destroyed all my riding partners, on the way down. I think I will try some lighter tires, and then the bike should be perfect for both Arizona riding and the Northwest. If you need to conserve money, but still want a quality ride, build this frame up, and you will not be dissappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Lea
a Downhiller
from Mountain View, California Date Reviewed: June 24, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Performance, Appearance, what else is there to say..
Weaknesses:
Absolutely Nothing
Bike Setup:
Sette Reken, saint cranks, avid disc, some easton, but mostly sram, and a touch of shimano xt.
Bottom Line:
It's a great Frame, I highly recommend it. Unsurpassed performance for the price and a lasting appearance make it a great choice for many.Before this, I had a steel K2, which not only weighed about twice as much, but it's appearance came nowhere close to this. The pictures don't do the frame any justice. THe only group of people who shouldn't purchase this frame are those who want to spend three times as much on a frame with half the quality. From the moment you open the box until your very last ride, you will be in love with everything about this frame. I sure am.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
B Z
a Cross Country Rider
from Sasebo Japan Date Reviewed: April 18, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Price point
Strengths:
Weight is good, welds. Great Price
Weaknesses:
Rear mech hanger, cast parts
Similar Products Used:
Giant 4500 Hardtail
Bike Setup:
Full XT with a Saint crank. Rockshocks Suspension seatpost, WTB Speeddisk with High roller Simi Slick tires
Bottom Line:
Great looking and turns heads. Painted not stickered up, very clean set up. Welds look great. Smooth rolling and very stable at speed, easy to maintain a cruise speed. Rear hanger is cast, not billet, snugged up the wheel skewer, and SNAP. Still waiting on Sette or Pricepoint to get a replacement. Hope this dosent ruin an otherwise great bike. If i can get a replacement, Ill get three.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alexander Young
a Weekend Warrior
from Ann Arbor Date Reviewed: March 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Ummm, dunno.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
wwww.pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Well, the price was awesome, and then there's the weight, and the paint and the welds and well, it's just a sweet bike.
Weaknesses:
I couldn't find any thus far, hopefully nothing breaks.
Similar Products Used:
Haro extreme 3 or something like that
Bike Setup:
reken frame, avid sd7 brakes although i'm getting a hayes rear disc brake tomorrow, aheadset, sette stem, sette ti race seat, judy DH fork, shimano deore xl wheelset race face bb and crank.
Bottom Line:
This bike is amazing, I am absolutely in love with it. I think it'll be a keeper as long as I have it. Hope to get a full suspension xc bike before too long.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Chandler, AZ USA Date Reviewed: March 1, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Any Northwest singletrack
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Beautifull frame
Weaknesses:
None yet, and hope not to have any
Bike Setup:
Avid bb7's, hussafelts, Sram x7, Marzocchi mxc, White bros ap-1, and a mix of stuff off my old bike.
Bottom Line:
I just bought this frame from Pricepoint. I didn't know what to expect, but for $100, I couldn't pass it up. When I recieved the frame, I was plesantly surprised. It has nice clean welds, beefy tubing, and the paint looks very nice, with painted lettering instead of decals. It is at the LBS being built up, at the moment. I will update this review after I have spent some time with it. I don't know anything about SETTE, but from the looks of their frame, they make quality stuff.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a
from Fullerton,Ca Date Reviewed: December 27, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Great welds nice color
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
GT Zaskar
Bike Setup:
Avid brakes, XT front and rear deraillurs, Rhyno lite rims Mythos IIC tires ALL BLACK Race face cranks
Bottom Line:
Great looking bike I would recommend it to anyone looking to get a really nice bike. I get lots of compliments. !!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jake Shoup
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlottesville, VA Date Reviewed: December 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
o' hill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
100
Strengths:
sweet frame! super light and sturdy as hell. Geometry is perfect for XC and hitting some smallish urban drops from time to time.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
trek 820
Bike Setup:
sette reken frame Kore light 3 stem w/ easton sc 90 handlebars. sugimo XD crank, avid disc brakes bright red michelin tires Shimano LX front and rear deralure Manitou minute 3:00 fork
Bottom Line:
Completely sweet frame, ive enjoyed every minute of riding it. really light and durable. for 100 bucks, good lord, i would suggest anyone who is serous about XC riding buy this frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Antonio
a Cross Country Rider
from Midwest Date Reviewed: November 20, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
love the headangle. much more stable than a traditional 71 deg xc frame. higher than avg bb height (12.4 inches, per my ruler).
Weaknesses:
none at this price.
Bike Setup:
black elite 100mm fork, specialized deore/lx level cranks, ds2 rims, spesh fron hub, deore rear, all lx drievtrain.
Bottom Line:
GREAT frame for the money. 69 degree head angle (with a 100mm fork). i am amazed at how well and predictably the bike handles through the twisties and feels in control on the descents when compared to my previous budget HT (a marin bear valley). also, the welds on the reken are much better than on my old marin. paint is holding up very well so far (placed a tube around the chainstay).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City Date Reviewed: September 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Tahoe Rim Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Stiff frame, great price, quality build, the flat black is very cool
$ 325.00
Overall Rating:
