Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
1 - 19 of 19 Posts

tdamlo

· Registered
Joined
·
56 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm thinking about building up a XC bike and I have an old frame laying around that most of you would laugh at so I won't mention what it is but it weighs in at 4.87 pounds. What do average hardtail frames weigh? If anyone has any suggestions on a lighter frame (priced cheaply or easily found second hand) that would be great. I'm an all mountain rider but would like to dabble in some xc racing.
 
In larger sizes, light aluminium frames are often 3.7 to 3.8 pounds, scandium frames maybe 3.2 to 3.4 pounds and carbon frames 2.6-2.8 pounds. Budget alloy hardtails with heftier tubes were in the 4.0 to 4.5 pound range, and steel hardtails in the 4.7-5.0 pounds.

The Kona Kula Supreme or Deluxe scandium frame is/was one of the better bargains for an XC hardtail frame.
 
My 2005 Cannondale aluminum frame hardtail in medium, weighs 3.39lbs/1538g. The lightest I can AFFORD to get it......was 18.9lbs/8573g. I would say any light frame you can afford, is the ideal one for you. I don't race- but I lent my bike to a racer friend, who took my bike to three, Expert-Class podiums, in five races. He said my bike climbs so well- he has to force the front wheel down, while ascending.

Like Rocky said above- those figures are very accurate.

Image
 
SuspectDevice said:
Our XC race frames (6061 alu, btw) come in between 2.75 (14") and 3 pounds (21")
A 3.8 pound aluminum frame is massively, massively overbuilt for xc use, IMO.

Mickey
Spooky Bikes
That's wildly light for an aluminium hardtail. Is that a straight raw bead blast aluminium finish. What's the warranty period?
 
rockyuphill said:
That's wildly light for an aluminium hardtail. Is that a straight raw bead blast aluminium finish. What's the warranty period?
That's ano'd. It's really not that light actually, if I wanted to make a one season bike I could get the weight down to 2 and quarter or so pounds, and it would still be stronger than something like a Scale. We get stuff so light, and durable by designng all of our own tubesets, and factoring in a significant amount of butting and smooth but transitions in the flex areas. As a result, the bikes ride super smoothly as well.
If the frame breaks, and it's our fault, we'll take care of it. Call it a limited lifetime warranty. Under xc race conditions our bikes will not break. If someone decides to ride their sub 3 pound frame as a slalom bike, they deserve no pity...
 
My frame is 3.41lb/1550g, including headset. I was still able to get it down to 18.9lb/8.5kg, running tubeless. Light parts helps greatly...

Image
 
supergringo said:
Why build up such a light bike if you don't race it?
I plan on racing it. I am just waiting for doctor approval. I suffered from congestive heart failure, three years ago, while being high on meth and smoking two packs of cigarettes/day.

I have since quit both....
 
Zachariah said:
My frame is 3.41lb/1550g, including headset. I was still able to get it down to 18.9lb/8.5kg, running tubeless. Light parts helps greatly...
I guess you did not notice you posted the same bike in this same thread three weeks ago?
 
1 - 19 of 19 Posts