[slowdownthehill]

Looking to build up a hardtail frame that can be suited for xc/xc marathon days, but has clearance for chunky tires on mischief days. Thinking 120-130mm of travel. Santa Cruz Chameleon seems like the no brainer in terms of the setup but seems overpriced compared to other hardtails out there, what are some of the more reasonably priced options (US)?

 

[Grinchy8]

Canfield Yelli Screamy?

 

[Grinchy8]

Ragley Marley?

 

[slowdownthehill]

Canfield Yelli Screamy?

This is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. Thank you.

 

[dlxah]

Lots of great options in that category, but one lesser-known that doesn't get enough love is the Esker Japhy. It's a high end steel frame for a reasonable price. Quad-butted, heat treated, ED coated, modern geo, generous tire clearance, sliding dropouts, compliant ride feel, lightweight for steel, $150 cheaper than a Chameleon for the frame. Definitely worth a look.

 

[cassieno]

Small builder stock frame - the Solstice 29.

Solstice 29 — Neuhaus Metalworks

Lively on the climbs, stable in the chunk. The Solstice is our hand-made do-it-all steel hardtail.

www.neuhausmetalworks.com

I am riding an earlier version of this and it's amazing. The newest versions are even better.

 

[BadgerOne]

Banshee Paradox, Stanton Sherpa, Sonder Signal, Chameleon, YelliScreamy, RSD Middlechild, Honzo, Fuze....the list is huge. Honestly the biggest problem you'll have is deciding which to go with.

 

[gsteitz]

I'll throw this one in the mix too. I've got over 3,000 miles on a steel version and been on a titanium one for the last few months. Consistently amazed at what this bike can do!

Sendero Steel Downcountry Mountain Bike — Titanium & Steel Gravel, Mountain & All Road Bikes | Chumba

The Sendero Steel 29er / 27plus represents a balanced and versatile offering in the burgeoning downcountry category. Smooth and predictable compliance paired to precise handling equal an unparalleled ride quality.

www.chumbausa.com

 

[Cary]

Small builder stock frame - the Solstice 29.

Solstice 29 — Neuhaus Metalworks

Lively on the climbs, stable in the chunk. The Solstice is our hand-made do-it-all steel hardtail.

www.neuhausmetalworks.com

I am riding an earlier version of this and it's amazing. The newest versions are even better. View attachment 1957187

Not to mention, Nick is a super nice guy and one hell of a rider. His frame is beautiful in person.

 

[Peat]

I'll throw this one in the mix too. I've got over 3,000 miles on a steel version and been on a titanium one for the last few months. Consistently amazed at what this bike can do!

Sendero Steel Downcountry Mountain Bike — Titanium & Steel Gravel, Mountain & All Road Bikes | Chumba

The Sendero Steel 29er / 27plus represents a balanced and versatile offering in the burgeoning downcountry category. Smooth and predictable compliance paired to precise handling equal an unparalleled ride quality.

www.chumbausa.com

How does the titanium version compare to the steel? I love Ti (currently have a vassago) but it's 2x the price of the steel version.
Thanks.

 

[gsteitz]

How does the titanium version compare to the steel? I love Ti (currently have a vassago) but it's 2x the price of the steel version.
Thanks.

Hard to quantify, but the titanium is better in so many small ways that come together to equal a significant upgrade. I thought the steel bike was the best bike I'd owned but this one is head and shoulders above. One caveat is that I did also upgrade to carbon wheels with the titanium.

As pictured the yellow bike is 23 lbs. on the nose, and the green on is 25.82 lbs.

Power transfer through the BB is definitely noticeable on the ti as well as compliance and dampening. It's an incredible bike.

 

[Peat]

View attachment 1957194 View attachment 1957195

Hard to quantify, but the titanium is better in so many small ways that come together to equal a significant upgrade. I thought the steel bike was the best bike I'd owned but this one is head and shoulders above. One caveat is that I did also upgrade to carbon wheels with the titanium.

As pictured the yellow bike is 23 lbs. on the nose, and the green on is 25.82 lbs.

Power transfer through the BB is definitely noticeable on the ti as well as compliance and dampening. It's an incredible bike.

Thank you for the quick reply. That's very helpful (but not to my wallet).

 

[slowdownthehill]

Banshee Paradox, Stanton Sherpa, Sonder Signal, Chameleon, YelliScreamy, RSD Middlechild, Honzo, Fuze....the list is huge. Honestly the biggest problem you'll have is deciding which to go with.

I do tend to opt more for the xc side of things so shorter chainstays/wheelbase, higher bb is more my speed which does eliminate a lot of the new school super slack/low AM hardtails out there.

 

[*OneSpeed*]

Lots of great options in that category, but one lesser-known that doesn't get enough love is the Esker Japhy. It's a high end steel frame for a reasonable price. Quad-butted, heat treated, ED coated, modern geo, generous tire clearance, sliding dropouts, compliant ride feel, lightweight for steel, $150 cheaper than a Chameleon for the frame. Definitely worth a look.

High end? It's a no name 4130 tubeset, made in China/Taiwan. I also heard they were hefty on a scale.

 

[Grinchy8]

I do tend to opt more for the xc side of things so shorter chainstays/wheelbase, higher bb is more my speed which does eliminate a lot of the new school super slack/low AM hardtails out there.

So you're after something like this then

 

[dlxah]

High end? It's a no name 4130 tubeset. I also heard they were hefty on a scale.

It's heat-treated 4130, which I believe is essentially Reynolds 725 without the brand name or price tag that comes along with it. It's also quad-butted with custom tube profiles for each frame size to optimize weight and ride characteristics. I'm not aware of any other manufacturers doing that aside from full on custom frames.

 

[slowdownthehill]

So you're after something like this then

Canfield above seemed more like it. I don't see myself ever putting on tires much larger than 2.4 even if given the option.

 

[*OneSpeed*]

It's heat-treated 4130, which I believe is essentially Reynolds 725 without the brand name or price tag that comes along with it. It's also quad-butted with custom tube profiles for each frame size to optimize weight and ride characteristics. I'm not aware of any other manufacturers doing that aside from full on custom frames.

I understand you think that's impressive, it's not.

This is no different than a Surly. Nothing wrong with that, I own 2, but high end it is not.

 

[dlxah]

I understand you think that's impressive, it's not.

This is no different than a Surly. Nothing wrong with that, I own 2, but high end it is not.

As far as I can tell, Surly is doing none of those things. The frames do not appear to be heat-treaded, they don't appear to use custom profiles for each size, and the tubes are only double butted.

Edit: I stand corrected. It looks like they are heat-treated and have size-specific profiles, or at least that was the case back in 2014. They are only double-butted, though.

 

[*OneSpeed*]

As far as I can tell, Surly is doing none of those things. The frames do not appear to be heat-treaded, they don't appear to use custom profiles for each size, and the tubes are only double butted.

Edit: I stand corrected. It looks like they are heat-treated and have size-specific profiles. But they are only double-butted.

You really like your butting.

More butting in and of its self is not an indicator of how a frame will ride, or its quality.