DeeEight said:
the catamount frames that ediscountbike has on ebay are the best deal. $99US for a 4" travel XC frame.
I've spent the past month on my eDiscount eBay Catamount.
A sweet cross crountry and fire road frame. The smoothness of the suspension and the plushness of it rivals my old Giant AC. No bob at all because the BB is on the swingarm. Mount an SPV fork in the front like the Minute and it will spring and pedal like a rigid bike but offer such cush (when seated). This frame pedals like a bike with an SPV rear end.
Which brings me to my next point. This bike is sweet and awesome seated and for sprinting.
BUT, if you like to take small drops like off of logs or easier XC one footers, then you will get no suspension and you will feel it just like you would on a hardtail. It's just the nature of the URT sweet spot design.
I've enjoyed the Catamount very much, but I might strip it and sell it because of sizing issues. It's a little too large for me in regards to standover height. So if you want a it, I am thinking about selling it for $80 plus I will throw in 2 sets of replacement bushings. It's a 19" center to top, but the imaginary seatube length compresses when you sit so it's really an 18" with sag.