I need a frame. Thoughts?

[bakerjw]

Yesterday we were out riding on a mountain expedition. We made slower time than hoped so rather than continue on into uncharted territory, we opted to return the way that we had come. I was riding my Foundry Broadaxe and got into some clutter that caught up the rear derailleur which tore out the hanger and a big chunk of carbon where the 12mm through axle mounts to the frame. Luckily the mount still had enough material so that the axle was solid enough to manage the 3,000' descent back to the truck.

So now, my bikepacking bike frame is shot (Still under warranty; however, we all know how those battles go.) and I am left with top quality components that I need to move onto a new frame.

The main factors is that I need a frame that uses a 12mmx142 through axle and has a tapered head tube. Along the lines of a 29 hard tail. If I get something that can handle those, then it is a straight swap with the only expense being a new frame.

I'm steering clear of carbon and am not thrilled about aluminum. I'm fairly open to steel or even Ti if the price is good.
Thoughts?

[Adam Alphabet]

Yesterday we were out riding on a mountain expedition. We made slower time than hoped so rather than continue on into uncharted territory, we opted to return the way that we had come. I was riding my Foundry Broadaxe and got into some clutter that caught up the rear derailleur which tore out the hanger and a big chunk of carbon where the 12mm through axle mounts to the frame. Luckily the mount still had enough material so that the axle was solid enough to manage the 3,000' descent back to the truck.

So now, my bikepacking bike frame is shot (Still under warranty; however, we all know how those battles go.) and I am left with top quality components that I need to move onto a new frame.

The main factors is that I need a frame that uses a 12mmx142 through axle and has a tapered head tube. Along the lines of a 29 hard tail. If I get something that can handle those, then it is a straight swap with the only expense being a new frame.

I'm steering clear of carbon and am not thrilled about aluminum. I'm fairly open to steel or even Ti if the price is good.
Thoughts?

You're going to get a tonne of opinions here....narrowing things down some may help streamline the search.
What's your price range?
How urgently do you need it?
Any dimensions or other frame or parts preferences beyond the axle and head tube?
Is this your main mountain bike, a bikepacking specific rig?

Cheers,
Adam.

[bakerjw]

Yes, these questions are always loaded. Kind of like Campy versus Shimano.

I have a 27.5 bike for play time, road bikes a tandem. This bike is pretty much a dedicated exploration/bikepacking bike that will occasionally see single track but for the most part will be on forest service roads. I spent a good chunk of change when I built it up originally, that's why I want to reuse my front fork (tapered) and the wheelset that I'm running (12mmx142 through axle).

I've find a linskey Ti 29 that runs around $1750 which would likely be at the top end of the scale. If I can find a regular steel frame that fits the bill, then I might go that route. No urgency. Just mulling around options.

[Smithhammer]

How about a Niner ROS 9? Just throw a tapered headset (like the Cane Creek 40) on it.

[woody]

How about a Niner ROS 9? Just throw a tapered headset (like the Cane Creek 40) on it.

I didn't realize Niner made a steel frame. I tell you a steel HT frame and head tube angle at 67° that baby will fly downhill.

[Adam Alphabet]

I've talked to and heard stories locally of more than a few people who have broken titanium frames made by those guys that start with the letter 'L'.  Both their own branded ones and ones they make for others. The riding is pretty rugged out here and things break, but if it were me I'd steer clear. Read up a bit if you're curious. Just a little fyi.

[bakerjw]

Thanks for the Ti thoughts. The "L" company is here in my home state which I like to see but buyer beware as they always say.

I've pretty much settled on one of 4 bikes.
Salsa El Mariachi (steel or Ti)
Surly Karate Monkey (steel only I believe)
Or one of the "L" bikes - Mt-29 or Ridgeline.

I'll be seeing what my LBS can do for me.

Steel .vs. Ti
Is there that big of a difference?

[Adam Alphabet]

Thanks for the Ti thoughts. The "L" company is here in my home state which I like to see but buyer beware as they always say.

I've pretty much settled on one of 4 bikes.
Salsa El Mariachi (steel or Ti)
Surly Karate Monkey (steel only I believe)
Or one of the "L" bikes - Mt-29 or Ridgeline.

I'll be seeing what my LBS can do for me.

Steel .vs. Ti
Is there that big of a difference?

Oh ya, if they're out of your home state then you should be able to get answers for any questions or concerns you may have pretty directly. The MT29 is a smokin' deal for ti. Just check tire clearance in the rear if you want to run something in the 2.4" range.

Steel vs Ti. I've been lusting a ti bike since I was 11 years old. I've been able to afford steel so that's what I ride. I have owned a custom steel frame since 2012 and the thing fits perfectly and is built to ride for what and how I ride, it's perfect. The process of getting a custom built was also very engaging which I enjoyed. There's something cool about riding 'the one and only' as it's MY bike, if you know what I mean.

Between the two materials there are so many variables. A well built custom steel frame with good materials, attention to fit/sizing, frame spec details etc.. may be a tad heavier than a ti frame but could/would ride better or just as good as a stock ti frame. Again so many variables. There are threads on threads on threads on this stuff on mtbr.

For me......
Between the KM and the El Mar, I'd go El Mar as, to me it seems like a better frame. I like dropout/drivetrain options, some people don't care.
Between a Lynskey and a Ti El Mar, I'd go El Mar, even though they started painting them.
Chat with your bike shop guys, they may be able to hook you up with a good price on the Lynskey's as they're local.

Niner's got some cool options, Kona Honzo if you want something agro and heavy, the Unit if you want something more standard. Chromag Rootdown or the handmade Surface if you want something a little 'exotic' for where you're at. They're nice, a lot of friends on them.
Lots' of options out there.
Good Luck!

[BillL135]

Soma Juice.  Nice steel frame, reasonably priced.

http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/juice

Good luck.

[bakerjw]

Sadly, my LBS isn't a Salsa dealer as I like the look of the El Mariachi. But they are a Surley dealer and were able to get me a Karate Monkey frame in 2 days. It arrived last Thursday and we built it up last Friday night over some Fat Tire ales. It was only about a 2 hour build process since the front fork was already rigged and ready to roll. I like the rear axle system on the KM. The 12mmx142 dropouts worked great with my existing wheel.

Sunday was the inaugural ride and it performed very well. Although 3.2 pounds heavier than my Broadaxe, I really didn't notice the extra weight. The ride was softer and muffled which I assume is because it is steel over the carbon of the Broadaxe.