90’s CR-MO frame - what is it?

[Fatmat]

Hello, a few pics attached. No clues to who made it, thought you guys might know!

 

[hamster]

Looks very tidy. Maybe a Rock Lobster (the Merlin's Bike Shop type)? IIRC they did them in nickel plate for a couple of years.

 

[retrobikeguy]

Yeah if I'm honest I'm gonna go with the Merlin of the steel variety, nice Framesets

 

[sam_white]

Is that an 'F' at the start of the frame number? Making F4040949?

 

[bikeworkshop]

We used to buy these unbadged (apart from the tange sticker) from Greyville Enterprises iirc and latterly Casa Masferrer (masi) late 90s.
We sold quite a few custom built as a 26" wheel hybrid 3x8 26/36/48 for smaller riders who wanted a decent quality steel setup.They were available branded from several sources, good value because suspension was becoming normal on mtbs but these had geometry for a short rigid fork.
We used a black painted tange fork to go with the frame. They still come in for servicing from time to time, I should remember to photograph one.

That fork probably has manufacturers details on the steerer, but could easily be from another source.

 

[Fatmat]

Is that an 'F' at the start of the frame number? Making F4040949?

Hi Sam, it’s a ‘T’

 

[sam_white]

Hi Sam, it’s a ‘T’

Unusual number then - not sure of the factory or provenance with this one. 1994 as a guess to the year, but that's a wild guess at this point.

 

[nstarmore]

It's an Al Carter, I had one for a bit:



Would have come with full XT kit originally, which is probably why it's a frame on it's own now, the same fate as a lot of them unfortunately (including mine ). Very nice frame though, I wish I hadn't sold it.