Best race steel hardtail... ? ?

[FluffyChicken]

I've got a frame in the flouro yellow/green/pink colours.

I'd love to see some pics of that bristol..

Explosif.. interesting choice,, I have seen quite a few of these on here,, no doubt they can look nice bikes,, but for me there is a certain something missing.. and tbh dont really appeal to me..

'95/6/7 Explosif, while not light frames they are the Columbus MAX OR you talk about wanting to try out. Not cheap compared to other equally as good frames though, given their mass produced and common status.
How do it ride, well the tubing is good for larger frames as it's rigidity is needed more over the longer length tubing.
It's a good compromise, it's reasonably light (~4.5lb region) so no race whippet of the 4lb region. It stiffer than a skinny "standard prestige" frame about as stiff as your plain DB tubing but with more life to it.

Get yourself a Raleigh, race proven frames them.

P.S. Racing frames should never be taken on what looks nice or has some vavavoom, but by who is willing to supply you with one

But a frame for a 14stone 6 footer for a race to me would be quite different to a 9stone 5 1/2 foot wipper snapper.

Even now my 'race' frame behaves quite differently with my 12stone of 'muscle' <cough> to my <10stone of yesteryear

 

[sinnerman]

And theres the magic question, you want a race bike, something thats class, and rides well,.?

Do you have a budget in mind...??? i think this is a good place to start.

 

[The Jesuit]

ANY hardtail, in the right, experienced hands can be the best HT and a winner. I have seen a rider on a Schwinn Black Phantom single speed win a few amateur races in the Virginia mountains against dilitantes in $3000+ HT's, or multi-suspension, multi-speed, wallet and credit depleting eye candy.

 

[RobMac]

93/94 Explosif


.

 

[rc300]

Explosif every time for me...

Word!

 

[Andy R]

I've got a frame in the flouro yellow/green/pink colours.

Explosif.. interesting choice,, I have seen quite a few of these on here,, no doubt they can look nice bikes,, but for me there is a certain something missing.. and tbh dont really appeal to me..

Well, it's a personal thing but I used to race on a Columbus Max framed Explosif ('97) and there was nothing that was missing with that
In fact, for my most recent race (the first round of the Manx Championship, a couple of months ago) I rode my '95 "Platsa Blue" Explosif SS.,and even with an old fart like me riding it it was good enough for me to scrape into the top third of the results.
I also used to race an Explosif from 1988 to 1992 and that was good to me too (better, in fact, cos I was younger and fitter then ).

 

[Coleman]

93/94 Explosif


.

Must agree, my 93 Explosif really is a great ride. Also like my Orange Prestige lots too.

Lets face it the top end steel tube sets are great and if you have them joined into the right shape by someone who knows what they are doing, you have a great bike.

 

[wadsy]

I really liked my KHS Montana Team, lovely quick handling

 

[CAPIN]

what about some SCOTTs.. some of the TEAM models.

 

[yo-eddy]

what about some SCOTTs.. some of the TEAM models.

Nice bikes, did 'm Prestige/logic and even Max OR