New frame recommendations

[Tom79]

OK, so I know this is an incredibly vague question that can't easily be answered but I need some inspiration.

I currently have a 1995/96 P7 frame, in orange, tired but in pretty good nick. Problem is having ridden it it's just a bit too small. It's the 17" and really I am looking for an 18" frame....I'm just shy of 6ft (that half an inch really makes a difference right?!) and prefer a slightly smaller frame. 17 is just a little shy for me.

Anyhoo. All of this I think is just an excuse to buy another bit of kit in reality. I just want another frame to build up!

So, steel frame recommendations, I have a 1" headset and 1" RC35 fork so needs to be 1" headtube. Budget is gonna be around £250 tops....I really want an RC200 but they command more money. Doesn't mean to say that I have to spend that much of course. British ideally but no objections if not.

I will use this bike for trail bashing at my local XC place (Bedgebury in Kent) so needs to be stiff and light!

Any ideas?

 

[warpedboy2]

Hi Fella,

Try a 19" frame. I'm 5'11" and mine fits me like a glove.

EDIT- Just out of interest, you do know Orange frames are measured to the top of the seat tube, not the top tube?

 

[Tom79]

EDIT- Just out of interest, you do know Orange frames are measured to the top of the seat tube, not the top tube?

Yeah, the measurement I want is centre of BB to centre of top tube....not C-T like the Orange.

It's definitely too small, I guess if I go for a 19 it depends how that's measured....my modern bike is an 18 from C-C and that fits pretty well for my short legs!

 

[Tom79]

BTW your RC200 is 19" C-C? Looks bang on for me in terms of the amount of seatpost, depends on legs measurement etc but a useful gague none the less...not easy to just get out and test retro bikes like it is new bikes!

 

[warpedboy2]

BTW your RC200 is 19" C-C? Looks bang on for me in terms of the amount of seatpost, depends on legs measurement etc but a useful gague none the less...not easy to just get out and test retro bikes like it is new bikes!

Yep, the RC200 is a 19", but it is a BIG 19".

I've always found it a little big on tight singletrack, wish I'd bough an 18" all those years ago. To attached to it to sell it now.....

 

[Tom79]

How does it compare to the Orange(s) in terms of the ride?

 

[warpedboy2]

Faster at everything!

Really stiff though, quite punishing after a couple of hours. But the payoff comes when climbing. Better than any goat

Well worth saving up for (or getting into debt for )