Prodigal Son":24xb9xhk said:Get a steel specialized stumpjumper from late 80s early 90s: it comes w/ low price, iconic status, high end steel and good all around geometry. Later on look for a made in the usa by cyclists frameset, if you become obssessed w/ vintage.
Whatever you get, buy it w/ a rigid fork or susp fork in working order.
Prodigal Son":ka1pg9rb said:I would not describe a Fat Chance built w/ basic shimano LX or even XT as "boutique". Boutique is a luxury, status symbol. I see a Fat Chance as a tool that can do what other tools can´t. It comes w/ handling traits other bikes don´t have.
My_Teenage_Self":1dc3i01g said:Prodigal Son":1dc3i01g said:I would not describe a Fat Chance built w/ basic shimano LX or even XT as "boutique". Boutique is a luxury, status symbol. I see a Fat Chance as a tool that can do what other tools can´t. It comes w/ handling traits other bikes don´t have.
Obviously this is all subjective, but that's exactly how I'd describe a fat chance, and it's why they command the prices they do.
ishaw":3vhq9wp0 said:I once treated myself to a gator liner fade klein. Dripping with ringle and xtr m900 it was very high spec. Alas, I hated the ride, it was a bone shaker even on the flat. I was also in fear of ruining the lovely paint.
Higher end gts, marins and even giants are great bikes. Often the groupset defines the model and price, but franes were shared in the range so you can get a great frame with slightly less great parts and enjoy the fun of upgrading.
As said, orange are well regarded.
You're looking in the wrong place and at second rate bikes there, you need to pop up north to Canada and find the real stuff.Prodigal Son":1pu38w39 said:ishaw":1pu38w39 said:I once treated myself to a gator liner fade klein. Dripping with ringle and xtr m900 it was very high spec. Alas, I hated the ride, it was a bone shaker even on the flat. I was also in fear of ruining the lovely paint.
Higher end gts, marins and even giants are great bikes. Often the groupset defines the model and price, but franes were shared in the range so you can get a great frame with slightly less great parts and enjoy the fun of upgrading.
As said, orange are well regarded.
What you really wanted was a titanium Merlin . NO paint on vibration damping titanium tubes.
In my eyes, a made by an artisan in the usa preferably steel and built w/ mid level shimano parts like LX..this is the right stuff. The names i look for are Salsa, Ibis, Fat Chance, Independent Fabrications, Ritchey, WTB Phoenix, Manitou not t mention the lesser known builders like Curtlo or Brew. IMO those are vintage MTB bikes. Taiwanese frames were copies.
FluffyChicken":1dqnninp said:You're looking in the wrong place and at second rate bikes there, you need to pop up north to Canada and find the real stuff.Prodigal Son":1dqnninp said:ishaw":1dqnninp said:I once treated myself to a gator liner fade klein. Dripping with ringle and xtr m900 it was very high spec. Alas, I hated the ride, it was a bone shaker even on the flat. I was also in fear of ruining the lovely paint.
Higher end gts, marins and even giants are great bikes. Often the groupset defines the model and price, but franes were shared in the range so you can get a great frame with slightly less great parts and enjoy the fun of upgrading.
As said, orange are well regarded.
What you really wanted was a titanium Merlin . NO paint on vibration damping titanium tubes.
In my eyes, a made by an artisan in the usa preferably steel and built w/ mid level shimano parts like LX..this is the right stuff. The names i look for are Salsa, Ibis, Fat Chance, Independent Fabrications, Ritchey, WTB Phoenix, Manitou not t mention the lesser known builders like Curtlo or Brew. IMO those are vintage MTB bikes. Taiwanese frames were copies.