Ti or aluminium (GT or Kona)

[Member 10502]

I've never seen a broken Hei Hei and I am a world class kona bore.

FWIW, a GT and a Kona handle so differently that the materials they're built from is largely irrelevant imho.

So can a hei hei be ridden hard Without issues or is it a delicate lightweight machine?

Thanks

It's not a jump bike, but it will stand up to being ridden properly on the trails.

I know that, i guess the questions i need answering are

-Which is a stronger frame? Zaskar or hei hei (bottom line please, regardless of material or intended uses)

-how tough is the skinny heihei dropout? Again, comparason to the zaskar would be helpful

-is the titanium frame tougher than its steel kona equivelent?

As you can probably tell i want this frame to last

Chris

 

[T'boo Ted]

nobody can definatively answer that, titanium is pretty strong stuff, but it can break, zaskars are pretty bombproof...but can still break, steel is pretty strong stuff but can break. We don't all sit around doing impact testing on frames.
You need to tell us what you want the frame to do, that might factor stuff in. But if you're worried about the fropouts of the hie hie, then get a zaskar, it won't be a bad choice and probably easier to get a hold of one.

Also, just buy a xizang... then you get both.

 

[wadsy]

Re: Re:

thanks for the comments, they have been helpful.... im interested to know how strong the hei hei dropout is? i know its titanium, but it still doesnt look as though much metal was used to construct it, and im sure kona could have re inforced it more while adding only a minimal amount of weight :? has anyone ever cracked a hei hei? or seen one thats been broken before?

borrowed pic

Undoubtably both great frames; but my choice would be titanium, as in the pic you 'borrowed' from me ....one of my previous Hei Heis. I prefer the 'feel' of ti over the more rigid aluminium.

 

[Member 10502]

Re:

What I want the bike for is some trail riding, a lot of commuting as I don't have a car, and use as my fun/play bike so a bit of a retro all rounder really. Hence why I'm looking for lightweight but strength, I rode a friends zaskar the other weekend and for aluminium it felt as tough as they come.

I have both frames availableto me for sale so its not like I have to search. I would really want a 90s xizang in 16" but that would be hard to find

Chris

 

[maroon113]

Re:

Maybe you should get something like a Trek 930-950-970-990. If you are commuting, and locking it up for long periods. It is more low profile than the Hei Hei or Zaskar. Wolf-in-sheep's clothing. Still light, fast, good handler, very strong. It will be very capable to handle both commuting and trails. They are strong, but if heaven forbid it does break, your heart won't break as well (it is a Trek who can truly love one). They are easily replaced, not expensive. The Steel frame is a sweet ride, more comfortable than a Zaskar and it can still run in the woods.

 

[Member 10502]

Re:

But then i might as well buy the zaskar

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

nobody can definatively answer that, titanium is pretty strong stuff, but it can break, zaskars are pretty bombproof...but can still break, steel is pretty strong stuff but can break. We don't all sit around doing impact testing on frames.
You need to tell us what you want the frame to do, that might factor stuff in. But if you're worried about the fropouts of the hie hie, then get a zaskar, it won't be a bad choice and probably easier to get a hold of one.

Also, just buy a xizang... then you get both.

I dont know where people hear that early zaskars are easy to come by cus theyre really not. Search it up on ebay and all you will find is some modern stuff and a few graphic sets. As for hei heis i have seen 3 on ebay this past month alone

Sean

 

[suburbanreuben]

Also, just buy a xizang... then you get both.

And the ones that have come up on Ebay have gone for pennies compared to Konas.

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

Also, just buy a xizang... then you get both.

And the ones that have come up on Ebay have gone for pennies compared to Konas.

Hmm but they hardly ever do, and are always collection only

 

[T'boo Ted]

Re:

There us a 16 xizang on eBay right now. ( well I'd could be a lightning)
And there us usually s zaskar or two fir sale right here on the site. Of course with everything when you are looking there are none, when you arnt there are ten