What shall I get?

[TSC.]

Re:

Any idea what size frame you need?

 

[The History Man]

Overbury’s Pioneer.

Short, agile, boutique, steel, British, desirable.

But then I’m biased.

 

[shedobits]

Re:

Dodgy back and knee here, always got on well with steel Konas.

 

[caemis]

+1 for Kona, Overbury
maybe Brodie as well.

relatively short toptubes, long headtubes and they're looking nice too

 

[MarinMartin]

Re:

For some reason I cant get on with Konas. Looking at some options rigid may well be in the equation.

May need to try and find a few I like and try them. I ride a 19" normally.

Always liked the voodoo bizango as that was nearly my first bike but when the seller messed me around I bought the Marin. Now its time I finally let the Marin go as emotional attachment has had a hold over me for too long and its time to move on.

 

[TSC.]

Re:

I have this 19" Orange P7 spare, it's tatty, but a bit of elbow grease might smarten it up. There's a small ding on the downtube and part of the BB shell is broken - although the BB is smooth with no play. Happy to give it to a worthy cause for karma if you can meet somewhere for collection. I'm in Torquay but I'm often around Dartmoor/Plymouth way.

 

[MarinMartin]

Re:

Thanks so much for the offer TSC but in all honesty I want to wait until the new year and have some time planning what I really want to build as at the moment I have about 20 bikes needing repair (starting a cycling group for mental health so need to get the fleet ready) as well as doing a few up to help pay the bills until the job front is sorted. Along with trying to sell my own bikes it's a bit chaotic at the moment

transport's a bit difficult at the moment as well as I can't drive (sooner I get the surgery the better)

Thanks though.

 

[TSC.]

Re:

That's ok, it was just a thought. Good luck with the build

 

[al-onestare]

So, first things first, this isn't something I can do right this very moment as I'm selling most of my bikes to pay the bills meaning I can't afford it right now but I want something to look forward to in the new year. For the last year or so I've basically bought and built bikes 'because they're cheap'. Then often found they're a bitter disappointment. Now this is where you knowledgeable lot come in.

I want to change the way I look at bikes. I want to build something because I really want it. I want something that I can really put a lot of effort into instead of just building something out of whatever parts I can find. Basically I want something that there's no rush to build and each and every part is chosen by me because that's what I want, not because it's the cheapest I could find. I want something that I don't care about how much I've spent because it's exactly how I want it. (and it won't be sold so spending more than it's worth isn't a problem)

The problem is I don't know what frame to use as a base. I'm not going to be able to spend a fortune on the frame. It's not going to be to ride in anger at top trail centres as I'm not going to be able to do that sort of riding for a long time, more for woodland trails sort of thing. The only criteria I have at the moment is it has to be retro (preferably pre 97) and be able to have front suspension. Oh and not specialized (don't ask :facepalm: )

So does anyone have any suggestions for a good starting point? I'm going to be doing my research on everything not just buying it because it looks good (although that's a bonus). This is going to be something special.

What was the bike you lusted after bitd? That's a starter for 10.

 

[MarinMartin]

Re:

My (achievable) dream bike isn't really practical for what I need this for. I've always lusted after the Marin Alpine Trail but I have a modern full susser (ironically my dream bike from when I started riding a few years ago) and really need a hardtail/rigid because of awhat it's going to be used for. Maybe one day I'll build one but for now it's going to be something I'm happy with but not my dream bike.