Good Steel Hardtails?

**schuss** · 08-14-2005, 08:09 PM

My dad is beginning to look for a steel hardtail, and I was looking for some recommendations. We used to ride all the time, and he loves the handling and ride of a steel hardtail. Suggestions? No huckbikes etc., just classic steel hardtail MTB.

**bagtagley** · 08-14-2005, 08:55 PM

Most likely not what he's looking for, but oh so sexy.

**funkendrenchman** · 08-14-2005, 08:59 PM

www.ifbikes.com Pictures is a rigid but it is set up to run an 80mm fork.

**Free Range Lobster** · 08-14-2005, 09:02 PM

Sovereign street.
Mmmm.

**Viva** · 08-14-2005, 10:31 PM

Rocky Mountain Blizzard.

**m1e448** · 08-14-2005, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by funkendrenchman

www.ifbikes.com Pictures is a rigid but it is set up to run an 80mm fork.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I've been lusting over one of these for a few years now. Hopefully my dream will come true someday.

**Spats** · 08-14-2005, 10:42 PM

Custom steel hardtail frames cost less than you think: about $750.

www.waltworks.com
www.curtlo.com

Of course, if you're on a budget, you can get a 15" or 17" for $80:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

**Darkside** · 08-14-2005, 11:31 PM

I second IF. Pricey, but the best in the business. Nice guys to boot.

**Spats** · 08-15-2005, 12:40 AM

What makes an IF $500 better than (say) a Curtlo?

(Not a rhetorical question -- I've never had my hands on an IF.)

**boobookitty** · 08-15-2005, 07:50 AM

Rocky Mountain Hammer.

**m1e448** · 08-15-2005, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Spats

What makes an IF $500 better than (say) a Curtlo?

(Not a rhetorical question -- I've never had my hands on an IF.)

When you have you hands on an IF and you take one for a spin then you'll know.

**intheways** · 08-15-2005, 09:21 AM

On-one Inbred is a pretty sweet trailbike. I've got a 16" frame I'm trying to sell.

Check out: on-one.co.uk

**Spats** · 08-15-2005, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by powwrangler

When you have you hands on an IF and you take one for a spin then you'll know.

Help me out here: is it welds? Finish? Paint? The geometry? Seriously: what makes them $500 better than a Curtlo or Waltworks, which (to my eye) is making exactly the same thing?

Again, I'm not bagging on IF -- I have never fondled one personally. I just want to know the difference from someone who has experience with both.

**onehotchili** · 08-15-2005, 01:10 PM

as an owner of an IF SingleSpeed, all i can say is the bike is awesome. it just goes where i want it to and has an uncanny ability to get me up everything i ride here around N. Tahoe. given the tubes used, the custom butting, and the combination of the diameter of the tubes... it all adds up to a unique ride for each manufacturer and in my case IF. i am not sure if it is worth a bigger premium over other custom steel frame manufacturers, but i am a die-hard New England steel fan (having owned several Fat City Yo Eddy's before) so i know the geometry works for me.

when i got my IF SS 5years ago, it just felt "right" compared to Soulcraft, Syscip, Spot, Surly, Kona, and Bianchi which were all on my short list of SingleSpeeds to try at that time. never tried a Curtlo or Waltworks... but i am sure they are nice.

**schuss** · 08-15-2005, 03:17 PM

I already showed him the IF Deluxe and he's in love. Just wondering if there were others I didn't know about that were just as good. We biked a ton in the heyday of Fat City.

**homerjay** · 08-17-2005, 10:07 AM

Gunnar Rockhound?

**trainnvain** · 08-17-2005, 10:50 AM

Ted Wojcik Custom Bicycles
6 Gigante Drive
Hampstead, NH 03841

Phone: (603) 329-8057
e-mail: mltmtl@shore.net

Vicious Cycles makes a nice FatChance style 853 frame as well.
Surly isn't bad either.

**Meconium** · 08-17-2005, 11:12 AM

If your dad will be happy with an 80mm front end why not just look at quality used bikes from the 90s. Test ride and buy a build kit or even go the extra mile and paint the fucker. Maybe your dad is remembering the feel of older school geometry that is also more forgiving.

Just got back my 97 Marin team issue steel hardtail, complete m950

MT · 08-17-2005, 12:03 PM

I'm a fan of the new Explosif frameset myself.

**gravitylover** · 08-17-2005, 07:35 PM

Train's got it - Vicious is sweet. Carl, the owner/welder, is a bit of a character and his bikes definitely have an attitude. They are so EC trail appropriate it's scary. Your frame will also get your name on it under the clear coat.

**Particle** · 08-18-2005, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by MT

I'm a fan of the new Explosif frameset myself.

Nice MT! How's fire season treatin ya?

MT · 08-18-2005, 04:20 PM

Things are going well, but I'm ready for winter. Here is my other steel baby....a little old school flair is good every once in a while.

**Spats** · 08-19-2005, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by onehotchili

when i got my IF SS 5years ago, it just felt "right"

It sounds like picking a custom frame builder is like picking a tailor. They all have the same materials to work with -- it's how well they use them to fit you and whether their style and judgment reflect what you want.

**cj001f** · 08-19-2005, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Train's got it - Vicious is sweet. Carl, the owner/welder, is a bit of a character and his bikes definitely have an attitude. They are so EC trail appropriate it's scary. Your frame will also get your name on it under the clear coat.

I recently bought a Slider (Cross frame) used on eBay. Didn't know much about Vicious before hand, definitely want to buy another from them now. Sweet frame.

**Meconium** · 08-19-2005, 12:30 PM

Bit heavy but...

http://store.airbomb.com/ItemDesc.asp?IC=FM8009

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