Hi Guys,

OK further to my previous thread and speaking to peeps etc. I am looking for ( subject to my estimations on the size of the on-one stem meaning I can stratch to 130mm sterring tube ) a frame to suit general mutlipurpose riding from XC through woods to Dual. I've spoken to Brant and got his recomendation but just, especially as his recomendation broke me budget, thought I'd get a general opinion of you lot. The shortlist, as I see it, (based on retail prices):-

Planet-X Jackflash classic
on-one Gimp (including gear hanger :p )
24/7 darkangel V.02
Planet-X Compo (blows budget though )
DMR Trailstar

which one then?

Dom.

Cove Stiffee.
then the Compo.

compo, i have one, it's fucking good, try asing brant for a mk1 compo, the paintjobs arn't as good as the mk2's but there only £400.

My LBS pointed out a missing one... although it's a bit over the budget, never know what is available 2nd hand...

Orange MsIsle...


Dom.

cove stiffee
maybe a norco sasquatch
norco do have uk distributors but i cant remember em
check the konas out, like the stuff/roast/chute series

Orange Ms Isle . Stiff, responsive, highly adjustable . A pure brit bruiser . If you're daft enough to choose anything else then go buy the 24-7, it's got rave reviews, straight 5/5s . And don't buy the VO.1 because that's a rip of and has the same spec as the V.02, it's just made in the US not Taiwan .

I have to say the more I look at the Orange the more I like it. Allways been a fan of the Patriot, that downtube looks so mean.

Still £500 is like £300 over my budget - although what I'm tempted to do is Sell the Marin ( we the choice bits replaced by bits that I have that are ok just been replaced by upgrades - e.g. wheels, forks ( have to find a pair ), gear change etc. ) and thus hopefully get enough to bridge the gap.

I'm also keeping an eye on a CBR gatecrasher frame which if it get's cheap enough I'd buy to use as an interim bike between the two.


Dom.

I'm selling a full MsIsle with loads of nice bits for £800. Have a look in the classifieds for the full spec.

Nice bike, dream bike almost, outa me budget though - thanks for poiting it out though.

Dom.

You want the trailstar, you can go from doing some jumps then thrash it up to the top of your woods thrash it back down to do a bit of street. the jackflash classic is great to but not so good as xc as it is a bit heavy. got both the jackflash for a bit of freeride and the trailstar for every thing else!
you would love both but i reccomend the dmr