Talking of the maxlight...does this use bottom pull or top pull? : ) or either!? ...I was looking at upgrading my groupset from alvioo to deore LX, but on cycleexpress it asks for top/bottom pull and also the size (ps i don't have a maxlight frame yet..but considering one because every forum post on it has been of praise!)
Not much good said about the Rock Lobster? Pardon?
I know several owners of that bike all of whom sing its praises highly. Its certainly a better frame than the Inbred, which draws its support entirely from singlespeed clones on identical white On-Ones. The P7 and Handjob are both very fine frames, but designed for a very different purpose from the Rock Lobster. The Lobster is pure XC, the Cove and Orange are more hardcore, and hence heavier and less supple. I suggest that if you've heard bad things about the Rock Lobster its because of people trying to use one for purposes its not designed for.
I've heard some very good things about all the frames mentioned.
I think steels probably the way for me, and that makes me lean towards the RL, but its a bit more expensive, and the inbred has a longer toptube.
What I wanted really was other options for XC & a bit of jumping, and was expecting a barage of anti alu rants, but maybe I will buy the merlin, and pocket some cash.
I would also go for the RL, for the same reasons as above really. The 853 tubes are probably some of the best steel tubing that there is, and having seen the bikes in the shop, the frame build quality looks excellent, although I stress I have not ridden one. I just think it would be a better ride than the aluminium frames, although my brother does have a Malt3 which is very light, and having built one up in the past for my sister in law, they too are a decent quality frame for the money.
