I'm after a new hardtail frame to replace my old, battered and overworked NRS. But I cannot decide between a budget Ti like the Pipedream nevis or top end steel like the Cotic Soul.
The kit going on it will be a Talas fork, XT gears and brakes and Hope-Mavic wheels, your general XC stuff.
Riding style is best described as random and it will be used for everything from the Peak to SITS etc etc

Umm, Cotic is more mid range steel along with P7 etc. Top end steel is something like a DeKerf 853 for around £1K. I think you'll find the Cotic rides more smoothly than the Nevis though, so of the two it's the one I'd go for. Well actually I'd buy the P7 but you get my drift.

Cheers Mike, I do like the sounds of the P7 do you know the frame weight?

I am just in from a blast on my Cotic Soul and I friggin well love it!

I have no doubt the P7 is a belter also although I do have to comment on my sliding dropout Inbred as well as it rides like a bike 3 times the price!

The interchanageable drop outs of the Orange appeal to me. Though Cotic are about 4 miles from me, and a mate who has one, loves his.

Get the Cotic then Cy Turner is a top bloke.

"Though Cotic are about 4 miles from me, and a mate who has one, loves his."

Hi Steve!

Yeah the Cotic is lovely and would suit the spec and terrain you have in mind well.

BUT

If you ever intend to try SS again now your ankle is better then interchangeable dropouts will be a big plus. If you don't then for £50 extra or whatever it is I'd get the Cotic. Besides, if you get a P7, Wayne will kill you and steal it.

In terms of geometry etc the P7 and Cotic are very similar, the P7 does however have a lazier head angle and uses a lower grade steel as opposed to 853.

If you want to, I can lend you the geared Inbred frame again to build up for nowt until you make your mind up as I now have a slidy dropout version to put the SS gear on!

But Wayne would have to catch me first ;-).

It would be expensive buying 2 P7's, just to replace the one Wayne nicks.

But it is a new favorite at the moment, the singlespeed option is swaying it.
But then the Wanga is cheaper.
This is getting feckin ridiculous, how hard is it to choose a frame I’m just going round in circles here.

Ta for the offer of the Inbred but I'm not gonna build twice

I'm considering similar options - Cotic, VooDoo or perhaps an Explosif. I'm tending towards the Cotic but anyone any thoughts on how the Explosif frame would compare?

Kona's always ride well. Joe Murray geometry (still) and decent materials.

P7 is a good all-rounder. Orange have a good reputation. Go for it. They'll both be good.

The P7 isn't light Steevo I think around 4lbs, but the ride is very nice.

Oh and there's always the Dialled Love/Hate.

Oh dear, I have just called my LBS they have a 17" P7 frame in stock, dare i go and look and should i leave the credit card at home.

Well ive decidied against the P7, too heavy..... oh well

Having difficulty making your mind up? so many nice frames to chose from

solitudes are nice