Steel mountain bike frame advise

[ara-the-bird]

So basically, I am contemplating to build an expedition bike.

I have been searching for a mountain bike frame.

this are the ones that I have come across that could be suitable:
1: Orange P7
2:Kona Explosif
3:On One 456
4:on one inbred

It would be nice if you could suggest any others. There is a beautiful 2010 orange p7 frame in white on ebay, but too expensive. I can buy a surly frame for that price.
I will be carrying a trailer behind me if I go ahead with this, but will also have a rear rack. The front will either be suspension or normal forks.

what are your thoughts.

[hubgearfreak]

i'd get an old ATB made of reynolds 501. there's plenty on ebay, and cheap

[random37]

Modern mountain bikes aren't really good at this sort of thing. A 1980s mountain bike, for example a 501 framed thing, are, but you need to get all the bits and you have to find a good one to begin with. Modern MTBs are much more function specific.

I wouldn't start from any of these.

[ara-the-bird]

the hardest thing is to find an atb bike with 501 frame, I have to go through each bike individually to see what frames they have so not an easy choice. unless I know what bike i am looking for.

the frames that i have listed can be found second hand. for example I can get orange p7 which is over 10 years old, same with kona, and they are Reynolds steel built.

I agree and would never get a new mtb frame, it doesn't make sense.

[hubgearfreak]

go to ebay, put in reynolds 501 as your search and tick the box that includes your search in description. there's a few there now.

here's a couple of threads to inspire

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32762

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=41857

[mark a.]

I've seen a few Inbreds done up as expedition bikes and they seem to work well. They're cheap, strong, have rack mounts, disc brakes and all that.

My P7 is ace, and does have rack mounts on the rear, but is much more expensive than the Inbred. The changeable drop-outs might be handy if you wanted an easy option to switch between dérailleurs and hub gears.

I can't comment on the other bikes, sorry. I'd look at what Surly and other expedition bike makers have done and copy that with whatever you can afford.

[ersakus]

how about a 26" Thorn (sherpa?) frameset?

[ara-the-bird]

how about a 26" Thorn (sherpa?) frameset?

Have you seen the price of those things. Unless it is second hand it doesn't make sense in buying one. even then I will have to make some modifications, costing even more.

reynolds 531 or 501 would be good, but pretty hard to find one in a good nick. and if it is people ask stupid money for it, might as well get a descent mtb farme. but I will straight away jump on a wagon if i get a good reynolds frame.

[ersakus]

Building an exped bike is bound to be expensive. Yes have a look at second hand ones. My bike expedition handbook reccomends Thorns as 26 inch bike, if you can't find an old steel MTB frame.

[Meshuga]

The Tange prestige frame is worth looking out for. Below is an example

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/frames/mountain/product/review-charge-bikes-duster-frame-08-29171

and there's one of those on ebay second hand at present. New they are just under £300, probably less if you look around.

[ara-the-bird]

I have been thinking this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Orange-P7-Frame-F ... 152wt_1141
what do you reckon? I think it will cost me around 400-500 to build an expedition bike. I will have it for long time though, and can use it whenever.


Thorn is good, but it is too expensive. You don't always have to follow what the book tells you.


Charge Duster doesn't seem to have any eyes for the rear rack, and I know how painful it is to fit one without those things.

[Steve Kish]

I'd buy the iconic Orange P7 and live on beans and toast for a few months!

[hubgearfreak]

Item number: 160582775346

[brumster]

Not mine, but:
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=50645

Would probably be ideal if size is right.

[ersakus]

I have been thinking this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Orange-P7-Frame-F ... 152wt_1141
what do you reckon? I think it will cost me around 400-500 to build an expedition bike. I will have it for long time though, and can use it whenever.


Thorn is good, but it is too expensive. You don't always have to follow what the book tells you.

Surely not but if you are to do expedition touring (unsupported) equipment quality is very important. There is loads of real world knowledge on the net/books regarding tired and tested equipment by world cycle tourers. I'd rather listen to the qualified advice instead of finding out why things do not work myself on a cycle-camping trip. Especially, the frame is where I'd not cut corners. That brings you to second hand as your budget is tight.

Tange prestige gets respect generally. Japanese double butted steel tubing. I have a whole audax bike from t. prestige tubing which is light and sweet and another loaded tourer of mine has tange prestige fork.