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Hi!

I've been riding mountain bikes for 3 years and have no much experience when choosing the right bike,m geometry, components etc.This is my first time building a bike and am struggling to find the right frame. I don't know if such small frames are fine for 29" wheels. Started looking at titanium frames but are too expensive. Don't want to spend +£1000 for a single geared bike and rigid forks

Apart from riding around Epping I might use it for racing if I get the fitness and right set up. I don't know if I could get the bike under 10kg on a steel frame. I own an Specialized Langster '10 for commuting and it's under 9kg aluminium frame and thin tyres.

So far I've found these frames/companies:
http://www.ninerbikes.com/fly.aspx . Think smallest frame is too big
http://www.singularcycles.com/swift.html Too big, too.
http://www.ragleybikes.com. Piglet 14" frame would suit but couldn't find if it's fine and stiff enough for rigid forks
http://www.lynskeyperformance.com/store ... speed.html (too expensive!!)
http://www.on-one.co.uk/ Not sure and think frames are too big

Just found this Salsa El Mariachi 14" frame http://salsacycles.com/bikes/el_mariachi_frame/

Ok, think it's reduced now to Piglet or El Mariachi

Any advice would be appreciated

Hay there If you are looking at the salsa stuff look at www.ison-distribution.com they are the UK distributor for them. The salsa stuff is very nice and there finish is fantastic (in a different league to on one). And on the same site have a look at the Surley stuff too, they do some nice stuff as well. If you re unsure of sizing i have a small Trek 29er in stock (works out about 15.5 inch) if wanted to have a sit on a small 29er.
The steel frames are lighter than you think and would not be far from the weight of an alloy frame especially in the smaller sizes that you have been looking at.

Or a carbon one off ebay! £250 is a bargain!
I had a 16" Scandal 29er, it was tiny for me, i was running a 400mm seatpost at past the minimum insert level!!
the scandal is super light but dont get a painted one as their paint is terrible.
Frame and fork combo

Hey Norcbot. I'd like to try the Trek. What are mthe opening hours on Saturday?

Ian, Salsa comes with a dedicated dropout for single speed but I don't know about those chinese frames.

We are open 9:30 - 5:00 saterdays. How did you get on with ison site.

On one?, inbred, whippet and carbon 456
http://www.on-one.co.uk/bikes

I would recommend going for a frame with the DMR swop drop out system so you can add gears if you change your mind in the future.

DMR probably isn't your cup of tea but I know a number of the Ragley range now have it.

Another one is the Kinesis decade versa frame (for 100-130 fork). I have one and like it a lot (but would sell it if you fit a 20" frame). As I want a frame that will take my Reverb seat post- which moves me into Ragley territory!

Nigel

I think the frame ticks all the boxes

Our steel El Mariachi’s use Alternator dropouts for either geared or singlespeed setups. The Alternator’s provide quick and secure wheel adjustment

I'll have another look at On one geometry frames but I think they don't have any for my size



Thinking of going this Saturday at around 430pm if that's ok?
So I see on that website if I want to buy something I have to let my preferred lbs what I want from there. Is that right? Cause I've seen Salsa El Mariachi frame cheaper.

Yeah thats fine. ye if a shop is an ison dealer thay can get it. let me know what the best price is and i will do my best on it. (we will always do a disount for people on this forum).

See you on Saturday. I might go between 1 and 2pm instead

It's taking more time than expected.
I'm looking at kinesis frames (more affordable) but there's something I can't understand. On the one hand, we have the Virsa Prestige frame http://kinesisdecade.co.uk/product.php?id=2 and it's suitable for single speed.
On the other hand we have all these maxlight series frames here http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/technical ... t/xc-pro-3 but don't know if they are for single speed.

1 kg? http://www.shinybikes.com/kuk-maxlight- ... -blue.html

Bloody hell that's light, but doesn't look single speed, but that doesn't really matter as you could run a tensioner instead. Check superstar out.
Also the one I linked to on eBay with the forks etc, a guy on bike radar bought one yesterday, 2-3 week delivery. Carbon frame, forks, bars and seatpost all delivered for under £400!!!

Hi agin yes the kineses bikes are very light but the maxlighys dont come with set for single speed but as vw sed you could use a chain tentioner. niner was the only other people i found that have frames that come in at 15.5 for.a small.

Just spotted this bargain!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-DISPLAY-G ... 1c22f17805

Javi why don't you convert your other Boardman to single speed? I can do it for you it you like? We just gotta get the tensioners etc.

It will take ten minutes.