Advice on where to source a frame

[andrewjlennon]

Hi,

I'm looking for a Large steel frame, and have been for a while but to no avail.

Typically I look on here and singletrackworld Classifieds, but what I was wondering is whether there are any other boards I should be looking at? Were I able to locate a Krampus or ECR that would be perfect that they seem rare as hens' teeth, so really something like an El Mariachi or Swift would be what I'm looking for.

Sorry should this be an inappropriate question and should it be so, feel free to delete it.

[Ben98]

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic ... e-wheelset

Remembered this came up a couple of days ago?

[andrewjlennon]

Thank you.

Dragging the thread kicking and screaming off topic, but what would the Karate Monkey be like with the larger wheels in terms of mud clearance?

[Ben98]

How bigger tires are you talking? I've never run particularly large tires in my KM, but I'd be happy to measure the chain and seatstays for clearance?

[FLV]

ebay turns up the odd one or two of course. Shops have them too

[atk]

The fork takes a 3" tyre with room to spare.

At the rear - you can slam a 2.4" to the front of the drop outs but there's little chainstay clearance, a set of monkey nuts solves this on a geared setup, or pop an extra link in the chain for singlespeed...

[Gari]

My KM will probably be up for sale in the next few weeks as I am hoping to get something new. I have run Ardent 2.4s no problem in the rear, not sure you would get anything wider in there.

[andrewjlennon]

When I looked at the Karate Monkey some time ago, I was told that it wouldn't accept a knard at the back and I suspect that's probably the case, but thank you to the person who offered to measure it all the same.

I've a bad habit of holding out for a bargain, all the while missing out on riding and, as someone above said, going to a shop and paying retail is probably the best course of action.

Thank you for all the suggestion thus far.

[Bearbonesnorm]

It sounds like you've set your heart on 29+ front and rear but have you considered something with 29+ out front only? After spending quite a bit of time riding both, I've come to the conclusion* that 70% of the benefits associated with 29+ are derived from the front and quite often having it on the back can actually be a downside ... added weight, etc.

*other opinions are available

[FLV]

It sounds like you've set your heart on 29+ front and rear but have you considered something with 29+ out front only? After spending quite a bit of time riding both, I've come to the conclusion* that 70% of the benefits associated with 29+ are derived from the front and quite often having it on the back can actually be a downside ... added weight, etc.

*other opinions are available

On the subject of weight.
I have a chonlicle and a knard tyre, I also have a wired ardent 2.4 and a folding exo ardent 2,4

When new, the exo ardent was lightest, then chronicle, knard, wired ardent.

Roll on 6 months, the exo ardent up and down tubeless several times and moved wheels at least 3 times, maybe 4 and its now the heaviest due to sealant absobtion. Lightest is now the chronicle.

(yes I am that sad)

[Zippy]

(yes I am that sad)

I hope you have recorded both time and weight throughout so we can calculate and graphically analyse the rate of sealant absorption

[TheBrownDog]

Meanwhile, back on track, pinkbike has good general MTB classifieds, though it might take a while to find exactly what you're after.

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/