what is a good XC racing frame?

Question

looking for a racing frame and its hard to get my hands on a cheap Spec Epic. what other alternatives are there? im looking for something less than $1000

Answer 1

If your budget is $1000 for just the frame you should have a lot of options. Check out the most recent issue of Mountain Bike mag- they just published their buyer's guide!

Answer 2

For that money, you are looking at hard tail, alluminium. Like any cycling, you need to consider power to weight. Just as important, however, is the frame geometry.

For power to weight, I would look at the Scott Scale. This frame was designed to climb Swiss mountains quickly. So a very good hill climbing frame.

Specialized have several good frames. Typically, the frames have a very aggressive styling, ideal for attacking trails and particularly racing.

Giant have a nice frame with the XTC range. Good power to weight ratio, although you can get a bit of harsh feedback when you hit bumps, this is again, a good all round frame, designed with racing in mind.

My local club has members that build their own frames. I can not remember the name of the frame that gets used most often, but several racers swear by it. Costs £200. Details can be found here:

www.georgehallcycles.com

That said, frame choice is upto you. It may be a wonderful frame, with hydroformed this that and what have you, but at the end of the day, it is you that will have to sit on it. I suggest that you see what is out there and then go and have a sit on a few bikes that have the frame you are interested in. Only then will you have an idea if the frame is right for you.

Luck

Answer 3

You'll find a an XTC 'Hybrid' ( alloy front/carbon rear frame)$349, XTC (Carbon) at Bob's Bicycles (www.bob-bicycles.com) Call 1-800-554-2627 for ALL Giant frames you'll find a REAL bargain-------