MTB Steel Hardtails?

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I am looking around for some steel hardtails, preferably trail or XC.

I already own a DMR Trailstar and it is a beaut bike to ride for DH/FR applications

I don't envisage my old Alum frame lasting forever and taking the journey of looking around?

Anyone own a steel hardtail here? Happy? what are my choices?

Some options I've considered:

Baum Cappuccino - a bit too exxy but Aussie and custom

Salsa Ala Carte - rare breed, OK at around $1K, nice tubing being OX temper platinum

Kona Explosif - only seen it as a bike and not thinking of running as a SS

Surly Karate Monkey - good price but they don't seem to have any normal MTB 26" wheels.

DMR Switchback - read some neg reviews and don't seem to sell 'em here

Jamis Dragon - again, not seen any that are frame only

I've come to detest duallies after owning a VT3 and love the ride quality of hardtails...

ah yes, forgot to mention


I noticed nashbar seem to have a reynolds 853 XC mtb well priced

Has anyone bought stuff from them?

Rob, have a look at http://www.thylacinecycles.com/

Thylacine is a poster on CF (in the Thread About Nothing, quite often)

Have a look at Soma frames (Soma Groove (http://www.somafab.com/groove.html)). Should be well priced - cheaper than Salsa...

I don't know who is the distributor here but ask at your favourite LBS.

And, ooh, look a those lugged road frames... just sweet.


I am looking around for some steel hardtails, preferably trail or XC.

I already own a DMR Trailstar and it is a beaut bike to ride for DH/FR applications

I don't envisage my old Alum frame lasting forever and taking the journey of looking around?

Anyone own a steel hardtail here? Happy? what are my choices?

Some options I've considered:

Baum Cappuccino - a bit too exxy but Aussie and custom

Salsa Ala Carte - rare breed, OK at around $1K, nice tubing being OX temper platinum

Kona Explosif - only seen it as a bike and not thinking of running as a SS

Surly Karate Monkey - good price but they don't seem to have any normal MTB 26" wheels.

DMR Switchback - read some neg reviews and don't seem to sell 'em here

Jamis Dragon - again, not seen any that are frame only

I've come to detest duallies after owning a VT3 and love the ride quality of hardtails...

Got an old Trek 830 steel hardtail, with the old rigid fork changed for shocks.

Still a very nice smooth ride, and still very happy with it. I mostly ride my road bike now but if/when components wear out on the MTB, I'm going to keep the frame and rebuild it.

Rob, have a look at http://www.thylacinecycles.com/

Thylacine is a poster on CF (in the Thread About Nothing, quite often)
thanks for the heads-up

i have noticed them online on mtbr forums

Have a look at Soma frames (Soma Groove (http://www.somafab.com/groove.html)). Should be well priced - cheaper than Salsa...

I don't know who is the distributor here but ask at your favourite LBS.

And, ooh, look a those lugged road frames... just sweet.
mmm, also nice.... is 631 a bit downspec tho?

SCV imports are their distributor

i'm pretty sure SCV do alot of brands

i still like the idea of an aussie bike

My apollo is made in taiwan but wear the aussie flag on the downtube proudly

mmm, also nice.... is 631 a bit downspec tho?

SCV imports are their distributor

i'm pretty sure SCV do alot of brands

i still like the idea of an aussie bike

My apollo is made in taiwan but wear the aussie flag on the downtube proudly
Just to let you know, I ended up picking up a Off-white new DMR Swtchback 18inch frame on ebay for $370

Pics to come....

Decided to keep my DMR Trailstar2 for rougher riding....

I have been looking at the Soma Groove myself and it appears they now have a Tange Prestige Main triangle (Look further into their site and also download the catalogue).
I am after something chromoly to build up an offroad tourer but most seem a bit to light and flexy for a heavy load.
The Karate Monkey would do the job for me but I cant quite come at the rear dropout set up, which would make changing a rear flat more of a hassle than necessary with a disk brake setup.(Although this is a twenty niner you could run 26" wheels with disks).