Any recommendations for inexpensive 29er frames. Something that will take a 100mm fork and 135mm rear hub.

Thanks.

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GRAVELBIKE.COM - ride everything

How about 'Chinese carbon'? http://www.light-bicycle.com/carbon-29e ... frame.html seems to fit your requirements and my full suspension TwentyChiner has been great.

Basically if you want a carbon 29er and cheap, then a Chinese 29er is probably the way to go. People seem to like the 056/057 from Hong Fu best.

If you just want a 29er frame then about the Kinesis Maxlight FF29, it's less than 500g heavier (1.78kg) than a Chinese carbon frame, but has fanasic reviews, great after sales support and won't break on you. Around the same price as a cheap carbon frame too.

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... e-12-46187" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'd put a vote in for a niner EMD frame. Not flashy, but it rides well, the geometry is great, and you'd have bikeshop support.

I built an EMD EX small for my 12 year old son and it is an awesome bike. His is built with 100mm Fox and of course 135 rear. I have 5 other Niners and it steers/handles just like the others. The only difference is it is a little heavier for the same size frame. (in other words the ex small EMD was about the same weight as a medium Air9). If you can bargain with your dealer, you can get the EMD for something in the mid $five hundreds landed. If you buy a Niner frame, you can rest assured that if there is ever a frame problem, they will stand behind it and the geometry is about as good as it gets.

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For certain parts stiffer is more important than lighter.

Ended up getting a Soul Cycles Dillinger 5.0 frame and Carver Trail-490 carbon fork.

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GRAVELBIKE.COM - ride everything

On One Scandal. I'm riding one for 4 years now, same geo as early Niner frames (2009), alu and pretty light...

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOSCSO29V ... t_frame_v2

€178