All mountain Hardtail project (frame needed)

[pistonpomp]

OK, so I bought this mammoth 180mm fork for a frame and wheels that doesn't fit. Dont ask - my bad...

Now then the ou bleskop starts to work overtime and after a brief research spree, I decided to build a all mountain hardtail with this moerse shock I bought. After another brief research spree, I came across Mercer frames from Cape Town, which will look awesome with this moerse shock I bought.

 

Now comes the biggest problem of all - the wife. "Se moer met nog 'n frame" was the reply I got after my enthusiastic proposal to my 26 weeks pregnant wife. So my plea to the community is - anyone got a old ht frame (26") lying around which they want to sell please! To fit a 180mm fork. All help will be gladly appreciated

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

OK, so I bought this mammoth 180mm fork for a frame and wheels that doesn't fit. Dont ask - my bad...

Now then the ou bleskop starts to work overtime and after a brief research spree, I decided to build a all mountain hardtail with this moerse shock I bought. After another brief research spree, I came across Mercer frames from Cape Town, which will look awesome with this moerse shock I bought.

 

Now comes the biggest problem of all - the wife. "Se moer met nog 'n frame" was the reply I got after my enthusiastic proposal to my 26 weeks pregnant wife. So my plea to the community is - anyone got a old ht frame (26") lying around which they want to sell please! To fit a 180mm fork. All help will be gladly appreciated

joh, bro... I've been through this. There are hardly ANY hardtail frames built around a 180mm fork. They mostly top out at ~160mm max, and then they're newer ones or oooooold freeride bikes like the Evil Imperial, which has taken up to 200mm before

 

http://forums.mtbr.com/attachments/downhill-freeride/11776d1081893559-post-your-hardtail-huckers-evil.jpg

 

Your best bet is most likely a homebuilt or a Mercer creation. For a homebuilt, speak to Jimmy Hardtail here on the hub (James Eatwell) - he built one recently out of steel that he bought online (I think) and welded it at home. 

 

Good luck! 

 

You may be able to get something online, but chances of finding a 26" hardtail frame locally that can take a 180mm fork are sketchy at best. 

[Jewbacca]

IMHO a 180mm fork on a HT is a waste... sell it and be done with it.

 

Seriously.... Do it properly and get a 140mm fork and a steel Cotic Bfe 26er and go and slay the beast that is hardtail heaven if you insist on riding a 26er.....

 

180mm is way too long to get BB drop/height right. I am usually the last to poop on parties, but replacing a 26er fork is cheaper than trying to build/find a decent frame to make something work...

 

But good luck!

[Odinson]

If you're dead set on using the fork, you're probably going to get a custom frame built, which will need to be slack AF (63°- 65°) HA and nice and steep seat tube angle. 

 

Something like this comes to mind: 

[Odinson]

IMHO a 180mm fork on a HT is a waste... sell it and be done with it.

 

Seriously.... Do it properly and get a 140mm fork and a steel Cotic Bfe 26er and go and slay the beast that is hardtail heaven if you insist on riding a 26er.....

 

180mm is way too long to get BB drop/height right. I am usually the last to poop on parties, but replacing a 26er fork is cheaper than trying to build/find a decent frame to make something work...

 

But good luck!

 

Yeah, what he said. 

[Grey Hubs]

IMHO a 180mm fork on a HT is a waste... sell it and be done with it.

 

Seriously.... Do it properly and get a 140mm fork and a steel Cotic Bfe 26er and go and slay the beast that is hardtail heaven if you insist on riding a 26er.....

 

180mm is way too long to get BB drop/height right. I am usually the last to poop on parties, but replacing a 26er fork is cheaper than trying to build/find a decent frame to make something work...

 

But good luck!

Or like this with a 130mm fork:

[Hairy]

take a step back ... what fork is it and is there any chance of being able to drop the travel on it?

[hansolo]

I would tend to agree with most other comments,a 180 mm fork will make life difficult. What fork is it? You could perhaps reduce the travel to a more "reasonable" level. 

 

Good luck with the project.

[pistonpomp]

It's a 66 RCV Marzocchi Bomber fork which I bought on this hub, and I think the travel can be adjusted

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

It's a 66 RCV Marzocchi Bomber fork which I bought on this hub, and I think the travel can be adjusted

in which case you will be able to fit a 650 rim and tyre combo to it without a hassle. 

 

I have one on my Reign Advanced, and it fits perfectly with a 2.35" Magic Mary and 35mm internal rims. 

[pistonpomp]

Ok, too much hassle - going to sell it again then. Thanx for all the feedback guys!

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Ok, too much hassle - going to sell it again then. Thanx for all the feedback guys!

is it the air or coil version? And steerer length?

[pistonpomp]

is it the air or coil version? And steerer length?

Jirre boet, I really don't know! It's got 2 airvalves on top, so I think it might be a mix between the two. Steerer length is 175mm

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Jirre boet, I really don't know! It's got 2 airvalves on top, so I think it might be a mix between the two. Steerer length is 175mm

argh, steerer too short and it does sound like the air version. Coil has an air assist for high speed compression adjustment, under the rebound knob. 

 

I know someone looking for a coil Bomber but with 200mm steerer. 

[CdT85]

Maybe look at the Dartmoor Hornet. Wanted to get one of those to mate with my 180mm Marzocchi Bomber 66

 

http://dartmoor-bikes.com/hardware/enduro-trail/hornet-2016-0

 

Can take a 170mm travel fork max, but can always look at lowering the travel on your fork?

[pistonpomp]

That's exactly what I'm looking for!!!! Any idea of cost and where to get one?