Rapidé Tigre Hardtail Frame

[RikisKiff]

I have achieved the nigh on impossible task of getting outside with both half decent light, and a half decent camera.

Here's a few shots of my lonely frame. My GT was lurking in the shadows while I frolicked around in the afternoon sun with my Tigre.

Once I narrow down what direction I intend to go with this bike, I hope to pick up some bits to compliment this frame soon.

 

Please post some pictures of your Tigres. I'd be interested to see how the bikes have evolved since the inception of this thread.

Thanks guys.

[Super Sywurm]

I been riding my Tigre since 2021. My Tigre usually sleeps where we are busy with renovations now.  I moved it into the dining room now for safe keeping. 

Last night I told my wife I like the the new spot for my bike.  I can now enjoy the view while eating.

[Nic Brigando]

Anyone got a tigre frame/bike lying around that they want to get rid of? I'm getting that hardtail itch again...

 

Med/Large in any of the colours...

Edited October 19, 2025 by Nic Brigando

[RikisKiff]

Hi Nic,

Good Luck with your search.

I'm still holding out for an unused Pitch Fork for mine.

[oren@azcom.com]

Howzit, Wayne has them on special, check his rapide website. Good price R7.6K

[Nic Brigando]

On 10/21/2025 at 12:17 PM, oren@azcom.com said:

Howzit, Wayne has them on special, check his rapide website. Good price R7.6K

I see there's no larges available on the site, which is a pity. Think the medium is too small to run as a proper big trail bike. Would be perfect for XC though.

[RikisKiff]

Sorry hey Nic,

I looked back in the thread and saw you had a particularly good looking Tigre.

When I was ordering mine there were no red XLs in stock and I believe I picked up the last black one.

I was pretty keen on a red one.

 

I've been piecing mine together over the past couple weeks. The all black bike is growing on me though. I was thinking of sticking some skin walls on it to break the monotony, which leads me to some questions.

 

Is a Trail casing skin wall tyre really going to lead to endless misery on the trails compared to a DH casing? Considering I'll be running a 29x2.6 on i30mm rims.

Would running an insert make a difference?

 

End of the day I'm on a steel hardtail, I'm not going to be jumping rock gardens at 40kph.

 

Interested in your opinions/experiences.

 

I'll post some pictures once my bike is together.

[Nic Brigando]

10 minutes ago, RikisKiff said:

Sorry hey Nic,

I looked back in the thread and saw you had a particularly good looking Tigre.

When I was ordering mine there were no red XLs in stock and I believe I picked up the last black one.

I was pretty keen on a red one.

 

I've been piecing mine together over the past couple weeks. The all black bike is growing on me though. I was thinking of sticking some skin walls on it to break the monotony, which leads me to some questions.

 

Is a Trail casing skin wall tyre really going to lead to endless misery on the trails compared to a DH casing? Considering I'll be running a 29x2.6 on i30mm rims.

Would running an insert make a difference?

 

End of the day I'm on a steel hardtail, I'm not going to be jumping rock gardens at 40kph.

 

Interested in your opinions/experiences.

 

I'll post some pictures once my bike is together.

Haha yes, she was a looker. I tend to swap/buy/sell bikes a lot, and I ended up cannibalizing those parts for an XC build, which ended up getting sold as I didn't like that bike at all. Regrets...

Trail casing for me was fine. The biggest thing is to run a proper insert on the rear. The bike inspires proper confidence, and on the trails it absolutely rips. Steel gives you a feeling of invincibility when it comes to hitting the rough stuff. You do have to remember that you're on a hardtail; but I used to frequent all the gauteng enduro trails on that 130mm setup and had absolutely no problems.

I used the double foamo inserts from CSIXX and after installation it was smooth sailing. I got a lot of flats and rim dings before that. The nature of a trail hardtail is that the rear does take more abuse, I initially rode with inserts in the front, but eventually realized I didn't need them.

I felt the Ardent 2.4s were perfect for me, while a pair of WTB Trail Boss 2.6s deadened some of the lively feel that I enjoyed from the frame. I previously ran Barzo 2.35s and they felt fast but obviously lacked the grip of the Ardents. I did start getting frequent flats on those ardents, but that was after close to 5000kms of hardcore riding, and they were definitely past the point of replacement.
 

I replaced the bike with a marino steel frame that closely mimics the tigre but 'improves' the areas where I felt the frame could be changed to fit a more enduro type bike, but I want the rapide back for the more chilled rides as the marino just eats everything in its path.

Some more pics to whet the appetite (steel is real🤟)

[RikisKiff]

Thanks Nic,

Exactly the feedback I was hoping for, and it aligns with what I was thinking which is nice.

I have a 2.6 DHR 2 already, I need a front counterpart and wasn't sure if it was worth buying a DHF. I see some specials on Eliminator Grids, with the soil searching tan walls, where two tires could be had for less than one DHF. I'll research whether the Eliminators will fit the bill or not as I don't want to turn this into a tyre thread.

 

Nic you are inspiration, keeping it real with steel on local wheels

That Merino of yours is a handsome thing.

I had quick squiz on the Merino website, pricing seems very reasonable for the quality of frames.

That Cabala got the juices flowing, I see a Large is the biggest frame they make which is a pity.

 

 

[Nic Brigando]

30 minutes ago, RikisKiff said:

Thanks Nic,

Exactly the feedback I was hoping for, and it aligns with what I was thinking which is nice.

I have a 2.6 DHR 2 already, I need a front counterpart and wasn't sure if it was worth buying a DHF. I see some specials on Eliminator Grids, with the soil searching tan walls, where two tires could be had for less than one DHF. I'll research whether the Eliminators will fit the bill or not as I don't want to turn this into a tyre thread.

 

Nic you are inspiration, keeping it real with steel on local wheels

That Merino of yours is a handsome thing.

I had quick squiz on the Merino website, pricing seems very reasonable for the quality of frames.

That Cabala got the juices flowing, I see a Large is the biggest frame they make which is a pity.

 

 

I am the biggest advocate of steel. My experience with both the Rapide and Marino frames have been stellar, and I have another Marino hardtail (160mm, 62.5 HA) on order. Hopefully I'll get the chance to ride more frames from other brands soon enough!

And honestly, having ridden many enduro bikes, the 15k landed price tag on a steel dualie marino frame is unbeatable. (Not to hijack the thread! The Tigre still holds a dear place in my heart!)

[oren@azcom.com]

Hey guys … letting you know that my Rapide just finished another Munga. That’s 3 done on this frame (my first on a  full-sus - never again 😂) … the bike is heavy but oh just so reliable. I reckon this frame can do almost anything you throw at it. 

[Nic Brigando]

On 11/6/2025 at 10:48 AM, Nic Brigando said:

I am the biggest advocate of steel. My experience with both the Rapide and Marino frames have been stellar, and I have another Marino hardtail (160mm, 62.5 HA) on order. Hopefully I'll get the chance to ride more frames from other brands soon enough!

And honestly, having ridden many enduro bikes, the 15k landed price tag on a steel dualie marino frame is unbeatable. (Not to hijack the thread! The Tigre still holds a dear place in my heart!)

Steel is real 🤘

 

Edited January 23 by Nic Brigando

[RikisKiff]

Hi Gents,

 

Oren, your endeavors prove just how versatile the Tigre is. Well done on completing another Munga.

 

Nic, she's a looker. Is that a raw finish on that frame?

 

Here's my Tigre in all it's splendour. This is honestly the best bicycle I have ever ridden and the only one that I have ever felt truly comfortable on. Comfort leads to confidence and the plushness of the steel compared to ally isn't something I thought I would notice as much. Fair enough the 2.6s do a great job of ironing out the chatter on the trail but the big hits don't transfer through the frame, it even sounds different.

I am 100% sold on steel.

 

In this pic it still had its 100mm Reba up front, I have recently popped a 140mm Suntour on it and have started attacking downhills even quicker. Next on the cards is a dropper and some clipless pedals, as I'm tired of being bashed in the arse and having my feet blown off.

 

A big thanks to Rapide, fellow Bike Hubbers and my LBS for sourcing all the bits to build this magnificent thing.

[oren@azcom.com]

She’s a beaut! Those bikes just keep rolling 👍

[Nic Brigando]

Looking awesome! Glad you get the experience the magic. Which suntour fork did you get? Hoping for many happy miles for you man!

30 minutes ago, RikisKiff said:

Nic, she's a looker. Is that a raw finish on that frame?

Yup, raw with clear coat. Looks incredible up close, the photos don't do it justice😁

[RikisKiff]

Thanks guys.

 

Nic, that finish is beautiful.

The fork is a 34mm Raidon with 140mm travel, I believe an OE fork off a Giant of some description. It was rebuilt with some new components for an absolute bargain, again Props to my LBS. Adjustable compression and rebound damping, lockout and boost spaced. A huge improvement over the 100mm Reba Brain that was on there.

I was eyeing out a Durolux that was advertised for a while, but it sold before I could make up my mind.

 

Hoping the rain stays away for the rest of the afternoon so I can go for a ride.