Marino Bikes

[Chip]

I want to get a 29er steel hardtail for my mtb excursions, general weekend and some enduro type riding, it is extreme difficult to find a frame/complete bike here in SA, like a Cotic, Standton, etc. And it is quite expensive to import the frame.

 

I came across Marino bikes, handbuilt steel bikes from Peru, prices seem quite good and you can choose your geometry, does anyone have any experience purchasing from them? (https://www.marinobike.com/)

 

The next question is what geo numbers to make an awesome trail/enduo hartail?

 

Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

[TheoG]

Did you have a look at the local Rapide frame?

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/features/_/gear/gear-news/rapide-introduces-tigre-steel-mtb-hardtail-r8219?source=sidebar

[Meezo]

I want to get a 29er steel hardtail for my mtb excursions, general weekend and some enduro type riding, it is extreme difficult to find a frame/complete bike here in SA, like a Cotic, Standton, etc. And it is quite expensive to import the frame.

 

I came across Marino bikes, handbuilt steel bikes from Peru, prices seem quite good and you can choose your geometry, does anyone have any experience purchasing from them? (https://www.marinobike.com/)

 

The next question is what geo numbers to make an awesome trail/enduo hartail?

 

Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

Rapide has a steel hardtail that looks good has the right numbers and available locally

[Meezo]

Did you have a look at the local Rapide frame?

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/features/_/gear/gear-news/rapide-introduces-tigre-steel-mtb-hardtail-r8219?source=sidebar

Snap

[Chip]

Did you have a look at the local Rapide frame?

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/features/_/gear/gear-news/rapide-introduces-tigre-steel-mtb-hardtail-r8219?source=sidebar

 

I have looked at it, looks great but want something a little slacker with a 140mm fork and a steeper seat tube angle.

[Chadvdw67]

Mercer bikes Hungry Monkey or King Dong

[Thermophage]

Mercer bikes Hungry Monkey or King Dong

OP wants slacker than the rapide. Dave's are definitely not slacker with 140 fork. Rapide with 140 is stated with 65.2 HTA

[Jewbacca]

Slacker than 65.5' is just silly IMHO.... and I have ridden said HA on hardtails.

 

SA doesn't have the big, steep flow trails that work for bikes like that.

 

BUT, then I suppose some friends of mine told me the same, I said 'rubbish what do you know' and bought one and realized that super slack, long hardtails in SA suck.

 

Good luck. You won't find a custom steel bike with that sort of Geo cheaper.. Maybe Babah bikes but the shipping on both would be the decider

[Hairy]

Snap

Snap is not a term to be used on a cycling thread when talking about frames ... oh wait ... this is not the Chinese carbon frame thread ... as you were dear sir

[dasilvarsa]

You can get one Custom Built for your Unique Physique.

 

https://mercerbikes.co.za/custom-bicycles/

[silversonic]

Perhaps also look at Willie Engelbrecht's custom made mountain bikes:

 

“What I do, is I say to a client ‘Allow me to introduce you to the bike’. We go for a ride, and I look at the person’s needs. I then build the bike they need. I want them to feel special. The bike speaks for itself.” – Willie Engelbrecht

 

https://adrenalinebikes.co.za/

[Hairy]

Perhaps also look at Willie Engelbrecht's custom made mountain bikes:

 

“What I do, is I say to a client ‘Allow me to introduce you to the bike’. We go for a ride, and I look at the person’s needs. I then build the bike they need. I want them to feel special. The bike speaks for itself.” – Willie Engelbrecht

 

https://adrenalinebikes.co.za/

would he have the experience to design and build a heavy hitting mtb?

[Hairy]

If you have some cash to burn (Actually don't really need that much) also give the Hermanus crew from https://www.calculus-bikes.com/ a spin

[MarcBurger]

Get a Marino. It will be a lekker exercise. Just be prepared to wait a bit as I believe they're a bit backlogged at the moment.

 

Also note: If you can find someone who is also keen. The shipping cost makes provision for 2 frames in a box so you can share the cost.

 

What's the going rate of a Mercer hardtail frame nowdays?