ht dilema - Imperial vs Foreplay

[AdrenalineJunkie]

hey all

i'm in canada (and soon the states) so i have the luxury of yummy yummy botique frames for good prices, especially considering the favourable exchange rate and the fact i get it included in my baggage (round the world ticket).

i'm looking for a burly hardtail for aggressive trail riding, dirt jumping and dh. Hey why not just chuck in trials geometry too!!! just joking.... suppose u want teh details too, i'm 175cm and around 70kg dunno. I ride dh, dj (learning), and aggressive trail.

right now i'm looking between the evil imperial and the cove foreplay. Both are beautiful bikes and roughly the same price - i'm really stuck here. i've ridden the stiffee sl (2001 model) and loved the geometry, the imperial seems similar tho i like the adjustable chainstay lengths (15.5-17") and therefore adjustable wheelbase (jumping vs dh) as well as the 1.5 head tube. Both are long travel capable, both have IS mounts. Just writting that it looks like i'm leaning towards the evil, but i would love opinions from those who have ridden either or both on what they think about the feel, geo, weight that sort of thing. I guess there arn't so many of these frames in aus, but i appreciate peoples input.


i'm not interested in the spec you've ridden them with as i'm buying frame only.

any other suggestions for similar style frames feel free to chuck em in too.

thanks for the imput.

cheers,
owen.

[Cúl-Báire]

Take it from a Cove owner - Go the Cove!

[johnny]

Hmm, whilst the Imperial is the best looking HT ever, I'm not so sure if it's suited to DH. It may be, but it looks to be more of a street/DJ bike to me.

[bradh]

Hmm, whilst the Imperial is the best looking HT ever, I'm not so sure if it's suited to DH. It may be, but it looks to be more of a street/DJ bike to me.
With a 6-inch travel fork, I'd say it'd definitely be suited to DH. IMO, it'd make a much better trail/DH bike than it would a street bike.

AJunkie, if I was you, I'd definitely be opting for the Imperial.

[zorf]

Is there a distributor in australia for evil frames? I'm keen to get my hands on one of those imperials

[bradh]

Is there a distributor in australia for evil frames? I'm keen to get my hands on one of those imperials
nope.

67890

[Rik]

IMO, it'd make a much better trail/DH bike than it would a street bikeTrue, it's a touch heavy and the angles are rather unique... but, it'd probably be one of the strongest aluminium hardtails ever made.
I'd get the Evil just to be a poseur :cool: If the angles are good for you, then it'd be a tough bike that you'd never replace.

[Sethius]

....you know you want the gear box version....

[SDA]

I would go the Evil over a Cove. I went to the Cove shop to check out their line of bikes and meh, just wasn't... Cove just didn't do it for me.

The Evil is the frame that would most likely handle DH the best. The cove is more of a dirt jump / heavy BSX bike.

Where abouts have you seen and Evil here in Canada... would love to check out the Evil 'DOC'.

Also, I know of a place in Vancouver which has a Balfa Minute Man on special!? You gotta love the clear coat finish over steel.

As for hardtail frames other than the Evil for DH... .243

Cheers