"Sleeper" bike frames

[toosahn]

I've been riding my Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross for 2 years now. Love the bike. So versatile.

To me, BMC epitomizes the category of bike frame makers/producers/designers that are somewhat niche, tailored to the enthusiast and relatively low volume.

I've recently looked into purchasing and building up another frame and through here-and-there research, frames like the Rodeo Labs Flaanimal, Endpoint Hunter-Gatherer, Rawland Ravn and Ulv, and Singular.

I'm liking these low-volume, off-the-shelf frames for the discerning bike enthusiast and a not so crazy price.

It would be great to start a discussion about these frames and give spotlight to those producers/manufacturers that deserve it.

I also think it would be great to get a list going of all of the best of the lot.

[seric]

I'd add Crust to the list of low volume crossover manufacturers.

[PepeM]

Probably shouldn't use BMC to refer to your bike, especially if you want to claim it is a 'sleeper.' ;)

[batman1425]

Squid and Spooky come to mind in the aluminum space. I would love one of the new Spooky Gas Masks. Had a Skeletor a while back and always regret letting that one go.

[bobswire]

I've been riding my Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross for 2 years now. Love the bike. So versatile.

To me, BMC epitomizes the category of bike frame makers/producers/designers that are somewhat niche, tailored to the enthusiast and relatively low volume.

I've recently looked into purchasing and building up another frame and through here-and-there research, frames like the Rodeo Labs Flaanimal, Endpoint Hunter-Gatherer, Rawland Ravn and Ulv, and Singular.

I'm liking these low-volume, off-the-shelf frames for the discerning bike enthusiast and a not so crazy price.

It would be great to start a discussion about these frames and give spotlight to those producers/manufacturers that deserve it.

I also think it would be great to get a list going of all of the best of the lot.

I couldn't agree more about the Black Mountain Cycles Monster Cross. I have never enjoyed a bike more that this and I've owned literally over a hundred bikes with a few high end frames. Maybe because we live in the S.F. Bay Area with a great mix of terrain to ride we are able to put these frames to good use.

[weiwentg]

Not sure how niche Gunnars are, but they fit the characteristics of relatively low volume and for the discerning consumer. Most people will tend to overlook them.

[toosahn]

Can't decide between a Crust Evasion or Flaanimal 3.0.

Or just keeping tinkering with the BMC MC?

[FlashUNC]

Isn't everything outside the Trek/Giant/Specialized level a "sleeper"?

[jmoore]

Some of these are sleeper, that I've never even heard of them!!

I do like the Singular's though. Nice bikes

[Peter P.]

Not sure how niche Gunnars are, but they fit the characteristics of relatively low volume and for the discerning consumer. Most people will tend to overlook them.

Totally agree. A true bargain for a quality built frame from a trusted company at very reasonable prices.

[toosahn]

ttt

[sonicCows]

Some former designers from Genesis started Fairlight, which offers two disk brake frames (one gravel/adventure, one 32c road) both in Reynolds steel. Should be worth a look https://fairlightcycles.com/

[merckx]

I likely would not have said this even a couple of years ago, but now I would add Rivendell to the short list. I just purchased a NMUSA Sam Hillborne for winter work. I am really impressed with the ride and versatility. I've been using it on rainy rides, commuting, shopping and escape.

[toosahn]

Some former designers from Genesis started Fairlight, which offers two disk brake frames (one gravel/adventure, one 32c road) both in Reynolds steel. Should be worth a look https://fairlightcycles.com/

The fairlight Faran looks great but I'm not a fan of the tire clearances. Too small.

[sonicCows]

The fairlight Faran looks great but I'm not a fan of the tire clearances. Too small.
Agreed. There’s is a post on their Instagram of a frame with 33c cross tires, and it should be able to fit a lot of 650b varieties, but clearance for 35c cross tires would be the dream https://www.instagram.com/p/BLYUoRXhxAq/

[kevinvc]

I've never ridden one, but the Elephant NFE seems to get a lot of love. There was one listed here a while back and I kind of regret not pulling the trigger. I wound up getting a Salsa Fargo at a great price, which is hardly a sleeper but has performed admirably in all kinds of conditions.

[toosahn]

Yeah the NFE is such a great looking frame.

[disspence]

I'd add Crust to the list of low volume crossover manufacturers.

Bingo

[Rpoole8537]

We don't have any BMC dealers in our area, so when I take my early model Team Machine on a group ride, many people do take a second look. (I do prefer Ti and steel.) It has lugs, and at least one person has stated that he likes his lugged model better than the later model without lugs. It has a really tall head tube which works for me because I'm 6'3" and have long legs. I purchased on the Road bike Review site from a guy who said he could not make that tall head tube work. He gave me a smoking deal on F/F and it was like new. It rides much better than my previous CF bikes made by Trek and Spec.
Does anyone know how many bikes they sell in the US? WW?

[toosahn]

I'm not sure you are talking about the same BMC I mentioned before. I'm talking about Black Mountain Cycles.