Chromag pics

[4kat]

Well, having not ridden a chromag, i cannot comment on the ride etc. But what i can comment on is the frame and the whole experience from buying a frame from Ian at chromag.
The frame, Its a xs frame,it weighs 2.9 lbs. its hand built in my backyard which is cool, the welds and paint work are perfect, being my first build with my daughter i wasnt sure what to expect, but the fit and finish are great. No issues. I used sram x9 stuff and a sid rlt fork for her.
The company, from buying the frame, to all the emails, to picking the components i can say that Ian and his team are top notch in terms of knowledge and customer service i rarely am completely satisfied with a (for us) major purchase such as this but this time i am totally satisfied
Call Ian at chrormag and he will help you, or email as he replys very fast.

[rider_kats]

Originally Posted by mrsa101

I've been looking for an aggressive hardtail to build up this spring. I've already got a covert. I want something that can really haul on the flatter, rolling, type terrain, be a decent climber for the long climbs, and most of all be good for jumping around and lots of freeride type riding. I rode a DJ bike a little bit at some resort DH trails, and was amazed at how fun it was when the terrain was smoother, just became a handful on rocky technical terrain. so a bigger travel fork on a hardtail that could handle that type of riding would be awesome.

theres a lot of XC type rides very close to me that i will use this bike for like 50% of the time, the rest will be uphill, then DH type rides down, resort, and maybe a tiny bit of DJ type stuff.

Ive been looking at the stylus, cotic bfe, ragley bagger, and evil soverign. they all seem like legit bikes, but chromag seems like they have the advantage of quality over the rest.

im looking to build this up probably with stupidly expensive parts to keep the weight down as much as possible, the more under 30 lbs the better. price really isnt a factor. as this is a bike i plan on keeping for a VERY long time. so their more expensive hand built frames id consider too.

as i understand you can request some of their bikes not listed on their website? like the gypsy and TRL, so if thats right, id consider those too. the stylus seems pretty dang close to what i want, but then so does the gypsey and trl, and a hand built frame is a little more appealing.

anyone got some advice? there are a ton of awesome hardtails out there, a lot being from chromag. figured this would be a good place to ask!

Japanese Chromag rider, Jinya rides Gipsy.
He said, "Gipsy can do everything. Downhill, Freeride, DJ, and even go uphill".
So I recommend it.
Extreme Photo of the Week -- National Geographic

[perttime]

Originally Posted by 4kat

Call Ian at chrormag and he will help you, or email as he replys very fast.

This!

The finish on the Stylus is probably better than on any "cheap" frame but it is a pretty heavy frame. A TRL should be lighter if you can get one.

[mrsa101]

cool i have to give them a call then! so is the gypsy or the TRL the same geo as the stylus? or closest? the stylus and gypsy geo looks different in pics.

[jin0824]

Gypsy is, but not TRL. You can check the Geo at Chromag's HP.

[scrublover]

Kamui frame from the next production run is ordered! Can't wait! I'm told sometime in April.

It will be replacing My TransAM frame - which I like very much, but is a bit overkill in the heft department.

The Kamui looks to be quite a bit more refined, particularly this next run with the 44mm HT. Going for the removable ISCG tabs, and have asked about having the shift housing guides left as open guides to run full housing.

[bitewerks]

"The Kamui looks to be quite a bit more refined, particularly this next run with the 44mm HT. Going for the removable ISCG tabs, and have asked about having the shift housing guides left as open guides to run full housing."

Why does Chromag frames not use full cable housing? I'd think with the wet/mud in BC, they'd do that for protection. I ride an Evil Sovereign but if I had to do it all over again, I'd go with an Aperture or Samurai.

[sly_foxx]

Nice, totally jealous as I really want to trade my Stylus for a Kamui. Can't justify the cost yet, still love the frame, but I wouldn't mind losing some heft as well.

[PUNKY]

Originally Posted by scrublover

The Kamui looks to be quite a bit more refined, particularly this next run with the 44mm HT. Going for the removable ISCG tabs, and have asked about having the shift housing guides left as open guides to run full housing

.
Nice. Wish I had thought to ask for that option on my Surface

[scrublover]

Originally Posted by PUNKY

.
Nice. Wish I had thought to ask for that option on my Surface

I was told they'll try to do them, but it may not happen. Not too worried. If not, I'll just Dremel them open - have done that on quite a few frames over the years, and never had any sort of issue.

[PUNKY]

^Too risky for my liking.

[J.N.]

[scrublover]

Originally Posted by PUNKY

^Too risky for my liking.

Nah, it's a non-issue, and unless you're a completely ham-fisted mechanic it's no problem.

[mrsa101]

what do you guys think would be best size wise for a stylus? medium or large for someone 5'10 155-160 lbs? i dont really have a preference for larger sizing or smaller. for this bike i really just want it to fit right.

[jin0824]

I ride medium, 176cm and 69kg or 5'9 and 152lbs. kinda close to you hey?
If you think to use it for XC ride, just make sure to get a long enough seatpost or go Large. I run RS Reverb and its minimum insert line is a bit sticking out.

[wheel-addict]

Originally Posted by mrsa101

what do you guys think would be best size wise for a stylus? medium or large for someone 5'10 155-160 lbs? i dont really have a preference for larger sizing or smaller. for this bike i really just want it to fit right.

I'm the exact same height and weight as you. For me, after trying large and medium for some time, medium was the best size. I have fairly long legs and because of the slack seat-tube angle, it puts the seat way way back when the seat is fully raised for climbing. This put the seat too far back on the large frame for me, even with a 35mm stem. The medium is perfect, but you are going to need a really long seat tube, say 400mm+.

[gunt pimp]

I just built up a large Stylus with 65mm Ranger stem . I'm 6' 190lbs.
I could probably even go with a 50mm stem.

[el_chupo_]

I am a bit over 5'11". and ride a large. I found with my other frames that a 23.5-24" TT was about right, and bought based on that.

I run a 60mm stem, and spent a couple years on a Minimalist post, though my saddle was a bit further back than I like.

Last fall I got a Thomson layback, and I find this to be the perfect fit (for me - obviously my torso may be a bit longer than these other guys, that or I have ape-arms...)

[perttime]

Just reposting my Strange (TM) Medium Stylus, because I think my old photos will disappear at some point.

[Saddle Up]

Originally Posted by perttime

Just reposting my Strange (TM) Medium Stylus, because I think my old photos will disappear at some point.

I'm really considering getting an Identiti fork like you have for my Stylus, how do you like it on the trail?

[perttime]

The 465 mm Identiti gives me a good bike geometry: stability is good, I can turn a tight corner, and BB height isn't too high or low for where I ride. I'm sure I could get used to a "normal" length rigid fork but then I'd have slightly less ground clearance.

Of course, it is stiff ... make it STIFF ... as in really RIGID.

[GeePhroh]

Samurai fun on the Great Space Coaster at Duthie Hill


Photo courtesy of kevmophilabuster; Feature courtesy of the HLC