bit ot but could that back end get any shorter?

and as for the steel/alu argument then all i have to say is you know im not a big guy and iv broken ever alu frame iv ever owned due to alu's low fatigue life. never come close to doing a steel one.

Ive had alot of 4X/general h/t's over the years and have raced them at pretty much every 4X/BSX level as well as playing, DJ'n, DH, etc and these are the ones ive rated/loved.............

Charge Blender Ti (steel one is coming for a winter play bike) - my current 4X race bike....rides amazing, really fast out of the gate, sweet head angle.


Curtis SX - my old 4X race bike sold due to sponsorship (gutted!!!!!) pic is of my mates.


Revell 450R - a load of 4X frame for the £££ (check out CRC for deals)
Revell 250R - as above but a little more aimed for the trails
Intense Tazer HT - more racey, hard to find now though

There are others like my old factory .243racing, but my frame was one of only 2 made for me and my team mate and doesnt resemble the ones currently available........DMR Sidekick is a great frame on a budget and as said Duncan Ferris flies on his.

Hatch

The Tazer HT was alu...........but steel/Ti hardtail frames have a lot less harsh of a ride compared to alu frames as they have that little bit of give and I think if your going to use it for a bit of everything then steel/ti is far more user friendly.

Plus there are not really many gains in alu over steel for frame material as they weigh pretty much the same now, but the ultimate material for a h/t is Ti (yes im bias and have been won over) as its lighter, as strong if not stronger than steel, rides alot softer than alu, but it also makes your wallet alot lighter as well.

IMO Ti if youve got the £££ and steel if you havent got quite as much £££...........for my 08 4X race bike I was cut between a Curtis Racelite 26 and the Charge Blender Ti and ended up with the Charge, but would have been happy with either.

Hatch