best am/enduro frame under $500

obviously it won't be new, but i'm needing a newer ride and have zero budget. i'm looking at a more pedal friendly frame than the current ride (05 sx trail) and swapping over its parts which will include having spent $250 or so on a fresh rebuild for my fox van 36rc2.

i don't hit big drops/air but want something that can handle gnar/tech such as bookwus/boogie/dale's/5th/etc relatively well and is a good climber. think a bike that works well for something like the nimby 50. i've ridden that race on my kona explosif with a marz mx comp fork and it works but is pushing the bike.

suggestions?

i would also consider a whole bike if the price was right (under $1K) and is at least as capable as my current ride with the refreshed fork.

i'm 5'11" so could go with a med or large

pretty tough to get anything that isn't a complete pos in that price range

pretty tough to get anything that isn't a complete pos in that price range

yeah, kinda hoping there might be a 5yr old bike or so out there that someone has upgraded to a newer frame. i'll never know without asking though so might as well.

Doubt this would work, scroll down to the Libido,

http://www.brodiebikes.com/2016/online_store/factory_clearance_frames.php

A quick search of Craigslist offers a 11 year old Ellsworth, looks clean but a newer shock couldn't hurt.

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/bop/5705501717.html

Doubt this would work, scroll down to the Libido,

http://www.brodiebikes.com/2016/online_store/factory_clearance_frames.php

Hardtail. I wouldnt trust the shock/pivots on a $400 dually. Theres a chromag on pb.

That Surge might be your best bet for under $400 Keep in mind, many standards have changed and your old parts won't necessarily fit a newer frame.

1-1/8 - tapered
Threaded - Press fit BB
26 - 27.5
QR rear axle - a myriad
Seat post size - roll the dice

sync. send me a pm

im gunna make ur day

your todays lotto winner

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1943075/

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2007146/

Realize your not giving us much to work with here. These were the only two candidates under $400. Hardly "the best AM/Enduro" frames out there. You won't be #winning Fivers.

i don't hit big drops/air but want something that can handle gnar/tech such as bookwus/boogie/dale's/5th/etc relatively well and is a good climber.

suggestions?

What size?

Pinkbike has a sort function that you can focus based on area and size.

There are 20 Fr/DH bikes in the area under $500 (mediums)

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?lat=49.32[HTML_REMOVED]lng=-123.0724[HTML_REMOVED]distance=21[HTML_REMOVED]category=5[HTML_REMOVED]price=..500[HTML_REMOVED]framesize=16,19,24,25,26,28,29

There are 11 XC/AM frames:

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?lat=49.32[HTML_REMOVED]lng=-123.0724[HTML_REMOVED]distance=21[HTML_REMOVED]category=6[HTML_REMOVED]price=..500[HTML_REMOVED]framesize=16,19,24,25,26,28,29

You can also sort by price on craigslist

addendum: for $499 you can upgrade to a 2010 SX trail

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1919266/

i've got a (large) 1st gen spitfire frame i'd hand off for $200. you'd have to get familiar with replacing bushings tho.

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1835259/