As mentioned in our News And Rumors post, we have recently obtained a new Origin 8 Scout frame to test/review. Origin 8 originally did the Scout as a black frame/fork a few years ago. That frame met with some negative criticism for its minimal tire clearance. Origin 8 set out to address this issue with the second generation Scout 29 and still offer a high value frame that wouldn’t break the bank. Here we’ll take a look at the frame and features that Origin 8 packed in at a MSRP of $200.00. (We’ve seen street prices for this frame for significantly less)
Like many frames today for 29″ers, the Scout 29 features a bent down tube to clear suspension fork crowns. The frame, although made of 4130 ChroMo heat treated steel and inexpensive, actually has some shaping to the tubing. The top tube is slightly tear drop shaped and the seat tube appears to be a sleeved, two piece affair that approximates a bend to accommodate the Scout’s very short chain stay arrangement. Standard 1 1/8th head tube here, so your favorite classic head set will slip right in. Seat post size is also the very popular 27.2mm, so most common mtb posts will fit fine. By the way, the front triangle is triple butted custom tubing for J&B Importers, the distributors of Origin 8, and the rear triangle is all straight gauge heat treated 4130 steel as well.
Branding on the frame is a bit more noticeable than the original Scout 29′s, but still tastefully done. (All decals under the clear coat.) The powder coat is a sparkly gray with a greenish tone. The hydraulic guides for the rear brake run at a left side/7 o’clock position underneath the top tube. The bike also features “S” bend seat stays and chain stays for better heel clearance.
The fully CNC’ed drop outs are a plate style with horizontal rear entry “track style” ends that feature built in screw tensioners. The drive side features an integrated derailleur hangar if you so chose to gear up the Scout 29. The cable routing is down the seat stay. What? You don’t see a cable stop you say? Well…….
………that is because all the cable stops and guides are removable. Each is held in place by two 2mm Allen head bolts threaded directly into the frame tubing. That’s right, directly into the tubing, which if you are quick on the uptake will tell you that the wall thicknesses of these tubes is not all that thin! The stops and guides themselves are very lightweight aluminum bits. Caution must be observed when bolting these on as it would not take much to strip out the fine threading in the tubing. Snugged up gently is good enough here! I did not install the derailleur guides as I am setting this one up as a single speed.
The example shown here is a 19″ size with a 24″ effective top tube length. Chain stay length can be adjusted from 16.8″ to 17.3″. The bottom bracket height is 12″. The front derailleur clamp size is 31.8mm for a top swing, top pull front derailleur. The frame is designed around a 495mm axle to crown height/100mm travel front suspension. The oversize chain stays are said to accommodate a 2.4″ tire. The designers set out to have the head angle be 72* and the seat angle 73* with the recommended fork length. Although all cable guides are said to be removable, there is one brazed on behind the seat tube for the front mech. Otherwise everything else can be taken off in terms of cable guides. The frame is also disc brake specific. Origin 8 brand goods can be obtained by visiting your local bike shop that handles goods from J&B Importers.
I’ll be setting up the bike in various guises and will be testing tire clearance claims and chain stay length claims amongst other performance/handling features which we always do. The build is almost completed already, and I’ll be back with a first impressions posting soon.
Note: This frame was purchased for testing and Review on Twenty Nine Inches. We are not being paid or bribed for this review. We will strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
The cable guide bolt holes actually have little tiny rivnuts in there. If you look closely, you can see the head of the rivnut through the paint. This is a much more secure way than tapping the tube. That said, they still need hardly any torque to be tight enough.
@eddie: Hmm…..looks like something in there. Hard to see with the powder coat on mine. The hydro guides definitely do not have that though.
Weight?
@dman: The frame is (gulp!) just shy of 6lbs. Definitely not a lightweight, but I can forgive the weight considering you can score one of these for about what a decent steel fork for a 29″er runs.
Origin 8 is toying with the idea of doing a lighter weight, higher quality version in steel if the response is there. Of course, it would cost more………
It’s funny how a little weight makes a big difference in price.
Origin8 Scout – 6lbs – $200
Vassago Jabberwocky – 5lbs – $480
Niner Sir9 – 4.5lbs – $850
Not light but I like the SS adjustment screws, nice touch, and for me at 6’4″220 that might be a great frame for me.
I’m very interested in this frame, as I would consider buying it to build a nice ss 29′er
6 lbs is up there, but at the same time, you’re looking at a frame that’s burly enough to be put in your will and passed on to the next few generations.
Plus,at 200 dollars, that saves you lots of money that could be put into carbon fiber goodies. carbon fiber singlespeed 29′er FTW!
At 210 lbs sounds like a solid frame,wonder why steel frames don’t require extra gussetting or odd size headsets ? nice price.
Just took delivery of mine
Initial opinion – s
trong- not light -but not heavy.- for a non racer at 200lb bodyweight a pound is nothing.
Finish exceeds expectations – too many decals
Drop outs look great – and are true
Removable guides nice idea – think locktite ( threadlocker) will be a good idea.
Will need minor bottom bracket and headset facing.
Confidence inspiring
pleasantly suprised – look out surly
GT,personally,I CAN’T WAIT to get the next write up on this one in my grubby little hands…er…in my inbox!!!
Being that this be designed around a 100mm squishy,what would the effects (well,they be obvious,but I want details,LOL!) of installing,say,a decent Carbon or steel fork (like Vassago’s sweet ODIS-I have one of those mounted on my Redline d440 BTW). Understanding it would “liven up” or quicken the sterring,what would be the downfalls if any?
And exactly how fat a tire will fit? =D These be the things I can’t wait to read about (besides the normal “How’s it ride?” etc).
Steve
@SS:Mtnbiker: Well, the 100mm forks out there garner you approximately a 72 degree head tube angle. Going to an 80mm suspension corrected fork will really lower the BB and steepen the head tube, causing the bike to fit “shorter” as well. Probably not an ideal set up.
Which brings us to a conundrum of sorts: Almost everyone is setting up 29″er hard tail geometry around 100mm travel suspension forks these days. So where are all the rigid forks to match? (Besides old Niner, Soul Cycles, and custom forks)
Big meats on big rims fit too. I’ll give more details soon!
Now…with my damaged spine,I’m all for 100mm’s of squishy…but I also still dig the feel of rigid forks,and of course,there also be the cost involved with HAVING TO buy a 100mm fork to get bikes to handle as designed…I agree,it’s a discussion worth exploring some day,as BOTH have merits and demerits =)
Oh do tell (on the fat tires/rims) =D
Steve
Mine arrived it had lost a cable guide in transit. Onto dealer for replacements – hope Origin8 have this covered. don’t care if I have to pay. But will use stickons if I have to. Loctite (htreadlocker) a definite need.!
Looks good despite this set back
Got mine 7/23 and built it immediately. I currently run it 1×3 (32:14/21/32 – on a singlespeed wheel), and I love it. None of the complaints I’ve read about apply here. I had a Salsa Cro Moto 29er fork on it, and it just felt sloppy. I put a shorter one on, and it’s muuuuch better. I’m trying to find a carbon one that will fit/feel like the shorter one, but don’t know what I’m looking for. I’ve thought about using a carbon meant for a 26″ wheel. Will it work?
I love the reviews here, and I’ve based 3 or 4 bike-buying decisions based on the opions here. Thank you.
Props to the Origin8 guys !
One email and the missing parts were on the way, held up by post but arrived this week. Free of charge to Australia no less. Not just the missing ones either.
That is support I was not expecting just hoping for.
Threadlocker now going in.