American bike builder Jeff Jones, famous for his rigid titanium Spaceframe 29er with Truss fork, has made a more affordable steel version of this iconic bike.
The chromoly frame shares exactly the same geometry, clearances and gearing options as the Ti original but with a slight weight penalty and – more importantly for many – a massive price drop.
Coming in at US$1,500 (frame plus fork) compared to $3,800 for the Ti version, it's built from TIG welded 4130 chromoly, with a butted down tube, braze-on cable guides and bottle bosses, and a matching 4130 fork.
Jones has also created a new, more traditional looking Diamond steel frame and fork. It's easier to fabricate than the Spaceframe so it'll cost less – $750. It’s made from 4130 chromoly steel with a butted down tube, and the fork has clearance for 29x2.55 and 26x3.7in tyres.
“Instead of designing the bike for cross-country racing like so many unsuspended bikes, I wanted this bike to be better for technical and distance riding,” says Jones.
Here's the Diamond equipped for touring
