























DeKerf Generation Retro Reynolds 631 MTB Frame Size 18.5. If you know your retro and high-end Canadian steel, you’ll know that Chris DeKerf has been very highly regarded right from when he first started making frames under his own name in the early 1990′s. He had previously worked at Rocky Mountain and others before deciding to go it alone. I first became aware of them in 1994, when they had only one model, the Mountain, made from the finest Ritchey WCS tubing, mainly TIG welded but with a’work-of-art’ fillet brazed wishbone and seat-cluster. They subsequently added a slightly cheaper model, the Generation, made from Reynolds 631 which lost the fillet brazed seat cluster area, and the top of the range hardtail was renamed the SL, made from Reynolds 853 tubing. This is an example of the Generation model, frame number DEK2596. The 631 tubing gives a slightly more comfortable ride with very little increase in frame weight. Later models of the SL from this era also lost the fillet brazing so tube-type is the only real difference between them. It’s a DeKerf size 18.5 with the following actual dimensions when fitted with a 445mm axle to crown forks. Seat Tube Centre to Top: 18.5 / 47cm. Top Tube Effective Horizontal Centre to Centre: 23.5 / 59.5cm. Head Tube End to End: 4.25 / 11cm. Headset size: 1 1/8. Seatpost size: 27.2mm. Wheel size: 26. Axle spacing: 100mm front / 135mm rear. Frame weight: 1995g. This particular example is in excellent used condition sporting its original dark metallic green paint which is deep and even all over, with a glossy shine. DeKerf paint is still the best I have even seen. There are a few light marks and chips here and there, most notably on the right hand seat-stay near the rear mech and the underside of the right hand chain stay. Both these are shown in photos. There are also some very light scratches along the left side of the top tube from the gear and brake cables but these are hardly noticeable. I’m thinning my collection of DeKerfs from 7 to 1! This is considerably less than what you’d pay for a new one and available now! For 26 wheels and rim brakes only! Will be very carefully packed with each tube protected with thick, new foam pipe lagging and rear axle spacer installed before being placed into a sturdy box. Or you can view and collect in Southam, Warwickshire.