29'er recommendations?

[jmlag]

Hi Everybody,

Haven't really had much time to do any research so I'm gonna lay a question out there......

Does anyone have any suggestions for a 29'er frame?

Here are my only pre-requisites:
Hardtail
Preferably Steel(I'll take other suggestions though)
EBB (Eccentric Bottom Bracket)
Standard 1 1/8" headset

Thanks.

Let the sales talks begin.........

[king]

wait for the 650b's (27.5")! judging from interbike it looks like the future

but here's a good article on 29ers from Dirt Rag

www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=894&category=features

[jmlag]

king said:

wait for the 650b's (27.5")! judging from interbike it looks like the future

but here's a good article on 29ers from Dirt Rag

www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=894&category=features

What's gonna happen to 29'ers then?

Any news on the Lights?

Thanks.

[32by18]

B bikes will replace 26ers hehehehe <--- kidding of course!

the 650B movement will need more support from tire, rim, tube and fork manufacturers though (just like the 29ers in their infancy)

As for your requirements, check out the SALSA EL MARIACHI, which YKK could potentially order for you:

www.salsacycles.com/mariachi08.html

If sourcing off-shore, you've got loads of options hehe

If you're going big, go BIG TIME:

www.jonesbikes.com/update/gallery/index.html

[jmlag]

32by18 said:

B bikes will replace 26ers hehehehe

the 650B movement will need more support from tire, rim, tube and fork manufacturers though (just like the 29ers in their infancy)

As for your requirements, check out the SALSA EL MARIACHI, which YKK could potentially order for you.

If sourcing off-shore, you've got loads of options hehe

Have you heard of or tried an SIR 9?

[king]

oops sorry i forgot- it's still available but its still enroute in a balikbayan box from the US. should be here by next week.

jmlag said:

king said:

wait for the 650b's (27.5")! judging from interbike it looks like the future

but here's a good article on 29ers from Dirt Rag

www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=894&category=features

What's gonna happen to 29'ers then?

Any news on the Lights?

Thanks.

[king]

hehe actually the size is already in use in europe for touring bikes i think. the biggest advantage seems to be that you can make 650b frames with geometry close to 26ers, and in fact you can almost just slap a set of 650b wheels into existing frames. plus, you can make frames for smaller riders (below 5'4"), which was almost impossible with 29s.

here are some vids from Internike discussing 650s from (also from Dirt Rag).

www.dirtragmag.com/web/videos/index.php

personally i'm happy with 26 although i'm curious about Travis Brown's Trek 69er

32by18 said:

B bikes will replace 26ers hehehehe

the 650B movement will need more support from tire, rim, tube and fork manufacturers though (just like the 29ers in their infancy)

As for your requirements, check out the SALSA EL MARIACHI, which YKK could potentially order for you:

www.salsacycles.com/mariachi08.html

If sourcing off-shore, you've got loads of options hehe

If you're going big, go BIG TIME:

www.jonesbikes.com/update/gallery/index.html

[32by18]

jmlag said:

Have you heard of or tried an SIR 9?

Yup. Niner makes really good stuff. We're...ummm...in contact with them

[jmlag]

32by18 said:

B bikes will replace 26ers hehehehe

the 650B movement will need more support from tire, rim, tube and fork manufacturers though (just like the 29ers in their infancy)

As for your requirements, check out the SALSA EL MARIACHI, which YKK could potentially order for you:

www.salsacycles.com/mariachi08.html

If sourcing off-shore, you've got loads of options hehe

If you're going big, go BIG TIME:

www.jonesbikes.com/update/gallery/index.html

Jonesbikes are crazy....... Did you see the stuff they do to XTR 960 cranks?? Looks nice but kinda wanna cry if you have to see it being done.....

Was thinking more along simple geometry, not too crazy up there in cost spectrum, easier to come by or find in the Philippines, not too long a wait if ordered.....

[32by18]

king said:

personally i'm happy with 26 although i'm curious about Travis Brown's Trek 69er

650B promises to be the ideal middle ground, bringing both the advantages of 26 and 29 (700c rather) wheels together. It could work, if the industry pulls together.

I think 26ers will still be around (despite what Chris Sugai of Niner Bikes says), especially in the FR/DH/DJ markets...

At the end of the day, I think the riders win, with 3 different wheel formats, imagine the number of options available - regardless of height.

[32by18]

jmlag said:

Was thinking more along simple geometry, not too crazy up there in cost spectrum, easier to come by or find in the Philippines, not too long a wait if ordered.....

My vote goes to the Salsa El Mariachi then.

And if you can still find the Limited Edition version...ARRIBA!

[king]

what's he done with 950s?

Jonesbikes are crazy....... Did you see the stuff they do to XTR 960 cranks?? Looks nice but kinda wanna cry if you have to see it being done.....

Was thinking more along simple geometry, not too crazy up there in cost spectrum, easier to come by or find in the Philippines, not too long a wait if ordered.....

[king]

in theory, you can also have a frame made by ave maldea..

agu, can we copy the geometry of the voodoo? hehe

[32by18]

king said:

what's he done with 950s?

He customizes them into dual or single ring cranks hehe. Polishes them too.

You can see in this here pic:


and here:

[32by18]

king said:

agu, can we copy the geometry of the voodoo? hehe

Sure why not? The Jamis Exile 29er has excellent geometry. Or you can try Gary Fisher's new Genesis2 also ;D

[flipnidaho]

JM! Wassup pare! I actually talked to Jones a few months ago about his cranks. He's stopping selling them since the new XTR's have a 104 BCD and no extended spiders. For what he's charging for the cut and polished 960's, you can buy almost 2 975 cranksets. i'm not a 29'r person but whatever you do, go with a slider over an ebb.

[baboinsky]

king said:

in theory, you can also have a frame made by ave maldea..

agu, can we copy the geometry of the voodoo? hehe

How much would the custom frame cost?

[baboinsky]

32by18 said:

jmlag said:

Have you heard of or tried an SIR 9?

Yup. Niner makes really good stuff. We're...ummm...in contact with them

Wow! Were going to have niner frames here?!? I'm curious how much would the one9 cost. Please bring in Niner Cogs as well. ;D

I'm excited!

Pedal d@mn It!!! ;d

[baboinsky]

Jm,

The Sycip Diesel looks nice and it has a 29er option. No EBB nga lang.

[jmlag]

flipnidaho said:

JM! Wassup pare! I actually talked to Jones a few months ago about his cranks. He's stopping selling them since the new XTR's have a 104 BCD and no extended spiders. For what he's charging for the cut and polished 960's, you can buy almost 2 975 cranksets. i'm not a 29'r person but whatever you do, go with a slider over an ebb.

Hey Gary! How goes it over in Potato Country?

Curious....Why slider over EBB? Isn't it difficult to use sliders if you are using disc brakes? Isn't there lots of re-aligning of the calipers with the rotors everytime you remove the rear wheel?

Have you had a lot of bad experiences with EBB's? I just noticed with mine that I have to make sure my EBB is secure before every ride. On a number of occasions I've had my chain come off during a ride due to an EBB coming loose. Aside from this, I haven't heard a peep from it. No creaks after a little more than a year.

[32by18]

jmlag said:

Curious....Why slider over EBB? Isn't it difficult to use sliders if you are using disc brakes? Isn't there lots of re-aligning of the calipers with the rotors everytime you remove the rear wheel?

JM, I have no probs so far with my sliders/discs. Depends on the design and execution I think.

On my Dambala, the dropouts slide as a unit, so the calipers are always aligned.

[king]

a ebb slipping would be a bad enough problem for me some of the new sliding dropouts have the disctabs mounted directly on them. i think that eliminates the problems with the disc spacers & alignment.

jmlag said:

Hey Gary! How goes it over in Potato Country?

Curious....Why slider over EBB? Isn't it difficult to use sliders if you are using disc brakes? Isn't there lots of re-aligning of the calipers with the rotors everytime you remove the rear wheel?

Have you had a lot of bad experiences with EBB's? I just noticed with mine that I have to make sure my EBB is secure before every ride. On a number of occasions I've had my chain come off during a ride due to an EBB coming loose. Aside from this, I haven't heard a peep from it. No creaks after a little more than a year.

[jmlag]

king said:

a ebb slipping would be a bad enough problem for me some of the new sliding dropouts have the disctabs mounted directly on them. i think that eliminates the problems with the disc spacers & alignment.

jmlag said:

Hey Gary! How goes it over in Potato Country?

Curious....Why slider over EBB? Isn't it difficult to use sliders if you are using disc brakes? Isn't there lots of re-aligning of the calipers with the rotors everytime you remove the rear wheel?

Have you had a lot of bad experiences with EBB's? I just noticed with mine that I have to make sure my EBB is secure before every ride. On a number of occasions I've had my chain come off during a ride due to an EBB coming loose. Aside from this, I haven't heard a peep from it. No creaks after a little more than a year.

Nice. This answer's my question, King. I think Agu also mentioned that on the dumbala it's the same thing. Cool, my options are not so limited after all.....

Agu, are using discs now or are you still using your hydro magura's?

[miks]

another 29er Q

hi guys, i'm looking at the haro mary.

i have no experience with xc bikes in general so i dont know if which angles are nice, components, etc... would like your opinions

[32by18]

JM - yes, I'm using discs now, 08 XTs.

Miks - the Mary is a well-put-together bike, just make sure you get one that fits you properly (just like any bike should)...I think the latter 2007 and 2008 offerings of manufacturers are an evolution from "1st-gen" or earlier 29er designs. You looking at a geared or SS model? Check out the Jamis Exile 29er too.

[king]

for the longest time, there's been a gary fisher 29er at extreme. it's one of the original 29ers w a Marzocchi fork. it was still there the last time i passed by before the EBD race in batangas. someone should go check it out. maybe john will let it go cheap by now.

[jmlag]

baboinsky said:

Jm,

The Sycip Diesel looks nice and it has a 29er option. No EBB nga lang.

Hey PA. It looks like with the new development of the "sliding as a group" dropout I may not keep the EBB as a requirement anymore..... Sycip is now a consideration....

[32by18]

JM - Goyo brings in Sycip...drop him a line

King - yep that GF has done the rounds, I think it's going (frame, fork and wheelset) for 30K...it's old-skool geometry though, and the top tube has a dent

[miks]

@32x18 i'm looking at the geared because i don't think my legs are good for epic xc yet, let alone SS .. but i want the SS tho... maybe when i'm worthy of it, then i'll convert

i'm still a student so, i'll check up on the jamis and compare prices and specs with the haro (a bit loyal to haro.. ahehe). It may be my christmas present to myself if i saved enough money. I don't want to part with my other bike either , so back to cost-cutting for me

[32by18]

miks: can't go wrong either way. geared or ss it doesn't matter as long as you are happy with your purchase and ride the wheels off of it!

let us know which one you end up getting - and post pics!