29" Steel frame questions

[treadn]

Newbie to the 29" world. I am looking for a 29" frame that I can run either SS or geared. Most likely will keep it set up as SS.

I've been looking at the Niner SIR9, Siren John Henry, or SoulCraft Holy Roller.

Any thoughts likes/dislikes you may have to share would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[waxman]

are you loking for just a frame? or would you take a built bike?
i am biased (Marin rep) i rode this:http://www.marinbikes.com/2010/bike_specs.php?serialnum=928
at the interbike dirt demo and was blown away at how awesome it was, it may be my go to xc bike next year (i have been riding the Muirwoods 29 around as my town/utility/chariot puller this year with no complaints)....

you may be able to find this years version in the USA somewhere in the great white north we've been sold out for a while...

[sbear55]

How about the Singular Swift?

Dirt Rag had a sweet review on it a couple months ago. Price for Frame, Fork, Phil EBB and prep is now $590.

Marty Larson, the US dealer, is a great guy and will set you up well.

http://theprairiepeddler.blogspot.com/

[slowroastin]

i would give the vassago jabberwockey a consideration

[treadn]

How about the Singular Swift?

Dirt Rag had a sweet review on it a couple months ago. Price for Frame, Fork, Phil EBB and prep is now $590.

Marty Larson, the US dealer, is a great guy and will set you up well.

http://theprairiepeddler.blogspot.com/

This looks like a sweet ride.... I wonder if any other colors are available?

[SenorBlanco]

I rode a bunch of different steel 29er frames and ultimately settled on the Niner SIR9. I really liked the compliant ride of the steel frame, and the geometry fit my riding style really well. I've been riding it for the last 2 - 3 years and haven't found anything I want to replace it with yet. I've got several thousand miles of dirt roads and trails on it and it has been rock solid and a blast to ride.

Mine is setup fully rigid, SS. By far my favorite and most ridden by in my stable.

[OilCanRacer]

i second the jabberwockey. i have been on a bandersnatch for a while and its been the best.

[stevesmith7]

I'm going to have an 18" Haro Mary for sale in a few weeks.

[toast2266]

Just another option: in the same ballpark price-wise, you can get a fully custom ride from Groundup (http://www.groundupdesigns.com/home).

He built me a dirt jumper that's awesome, and he builds a ton of 29ers, all of which are really nice. You can tell him the exact geometry you want, how stiff / compliant you want it, how light / beefy you want it, etc.
He'll pretty much build you whatever you want, and if you don't know what you want, he can offer suggestions.

[mtbcat]

i would give the vassago jabberwockey a consideration+ 2 on the jabberwocky geometry feels spot on. and you can rail this bike and jump small features. you will not be disapointed. the only way for me to get a better frame would be to go costom and that would mean dollars.

[frorider]

some short comments:

- figure out what type of handling you're looking for. there are now some all-mtn geo bikes (the new canfield, banshee paragon) that combine short chainstays and a slack (by 29er standards) head tube angle. manuals and bunnyhops will come easily. OTOH, longish chainstays (like the jabberwocky's) contribute to stability. All the above changes if you're taller...i.e. a medium CS feels shorter and more nimble if you're taller. are you running a rigid or suspension fork (what travel?)?

- I've had good luck with EBB frames -- less hassle, less creaking, than slider frames i've owned -- but others have had the reverse experience. For me the big benefit of EBB is that I can, and do, dial in the geo (BB height and CS length) depending on what fork I'm running on there. Depending on your budget, you can also get a standard BB frame and use the Forward Components mini EBB.

- the niner is around $800; for not much more, you can get a full custom steel frame from waltworks. just sayin'. But the SIR is pretty sweet.

[shredepicgnar]

fro: please ellaborate on the longer CS feeling shorter if you're taller. I'm 6'2"ish and looking for a steel frame like treadn.

I'm going to build a 29er, and hopefully, realize that it's not my flavor. That way I can stop wondering what all the hippies are raving about.

[NlytendOne]

Also the Salsa El Mariachi.

The Jabber and Niner are nice.

Only 3 I can comment on.

[NlytendOne]

I'm going to build a 29er, and hopefully, realize that it's not my flavor. That way I can stop wondering what all the hippies are raving about.

Good luck with that!


You're gonna love it...

[Subluxation]

Made the move from a converted Soulcraft Option 3 to a fully rigid Jabberwocky w/ nothing but smiles. The folk at Vassago are really great to work w/. Give them a call if you have any questions about sizing. They helped me dial my build (18" frame w/ 100mm stem for 6'2" w/ 32"inseam) in so it was 1st ride happy. Good luck.

[frorider]

fro: please ellaborate on the longer CS feeling shorter if you're taller. I'm 6'2"ish and looking for a steel frame like treadn.

I'm going to build a 29er, and hopefully, realize that it's not my flavor. That way I can stop wondering what all the hippies are raving about.

nothing too profound -- us big guys have longer legs, so when we shift our weight back i.e. move the hips back, the body's center of mass goes back farther than it would for a shorter person of the same weight.

so, in real-world terms, for a tall guy (I'm 6'3"), a rigid frame w/ 17.5 inch chain stays feels relatively nimble (i.e. easy for me to get the front wheel up, manualling etc). I've thought about getting a shorter CS bike (black cat custom, or mebbe just the banshee paragon since supposedly it's cushier than some other AL bikes).

[Stealthb4]

Im selling a Gary Fisher Ferrous, which can be either and is built out of True Temper OX platinum, the same steel most of the small builders use. It has an EBB and can be run either geared or single. I love it but have a dedicated bike for each.

[petecz]

If going full custom, I'd go for a Coconino out of Flagstaff. beautiful lines. Wait is something like 6-9 months.

petecz