Geometry:
The no nonsense Ruffian shares the Rockit TM geometry of the Rockhound, adapted with an eccentric bottom bracket and vertical dropouts using 135mm rear spacing for single speed hubs. The front end geometry is set to accommodate 80mm travel forks. Just like the Rockhound,TM the rider is placed in an aggressive cross country position, ideal for climbing, nimble technical work and descents. Fixed gear or freewheel, with or without brakes, any combination, this warrior is at home in the crush of the city, early season training rides or roller riding.
Tubing:
Waterford exclusive OS2 butted tube sets, featuring True Temper OX Platinum air-hardening steel alloys, custom drawn to our rigorous specs. Toptube and downtube are flared at the head tube for greater surface contact and rigidity. Tubeset specifications vary by frame size to offer riders of all sizes the strength and stiffness they need.
Submitted by
ssrg
a Cross Country Rider
from utah Date Reviewed: October 8, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
canyon
Strengths:
good geometry for me and buttery steel, SS, 29er, sliding DO
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
redline monocog 29er
Bike Setup:
fully rigid, white bros CF fork, SS (of course)
Bottom Line:
most fun i've ever had on dirt, fully rigid, ss, 29er action at its purest. best bike i've ever owned.
never thought i'd like SS and i love it. nothing better than 29er. i went small (17") but like it. gunnar frame seems like good quality after a summer of riding this thing everywhere i want to go.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Iron Mountain, MI Date Reviewed: July 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Stuff at HPT
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Smith's Cycling and
Strengths:
Handling is intuitive. Has a low BB and a very mild manner in twisty stuff. Rewards speed with a floaty sensation that transcends normal steel.
Weaknesses:
It's kind of a hoss. My 17" weighed 4.6 pounds with nothing but a coat of paint (much of which has chipped off--I should weigh it again). The paint flakes off when the frame senses danger.
Similar Products Used:
Old Scott Team Racing from '96 (3.6 pounds of steel); various other steel and aluminum hardtails
Bike Setup:
A Manitou fork and 36:20 gearing for the rocky hills around here. Bontrager Big Sweeps and ESI grips keep the hands happy. Kendas grab the ground.
Bottom Line:
When I coughed up $$$ for a boutique frame, I didn't think it would weigh this much or shed its paint this easily. Those significant gripes aside, I really do like the way the Ruffian rides. It's stiff to pedal and soft over the choppy stuff, and the handling is right at any speed, especially with the Bontrager Big Sweeps. I've raced it, I've done six hour death marches on it, I've gone to the grocery store on it, and it has become my favorite bike by far. Due to its heft and Soviet looks, I call it the War Wagon, but I love it to death and ride it four times a week or so.
I would recommend this frame to a lover of bicycles, someone who can look beyond flash to the soul of his steed. I can't really commend a 4.6 pound racing frame as a good value, especially when the paint flakes off this easily. I can commend the Ruffian as a bike you can trust, and that you will grow to respect and appreciate, especially if you're tired of the "latest greatest unobtanium" rat race.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DCB Extreme Adventures
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: July 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Bought it from Richa
Strengths:
Nothing rides like steel. Forgiving and suple and responsive when it's important.
Weaknesses:
It's steel, it needs TLC and maintenance.
Similar Products Used:
K2, Gary Fisher, Trek, Giant, SOMA, Surly
Bike Setup:
Gunnar Ruffian - Pace 29 fork (rigid)
Wood BB
Middleburn Crank/ring
DT Swiss 240 Wheelset
King headset
ML Riser bar
Terry Fly for my butt
Moots Ti seatpost, again for my butt
Bottom Line:
I have been riding for a long time; this bike is the most I sould want from a single bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from The Big Dirty (Reno, NV) Date Reviewed: March 28, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Great Basin Bikes
Strengths:
Where to begin? To call the Ruffian a frame would not do it justice. Gunnar/Waterford create works of art. The welds are perfect, the steel is superior and the bike is a screamer. The Ruffian climbs like crazy and desends like no other. The steel is so light and supple, it dampens even the roughest of trails that Northern Nevada has to offer.
Weaknesses:
I wish the frame was powder coated. I received a few tiny chips from rocks bouncing up.
Similar Products Used:
Bianchi G.U.S.S., Surly 1x1
Bike Setup:
Totally guched out...email if you want the entire breakdown.
Bottom Line:
Buy a Gunnar! It's the best bike I've ever ridden and it will get you laid fast!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Gallup, NM Date Reviewed: October 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Whatever I'm riding
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$675.00
Purchased At:
mtbr.com classified (used)
Strengths:
1) Gorgeous welds, paint, finish, craftsmanship 2) Steel, as they say, is real 3) Superior ride, rails the trail, fun-fun-fun 4) Long top tube 5) Hand made in the U.S. (Wisconsin, no less) 6) Makes me want to ride more
Weaknesses:
That I can't really justify owning more than one...
Similar Products Used:
Spot brand, KHS Solo One
Bike Setup:
26 inch frame; 2004 Fox Vanilla RLC; XT v-brakes; UST tubeless; 34x17; etc, etc.
Bottom Line:
I looked at a lot of steel SS frames & bikes (Gunnar, Spot, Soulcraft, Sycip, Surly, Seven, Independent Fab, Jamis, Kona, KHS, Bianchi) and have owned 2 others (Spot, KHS). Most of them have short top tubes (exceptions: Gunnar, Jamis, KHS). Unless you unleash the Apocalypse on your wallet and do the custom route, it's hard to find a steel SS frame with a long top tube (my preference).
My Gunnar Ruffian is a work of handbuilt art that you can ride. And ride and ride and ride. Being steel, and running tubeless, it feels like a softtail (like my previous KHS Solo One), but has the laser-crisp acceleration of a hardtail and no rear end indecisiveness. You can absolutely lay the power down and she just jumps.
As for the ride, steel just has it all over aluminum as far as ride characteristics go. There is just no comparison. None. Forgiving, goes where you point it, climbs and descends equally well. It's perfect.
Bottom line: handmade steel frame, great craftsmanship, gorgeous finish, perfect geometry, and sweet handling & ride. My Gunnar makes me want to ride more. Did I mention that it's beautiful too? What more could you ask for? Buy one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steph
a Weekend Warrior
from P-ville,TX Date Reviewed: February 20, 2006
If you are looking for a steel 29er single look no further. This is a great bike. Handles better than one would think a 29er would. I have been having a blast since I got it! Again this is a great bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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