Description:El Capitán represents the culmination of years of Ventana’s full suspension design engineering applied to a fast rolling, big traction, high stability 29”er platform. 29” wheels excel in climbing traction and stability. Their large rotational inertia keeps them rolling where you point them and adds confidence and stability in the rough. And for taller riders, their high axle pivot center greatly reduces front wheel end-over tendencies.
So when we coupled those big-wheel attributes with our renowned suspension chassis, with efficient pedaling and unrivaled lateral stiffness, we created a 29”er that is an inspiration to ride. With 4” of plush rear wheel travel, oversized quad bearings, heavy-duty reinforced swingarm, x-braced top tube and Ventana’s renowned in-house manufacturing excellence, El Capitán is truly the big man in charge in the emergent FS 29”er category. This bike will blow your mind!
Submitted by
The Whale
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Junction, Colorado Date Reviewed: March 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
The Ribbon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
Ventana
Strengths:
Perfect construction, beautiful detail, bomber ride, rolls over any thing, climbs great once you get some momentum from the wheels going, still getting use to the 70 degree head angle- still feels twitchy but I can now clear some highly technical sections of trail that I've never been able to do on a 26er. Customer service is excellent, they will bend over backwards to help you.
Weaknesses:
I'm 5ft7in and have a short inseam. I can now see why tall guys like the 29er size. I bought a 17in frame for it's standover and the biggest thing I notice is that I had to ride differently. The bike is taller and I have to do more steering and leaning like a road bike. The line you take is more straight on or deeper turns tossing the bike side to side. The ride hasn't given me the confidence to really push it yet. The inside of my right leg has a bunch of bruises from riding the top tube when having to 'dab' a little. I done several endo's already. It reminds me when I went from a 125cc dirt bike to a 400cc. It just feels bigger. You don't get on, you get into it and like HANG ON!!
Similar Products Used:
Tried the Lenzsport Leviatian. Only other 29er. Otherwise Cannondale SuperV, Jeckel, K2 Disco, Yeti 475
Bike Setup:
17in El Capitan in grinch green w/ stickers removed and a little subtle black n' blue hand signage instead. Rebba Race w/ pop lock 29in from Speedgoat Fox RP3 Dave's Speed Wheels w/Bontragger disc & DT Swiss 240's Wtb Exiwolf 2.3 Avid 7 hydralic Sram X0 everything Race Face Atlas 22-36 w/ bash guard Shimano 12-38 ti Sram chain Thompson Carbon bars Thompson 120mm stem Terry ti seat Moots ti seat post Crank Bro's Mallets Pedro's rasta skewers
Bottom Line:
Still not sure. This bike is waaay better then the rider so I still gotta work that learning curve and see how it goes. I'll let you know in another 6 months.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Traves
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Id USA Date Reviewed: January 31, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Side Winder
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4400.00
Purchased At:
Competitive Cyclist
Strengths:
-Large frames for taller riders. -Stiffness, I’m 6’4” 260 pounds and the bike doesn’t flex. -Incredibly well built, this is the first Ventana bike I’ve purchased and the craftsmanship is unsurpassed. -Climbs better and more efficiently than any bike I’ve ever ridden. The increased surface area of the bigger tire provides a far more traction and once the big wheels are up to speed momentum keeps them rolling easier. -Descends fast and the big wheels roll over obstacles better than smaller wheels. The responsiveness on the descent is just as good as a 26” wheel. -The X bar design gives the bike great stand over clearance. -Lots of clearance for 2.3” wheels. -Center of gravity really is lower with bigger wheels, I find it much harder to fly over my handle bars with this bike, however, it is still possible. -Four inches of travel is plush and Ventana’s suspension system is deluxe.
Weaknesses:
-The bike is expensive; the frame alone is $2000. With the price comes great craftsmanship, it’s not likely you will be replacing the frame anytime soon.
-A little on the heavy side.
Similar Products Used:
It’s nearly impossible to find a 29er to demo, especially in Idaho. This is the only 29er I’ve ever ridden. My other bike was a Specialized 26er. Demoed other 26er's.
Bike Setup:
All XT components. Rock Shox Reba 29er fork 100mm, so far no complaints. FoxRP3 rear shock. Bontrager rims and hubs.
Bottom Line:
If you are over six feet you need to demo this bike before your next purchase. The rolling attributes of the big wheels are substantial. I don’t notice this bike being any less responsive than a 26er on switchbacks and technical terrain.
I wasn’t able to demo any 29er’s in my area and only did internet research before taking the plunge with this bike. I haven’t regretted it.
Don’t skimp on the wheel set. With my weight and the increased surface area of the 29” tire, I’ve already trashed one rear hub climbing some smooth rock. I’m planning on purchasing some free ride hubs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Weekend Warrior
from Highland Village, TX, USA Date Reviewed: January 16, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
Mountain High Cyclery
Strengths:
- Rugged - Right-sized. - Fast - Beautiful paint (it's a looker w/o the decals) - Ventana quality
Weaknesses:
Just for clarity's sake, there is nothing weak about the materials or fabrication of this frame! That being said:
- My choice of forks (WB 1.0 is extremely disappointing) - Cheesy decals that look like cheesy decals (but they look good on my tool box and repair stand) - Pricey
SRAM X.0 drive train and twist shifters, WB 1.0 fork (I haven't tried the Judy, but I wouldn't recommend this one), RaceFace 180mm cranks, headset, hubs, handlebar, stem, cables, brakes, etc
Bottom Line:
I am 6'8" and finally know what it should feel like with a bike that fits. Nobody makes fun of my clown-on-a-circus-bike act any more. Again, I think my Yeti was every bit as solid as this bike, it just did not fit as well (nor cost as much!) and here I am. I love it so far and Sherman was great to work with. I think I got one of the first 25" frames (26.1 TT is perfectly huge). The frame build is top notch and the paint is beautiful (but what's with those miserable decals???).
One last thing that has absolutely nothing to do with Sherman and crew at Ventana: Me no likey da sticky White Bros fork! It shudders under heavy braking; when the front wheel comes off the ground, there is a 'bang!' as the fork fully extends to the stops, and it 'sticks' for lack of a better term. When is Fox gonna make a 29er fork???
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Enel
a Cross Country Rider
from Prescott Date Reviewed: January 14, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Stiff, well built, stand over. Fit, finish, quality is unsurpassed
Weaknesses:
Maybe a little heavy
Similar Products Used:
Lots of 26er FS including a Ventana
Bike Setup:
Demo with WB 1.0 fork
Bottom Line:
I had the bike for a week. My expectations were surpassed.
It out climbed my similar 26er, and out descended it. The only beef would be the noticable increased weight of the larger wheels.
The x-frame looks strange but gives awesome stand over clearance.
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City, UT Date Reviewed: January 12, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Great build quality; nice and stiff, no lateral movement, fit me great(6'4").
Weaknesses:
Some may say on the expensive side, I feel it's worth it.
Similar Products Used:
Lenz Behemoth
Bottom Line:
I did a week long demo of the El Cap. GREAT ride. Rode it in Park City and Moab. It was my first experience on a 29'er and it fit me better than any other bike I've ridden. Yes, that's 29'er in general for a tall guy, but this frame was still a great fit.
$
Overall Rating:
