No XL though


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I e-mailed Tom to confirm that you can actually put a 29x3 tire with the CS at 17". His prompt response was "yes". That frame will most likely be my next frame. Loved the way my old Jabber rode. If I can get that ride with updated geometry, then I am all in.

 

This post is pretty old, but in case anyone is still wondering, here's a visual. I was fiddling with new gear ratios as my tires have grown from 2.25 to 2.6 to 3.0 and decided to see about dropping a link to keep it short. FWIW, 32x19 will pretty much slam the sliders on this bike.

That's a Knard, on a 35mm rim at 12psi. It has about 2.5mm of clearance.
Knards are pretty tall compared to other 3.0's from what I have read, and the rim is pretty narrow, so a diff tire on a wider rim will buy some room, but this setup is too close for comfort for me.
I'll go back to 34x22 and sliders near the middle.

 

That is good to hear, that was one of my questions on the frame as well.

It's at the top of my production 29+ frame list.

 

is this just a different version of the Verhauen 29+? i'm not seeing a big difference other than tubing, what am i missing?

 

It's also about 1 degree slacker (head tube angle) and has 1/2" shorter chainstay length than the Verhauen.

 

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a SS Jabber w/ a 120mm fork and 2.4 tires on wide rims.

Never ridden a Vassago before so that's my biggest hesitation but it's pretty much checking all the boxes I want in a new ride.....

 

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a SS Jabber w/ a 120mm fork and 2.4 tires on wide rims.

Never ridden a Vassago before so that's my biggest hesitation but it's pretty much checking all the boxes I want in a new ride.....

same here. I was thinking of getting one with the matching rigid fork and running parts from an old hardtail. and eventually upgrading to wider rims/fork.

Started this thread in hopes that there were early adopters out there with opinions on the ride and quality of the frame.

 

I'm a rider of a SS Jabber. It's an older model. Definitely wouldn't fit a plus tire and it has the older Wet Cat geometry.

It climbs great. It's super smooth. I'm very fast on this bike. Faster than on my Trek Stache 5.

Probably doesn't help your decision much but I'll vouch for Vassago every day.

 

I'm a rider of a SS Jabber. It's an older model. Definitely wouldn't fit a plus tire and it has the older Wet Cat geometry.

It climbs great. It's super smooth. I'm very fast on this bike. Faster than on my Trek Stache 5.

Probably doesn't help your decision much but I'll vouch for Vassago every day.

I've had a couple rigid Jabber 29er SS bikes in the past, they were definitely very smooth riding frame sets.

Is your Stache 5 a 2016 5+?

 

When you say you feel faster on the Jabber vs the Stache, are you talking up or down?

A SS Stache has been on my radar as well but I didn't think it would fit well with the XC races I do.

 

Definitely up. Would be potentially close on the down. Stache has a dropper, Jabber doesn't. But then again, Jabber has suspension where as Stache is rigid (for now).

The Stache is definitely sluggish off the line. I'm hoping the new wheel-set (Hope Pro4 with carbon 42mm rims) will make things snappier off the line and hopefully help the climbing.

Part of it might be the mind-set of SS riding vs. geared spinning. It would be a fun experiment to try the Stache as is but SS but I'm not gonna do that haha.

 

IrieRider - If your over 200lbs, look for something other than the Stache for a SS. PM me if you want more details as to why.

 

Well I'm curious too Nitrous.

I'm over 200lbs.

 

There is a flaw in the elevated stay design on the Stache. In SS mode there is just enough flex that it allows the chain to pop when under power. Mostly only riders over 200lbs are experiencing it.
I know several guys (some are active mtbr members) who are running narrow/wide chain ring, narrow/wide cog, and tighter than normal chain tension to try to avoid it. Seems to fix it most of the time, but it still appears in rough terrain. Have heard of some geared riders experiencing it as well.


Trek is aware of it and openly admits to the issue, they state it was never intended to be ran SS. The sliders are only there to allow change between 27.5+, 29, and 29+ wheel sizes.

Some people are willing to overlook the issue, some are not. I was going to buy a Stache for my main SS ride, but have decided against it for this very reason.

Not trying to bash Trek at all, it's a very fun bike. Just trying to make sure you're aware before you purchase.

 

That's good intel. You may want to cross-post that to the huge Stache thread.

I'd seen it hinted at but no one ever laid it out and I was too nervous to ask.

 

2016 Jabber

Just built up my new Jabber yesterday... This thing rips! Plenty of tire clearance, even with the dropouts in the forward-most position. Running Chronicles on Duallys. 28 pounds as pictured... MRP Loop SL fork clears the 3.0 with no modification. :thumbsup:

 

Just built up my new Jabber yesterday... This thing rips! Plenty of tire clearance, even with the dropouts in the forward-most position. Running Chronicles on Duallys. 28 pounds as pictured... MRP Loop SL fork clears the 3.0 with no modification. :thumbsup:

View attachment 1083183

fire02red,

I thought I recall you having a 29+ VerHauen. If so why the change?

 

Sharp Jabber! Good weight and great to hear on the tire clearance!
Is yours a MD?

 

Yes sir. And thanks! I'm pretty stoked on this build!

 

The copy says that this still has the Wet Cat geometry. Ver Hauene has the Fast Cat geometry.

PS. My Jabber is my favorite bike ever. I was thinking of having the dented frame fixed and repainted, but I may have to look at the new incarnation.

 

Thanks fire02red, that is the gearing I am using on my Nimble. Hoping to transfer the parts over to the wookiecabra with the chainstays slammed.

 

Just checked. With the chainstays slammed, 32x20 JUST fits with a new chain, but tire clearance with the 3.0 gets a little bit close for comfort. It works just fine, but it is fairly close to the seat tube. Hope this helps!

 

After taking a look at the Jabber's new geometry, I thought to myself, "That's what the Krampus *should* be!" Anyone have some ride time on both?

 

fire02red- Can you take some pics of tire clearance for us?

 

I'm waiting to hear if anyone else has more to add to the discussion. I'm riding my Krampus pretty happily, but the Jabberwocky ticks off my issues with the Krampus. If it rides anything like my older version, I think that will clinch the decisions, but I haven't seen many reports.

How is the steel? Still light and springy? What is the frame weight?

 

Subscribing (and bumping) as I'm thinking pretty hard about one of these to replace my KM. Would love to know what the frame weighs.

 

I have been riding the 2016 Jabberwocky 29+ for about 5 months now, and it is one bad ass bike. I did not weigh the frame before building it up. But I can say that it climbs VERY well, as good or better than my 2013 Optimus Ti (regular 29er). Total build Came in around 26 pounds (rigid with a custom Ti fork). WTB i39's laced to i9 hubs, XT Crankset, Chronicles, enve bar, Loaded USA stem, XT Brakes, charge spoon saddle, race face ride seatpost... So much fun to just plow downhill on this thing!

DO IT!

Bunch of pictures of it (and my Optimus) on my instagram (the blue one - Color was a pre production model that is not available ) https://www.instagram.com/dirtbyte/

 

Still not finding much info besides the few posts here and there.

dirtbyte, what's the bb height with your setup? I may pick up the frame soon and try to run it with my current b+ wheel/tire setup.

 

Any idea if the frame will accept a 27.5 x 3.8 rear tire? I am looking into a dual purpose frame I can put fatter tires on for beach riding a few times a year.

 

Does anyone have an uncut ODIS fork that they would be willing to sell. Straight steer tube type?

I have a Vassago Jabberwacky that I did have a REBA on for years, I then bought a Carbon fork for it, and now I want to got to steel. I know I can use a Karate Monkey fork, but I really want an ODIS.

I would like uncut, but I can probably live with 9" to 10" inches of exposed steer tube.

 

Thread title caught my eye from the main forum page. PHX local bias aside, when funds allow, this will be my next frame. Also, I'm hoping for some colors other than black or OD green for 2017, but I'd take black if I had to.

It ticks all my boxes, and Tom is a super nice guy and is awesome to work with.