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96er FS (options and limitations)

1363 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  John Jencks, 
schneidw
I am intrigued by the 96er FS concept and the advantages proclaimed for the design. What I am l curious is to what are the drawbacks? I was checking out the Moots Gristle and was impressed by the geometry and design (price is another story); are there any other 96er full suspension (FS) bikes out on the market? ANybody have any experience with 96er FS bikes? They seem too good to be true.. whats the catch?
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C
Ventana El Chucho is another Viable option..
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=461140
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schneidw
I am shaking my head in disbelief...your review of the Ventana was so technically insightful that I had to read it twice because there was so much information in there... You missed your calling.. You should startup a magazine to fill the niche that once was Dirt Rag. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

In the Ventana review, you even touched on the geometry which is something I am most concerned with since I am opposed to 'upright' seating position with short top tubes.. Just not my gig. I lean towards the 'east coast' Fat Chance Yo Eddy geometry which seems to be the biggest difference (other than Ti vs Al and of course $$$) between the Ventana and the Moots 96er FS. If I understand your review correctly, you observed the twitchy upright nature in the Ventana which leads me to believe the Moots Gristle Z might be better suited for me based on the 72'-73' geometry....

Would you agree? Any other technical wisdom you can share? List your PayPal number..I will pay a consulting fee since you obviously know more than any of the local bike shops I have visited...
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C
First of all thanks. Second, so sorry I took so long to reply, I was away from the computer all weekend.

Yeah I could see how you would be more inclined to go for a steeper head angle. You do have a few options there though still with Ventana.

First, you could run a Reba Air U-turn and run it at 120mm for Downhill or tech terrain, and dail it down to 100mm for climbing. Which would net you a 70 head angle, not the Gristle terratory of 72' but to me for my style of riding that's steep! even for a 29'er.

Also, you could run a 100mm fork period for all around riding, it's how Sherwood runs his Chucho and likes it. (Sherwood is the owner of the Co.)

OR, you could call, talk to Sherwood and look into Custom geometry Not sure on the price of the Gristle but you may still save $$ on the frame and Get the exact geometry you want.

El Chucho is still hands down the most FUN bike I've ridden in the past year (other than my own).
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schneidw
Turn of events

Aaron... You accept Paypal for sharing all your great expertise??...

I took your advice (sort of) and now I have to work out the details... I stumbled accross a killer deal on a Moots Cinco with Ventana rear end... Picture attached.. I bought it sight unseen but gambled given the price was $3K very reasonable IMHO..

Anyways, My plan is to find a way to runI a 650b front wheel without compromising the geometry. I am not techncally savvy but realize that a bigger front wheel is going to raise the front end by over an inch and that I need to develop a strategy to drop the bars by this amount using some combination of different stem, bars etc so I don't compromise the geometry of the bike.....

I will be reading through the mtbr boards and trying to sort out the facts from fiction...

Any more wisdom you may share would be GREATLY appreciated

Thank YOU
WHS

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MMcG
Weird to see a Moots paired up with a Pike fork like that. and holy saddle tilt batman!
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schneidw
cinco->650B front?

Ha! One can find the strangest things on eBay.. I have not yet received the bike but believe me the first thing I do is put a WTB NiTi saddle on the bike... TO be honest, I have never heard of a RockShox Team Pike fork.. I have been running Fox forks for years... I can't find much info on the Pike but assume you find it a weird pairing with a Moots because its so big and heavy and more designed for downhill riding??
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John Jencks
schneidw said:
I am not techncally savvy but realize that a bigger front wheel is going to raise the front end by over an inch and that I need to develop a strategy to drop the bars by this amount using some combination of different stem, bars etc so I don't compromise the geometry of the bike.....

I will be reading through the mtbr boards and trying to sort out the facts from fiction...

Any more wisdom you may share would be GREATLY appreciated

Thank YOU
WHS
Click to expand...
UMmm... you could always flip that stem and/or run a flat bar, that'll drop your grip height.
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