[fixinflag]

Brown dropped off my monocog yesterday and I built it up last night. I shouldnt be surprised by its quality, because of all the rave reviews it gets but I am. This thing is so much nicer than I expected it. After doing some regreasing of my own everything went together perfect and the fit is very tight. On to the ride:

I took my first ride today and I wish I could talk about all the qualities that make a 29er so much better than 26 but I can't. This is my first dedicated mountain bike in years, and the last time I rode a 26" offroad was atleast 6 years ago but probably closer to 8. So I really don't notice a difference, all I know is I had a blast riding today. The bike is tons of fun and it rode very smooth. I couldnt be happier with my purchase, it fits in nicely with the other singlespeeds i have around. Here are some pics, sorry for the lack of creativity but I really didnt want to sit around dreaming up picture ideas today when I could be riding. These are the first pictures of a new 19inch ive seen up here so enjoy.

 

[notrelatedtoted]

NOICE!

I want one. Bad. But I'm not sure I'm ready to make the switch to a dedicated SS, so I'm kind of liking the models with sliding dropouts.

 

[johnnyb]

Rollin....

Just passed 800 miles on my baby, I got my 29er the first week they came out. Other than a headtube issue, 29er is now my main ride. The ride is so smooth and you just have so much better control and at high speeds too.

Today, I was just thinking about how nice a ride it is and that I don't have a single piece of Shimano part on it.

I'm already thinking about the 853 Flight coming out soon.

 

[rattmobbins]

Very sweet ride man. Dems some REAL yellow grips ya got there!

 

[douglas]

Oury grips?

 

[heywood]

Very nice. Those matching grips/pedals really look sharp.

I'm trying to decide between the 17 and the 19 - do you mind posting your height/inseam? I've just been reading all these MC29 threads trying to get a general idea of what size people are ending up with what size bikes.

 

[douglas]

I am 6 foot & 32 inseem, I have the 19 and the size is right on for me

 

[heywood]

That was convenient! I'm 6'1" with 32", so that's good to know. Thanks!

 

[Ozmosis]

6'-1"
32" inseam
19" is perfect:thumbsup:

 

[fixinflag]

Im 6'1" with about a 34" actual inseam (not pants measurement). And the fit is pretty good, I might change out the stem in the future but for now its ok.

 

[johnnyb]

Check the bike measurements with your current rides

6'-1"
32" inseam
19" is perfect:thumbsup:

Hey, I have the same leg measure you do and I had a 19 inch, the bike fit great, but I it back for warranty and they mistakenly sent me a 17 inch. I compared the frame specs to my favorite road bike and the top tube of the 17 and the wheelbase were almost identical so I took a chance and built it up and I love it.

I had put in about 200 miles on the 19 inch before my headtube gave out.On the 17 inch I kept the stock stem on it and only slightly put the seat back. The ride is a little more upright but thats fine for me. The bike handles great in switchbacks. No issues here and the bike doesn't feel nearly as cramped as my 19 inch-26 inch wheel bikes feel.

 

[heywood]

Well that is one thing that's kind of causing me to waver - someone in another thread pointed out that the top tube on the 17 MC29 is the same as the 19 MC26, and I think that might be closer to what I'm looking for.

The biggest problem I'm having is that this would be my first new bike in a long time (15 years!) and it's like I have too much information about geometry, fitting, etc. I think my current bike is a 19" (at least that's the approx seat tube - maybe I'm measuring wrong), but I have a feeling it's a little stretched for me, since it seems like I'm always looking up a bit and straining my neck on longer rides - perhaps a slightly more upright position would be better.

OTOH, the MC is fairly inexpensive and very popular, so it's not the end of the world if I get the wrong size and have to sell it on craigslist. I should probably stop trying to get it perfect ahead of time and just take the plunge.

 

[douglas]

do it!

yes!

 

[fixinflag]

Go ahead and get the 19

Nice pedals douglas , now you need to get the matching grips.

As far as sizing goes I was most concerned with standover, and 19 fit me best, I heard all the top tube arguments, but like others have said its alot easier to get a smaller stem and move the seat forward if you are too stretched out. If anything im probably too upright and not stretched out enough. Good luck with the bike, mines been a blast.

 

[Ozmosis]

Hey, I have the same leg measure you do and I had a 19 inch, the bike fit great, but I it back for warranty and they mistakenly sent me a 17 inch. I compared the frame specs to my favorite road bike and the top tube of the 17 and the wheelbase were almost identical so I took a chance and built it up and I love it.

I had put in about 200 miles on the 19 inch before my headtube gave out.On the 17 inch I kept the stock stem on it and only slightly put the seat back. The ride is a little more upright but thats fine for me. The bike handles great in switchbacks. No issues here and the bike doesn't feel nearly as cramped as my 19 inch-26 inch wheel bikes feel.

I was lucky enough to be able to test all the sizes at my LBS. I test rode the 17, 19, and 21 when I was purchasing mine, and the 17 felt too small to me. I would like to get some mary's and a shorter stem due to wrist pain, and I think that will give me the perfect fit. I think that combo would make the 17 way too cramped for me.

I haven't heard about too many frame failures, how'd yours happen?

 

[heywood]

Thanks for the extra information. I think I will stop fretting and just go with the 19. Hopefully I can stop by the LBS next week and then we'll see how long I have to wait!

 

[dlmlaw]

Suspension fork on MC29?

Has anyone upgraded the fork on their MC29 to a Reba or similar suspension fork? Any issues?

 

[douglas]

I am getting a Reba this w/e for mine