[pointerDixie214]

I am in complete and total, creepy, unhealthy love with my Nimble 9.

It's single speed, and built burly with a Fox 34 140mm fork and Industry Nine Enduro wheels. And it LOVES the rough stuff.

But I am thinking for some trails (particularly those with steep, lose climbs) it would be nice to have a lower gear ratio so I can climb seated for more traction. And if I climb seated on rough stuff, I prefer to not have a hardtail.

Right now my FS rig is a Salsa Spearfish 2. I am wanting to get something a little more burly. ~68* head angle with a 120mm fork. SHORT chainstays. Etc....

I basically want it all. lol Something that climbs as well as the N9, descends as well as the N9, but that also has a little cushion in the back.

I have thought about seeing what the Fish would do with a lowered to 120mm F34.... and am not totally opposed to going that route since I love how well the Fish climbs.

Is there anything out there that fits the bill? I know about the Horsethief. I rode the old one (similar to a bigger version of my Fish) and hated it... need to try the new version.

 

[TwoWheelMan]

Devinci Atlas with a 120 or 140mm fork?

 

[AOK]

Transition Bandit 29
Kona Satori or new Kona Process
Banshee Prime

 

[AlexCuse]

The new horsethief looks really nice, and has 437mm stays I think. Not sure you will get much shorter on a full suss.

 

[eb1888]

Whyte T129S--- 430mm chain stays
29er 120mm
Suspension > Trail > Bike Category > Home > ATB Sales Ltd
You will have to go get it.

 

[IntenseSense]

Turner.

 

[Max24]

Transition Bandit 29
Kona Satori or new Kona Process
Banshee Prime

+1 for the Bandit 29, quality stuff!

 

[jonshonda]

I think the Yeti Sb95 and Pivot Mach 429 are usually considered similar to the Banshee Prime and Transition Bandit 29.

I have been thinking as a large fellow I would really benefit from a Prime or SB95.

 

[pointerDixie214]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think the Pivot (although sexy, it is more XC/race geo) and the Yeti are both out of my price range.

I love Kona bikes, so I might have to look into those. I am leaning toward trying a 120mm fork on the Spearfish to just give it a chance. Then if I don't like it, I'll need that fork on the new build anyways, so then I can just sell the Fish frame and buy whatever new.

For now, I'll look at the Konas and the Salsa Horsetheif though.

 

[AOK]

I have been thinking as a large fellow I would really benefit from a Prime or SB95.

Only two rides on my new Prime so far, but it is probably the stiffest frame I have ever ridden (previous title was held by Ventana). The prime + pike fork hold a line through the rough stuff like nothing I have ever been on. I can definitely see a Prime being good for larger riders.

 

[geraldooka]

Assuming you meant a 29er FS then your options are limited. The N9 was intended to be run with a max of 120mm providing a very tight wheelbase even as compared to cx rigs with short rear ends. This tight wheelbase coupled with the short rear end and slack angles gives the N9 its incredibly fun ride. The 29er wheels provide the stability needed with such aggressive geo not to mention the ability to run massive tires with the sliders slammed. A small wheeled version of this geo would be practically unrideable! The N9 really is the best of all worlds in that regard and the gen 1 remains untouched in its all around abilities (I know, I keep looking...)

Closest I can find with short chainstays and short wheelbases and similar angles in a 29inch wheel:

New Kona Process 111 (on my personal wish list)
Whyte T129S (as mentioned but pricy and tough to find)

I'm actively searching for others as well... The others mentioned above are not very similar in geo (if you consider all the numbers) but are still probably fun to ride!

 

[mattgVT]

Enduro 29? Slacker head tube angle, kinda the extreme end of the spectrum.

 

[jonshonda]

Only two rides on my new Prime so far, but it is probably the stiffest frame I have ever ridden (previous title was held by Ventana). The prime + pike fork hold a line through the rough stuff like nothing I have ever been on. I can definitely see a Prime being good for larger riders.

Thanks for the insight! We don't have a lot of rough stuff in WI., but I want a bike that will last me for a long time.

 

[car_nut]

I went through a similar search at the beginning of the season. My rides at the time were a Yelli set up as SS and a Spearfish with 120mm on the front. I'd say all of the usual suspects I was evaluating have been mentioned in this thread. For me, I narrowed it down to a Devinci Atlas, Satori and a Bandit 29.

The Atlas seemed to fit the bill on paper, but I couldn't find any local to throw a leg over. Considering how sloped the seat tube gets in 140mm form, I was hesitant to buy based on numbers alone. I was also concerned about rear tire clearance and the lack of ISCG tabs.

That left me with the Satori and Bandit, which were just about identical. I went with the Satori based solely on the availability from my favorite LBS. I'm completely smitten with my Satori, but it isn't a Yelli. That is both a compliment and criticism. With regards to what you're looking for, I found the Satori to be squarely between my Spearfish and Yelli in terms of playfullness, ability to manual etc. On the other hand, the reason my Yelli ended up SS is because I found it less than great at seated climbing. Where I'd have to fight to keep the front end down with my Yelli, I can cruise up on my Satori. Where I'd have to fight to lift the front end when dropping off a ledge with my Spearfish, I can do so with moderate effort on my Satori. The Yelli on the other hand leaps off it with little effort.

So, not sure all that helps you. I think the usual suggestion of "test rides!" fits here. Let me know if you have any specific questions between the three and I'll happily chime in.

 

[geraldooka]

I totally forgot about the atlas. Of them all the 120mm version is as close as it gets in an FS so far.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 4