[1-track-mind]

I'm completely satisfied with my 29er hardtail and it will continue to be my primary ride.
It would be nice to also have a FS and as much as I love the big wheels, I'm having a real hard time justifying the price compared to 26 closeouts.
For example, the Iron Horse Azure Comp is currently on closeout at $1100 (the price of the cheapest 29er FS frame) with;
Reba
Fox float R
Shimano Deore
BB 5 Discs
Any thoughts ?

 

[FoShizzle]

for what purpose? type of riding?....perhaps yes, perhaps no IMHO and yes, some great deals are out there right now as you already know

 

[cruzthepug]

I'm completely satisfied with my 29er hardtail and it will continue to be my primary ride.
It would be nice to also have a FS and as much as I love the big wheels, I'm having a real hard time justifying the price compared to 26 closeouts.
For example, the Iron Horse Azure Comp is currently on closeout at $1100 (the price of the cheapest 29er FS frame) with;
Reba
Fox float R
Shimano Deore
BB 5 Discs
Any thoughts ?

My hardtail 29er is about the finest ride around, but with the 6 million rocks on our local trails, the 29er FS sure does make it a lot more comfy. It's nice to have a choice depending on the trail.

 

[1-track-mind]

Mainly for more technical XC trails than what I now ride. Rocky, steep downhills and some off-camber rooty stuff.

 

[1-track-mind]

Cruz
What's the word on the Monk, now that you've had it for awhile ?

 

[cruzthepug]

Cruz
What's the word on the Monk, now that you've had it for awhile ?

Actually, I sold it about a month ago. Already having a Leviathan and a Spider due somethime this month, something had to go. As far as the Monk goes it's a pretty good ride, a bit on the heavy side but rides good. I had a large frame (which was a bit too small for me) and built up with middle of the road stuff (Sram X-9/FSA alum. type stuff) and a WB fork it weighed around 31 lbs. The 4.5" of travel is quite plush but suspension linkage and shock worked well with very little "bob". With the right build kit it could be under 30# easy. There was one on ebay (don't remember what size) for about $1800 with a Reba and some XTR stuff, looks like a pretty good deal.

If you have any other questions about the Monk I'll be glad to try to answer them.

Steve

 

[Quasi]

Until 29ers grab more sales volume share, you won't see nearly as many bargains as in 26ers. This is the albatross around the 29er's neck.

As such, the 29er must rely on its unique qualities in the battle for market share. IMHO, considering the uneven playing field, it is pretty amazing how the 29er market has survived.

From a purely economic perspective of a consumer with significant debt, many monthly payments, a cheap close-out high-quality 26er might be the best way to go right now.

 

[bigdrunk]

If you really, really like your 29er hardtail and are sold on big wheels in general, getting a 26" shorter travel FS bike will end up being a short term solution. Would you go back to 26" wheels on a hardtail? If the answer is a resounding "no way" then I would focus on picking up one of the many excellent 3-4" travel 29er offerings available. The FS 29er will posses the same qualities and benefits that you love about your hardtail. If budget is the biggest factor, there is no ignoring you can get 26" FS for close to nothing on closeout.

There is not a single 26" travel FS bike on the market I would trade for my new ride.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=257161

 

[1-track-mind]

Thanks, Steve. I guess my biggest question is whether the Lev is worth the extra expense
when compared to the Monk. If I were going the FS 29er route, it would be between the Caliber or Monk this year or waiting a year to get a Lev,Asylum or RIP.

 

[bigdrunk]

If you want a Leviathan, there always seems to be good deals on used on the 3" travel versions. If you are a little patient, you can probably pick up a used one for $1,000.

Thanks, Steve. I guess my biggest question is whether the Lev is worth the extra expense
when compared to the Monk. If I were going the FS 29er route, it would be between the Caliber or Monk this year or waiting a year to get a Lev,Asylum or RIP.

 

[1-track-mind]

If you really, really like your 29er hardtail and are sold on big wheels in general, getting a 26" shorter travel FS bike will end up being a short term solution. Would you go back to 26" wheels on a hardtail? If the answer is a resounding "no way" then I would focus on picking up one of the many excellent 3-4" travel 29er offerings available. The FS 29er will posses the same qualities and benefits that you love about your hardtail. If budget is the biggest factor, there is no ignoring you can get 26" FS for close to nothing on closeout.

There is not a single 26" travel FS bike on the market I would trade for my new ride.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=257161

The answer is "no way", but I don't plan on riding the FS more than 25% of the time, because the Inbred is perfect for most trails around here.
If we are comparing apples to apples, then you would have to compare the Azure Comp to a GF Caliber 29. Are the big wheels worth an extra $800 as a part time ride ?

 

[bigdrunk]

Of course!:thumbsup:

I only say this because I had first hand experience with having a 29er hardtail and a 26" FS in the house. The 26" FS was a very pimped out Turner 5-Spot was never ridden once after I picked up the 29er.

But $1,100 is quite a bargain. Also, look on the brightside, many of the parts from the Ironhorse will trasfer over quite nicely to your future 29er FS frame. At least thats what I found out with my beloved 5-Spot.

Are the big wheels worth an extra $800 as a part time ride ?

 

[G-Live]

I would say to wait a bit and see what happens to price / availabilty on the Caliber 29's. I got a show display Supercal29 on a screamin' deal and love the way it rides. The fishers are probably going to be the only 29 FS bikes where deals like this may happen because they are the only large production 29ers for the foreseeable near future.

G

 

[29erchico]

Way worth it if you need a bike to ride really tough techy trails. My favorite riding is up in the high sierra granite. 26 rides in Tahoe and D'ville last year. So I'm riding a 34# XL all mountain 29er with 130mm front and 115mm rear travel. I can't even imagine riding a 26er anymore, especially on techy trails.

 

[mvi]

Now what if you take the IronHorse and put a 29"fork in the front (sell the new 26 fork) . It will chopper the bike , but if you run the 29 fork at 80 mm not too bad maybe?