[nightfire]

It's that time of year again.

By August each year I have a million ideas for new bikes flying around my head.

Next year I have decided to give these new fangled geared bikes a go. My affair with singlespeeding has not ended, I now know the strengths and weeknesses of both.

Some of the arenas in which I compete (such as adventure racing) I have been able to ride as fast if not faster on my SS as those on geared bikes. I have proved the point to myself and now it is time for me do get some gears and leave them behind.

So, (get to the point Phil) I need to choose a Geared 29er. I am a weight weenie so it must be light. I am a strange sized big guy so it must be available in custom sizing. I am a bike tart, so it must be pimp as.

The Options:

1. A custom Alloy, Carbon frame
2. Lenz Revelation (yes I can get one for 29" in my size)
3. A custom Nicolai Saturn SST for 29" wheels (Bank busting option)
4. A Fisher Sugar frame, with pimp bits.
5. Don't bother, SS is the only way

 

[Cloxxki]

Is option 1 just hardtail, or also FS? Who does custom carbon bikes you'd like?

I've been thinking about the Saturn as well, though I'm affraid it may be too light to be efficient for our size frame. The concept is sound and simple, but the tubing could be too flimsy for a 6'6" guy like yourself.
Always get a stable platform damper, or you'll hate the difference in pedaling efficiency to a SS hardtail.
I've read too little about the revelation to know how good it is. But wasn't that one especially interesting only for SS and Rohloff?
The here recently shown Airborne FS with more forward placed main pivot looks like a great solution to get 4" of travel, and keep the rear short for tight sections.

I'd like to see what'd happen when a bent or really slack, forward placed seat tube was used to give the rear wheel some travel room in single pivot setup. I know a long rear is fine or even ideal for marathons, but the option to use my future FS in Houffalize-rough XC's, and still make every tight hairpin, could make the FS bike more multi-purpose, justifying the cost a bit easier.

I said it before, but suppose I had the money today, and Lenz could squeze out 100mm of rear travel from thr Leviathan with some weight-nutral adjustments, I'd get one. I'll never be able to ride a fitting FS in advance, so I better not get too little travel. My VooDoo had 3.75" and was nice, but now with stable platforms, more is generally better, I believe. Swinging a rear wheel a few mm's more forward doesn't add weight, but allows much softer suspension.

Ok, time to ride!

 

[Vibramicide]

If you want light weight you want either a lightweight alloy or possibly magnesium frame.

Carbon stays on an MTB are just a total waist of time in terms of function unlesss you ride on the road.

They do look nice though.

With your odd sizing I'd have thought that custom would be pretty much essential, I've seen your other bikes and what they looked like.

Full suss, is far too heavy for you and I don't think that you'd like it yes although you would be fast on it.

If it's 29 do you need sus especially with fat tyres.

 

[matinns]

If it helps at all.....

I really like my sugar frame! Especially with the new 5th Element air shock!
Although quite exclusive in the uk (aren't all 29inch wheels?!), I guess it does lose out quite a bit in the pimp stakes though?! Because at the end of the day, it's still a Gary Fisher!

So I guess you should plump for either the Lenz or Nicolai! - Both look amazing!

Having said that, I already have a full suss 29er, and a couple of hardtails, but now find myself longing for a singlespeed again!
Only this time with 'proper' sized wheels!

I have all the parts to build one up, but am left short of reasonably cheap options for frames for doing this in the uk! - Unless you guys know otherwise?!
Is my only option to wait and see for the rig? - Seems a bit of a waste when I have enough spare parts here to build up a frame already!
No real sign of the 29 inbred, & I can't seem to get hold of a Buzz Bomb, no joy with anyone impoting voodoo's either!
Any other frames 'easily available' in the UK, singlespeed specific, and relatively cheap? - That aren't a Karate Monkey (nothing against them, just there's already one hanging in my garage!)

Laters

Mat

 

[shark67]

if you are looking for FS

Listening to the reviews and ride reports from our experts here, I think that the Lenz is the way to go. It doesn't help that it is the best looking of the bunch, and I didn't think that you could actually get the nicolai in the states.

 

[nightfire]

Can't think of one Matinns, custom seems to be the best option. Not as bad as you might think if you keep it simple. I think Idorus EBB 29er frame was just over £300.

Your not far from me actually, I am in Cov/Warwick. Are you still in Kiddy?

Vibram, stop it now!

Cloxxki, I am not very heavy concidering my size, I may have to try a 26" Saturn first before I pay up. Although this is the most expensive option (and hence the hardest option to justify)

I like the Sugar, I really liked the one Nat Ross was riding at SSMM but sizing it doesn't work well for me.

The Lenz is a custom option if not a proven model as 29", not as light as the Nicolai but a lot cheaper.

Whichever bike I get will be built with full XTR, and any full sus will have a DT shock.

The forks will depend on looks as well as function and weight. Some just don't go with different frames.

Anyway, I am about to leave for SITS and then straigh to Berlin for SSWC.

I will see some of you there.

P::..

P::..

 

[Rockdogger]

geared 29er

As a dedicated SSer, I'd say stck with what works but if you really want to go back to shifting here's some thoughts

1. Titus makes the Racer-X in a 29er and Speedgoat makes a 29er licensed (& built) by Titus
This is a killer 26" XC race machine so I would suspect the 29" version would rip. The 26 " version weighs sub 5lb frame & shock. Go full pimp and get a custom Ti Exogrid!!!!!!

2. Moots YBB frame. Sub 4 lbs and smooth a ride as you can get without FS. Would probably ride the closest to what you're used to on the SS.

Also, since your keeping up or passing all the gearies, maybe a 1x9 setup would work for you. Saves a little weight and simplifies shifting. Chain suck up front and dropped chains seems to be the biggest problem with geared bikes. A 36t up front with a 12-27 or 11-32 would give you a huge range of gears compared the SS without all the potential issues of 3 front rings. Add a short cage rear der for crisper shifting and you'd be set.

Don't have any experience with you the other options you mentioned so I can't comment but good luck.

 

[Fattirewilly]

As a dedicated SSer, I'd say stck with what works but if you really want to go back to shifting here's some thoughts

1. Titus makes the Racer-X in a 29er and Speedgoat makes a 29er licensed (& built) by Titus
This is a killer 26" XC race machine so I would suspect the 29" version would rip. The 26 " version weighs sub 5lb frame & shock. Go full pimp and get a custom Ti Exogrid!!!!!!

The Exogrid would be the ultimate in pimp factor, at $3,100 for the frame alone it's $1,000 more than the custom ti. I believe it will save 1/2 pound too. I thought about it briefly, but just couldn't justify the $Exogrid$ even though I sold a motorcycle to buy the bike.

FYI my 22" ST and 25" TT weighs in at 6.5 pounds with a Fox propedal. My similar sized B-29 hardtail is 4.2 pounds.

 

[matinns]

Can't think of one Matinns, custom seems to be the best option. Not as bad as you might think if you keep it simple. I think Idorus EBB 29er frame was just over £300.

Your not far from me actually, I am in Cov/Warwick. Are you still in Kiddy?

We are indeed closer than I realised!
Although too small for you, you are more than welcome to have a look at my 5th equipped sugar sometime?!
We ought to arrange a 29" ride too?!
I thought custom might of been my only option, or at least it was starting to look that way!
Didn't realise I could get away with it quite so cheaply!
I'm actually trying to look into getting a 29" frame for my girlfriend too(she rides the 16" Surly sometime but I want to get her a bike of her own!), so maybe I'd be better off trying to get two frames at once?!
Seems unfair to put her on a 26" bike after I've preached so much about bigger wheels AND she's tried the Surly!
Am really interested in the cheap custom option you mentioned, that's completely new to me!
Do you have any more information on this or any others!
Cheers for the help, enjoy your time away!
While I'm stuck in the office!

Take it easy,

Laters

Mat

P.S.
Do it! Just go for the Nicolai!

 

[michaelo]

I have a custom racer-x in Ti. love it and well built - if not overbuilt.

a sofa king in the material of your choice would be a sweet custom bike. They are big single speed builders, so they will know your needs.

for a full suss - the lenz looks a good buy. I hope to ride one in a few weeks, when they get one built up.

 

[Cloxxki]

Nightfire, are we so different in bike size? Only the seat tube length of the XL Sugar might be tricky for you, the rest should be fine, right?
If you're so dead set on a DT damper (should said earlier perhaps), I'm not advising the saturn anymore. Better get a different Nicolai that prevents bobbing a bit better. Fisher's Cake is very similar to the Saturn design, and was marketed specifically with the stable platform SPV damper, as they work so much better together. A Nicolai Helius CC is nice as well, and doesn't have to weight a ton.
Mikesee seems to like his DT equipped Leviathan, a pretty safe investment I'd say. Love to hear the details of what a revelation could be built to be, and how it'd related to the Leviathan, apart from teh constant chainstay length. Really WANT to SS your FS bike? as said, I have a VooDoo Canzo 20.5" (catching dust), URT rear 3.75". If you want, I'll borrow it to you to investigate if you could love such a bike. I can easily miss it for a few months. It was my first real bike, and rode like a dream, till I tried my buddies hardtail, that happened to be the same size. Man, I felt powerful on that Canzo! A local rider put an SPV damper in his, changed the ride all over, and for the better.

 

[LJintheUK]

I don't know if they would do it but...

... what about a Vicious Cycles Groover, that's built with a Titus Racer X rear end. Maybe if you asked them nicely they might build you a 29" version. It would certainly be pimpy, though perhaps not light enough for you.
Luke

 

[Fastskiguy]

You wanna go fast?

Why not just get a sugar or a custom hard tail (or even a production hardtail)? They're so much cheaper than the one-off duallies and they'll be just as fast, especially on adventure race courses. <note of disclosure:I've never actually seen an adventure race course> You'd have all sorts of funds for trick parts, race fees, and gas for the car!

Either way, show us the pics! I'm sure it'll be some fine bike porn!

 

[mondo]

Why not just get a sugar or a custom hard tail (or even a production hardtail)? They're so much cheaper than the one-off duallies and they'll be just as fast, especially on adventure race courses. <note of disclosure:I've never actually seen an adventure race course> You'd have all sorts of funds for trick parts, race fees, and gas for the car!

Either way, show us the pics! I'm sure it'll be some fine bike porn!

Fastskiguy

Thanks for all the extra stuff you sent me with your old Airborne! Use the tires in the Trail
to Trail race in Lakeland Florida last Sunday. ( 9 miles in the mud, 35 on a roadbike, and
9 moore miles in the mud ) The Specialized tires you sent worked great!

with the parts that i took off the 29er, the bike is down to 20.5 pounds now. After i sell
my Supercaliber, will be tring a Ti fork and should be sub 18.

Thanks again

Mondo

 

[Francis Buxton]

Rock Lobster.....

I have all the parts to build one up, but am left short of reasonably cheap options for frames for doing this in the uk! - Unless you guys know otherwise?!
Is my only option to wait and see for the rig? - Seems a bit of a waste when I have enough spare parts here to build up a frame already!
No real sign of the 29 inbred, & I can't seem to get hold of a Buzz Bomb, no joy with anyone impoting voodoo's either!
Any other frames 'easily available' in the UK, singlespeed specific, and relatively cheap? - That aren't a Karate Monkey (nothing against them, just there's already one hanging in my garage!)

Mat

I know I probably sound like Paul's marketing guy or something, but he makes a killer frame, and at $1080 for full custom frame and fork (+/-950 for frame only), you can't beat his price. He's got several track bikes at the worlds, plus a number of 'cross bikes in the high ranks as well. I'm sure some are scared by the tight clearances of the pic of Rob's bike that I posted, but those tight clearances are a direct request from Rob, not a limitation of the custom build. I'm just saying that Paul can build a very responsive (and laterally rigid) steel frame that still has some nice give to it. And he's got a European distributor. Check out his website www.rocklobsterycycles.com for more details. Shipping to the UK couldn't be that much extra.