REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Mach 429 Built from the Ground Up + 20 Pics

2789 Views 21 Replies 8 Participants Last post by orangedog, Oct 6, 2009

orangedog

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2009

20

(Click smaller images below for larger pictures.)

This mega-clyde-sized bike is awesome, and figured I'd share the details with everyone as many of my questions were answered on mtbr. Here's the build :drumroll: :

Mach 429 size XL
Fox F29 and Float RP23
Ergon Grips
Saint Brakes (203mm front rotor, 185mm rear rotor)

Saint Shifters
Saint Rear Derailleur (mid cage)
XT Front Derailleur
SRAM rear cassette
Race Face Deus XC Crankset
Time ATAC pedals
Ritchey Headset
Thomson Stem (100, 10)
Thomson Seat Post (to replace the Ritchey)
Salsa Skewers (to replace the current ones)
Salsa Gordo Wheels (via Mikesee) :thumbsup:
WTB Stout rear tire (via Mikesee)

WTB Prowler front tire (via Mikesee)
Truvativ Stylo Race riser bar
Bontrager Big Earl saddle

final weight - 32.2lbs including pedals

weight savings could be had in:
1. switch the pedals to carbon
2. switch the seat post to carbon
3. switch the riser bar to carbon
4. put on a lighter saddle
5. switch to carbon ergons
but the largest weight savings could be had in the wheelset - I just don't see myself changing it out. On my first ride, I was digging the thick tread.

The massive size of this bike is great for me - I can get significantly more leg extension on this, and the geometry allows me to get behind the saddle much more easily.

While 32.2lbs is not race weight for the normal crowd, it is light for me and I definitely feel like I'm on a race bike - it will work well for epics and 24 hour rides.

Pivot Mach 429

Pivot Mach 429 Front Fork

Pivot Mach 429 Front

Pivot Mach 429 Rear

Pivot Mach 429 Rear Der

Pivot Mach 429 Rear Top View

Mach 429 Trail View

Mach 429 Stem

Mach 429 Seat Post

Mach 429 Rear Tread

Mach 429 Left Pod

Mach 429 Headset

Mach 429 Rear Graphics

Mach 429 Graphics

Mach 429 Gordo

Mach 429 Front Brake

Mach 429 Crankset

Mach 429 Rear Suspension

Mach 429 Rear Shock

Mach 429 Rear Brake

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1 - 20 of 22 Posts

CRAZY FRED

· #2 · Jun 30, 2009

Looking good,

Why is it you went with all the Saint stuff? Don't get me wrong it looks great but to me I thought the Saint group-o was more for the Free-ride crowd ,Yes? No? I bet those brakes work great.....In fact my good friend has a 429 ( Sane Fred) and I've not yet ridden his bike,so I may just see if he wants to swap out pedals and bikes this weekend as I'm DYING to see what this bad boy is all about..congrats on a great looking bike.......CF.

orangedog

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 30, 2009

Thanks CF.

I went with the Saint stuff for a few reasons:
1. The weight differential compared to XT is not that significant (some components are heavier, some are actually lighter)
2. I was able to pick it up at the cost of XT, or slightly less
3. It is supposedly more durable than XT, being built, as you mention, for the free ride and downhill crowd. More durable for a clyde = good. Even the rear derailleur has its own bash guard. My LBS mechanic described it as a "Transformers derailleur." Plus the rear der has the shadow build, just like XT.
4. It looks awesome.
5. The brakes are 4-piston, and I didn't want to skimp on stopping power in any way (clyde + 29" wheels + downhill = I go really frickin fast and need control). The calipers are actually what tilt the Saint group to be a little heavier than XT... if it weren't for that, Saint might actually be a few grams lighter, if not comparable.

The braking is awesome. In my first, albeit short, ride, I went down a couple rocky descents and was really comforted by the stopping power. I ran 185 mechs f&r on my Raleigh and I just wasn't that comfortable with it - the moment they were out of tune I didn't have the stopping power I wanted, and even in tune I had to be cognizant of it. These things stop me on a dime, but still have really good regulation/governing/modulation/control/whatever. I had heard things like "you'll tap the brakes and come to a dead stop", but that really hasn't materialized - I still have a good range of resistance.

You should definitely get on Sane Fred's 429 - for me it has an excellent fit, and at 6'8" that's a great thing.

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Bunyan

· #4 · Jul 3, 2009

Bro, sweet looking bike! I'm glad I clicked on this post. I haven't looked into the Saint stuff at all and I keep breaking stuff on my 29er. I'll definitely give it some thought when it's time to replace my gear.

I'm curious, how much do you weigh? How does the frame hold up to a Clyde? I'm not quit as tall as you but at 6'6" 280lbs I put a hurtin on my bike. I've got my eyes on either the RIP 9 or this one to replace my abused frame on my '08 Stumpy FSR. Did you build yours with a 100mm or 120mm fork?

Sorry, for all the questions but if I'm going to spend some serious cash on a frame I want to make sure it'll hold up its side of the bargain.
I just need to find someone in the DC area with an XL so I can swing a leg over it.

Have fun with your ride!

CRAZY FRED

· #5 · Jul 3, 2009

orangedog said:
Thanks CF.

I went with the Saint stuff for a few reasons:
1. The weight differential compared to XT is not that significant (some components are heavier, some are actually lighter)
2. I was able to pick it up at the cost of XT, or slightly less
3. It is supposedly more durable than XT, being built, as you mention, for the free ride and downhill crowd. More durable for a clyde = good. Even the rear derailleur has its own bash guard. My LBS mechanic described it as a "Transformers derailleur." Plus the rear der has the shadow build, just like XT.
4. It looks awesome.
5. The brakes are 4-piston, and I didn't want to skimp on stopping power in any way (clyde + 29" wheels + downhill = I go really frickin fast and need control). The calipers are actually what tilt the Saint group to be a little heavier than XT... if it weren't for that, Saint might actually be a few grams lighter, if not comparable.

The braking is awesome. In my first, albeit short, ride, I went down a couple rocky descents and was really comforted by the stopping power. I ran 185 mechs f&r on my Raleigh and I just wasn't that comfortable with it - the moment they were out of tune I didn't have the stopping power I wanted, and even in tune I had to be cognizant of it. These things stop me on a dime, but still have really good regulation/governing/modulation/control/whatever. I had heard things like "you'll tap the brakes and come to a dead stop", but that really hasn't materialized - I still have a good range of resistance.

You should definitely get on Sane Fred's 429 - for me it has an excellent fit, and at 6'8" that's a great thing.

WOW! Great read, you should be a Shimano Rep you had me wanting to go buy Saint stuff and I just put a full XTR group-O on my Sultan...

Keep me posted if you would to how your diggen this bike ........CF.

gticlay

· #6 · Jul 3, 2009

Veeeerrryy nice bike. I'm waitin' for a Mach 529

orangedog

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 3, 2009

thanks

CRAZY FRED said:
WOW! Great read, you should be a Shimano Rep you had me wanting to go buy Saint stuff and I just put a full XTR group-O on my Sultan... Keep me posted if you would to how your diggen this bike ........CF.

I'll be a Shimano Rep - just need to get on the payroll... :devil: I'll post follow up thoughts on how it rides - so far so good. One thing I've heard stated about this bike is that it rides lighter than its weight... I didn't really know what that meant when I read it, but now that I'm on this, I can say that while its only 2lbs lighter than my Raleigh, it feels WAY lighter.

Bunyan said:
I'm curious, how much do you weigh? How does the frame hold up to a Clyde? I'm not quit as tall as you but at 6'6" 280lbs I put a hurtin on my bike. I've got my eyes on either the RIP 9 or this one to replace my abused frame on my '08 Stumpy FSR. Did you build yours with a 100mm or 120mm fork?

Coming in at 260lbs. So far I'm really pleased with the frame. I've taken it on two rides and it fits really well - not getting any noticeable pedal bob, climbing is going really well, seems very strong with good welds. I made the decision that this was the bike for me - not saying the RIP 9 is a bad bike, or even the Stumpy, but this bike just struck me as a tough rig. There is actually a thread in here about the Mach 429 v the RIP 9. One thing that comes up with the Mach 429 is that it is stiffer with better pedal efficiency, and that was important to me as I'm slow uphill.

I built it with the 100mm fork.

gticlay said:
I'm waitin' for a Mach 529

I want one too! At race weight!

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padrefan1982

· #8 · Jul 12, 2009

Bunyan said:
I'm curious, how much do you weigh? How does the frame hold up to a Clyde? I'm not quit as tall as you but at 6'6" 280lbs I put a hurtin on my bike. I've got my eyes on either the RIP 9 or this one to replace my abused frame on my '08 Stumpy FSR. Did you build yours with a 100mm or 120mm fork?

Im not quite your size (6'3", north of 230lb, getting lower everyday though--thanks in part to biking) But I can share with you that I would completely support the idea of bigger guys and the 429. I wrote up my 429 a couple of days in the review section, and the one thing that has been imparted on me with the frame is how STIFF it is. Someone else has described it as "built like a brick house" and I think thats an appropriate thought. My 429 is at 100mm, and that has been enough for the tight stuff in Washington state and for my travels out in Colorado as well.

I'm sure the RIP is an amazing bike as well, but I would be confident that the 429 would hold up to ya!

Bunyan

· #9 · Jul 12, 2009

Thanks for the replies guys. I was able to test ride a 429 for a while and was also impressed by the stiff frame. I wasn't able to take it out on the trails but I got a good feel for the bike. These are truely works of functional art. I'll have to keep my eyes open for a good deal.

gticlay

· #10 · Jul 12, 2009

So, how do you like the Saint brakes? I'm thinking of trying either the Saint or the Stroker Ace. If they were equal, I'd go with Saint just because of the gold bling :thumbsup:

orangedog

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 12, 2009

gticlay said:
So, how do you like the Saint brakes? I'm thinking of trying either the Saint or the Stroker Ace. If they were equal, I'd go with Saint just because of the gold bling :thumbsup:

digging them so far :thumbsup:

I've got about 50 miles on now and they have performed really well - tons of stopping power. Granted, the 203/185 combo with 4 pistons is a lot. It basically means that I never really HAVE to clamp all the way down on the brakes. There is a lot of optionality there - a huge braking range. I pretty much live off the rear brake for most riding and tap the front when necessary. There is a little bit of rubbing in the front but they are really easy to tune - I just need to take the time to do it. The LBS showed me how - I don't remember exactly but they tuned it without bleeding and it took all of 15 seconds.

gticlay

· #12 · Jul 12, 2009

orangedog said:
digging them so far :thumbsup:

I've got about 50 miles on now and they have performed really well - tons of stopping power. Granted, the 203/185 combo with 4 pistons is a lot. It basically means that I never really HAVE to clamp all the way down on the brakes. There is a lot of optionality there - a huge braking range. I pretty much live off the rear brake for most riding and tap the front when necessary. There is a little bit of rubbing in the front but they are really easy to tune - I just need to take the time to do it. The LBS showed me how - I don't remember exactly but they tuned it without bleeding and it took all of 15 seconds.

How is the reported noise??

orangedog

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 12, 2009

light, rhythmic rubbing. could be the caliper needs to be tuned or the front rotor needs to be flattened/replaced.

gticlay

· #14 · Jul 12, 2009

Actually, I meant the squeal that the Saint's are supposed to have... squawking or whatever you want to call it. I don't know if that was just while people were learning how to set up or what, but there was a reported noise problem with them and I wondered if you noticed anything. My Hayes Mags and Stroker Carbons are completely silent, except when they get some moisture, then they make a small amount of noise here and there.

vizsladog

· #15 · Aug 31, 2009

so its a 110m stem??

Duzitall

· #16 · Sep 14, 2009

vizsladog said:
so its a 110m stem??

I believe it's a 100mm with 10 degree rise.

Shopping for a new bike for my Christmas present right now. The 429 is top of my list, tied with the Tallboy.

DrDon

· #17 · Sep 23, 2009 (Edited)

The Tallboy is getting a lot of press, but I will surprised if the large which is equal to my medium 429 comes under 5 1/2lbs. My guess is that the Tallboy will weigh 1 1/4lbs less than a equal 429 and have equal stiffness.

orangedog

Discussion Starter · #18 · Oct 5, 2009

gticlay said:
Actually, I meant the squeal that the Saint's are supposed to have... squawking or whatever you want to call it. I don't know if that was just while people were learning how to set up or what, but there was a reported noise problem with them and I wondered if you noticed anything. My Hayes Mags and Stroker Carbons are completely silent, except when they get some moisture, then they make a small amount of noise here and there.

oh yeah - its there. they are holding up well, but when you're booking and slam on the brakes, they squeal.

so its a 110m stem??

its a 100. i have a 110 to compare it to but haven't bothered swapping it out. only changes I'm thinking about at this point are a new seat, new front tire, and MAYBE a new handlebar... I really like that Monkey Light DH bar, but not sure I NEED it...

gticlay

· #19 · Oct 5, 2009

Yeah, mine didn't but now that they are broken in, they do that. When they start getting really hot, they quiet back down again. I want to try their softer compound pads, but they are so expensive. Maybe the ones on ebay???

orangedog

Discussion Starter · #20 · Oct 5, 2009

the sintered, as I understand, add to the noise.

is there another option between the standard resin and the sintered?

a quick google search pulled up a 3rd party pad, jagwire?

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