[slopvehicle]

I sold my camp-stove-green Karate Monkey frame during a long bout of joblessness. I just got a new job, though, and since the trails are still wet, I guess it's time to start building another bike. Naturally, I'm looking into the cheap stuff, and for the money it seems the Motobecane offerings are the best value for plain frames-- still got the wheels, Reba and drivetrain from my old KM.

So I'm torn between the Fantom and the Outcast. I'm going geared again, but I'm intrigued by the sliding dropouts on the Outcast. If I clamp 'em down and run geared, will I see any slippage?

One of my big gripes about the KM was that taking a bad line / hitting a rock would occasionally jack my rear wheel sideways in the dropouts. This is why I'm not considering a few other slot dropout designs (also, a pain to get the wheel out past the brake rotor to change a flat).

Should I bother with the sliding dropouts or not? Apart from paint, it seems like the dropout is the only difference between the Fantom and the Outcast.

Also, anyone out there at 5'10" tall / 30" inseam riding a 17"? I'm usually comfortable on 18" 26ers and my old 16" Karate Monkey felt a litte cramped.

 

[mrbucket]

I can comment on sizing....
I just recently switched over to an inexpensive 29r and was surprised how much I had to drop frame size. Im 5'11" with a 31"-32" inseam. My 26" is a 17inch frame with front suspension and had about an inch of comfort straddling. I went to a local bike shop and tried same size 29r frame and was "resting" (uncomfortably), I had to go down to a 15" before I felt safe enough to straddle it.

 

[xjbaylor]

I can comment on sizing....
I just recently switched over to an inexpensive 29r and was surprised how much I had to drop frame size. Im 5'11" with a 31"-32" inseam. My 26" is a 17inch frame with front suspension and had about an inch of comfort straddling. I went to a local bike shop and tried same size 29r frame and was "resting" (uncomfortably), I had to go down to a 15" before I felt safe enough to straddle it.

I wouldn't advise someone sacrificing the more important aspects of bike fit (namely top tube length) in the name of standover height. I understand the desire not to "mate" with the top tube, but I would argue it is better to spend a little more on a bike that accommodates your standover requirement with a curved top tube rather than simply buying a smaller bike. Sure you can tweak the fit with stem length and layback, but at your size most 15" bikes will be VERY tight.

A raised top tube is going to be one of the penalties of an entry level 29er hardtail frame, but don't let that be the deciding factor when sizing your bike.

 

[gregnash]

Wow.... definitely do not go that small... I am almost the same size (only 1" taller and same inseam) and I went with a 19.5".... If you stay with that you are going to feel super cramped in the cockpit or way over extended when climbing. Like the guys said, you should not worry about standover height with a 29er, more the ETT (mine is 24.5")

 

[mrbucket]

So 2 people commented on the stand over. You guys ok with your nuts and bolt sitting on the bar while standing? Im not at all, and for several reasons....
-Stopping on an uphill, you shouldnt, but sometimes you have too.
-I have a one wheeled trailer for my daughter, and stopping and starting is very important to keep an up-right bike for unexpected balance shifts.

I know for me, and thats all i can comment on, the bike fits me good and is not cramped at all. I purchased an extra long post to make up the additional needed when on the saddle. I only needed another 1.5" past factory post.

 

[gregnash]

mrbucket definitely has a point but for him those are the priorities... for me riding a 29er and having to stop while climbing it is just as easy for me to put one foot out and lean to that side, thus saving my bits. Yeah there is the occasional stop the requires the planting of both feet but really if that is the situation you are more worried about breaking something vs. a bit of pain in the bits. with a properly fitted 29er I still have a slight bit of room, bout 1" to 1 1/2", between my bits and the top bar.

 

[mrbucket]

What you riding Greg?

 

[CBizzie]

5'11" with 30 inseam riding a 2011 18" Karate Monkey with no space issues....they changed the geometry this year to add more standover clearance AND fixed the rear wheel/disc problem....no rear wheel slippage to date but i am bolts (not QR) and also a tuggnutt....

...your old frame was likely too small...anyhow, maybe have a look at the new KMs before you make a final decision....