And here's the result
I love it :rockon:
I love it :rockon:
My new custom Carver
After being impressed with a friend's Carver 69er, I decided to replace my Kona Unit 2-9 with a new 29" carver.
There was nothing wrong with the Unit, but I was planning for something lighter, quicker, slimmer... and most important fully custom to my size and preferences.
After several talks with the local dealer (which coincidently is the same dude with the 69er), a specifications list was built, and Mr. Carver was up to the challenge.
I asked for a G2-fork based geometry, very similar to the new GF rigs with a couple of tweaks:
+ a little shorter CS, ETT and eventually wheel-base
+ slight HT and ST angle differences
+ slightly lowered BB
+ and as Mr Carver suggested, beefed up CS and DT to eliminate any flex and increase durability (I tend to mash on the ups, and jump on the downs)
+ add up paragon sliders, and that should do it.
this is what i had in mind:
There was nothing wrong with the Unit, but I was planning for something lighter, quicker, slimmer... and most important fully custom to my size and preferences.
After several talks with the local dealer (which coincidently is the same dude with the 69er), a specifications list was built, and Mr. Carver was up to the challenge.
I asked for a G2-fork based geometry, very similar to the new GF rigs with a couple of tweaks:
+ a little shorter CS, ETT and eventually wheel-base
+ slight HT and ST angle differences
+ slightly lowered BB
+ and as Mr Carver suggested, beefed up CS and DT to eliminate any flex and increase durability (I tend to mash on the ups, and jump on the downs)
+ add up paragon sliders, and that should do it.
this is what i had in mind:
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1 - 15 of 15 Posts
Initial Ride Report
I only rode it for about 6 hours, but here goes:
First, The bike is stiff where is should be, I tend to stand&mash a lot while climbing and could not feel any flex under pressure (like I sometimes feel on my Dean Colonel 26er).
On the other hand, it's very absorbing when riding through nasty sections.
It's worth mentioning that it also seems less bouncier than the dean - and that's also a good thing.
The biggest improvement, i think, is its maneuverability, very fun and easy to turn around compared to other 29ers i tested (although Sir/Niner with a carbon fork made a similar impression - without the G2 hype...)
I still need some more experience with the huge Niner bar (710mm), it's very comfortable, but I'm still a little scared it'll hit a tree while riding fast & tight singles - I might still adjust the bar/stem/spacers combination - but not before I'll get more riding time...
Another issue that turned out right is the overall weight which is just under 11k (24lbs) - needless to say it accelerates much faster than my old Unit 2-9, of course this is also due to the much-lighter wheelset.
Other than that, it was easy to build, easy to set-up the chainline, no chain-skipping on first rides... seems like a beginning of a beautiful friendship :thumbsup:
funny thing is, friends that rode it claim it's just their size.. but some are shorter than me and some taller.. go figure
anyway,
here it is after a 4-hours long and dusty night ride, picture quality is bad.. but i was getting tired..
I only rode it for about 6 hours, but here goes:
First, The bike is stiff where is should be, I tend to stand&mash a lot while climbing and could not feel any flex under pressure (like I sometimes feel on my Dean Colonel 26er).
On the other hand, it's very absorbing when riding through nasty sections.
It's worth mentioning that it also seems less bouncier than the dean - and that's also a good thing.
The biggest improvement, i think, is its maneuverability, very fun and easy to turn around compared to other 29ers i tested (although Sir/Niner with a carbon fork made a similar impression - without the G2 hype...)
I still need some more experience with the huge Niner bar (710mm), it's very comfortable, but I'm still a little scared it'll hit a tree while riding fast & tight singles - I might still adjust the bar/stem/spacers combination - but not before I'll get more riding time...
Another issue that turned out right is the overall weight which is just under 11k (24lbs) - needless to say it accelerates much faster than my old Unit 2-9, of course this is also due to the much-lighter wheelset.
Other than that, it was easy to build, easy to set-up the chainline, no chain-skipping on first rides... seems like a beginning of a beautiful friendship :thumbsup:
funny thing is, friends that rode it claim it's just their size.. but some are shorter than me and some taller.. go figure
anyway,
here it is after a 4-hours long and dusty night ride, picture quality is bad.. but i was getting tired..
Attachments
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
