[xc_xtc]

Feel free to post anything and everything you love, like (or dislike even) on your Pantera. Setups, pics, components, etc. I've read all the threads and comments about it but thought it would be nice to have a centralized thread for this beauty...discontinued or not!

I had a Pantera offered to me at a price I just couldn't turn down (lower than asking price) and had to forgo the salty for this due to my budget. Surprised myself actually but hey gotta pay the bills right..sorry b.

Here's how it's setup right now...

YEAR:2003 17" Pantera
COLOR:Anodized Black
FORK:Fox Vanilla 125 RL
REAR SHOCK:Fox Float RL
SEAT POST:Titec
STEM:Titec
CRANKSET:Truvativ
CASSETTE:Shimano LX
FRONT DERAILUER:Shimano XT
REAR DERAILUER:Shimano XT
WHEEL SET:Rims=Mavic 223 disc w/ Shimano LX rear hub, Arc front hub
HANDLEBARS:Arc Carbon R1
SHIFTERS:Shimano LX
HEADSET:Cane Creek S2
BRAKES:Hayes Hydraulic

From what I've read it's better to have this setup at 100-105mm and that it's possible to break the headtube running it at 120/higher, etc. I have an 04' Marathon SL that I will be putting on it. I may consider sending the fox to be pushed and lowered to 100mm for when I have extra money kicking around and if they can do that. I would also like to maybe get a Chris King headset for Chrismas. Slowly upgrade it with time, etc.

I'm really stoked though and would love to hear trail stories, see more pics, whatever.

http://www.mtnhighcyclery.com/Pantera.htm This is a great pic of the frame. If you view his customers bikes there's also a bunch of great shots as well.

Cheers!

 

[xc_xtc]

compilation of pertinent links/required reading ;0

Pantera on the Ventana Website
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=130971]Pantera spacer slop
The Pantera....Is it outdated??
The Pantera....heck no it's not outdated!
Pantera Sizing RaceFace Dues setup on a Pantera
Pantera, Clyde friendly? (gives weight/fork tips)
Behold! Lonestar's Pantera
What attracted you to Ventana?

 

[Chewieez]

From what I've read it's better to have this setup at 100-105mm and that it's possible to break the headtube running it at 120/higher, etc. I have an 04' Marathon SL that I will be putting on it. I may consider sending the fox to be pushed and lowered to 100mm for when I have extra money kicking around and if they can do that.

I'll post up my longer reply later on but i wanted to go ahead and say that it is quite cheap to have your Fox Vanilla converted down to 100mm. I bought a Vanilla 130 and moved it down to 100mm for my Pantera. It cost me approx $25-30 for my bike shop to do the conversion. Just some FYI. I love my Vanilla.... but am toying with sending it to PUSH right before spring riding season.

 

[Chewieez]

Here is my Pantera.

frame: large Pantera w/ superlink
fork: 2005 Fox Vanilla 130mm (set @ 100mm)
rear shock: swinger - 3way / also have a romic
headset: king
bars: FSA XC 192 riser 31.8
grips: ODI Oury lock-on
stem: Thomson X4 - 90mm 10 degree rise
Shifters: Sram X9 with Avid flak jacket cables
F der: XT 760
R der: Sram X9
brakes: avid BB7 - speed dial 7 levers - flak jacket cables - hope gothic rotors
post: thomson elite
quickrelease: Hope
seat: WTB Laser V stealth
cranks/BB: Raceface dues
chain: sram PC99
cassette: sram 990
pedals: egg beater chrome
wheels: front: Hope bulb/Mavic 819/DT Comp spokes
rear: Hadley/Mavic 819/DT Comp spokes
tires: Kenda Blue Groove 2.1 UST
skewers: Salsa
weight: I have no idea... somewhere around 30-31 pounds I'm guessing

I am loving this bike! I have used it with a Swinger and a Romic. Once I got the Romic set up correctly I am loving it. Its better for playing around on the rocks and jumps than the swinger. I like the lighter bike though with the Swinger.

This bike is just so confidence inspirering to me. I came off a GF Tassajara hardtail and this is my first full suspension. I assembled it all myself and learned a lot in the process. I thought really hard about a El Salt. Price and frame geometry were the prime reasons I went for the Pantera. I got a good deal through Cambria and I wouldn't have enough standover on a 19" El Salt.

I have been looking at the X5s a lot but I don't feel like I've really learned all the attributes of the Pantera yet. I look forward to possibly trading in my Pantera someday for a upgraded frame from Ventana.

I like the stiffness of my frame and component choice. I like the solid feel of the bike. I like the traction on climbs and being able to stay seated more on the ride. The stearing is VERY precise but not twitchy. I really feel like I can just point where I want to go and the bike will follow... I don't ever feel like I am over correcting with the steering or having to fight the bike. I can't compare it to other suspension designs but I don't have any complaints.

I can't say enough good things about Ventana as a company. Their service is stellar and I am looking forward to owning atleast 1 of their bikes for a long long time!

 

[xc_xtc]

Hey Chewieez,

Hot ride and pics! Yours looks like it would be a sweet winter ride w/those eggbeaters and full cables. How much do you weigh btw? I'm on the light side at 145# and 5' 7.5" w/a 30" bike inseam.

I'm definately keen on hearing about this conversion because I just started working in a bike shop and I would love to see how it rides compared to the Marz. I was pretty much deadset on the salty but I knew that it would take me longer than I would like to set it up due to being poor and that I bought this on credit (thanks paypal).

The fact that I can trade in at $700 towards a new frame at some point pretty much sealed the deal. Well that and it's beautiful and burly looking with good reviews, monopivot et al. I also want to ride the winter bikercross at Shawnee Mountain and I knew that it would be tough in my fully rigid (ghetto) singlespeed w/V brakes.

I love how the Pantera can be set up w/full brake cables, has more standover heigh, quad bearings/good lateral stiffness, etc. I'm a light rider so I think it will hold up to my agressive xc and light freeriding. The disc brakes will be sweet too. This will be a first w/discs as well the crossover to a full suss.

Gotta run for now..

 

[Chewieez]

Man if you are working at a bike shop now you or someone at the shop could easily do the travel conversion. I believe it only takes about 30-45 min.

Here is a pictorial description:
Enduro Fox Seals Site about travel change and seal change

and to answer your questions:

I weigh around 210lbs and I'm just a hair under 6' with a 31.5" inseam.

Coming off of a medium Gary Fisher I was used to a rather long top tube for a medium frame (23.9"). It was easy for me to keep that effective top tube size with the large Pantera at 24.1"ish. If I was racing I'd prob throw a little longer stem on there but the bike feels good with the 90mm.

 

[LoneStar]

Ah, feeling that Pantera love!

I already told you how I feel about the bike, plus you got it on the previous threads. Nothing has changed, although I'm sure I'll upgrade to a Salty down the road just because they are so damn good looking! Here is my bike as it is built today.

Here is my Pantera.

frame: 17" Pantera w/ superlink
fork: 2005 RockShox Reba U-Turn with Pop-loc
rear shock: swinger
headset: Cane Creek S2
bars: Easton EC 70
grips: Ruffian lock-on grips
stem: Thomson 5 x 110
Shifters: Sram X9 Grip Shifters
F der: XT 760
R der: Sram X9
brakes: avid BB7 - speed dial 7 levers
post: Thomson elite
seat: WTB Laser V stealth
cranks/BB: Shimano LX
chain: sram PC99
cassette: XT
pedals: Shimano 505 (Santa has been instructed to bring me some 540s)
wheels: front & rear: 717s with Magura hubs (DT240s)
tires: Hutchison Spyder Airlight 2.0
skewers: Magura
weight: a smidge over 29

With the pedals, I don't really plan to change much anytime soon. Of course if I get a good commision check, I may have to go hydraulic, but it isn't real pressing as the mechs do pretty well for my riding style.

I'll post some pics after tomorrow's ride hopefully.

 

[paddlefoot64]

I converted my Vanilla back when I was running it at 100 mm. Might as well change oil at the same time. Just read the manual at Fox Racing to see how to do it. Mine is now Pushed, running at 130 mm and is on my '06 X-5. I have less brake dive than before it was Pushed, but it was really not all that bad with the compression set properly before. Best part about a Pushed 'Nilla is the adjustable "platform" using the previous lock-out
lever.

 

[onepivot]

Jumping My Pantera

Below is a shot of me taking a small jump on mine. It's about as risky as I'll get since I'm an old fart Clydesdale.

Here's the spec sheet:

XL frame in red with quad bearings
Romic shock
Vanilla 100R fork
Thomson Stem & Post
Easton EA70 bar
Avid mechanicals
Avid levers
Chris King headset
Chris King hubs with Mavic 321 rims laced with DT butted spokes
ODI lock on grips
Sram thumb shifters
Sram X.9 rear
Shimano XT front
Race Face Atlas X-Type cranks
Egg Beaters
Old Cannondale Ti railed saddle (my favorite)

The bike is built to handle my 240 lbs and I believe it weighs around 31 lbs. I had it built with XC riding in mind and I seldom jump the bike, pic not withstanding. It has given me absolutely zero problems in three years of service. I replaced the main pivot bearings this summer.

I don't have any issues with the single pivot design but then again, I'm not too anal about such things. It climbs, it descends, it pedals very well and it feels like a 72' Caddy crusing down the Interstate (meaning "plush") No regrets here!

Oh, Larry Mettler built this bike and of course, I recommend him highly.

 

[LoneStar]

Talk about a good deal. I saw that Cambria has 10% off frames right now (20% off other stuff), and if you know anyone who wants a very nice frame from a great builder, here is your chance. Lets see, $749 for the frame now (crap! I paid $860 a year ago) - 10% = $675! Now that is a deal.

 

[Chewieez]

Looks like Cambria has a few Ventana deals now...

They have 17" Pantera's for $749. They are out of new 19" frames but they are selling a 19" demo frame for $699!! This is all without the 10% off


They also have a 13" El Salt demo frame for $995..... not that I know anyone who needs a 13"

 

[xc_xtc]

A new Ventana family member!

Chewieez, Lonestar, Onepivot...thanks for posting! I love your pics, etc. I can't wait to put some action shots up for y'all.

My Ventana arrived, woohoo! Although I've only rode it around the parking lot so far...I love my new Pantera! The anodized paint job is beautiful in the light and burly as ever. All I need to do now is put my homemade studded tires on her and get the stem height/length dialed in, raise the seat, etc. Play with the Fox Float RL and the Vanilla. Hell it's lighter than my fully rigid ss so what more could I ask for. It came with the superlink as well and I changed the oil and travel to 100mm on the Fox Vanilla RL.

Pictures to come soon! I'd rather take some outside for a better backround shot. ps My first full susser!!!

 

[LoneStar]

Glad we could help in your decision. I think you will really enjoy the bike. I'm taking mine out in the morning to exercise some demons over in Conyers, GA where they held the '96 mountain bike competition. I have a love-hate thing going with that place.

 

[xc_xtc]

Enjoy

I know I will! I have lockout on both the front and rear shock which is working very nice. We changed the Vanilla RL from a 125 to 100mm by removing the spacer and swapped out the oil as well!!

 

[Chewieez]

Looks like a sweet ride XC!

That frame looks almost purple in those pics... strange! I guess it's the anodizing since your fork still looks black.

Went out yesterday on the Pantera...got a short ride in with lots of playing on the rocks and jumps. I love this bike! I'm loving the Romic shock too for this type of riding. I'm supposed to go out this afternoon on a more rolling, fast trail. If I have time, I'll throw the SwingerAir back on for that ride. Definately a versatile bike for sure!

Once the weather really turns so gross I can't ride I'm toying with sending my Vanilla into PUSH. I just don't want to lose any riding time.


Enjoy the bike man and keep the pictures coming!

 

[elgecko]

Hi all, here's mine: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/elgec...://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/elgecko42/my_photos

I was looking at FS bikes from Fisher, Cannodale, Specialized, etc. but when I came across Cambria's closeouts, I realized I could build a much nicer bike for less money. The standover is great for my freakishly short legs and the frame seems to take my extra weight in stride. I'm still getting used to climbing on the Pantera but am otherwise very pleased with the bike.

Frame: Pantera (15")
Fork: Manitou Minute 2:00 (100mm)
Rear shock: Fox Float RL
Seatpost Clamp: DKG
Seatpost: Race Face Evolve
Saddle: Terry Liberator
Headset: Cane Creek S-2
Stem: Sette Edge (90mm)
Handlebar: Sette XLR
Grips: Oury
Shifters: SRAM X.9
Front Der: XT 760
Rear Der: SRAM X.9
Chain: LX
Cassette: SRAM 970
Cranks/BB: Race Face Evolve XC (ISIS)
Pedals: Egg Beater Chrome
Brakes: Avid BB7/SD-7 levers
Wheelset: XT/Mavic 819, Wheelsmith spokes
Skewers: XT
Tires: IRC Mibro 2.25 UST w/Stans
Weight: 28.99 lbs

 

[xc_xtc]

That looks slick. Nice build too. I think mine might be around that or 29 and change w/my studded tires on it. I probably got about 12-18 miles in tonight ice riding on this frozen swamp in NY and riding some laps on the frozen pond. Great first ride, good times and good people. Feel free to post whatever you feel like about your pantera & whatnot.

Enjoy, welcome to mtbr and happy holidays!

 

[puspouch]

East Coast Pantera

NC Ventana Fan

2003 Pantera
Vanilla 100
Float RL Rear
Easton Bar
Thomson Stem
IRD Mech Discs
XTR Rear (8 Speed)
XT Front
WTB Speed Disc Wheels
WTB Speed Saddle
Race Face Post
Truvativ Crank
Truvativ Bash

Great Fun!

 

[RedRocker]

Glad we could help in your decision. I think you will really enjoy the bike. I'm taking mine out in the morning to exercise some demons over in Conyers, GA where they held the '96 mountain bike competition. I have a love-hate thing going with that place.

B!tch !
I hope you survived...
What's that I read above about a Salty....?

 

[LoneStar]

B!tch !
I hope you survived...
What's that I read above about a Salty....?

Well, I didn't get to go, nor have I ridden any over the holidays...yet. Been fighting a cold since the 24th. This sucks since it is supposed to get to 60 degrees today!

As for the Salty, it will be in the future sometime. Nothing wrong with what I have for now. At the rate I'm going, I don't see it breaking any time soon either!