REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Redline Monocog VS S.E. Racing Stout

8693 Views 26 Replies 14 Participants Last post by acidsnack, Dec 18, 2009

chakujitsu

Discussion Starter · Jun 22, 2009

Aloha,

I've searched around the forum and was unable to gleam any definitive view when comparing the S.E. Racing Stout 29er and the Redline Monocog 29er. Both seem to have similar specs and are around the same price-point (400ish). Also, neither have had any negative comments against them but one cannot ignore the multitude of Monocog fans on the forum

I've located a source for the Stout nearby (Plattsburgh, NY area, about an hour and a half south of here

) but cannot find a similar source for the Monocog (I posted a thread in the maker's board to see if anyone there can help).

SO aside from my availability issue, can anyone help me decide one way or the other?

I noted they both have "Fork Ends" instead of dropouts ... would this be a concern ?

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

jeezer

· #2 · Jun 23, 2009

ive never ridden the SE but i can promise you, that the redline is a great frame for the money. i love mine, even though i have changed everything about the bike.

gdlals

· #3 · Jun 23, 2009

I have an SE Stout. It rides great and is surprisingly more compliant than it looks. I bought it because 1) It could easily be converted to 1x9 2) Had reasonably good wheels/tires for the price 3) It was cheap, $275 new. With conversion to 1x9, disk front brake, etc., the total build was $450.

The SE Stout is an aluminum frame, the Redline is steel for what its worth.

chakujitsu

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 23, 2009

gdlals said:
I have an SE Stout. It rides great and is surprisingly more compliant than it looks. I bought it because 1) It could easily be converted to 1x9 2) Had reasonably good wheels/tires for the price 3) It was cheap, $275 new. With conversion to 1x9, disk front brake, etc., the total build was $450.

The SE Stout is an aluminum frame, the Redline is steel for what its worth.

The new Stout is Chromoly from the specs on the S.E. site.

Any chance you could post pics of your ride and a closeup of the rear end conversion to geared.?

Jlee197853

· #5 · Jun 23, 2009

The 2008 Stouts are aluminum. The 2009 are steel. I have an aluminum one and love it. The hubs and bottom bracket are crap, but the bike rides great. My rear hub already sounds bad after 6 weeks of riding. I got mine on clearance for $400. MSRP on the new ones is about $580 or so. I would recommend the bike. You also might take a look at the Nashbar 9er. That is supposedly the same frame as the 2008 SE. The aluminum is remarkable compliant. I think it actually rides almost as smooth as my 4" travel trail bike.

Good luck

p nut

· #6 · Jun 23, 2009

I think it's safe to say that any bike at this price point will have mediocre components. I am just waiting for the BB/Headset/etc. to go out before doing any major upgrades.

I'm not going to vote for the Monocog, because I have not ridden the Stout, but I will say I like the Monocog.

gdlals

· #7 · Jun 24, 2009

chakujitsu said:
The new Stout is Chromoly from the specs on the S.E. site.

Any chance you could post pics of your ride and a closeup of the rear end conversion to geared.?

Oh yeah, forgot, the 2009 is steel. I have a 2008 which is aluminum.

The rear-end conversion is super-easy, the bikes come with a geared cassette style freehub. The single speed cog is a simple stamped cog with spacers. All you have to do is remove the spacers and cog and you have a standard rear hub which will accept a 9-speed cassette. Here's what I did on my upgrades:

- Added 9-speed SRAM cassette. Had to slightly adjust dish and spoke tension on rear wheel. The horizontal drop-out tensioner has an integrated derailleur hanger
- Removed stock front hub, replaced Shimano hub/disk compatible.
- Added BB-7 / 185mm in front
- Added BBG bashguard
- Added SRAM X7 rear derailleur, SRAM shifter, upgraded cables since I had to buy for rear derailleur and front brake anyway
- Added Ergons
- Converted to tubeless, WTB Stout in front.

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ParkerFly

· #8 · Jun 25, 2009

I have ridden both

the stout in test ride situations and the monocog as my main ss steed for 3 years. Both are really nice bikes. The Stout is more versatile (geared cassette rear wheel, der. hanger) and both are super-duper heavy stock, but they're both good bikes with similar geometry and very similar components. Honestly, as stupid as this is going to sound, if you don't need the geared capability of the stout, it may come down to color. I don't care for the 09 monocog paint job, and the se red is actually a very nice color. That's my .02.

Jlee197853

· #9 · Jun 25, 2009

I have to argue with you on the weight issue. My medium stout was 26.5 pounds stock. I changed the pedals, seatpost, and saddle, handlebars (FU2Bars), and stem, and got it down to just over 25 pounds. I wouldn't call that heavy. As parts wear out, and I upgrade the bike, I think I could get it down to 22 to 23 easy. I think weight is way overrated when riding rigid anyway. I would rather have something a little heavier to absorb the punishment, then some lightweight weenie bike.

chakujitsu

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 25, 2009

Jlee, what model is your stout? Alu or Steel ?

gdlals

· #11 · Jun 26, 2009

Jlee197853 said:
I have to argue with you on the weight issue. My medium stout was 26.5 pounds stock. I changed the pedals, seatpost, and saddle, handlebars (FU2Bars), and stem, and got it down to just over 25 pounds. I wouldn't call that heavy. As parts wear out, and I upgrade the bike, I think I could get it down to 22 to 23 easy. I think weight is way overrated when riding rigid anyway. I would rather have something a little heavier to absorb the punishment, then some lightweight weenie bike.

That sounds about right. Mines 29.5 with the heavy tire upfront and no changes to pedal, seatpost or saddle

Doggity

· #12 · Jun 26, 2009

gdlals said:
Oh yeah, forgot, the 2009 is steel. I have a 2008 which is aluminum.

The rear-end conversion is super-easy, the bikes come with a geared cassette style freehub. The single speed cog is a simple stamped cog with spacers. All you have to do is remove the spacers and cog and you have a standard rear hub which will accept a 9-speed cassette. Here's what I did on my upgrades:

- Added 9-speed SRAM cassette. Had to slightly adjust dish and spoke tension on rear wheel. The horizontal drop-out tensioner has an integrated derailleur hanger
- Removed stock front hub, replaced Shimano hub/disk compatible.
- Added BB-7 / 185mm in front
- Added BBG bashguard
- Added SRAM X7 rear derailleur, SRAM shifter, upgraded cables since I had to buy for rear derailleur and front brake anyway
- Added Ergons
- Converted to tubeless, WTB Stout in front.

Really like how you did that build! You could show up to any race at all, and not feel naked, on that bike.:thumbsup:

Jlee197853

· #13 · Jun 26, 2009

I have the aluminum one. The ride is very compliant. I had a steel specialized way back, and this one rides way better than that. I think the debate of steel and aluminum is overrated in a 29er. The way the wheels roll over everything really soaks up the bumps. The web blog 29er reviewed the aluminum stout and were impressed with it.:thumbsup:

gdlals

· #14 · Jun 26, 2009

Doggity said:
Really like how you did that build! You could show up to any race at all, and not feel naked, on that bike.:thumbsup:

Thanks. It has been a very good bike for me. Last weekend I racked up 40Km, 1,153meter elevation change ride with it, no problems.

p nut

· #15 · Jun 26, 2009

Jlee197853 said:
I have the aluminum one. The ride is very compliant. I had a steel specialized way back, and this one rides way better than that. I think the debate of steel and aluminum is overrated in a 29er. The way the wheels roll over everything really soaks up the bumps. The web blog 29er reviewed the aluminum stout and were impressed with it.:thumbsup:

The reason why the new aluminum bike rides better is because of the 29" wheel vs. 26" wheel. Try to compare apples to apples. I initially rode an aluminum 29er. Switched to a steel one and it definitely rides better (for me). Much smoother.

Greeny

· #16 · Dec 11, 2009

Went to my LBS, but had neither of these in stock...hard to pull the trigger sight unseen/unridden.

Still a toss-up in mind!

Also, anywhere to buy the Monocog online?

Greeny

· #17 · Dec 12, 2009

uh oh - bikesdirect just put out another one that's mucking up my decision making... windsor ss 29er with disk brakes...

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_cliff29_1.htm

(was planning on upgrading to disks on the monocog or stout)

CRAZY FRED

· #18 · Dec 12, 2009

Mucking?

Greeny said:
uh oh - bikesdirect just put out another one that's mucking up my decision making... windsor ss 29er with disk brakes...

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_cliff29_1.htm

(was planning on upgrading to disks on the monocog or stout)

I say it's not "Mucking" your decision, rather "Making" your decision.....Good luck......CF.

jeezer

· #19 · Dec 12, 2009

dont think you can buy it complete and new online.

Greeny

· #20 · Dec 15, 2009

so the final toss up for the same money (approx $500+tax):

2009 SE Stout with BB7s installed

or

2010 Redline Monocog stock

1 - 20 of 27 Posts