Joined
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747 Posts
First off, thanks to everyone who helped me out with feedback on the Rumblefish and other full suss 29ers. Your input helped nudge me over the edge and commit money to a bike I hadn't ridden.
I've been riding 29er HT's for years now- Black Sheep (broke, POS, long story), Monocog (great ride for the money), custom Dean/Wily (nice lively steed), and finally a Sinister Simon Bar (funnest by far with dialed handling and a 120mm fork)- and I'm convinced that 29ers are the best fit for my riding style and terrain here in Pisgah NF.
Prior to ordering the RF, I demoed a HiFi back to back to back to back with a pimped out Turner RFX on a local loop. The RFX was very nice, but I just never felt as comfortable, confident or as fast as I did on the HiFi, up or down. While I liked the HiFi a lot, I have been spoiled by 120mm and the QR15 up front, and I could also feel the rear shock ramp up on bigger hits. The Rumblefish addressed both those concerns and I had my local GF shop (thanks Liberty) track down a 17.5" one state over.
They had it built up for me just in time for a 13" dump of snow we got, but I was lucky enough to head east for the family Christmas and got in two good rides (30 miles or so) on varying terrain.
I made a few changes from stock
-swapped out my tubeless setup I9's from the Sinister
-tossed on a short 60mm stem, which I like much better than the stock 90, but I'll prolly swap for a 70. Yes, I'll cut the steerer tube once the cockpit is fully dialed!
-put on SLX cranks, which I'll soon run as a 2x9 with a bash guard
-ordered some ESI chunky grips to replace the cheese grater stock units
-ditched the ginormous 36 tooth cassette, though it will likely end up on the Sinister 1x9.
-Joplin adjustable post is on the way
She's sitting right at 29lbs in this configuration. Entirely reasonable, I think.
I can't say I have a definitive opinion on everything yet, but the bike's a ton of fun so far. I've never named my bikes, but I kept thinking I needed to call her Honey. Yes it's cheesy, but the bike just flows up, down, over and around everything so smoothly it's lovely. And the level of traction is better than anything I've ever ridden, but without feeling slow or inefficient. The suspension tracks the terrain perfectly- while climbing I never seem to lose grip and while bombing down and slamming on the brakes all's right with the world.
The DRCV is very nice and works as advertised with no noticeable "transition" when the second chamber opens up. Just a smooth, linear stroke and full travel when set up with the included sag gauge.
Once I put on the shorter stem the bike was great in the tight twisties while remaining stable and confidence inspiring when things opened up. I didn't feel any flex anywhere- it was precise and stayed where I pointed it.
I really love my Sinister- so much that I sold my custom steel Dean/Wily- but I wanted something to ride all day long in rough, rooty, rocky, steep country with a little less punishment. I have yet to the RF out on any BIG rides yet, but I'm pretty confident the bike will be a great addition to the quiver. I'll keep you posted and get some action shots when I'm not riding solo...if the snow ever melts.
I've been riding 29er HT's for years now- Black Sheep (broke, POS, long story), Monocog (great ride for the money), custom Dean/Wily (nice lively steed), and finally a Sinister Simon Bar (funnest by far with dialed handling and a 120mm fork)- and I'm convinced that 29ers are the best fit for my riding style and terrain here in Pisgah NF.
Prior to ordering the RF, I demoed a HiFi back to back to back to back with a pimped out Turner RFX on a local loop. The RFX was very nice, but I just never felt as comfortable, confident or as fast as I did on the HiFi, up or down. While I liked the HiFi a lot, I have been spoiled by 120mm and the QR15 up front, and I could also feel the rear shock ramp up on bigger hits. The Rumblefish addressed both those concerns and I had my local GF shop (thanks Liberty) track down a 17.5" one state over.
They had it built up for me just in time for a 13" dump of snow we got, but I was lucky enough to head east for the family Christmas and got in two good rides (30 miles or so) on varying terrain.
 |
| From Rumblefish |
I made a few changes from stock
-swapped out my tubeless setup I9's from the Sinister
-tossed on a short 60mm stem, which I like much better than the stock 90, but I'll prolly swap for a 70. Yes, I'll cut the steerer tube once the cockpit is fully dialed!
-put on SLX cranks, which I'll soon run as a 2x9 with a bash guard
-ordered some ESI chunky grips to replace the cheese grater stock units
-ditched the ginormous 36 tooth cassette, though it will likely end up on the Sinister 1x9.
-Joplin adjustable post is on the way
She's sitting right at 29lbs in this configuration. Entirely reasonable, I think.
 |
| From Rumblefish |
I can't say I have a definitive opinion on everything yet, but the bike's a ton of fun so far. I've never named my bikes, but I kept thinking I needed to call her Honey. Yes it's cheesy, but the bike just flows up, down, over and around everything so smoothly it's lovely. And the level of traction is better than anything I've ever ridden, but without feeling slow or inefficient. The suspension tracks the terrain perfectly- while climbing I never seem to lose grip and while bombing down and slamming on the brakes all's right with the world.
 |
| From Rumblefish |
The DRCV is very nice and works as advertised with no noticeable "transition" when the second chamber opens up. Just a smooth, linear stroke and full travel when set up with the included sag gauge.
 |
| From Rumblefish |
Once I put on the shorter stem the bike was great in the tight twisties while remaining stable and confidence inspiring when things opened up. I didn't feel any flex anywhere- it was precise and stayed where I pointed it.
I really love my Sinister- so much that I sold my custom steel Dean/Wily- but I wanted something to ride all day long in rough, rooty, rocky, steep country with a little less punishment. I have yet to the RF out on any BIG rides yet, but I'm pretty confident the bike will be a great addition to the quiver. I'll keep you posted and get some action shots when I'm not riding solo...if the snow ever melts.
