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SS? 29er? What to do? - X Post from "What Bike to Buy"

703 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Turt99, Dec 13, 2005

Turt99

Discussion Starter · Dec 12, 2005

Well first a little about me and my riding style, I'm 6' 2" and about 250lbs, I'm not in the best of shape and generally do singletrack nothing extremely difficult yet.

So I've been looking on these boards and 2 types of bikes stand out to me, the Single Speeds and the 29ers.

Currently I have 2 bikes in my stable, both 26" wheels.

The new one is my main ride and is a 2005 Gary Fisher Marlin, I got this bike so that I could get back into riding shape, I didn't want to spend outragous amounts of money but I wanted a decent bike. I'm happy with my decision and will be riding this bike happly while I slowly save for a new ride to play with.

So like I said I'm interested in the 29ers. I like the idea of these because of all the advantages that you can find in the 29er forum, the only issue I can see with these is that some of the parts don't have as many options as one might like, this also means that some of the parts (wheels, forks) might cost more then the 26" counterpart.

The other one that interests me is the SS bikes, I like the idea of a SS because of the reduced maintaince I'm really not sure how to finely adjust the gears on a bike, I could figure it out but it would take a while. Luckly my brother is a bike mechanic so I always have that option. When I was younger I rode a BMX bike around all the time, and I'm thinking that a SS would most likely give me the fun of a BMX bike but the comfort of a fullsized bike.

This brings me to my second bike, this is a old Haro V2, this bike frame is in pretty good shape, its a cro-mo frame so it got alot of life in it still I bet. The only issue with this bike would be that the drivetrain is getting worn. The steer tube on this bike is 1" but I did have a RockShox Indy C on it (with a threadless headset). However I have just removed that because the steertube was bend over years of pounding it, and I have put the original threaded headset and rigid fork back on.

Now on to my options. I'm in Ontario Canada and there is a local builder Misfit Psycles (http://www.misfitpsycles.com/) that seems to make a nice SS frame, They make this frame in 26" only right now but will have a 29er version next year. This sounds like a good option to me it would fun to build up a bike from the frame picking all different part and ending up with a bike that is very personal. However after pricing out the cheapest 26" build I would end up around $1000 CAN. for a rigid SS bike. But this includes Handbuild wheels, and many other nice options.

Misft Psycles also offers conversion kits, that would allow me to try and make my Haro V2 into a SS, this kit and conversion would probably only cost me about $50 but I think this would only offer a chance to really test a single speed on the trails. Not a very good SS mind you, but it would let me know if I really liked it.

The other option would be to go with one of the offerings from Gary Fisher, ie the Rig. The '05 Rig was price around $1200 CAN or so in shops around me, but the price of a Rig and the price of the Misfit Psycles bike would probably work out pretty similar in the end.

Other options would be X-Cal and Paragon from Gary Fisher if I decide against SS, but the Misfits frame can have gears on it too.

Now like I said I will be riding my Marlin for atleast most of next season because I don't have alot of extra money to put into my bikes.

Sorry this post is so long, I just wanted to give out all the information I had in my head so that the answers would match my thoughts. What would you do? Convert my Old Bike? Save for some thing like the Rig? or go all out Rigid SS from a local builder?

Thanks

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Turt99

Discussion Starter · #2 · Dec 12, 2005

No Comments?

Okay lets shorten the question

Which bike would you choose?

------------------------------------------------------------------

Local Bike Builder Frame and Parts
(Misfit Psycles)
Rigid Frame and Fork. 26" Wheels

~$1000 CAN.
(29" Frame Coming but Build would cost more)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Big Name Bike
Gary Fisher Rig
Reba Fork.
29" Wheels
~ $1300 CAN.

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Rainman

· #3 · Dec 12, 2005

Dump the 26" wheels..

Go 29'er. At your height, a 29'er would fit you very well.

If you are unfit, a singlespeed is going to really work you over for the first few months, but as you get fitter and stronger, it will become easier..

A frame with the options to go geared and SS would probably work out best for you, as you could then have both choices, and decide which way you prefer to ride, geared or SS.

Have you looked at the Surly? The GF's are a great bike too. Fisher has a very good reputation on 29'ers.

I recommend that you definitely go with a 29'er, and then decide after getting a demo [if possible] on the bikes on your short-list first.

R.

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Turt99

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 12, 2005

I'm definitly going to test ride some 29er's in the spring, and I'm pretty sure I will be look at them for my next bike.

Over the winter I'm going to get on the trainer and try to get into good riding shape for the spring. My thoughts on getting a Single Speed bike is that I would keep my 26" Gears bike for the times I want gears, and use the Single Speed for the lighter rides.

Lighter rides wouldn't have to be paved or anything just something a little smoother where I would feel okay with a rigid bike and having some fun with a different style of bike. Thats what makes me lean towards the Misfits Bike, it means I get what I'm looking for, a really simple bike I know I can hop on and go.

However then I see the Rig and think, thats almost the same bike except I have a nice cusion on the front without a huge cost difference. Oh and plus the Rig has Disc brakes where as my $1000 estimate on the other bike was with V Brakes. All in all I'm thinking there is more bike for the money in the Rig, but do I want all that.

I took a quick look at Surly but it seems more expensive and I would have to order it from the states which would add even more to the cost. (I assume that would be the KM)

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chrispf007

· #5 · Dec 12, 2005

Turt99 said:
I'm definitly going to test ride some 29er's in the spring, and I'm pretty sure I will be look at them for my next bike.

Over the winter I'm going to get on the trainer and try to get into good riding shape for the spring. My thoughts on getting a Single Speed bike is that I would keep my 26" Gears bike for the times I want gears, and use the Single Speed for the lighter rides.

Lighter rides wouldn't have to be paved or anything just something a little smoother where I would feel okay with a rigid bike and having some fun with a different style of bike. Thats what makes me lean towards the Misfits Bike, it means I get what I'm looking for, a really simple bike I know I can hop on and go.

However then I see the Rig and think, thats almost the same bike except I have a nice cusion on the front without a huge cost difference. Oh and plus the Rig has Disc brakes where as my $1000 estimate on the other bike was with V Brakes. All in all I'm thinking there is more bike for the money in the Rig, but do I want all that.

I took a quick look at Surly but it seems more expensive and I would have to order it from the states which would add even more to the cost. (I assume that would be the KM)

My recommedation would be to convert your Haro now. For $ 50, you will then have a SS and a geared bike. If you are anything like me your GF may start collecting dust. I have just converted an early 90's Trek into my first SS and love it. Either way your frame should be a 29er, but this way you will know what parts to have it built with.

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jl

· #6 · Dec 12, 2005

Turt99 said:
No Comments?

Okay lets shorten the question

Which bike would you choose?

This one.

http://classifieds.mtbr.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl?db=MtbReview&website=MtbReview&language=&session_key=439c6e3f1e2b8675&search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=96172&results_format=long&query=retrieval&exact_match=on

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zipzit

· #7 · Dec 12, 2005

Ouch. Best place to be is find 29er that can go either geared or SS, sell or swap the rest of the stuff away. Problem is... sigh... the $$ numbers will never make sense.

Unfortunately the sum of the parts well exceeds the price of the whole. My conclusion is that buying parts and assembling your own 29er will run in the $1200 USD range (or lots more.) Best bet? Take your Haro apart, sell individual parts on ebay. Sell the Marlin and purchase a new GF Rig or purchase a used Karate Monkey. Unfortunately, based on recent completed sales on ebay, older bikes aren't worth a whole lot... probably $300 USD or slightly more. Still that route would take you $600USD out of pocket (assuming pickup in the states...)

If it was me (and I'm an idiot...) I'd purchase the locally built 29er frame, lie to my wife about what this stuff will cost and piece the bike together myself, with disk brakes, reasonable components and ugh a $1500 or more USD price tag. Or keep the Haro parts ( hubs, crankset, deraillers, brakes, seat, bars, etc...) purchase a cheap truing jig, build your own 29er wheels. Enjoy the build.

--Do commit to the single speed, you won't regret it. The definition of commiting is get rid of every other bike in your stable. The wife will appreciate it. Just don't tell here what stuff costs, and you'll be fine. Have a nice day.

--If you want, you are welcome to use my garage for your build. I've already got a decent set of tools, truing jig, shop rack. I'm not all that far from Windsor, Ont or the Blue water bridge. We can go for a ride together sometime, someplace really, really muddy. This scenario has its advantages, course you will have to buy wife and me dinner (and keep your mouth shut about how much stuff costs to the wife...)

zip
metro detroit.

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TR

· #8 · Dec 13, 2005

Having just moved from a Surly 1x1 to a Ventana El Commandante 29'er SS I will give you this review.
The 29'er is faster on the downhills and flats.
The 29'er is more stable at speed.
The 29'er gets over logs, rocks etc much better. On my maiden ride I rode over some logs that were probably 3 foot high or so and it was as if they were not there at all.
The 29'er is faster through swoopy fast singletrack.
The 29'er is slow through tight twisty sections but then again i am crap at that sort of riding anyway.
I have not noticed that either bike is better on the uphills.

Based on my initial rides I will not be going back to 26" SS bikes but have kept my geared 26" bike for the time being anyway. One day an El Capitan may make its way to my garage though.

Just in case you have been under a rock and have not seen pics of my new bike here she is:

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shizzle

· #9 · Dec 13, 2005

You should consider the upcoming Monocog 29er. Here's a link to the mtbr discussion:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=149461

It's supposed to be coming in March and under $500. I had a 26" Monocog and really liked it, so I'm definately taking a hard look at the 29" version. Plus, for the price you could upgrade some of the lesser parts at purchase (I'm thinking new cranks/bottom bracket) and still be well under $1000 (might even be able to grab a Reba and still be under a G, assuming you don't wanna go rigid).

Sean

Turt99 said:
Well first a little about me and my riding style, I'm 6' 2" and about 250lbs, I'm not in the best of shape and generally do singletrack nothing extremely difficult yet.

So I've been looking on these boards and 2 types of bikes stand out to me, the Single Speeds and the 29ers.

Currently I have 2 bikes in my stable, both 26" wheels.

The new one is my main ride and is a 2005 Gary Fisher Marlin, I got this bike so that I could get back into riding shape, I didn't want to spend outragous amounts of money but I wanted a decent bike. I'm happy with my decision and will be riding this bike happly while I slowly save for a new ride to play with.

So like I said I'm interested in the 29ers. I like the idea of these because of all the advantages that you can find in the 29er forum, the only issue I can see with these is that some of the parts don't have as many options as one might like, this also means that some of the parts (wheels, forks) might cost more then the 26" counterpart.

The other one that interests me is the SS bikes, I like the idea of a SS because of the reduced maintaince I'm really not sure how to finely adjust the gears on a bike, I could figure it out but it would take a while. Luckly my brother is a bike mechanic so I always have that option. When I was younger I rode a BMX bike around all the time, and I'm thinking that a SS would most likely give me the fun of a BMX bike but the comfort of a fullsized bike.

This brings me to my second bike, this is a old Haro V2, this bike frame is in pretty good shape, its a cro-mo frame so it got alot of life in it still I bet. The only issue with this bike would be that the drivetrain is getting worn. The steer tube on this bike is 1" but I did have a RockShox Indy C on it (with a threadless headset). However I have just removed that because the steertube was bend over years of pounding it, and I have put the original threaded headset and rigid fork back on.

Now on to my options. I'm in Ontario Canada and there is a local builder Misfit Psycles (http://www.misfitpsycles.com/) that seems to make a nice SS frame, They make this frame in 26" only right now but will have a 29er version next year. This sounds like a good option to me it would fun to build up a bike from the frame picking all different part and ending up with a bike that is very personal. However after pricing out the cheapest 26" build I would end up around $1000 CAN. for a rigid SS bike. But this includes Handbuild wheels, and many other nice options.

Misft Psycles also offers conversion kits, that would allow me to try and make my Haro V2 into a SS, this kit and conversion would probably only cost me about $50 but I think this would only offer a chance to really test a single speed on the trails. Not a very good SS mind you, but it would let me know if I really liked it.

The other option would be to go with one of the offerings from Gary Fisher, ie the Rig. The '05 Rig was price around $1200 CAN or so in shops around me, but the price of a Rig and the price of the Misfit Psycles bike would probably work out pretty similar in the end.

Other options would be X-Cal and Paragon from Gary Fisher if I decide against SS, but the Misfits frame can have gears on it too.

Now like I said I will be riding my Marlin for atleast most of next season because I don't have alot of extra money to put into my bikes.

Sorry this post is so long, I just wanted to give out all the information I had in my head so that the answers would match my thoughts. What would you do? Convert my Old Bike? Save for some thing like the Rig? or go all out Rigid SS from a local builder?

Thanks

Save

Turt99

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 13, 2005

chrispf007 - Yeah I think the first step is going to be to convert the Haro, then atleast I will have a feel for SS and can decide if thats what I really want. I just gotta figure out what type of cassette or conversion kit I need. I think I'm going to need a BMX Cog.

jl - That would be way out of my price range but it might be a better Idea to just wait for a larger budget. Like I said I'm going to ride what I have now for atleast most of the season while I slowly build the funds

zipzit - I don't think I could hide the costs of things from my wife, we share a bank account so she would definitly see the withdrawl.

TR - Your bike looks really nice. Thanks alot of the detailed review. Those reasons just strengthen the need for a 29er.

shizzle - I'll definitly take a look at that bike. Thanks for the link. Since I'm not looking to buy right away it really doesn't matter if the bike isn't out yet, I'm really just getting all the information I can for now. If the bike I choose costs more then $1000 then I'll just save longer before I purchase it.

The bike I have now will work, its new and everything works great I've just decided that for my next bike I want to make sure that I get the best bang for my buck, and I don't want to be at a point where my current bike is old or in need of repairs when I'm looking, so I've started looking for information and saving for that future bike.

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