[2tallrid3r]

I recently bought a Fantom Pro SL 29'er that is a GREAT bike, but unfortunately the 21" frame was too small for me at 6'6". So I bought an Access 23" frame that fits great and I swapped over most of the components. I tried to sell the Moto frame on CL, but didn't have any takers.

So I have a perfectly good slightly smallish frame that I need to figure out what to do with. I thought of making it an urban single speed commuter with drop bars and a rigid fork, but unfortunately the rear doesn't have slide-outs so I don't think I could do a singlespeed? Hmm. got any other ideas for it?

Here's the build-up and the Moto frame:

My initial plan was to save up some $$ and buy an expensive custom or name-brand frame, but the more I shopped around, that just didn't make sense because I loved my old 23" Access 9.9 that was stolen this spring... it fit me like a glove at 6'6" and was the best bike I ever owned (I liked that bike even better than my Titus Titanium XC Pro, believe it or not). So I went down to Performance and plopped down a whopping $89 for a 23" frame.

Everything swapped over fine from the Motobecane except the seatpost and front derailleur (Access frame has larger diameter seat tube and requires a 31.6mm seatpost. No biggie because I wanted a longer 400mm seatpost anyway, which I also picked up at Performance.

Weight is heavier than my old Access, largely due to the WTB Trail Laserdisc rims vs. C29ssmax's, tubed versus tubeless, and total absence of carbon or ti anywhere on my new bike. New steed is 28.3 lbs (which isn't too bad for a monstrous bike with a gargantuan frame) compared to 26.1 on my old black 9.9. It only took about 2 hours to do the complete swap with a buddy's help.

I don't particularly care for the matte gray frame on the bike and might do a custom paint job as an upcoming winter project. I'll post pics if anyone is interested. And if anyone wants my 21" Moto frame and misc parts, send me a PM.

It doesn't look too bad all clean and spiffy with nice morning lighting. I still don't like the flat gray.

<img src="https://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2209/picture849.jpg" width="1024px" height="768"/>

<img src="https://img139.imageshack.us/img139/377/picture847j.jpg" width="1024px" height="768" />

Here's the new 23" Access build next to the old 21" Moto frame

<img src="https://img192.imageshack.us/img192/6318/picture834a.jpg" width="1024px" height="768" />

 

[Slee_Stack]

I'm surprised you had enough steer tube on your fork for the Access' longer head tube.

You could probably ebay your frame and net $50-$75 after fees...if that's worth your time/effort.

FWIW, I'm not a fan of my SL's color either, but money talks much louder than paint color. I'd suggest you just learn to ignore the color and enjoy the ride.

 

[Moto Rider]

I think he’s talking about the color of his access “Flat Gray” as the color of the SL is brushed aluminum…much nicer.

 

[Slee_Stack]

I realize he is not a fan of the Access' color.

My point was I'm not a fan of my Moto's color, but I ignore it because its a great bike.

I suggest he try to think the same way.

 

[Gunnur]

Have you ever had a chance to weigh the 21" moto frame? I have never seen weights posted for the frames. I am assuming it is north of 4 pounds, but always wondered.

 

[GiddyHitch]

So I have a perfectly good slightly smallish frame that I need to figure out what to do with. I thought of making it an urban single speed commuter with drop bars and a rigid fork, but unfortunately the rear doesn't have slide-outs so I don't think I could do a singlespeed?

There are a lot of options for converting geared (vertical dropout) frames to singlespeeds - you just need a chain tensioner and a conversion kit for your cassette cog.

Tensioners:
* Surly Singleator
* Sette Tensioner
* Modified (?) derailleur

Conversion Kit:
* Surly Kit
* Sette Kit
* Hacked PVC pipe

There's lots of great info on the Singlespeed forum about converting geared bikes to SS, so go for it if that's what you really want to do. Good luck!