[Jeff in Bend]

I'm currently building a new Elchucho with the following specs:

23" Elchucho frame
Manitou Minute 29er with 20mm thru-axle
SLX dual ring crankset
Gamut bb mount dual ring chain guide
X-9 shifters and derailleurs
PG 980 cassette
Hadley Hub, Velocity p-35 rim, rear
Hope Pro 2 , velocity p-35 rim, front
Cane Creek 110 headset
Thompson stem
Race Face Atlas bars
Fomula RX brakes 203f & 180r
GD seatpost off current bike.

I currently ride an 05 Giant Trance 2 pretty much stock except shorter stem, wider bars, GD seatpost, and replaced the big ring with a bash guard. My queston is what am I going to feel as the biggest difference ( besides the 69er setup)? I know that Ventana's are one of if not the stiffest bikes around but what does that mean to someone who has never ridden a stiff bike? You don't know what you don't know. Bike will be finished this week and will post some pics.
Thanks!

 

[OldHouseMan]

Not really comparing apples to apples here, but coming from my Santa Cruz Superlight to my Ventana X5 with quad bearings, 6" rockers and a 20mm through axle fork, I can tell you the Ventana holds a line a hell of a lot better than the Superlight ever did.

 

[Calhoun]

One thing you will notice is your tires. Depending on set up, you may feel the tire squirm a little. Right now I am borrowing a wheelset with Minnion DH F on front and rear. I swear I can feel the knobs "roll" in turns.

 

[bingemtbr]

Regret. As in "I regret waiting so long to pull the trigger on this".

And then elation. Ahhh.....

 

[Jeff in Bend]

Regret. As in "I regret waiting so long to pull the trigger on this".

And then elation. Ahhh.....

I'm really stoked to get this bike on the trail, I got the frame the first part of April, it was a demo that had been built up once and bought it directly from Ventana. I've been patiently waiting and buying parts and the end is almost here. My final part came today which were my Canfield Crampon Pedals.

 

[G.G.]

Do you have any time on the wheel set or is it a new build?

 

[Jeff in Bend]

Do you have any time on the wheel set or is it a new build?

Everything is brand new except the GD seatpost. I just got it back from my friend who built the wheels and bike. Here are a couple of pics, I rode it a bit around the hood and if feels great, can't wait to hit some dirt. Came in at about 31 lbs. on my bath scale, the same as my old bike.

I also included a pic of my old bike ( I can say that now )

 

[celluloid hero]

Nice! Looks great!:thumbsup: