I have been religously reading this forum for some time with plans of researching a new frame. I have narrowed it down to 3, Leviathan, Asylum, and Moots Mooto-X. I know the Lev and Asy are more similar, however let me describe what I am looking for in a bike. I line in TN, so we have mainly roots and small rocks in our trails. I travel to Colorado 1-2 times per year and I am looking for my best choice for 12-24 hour races, as well as the epic rides I like to take in CO. Presently I am riding a MT. Tam so I am accustomed to no rear suspension. I also weigh 205 and have never ridden Ti, so I do not know it will fill to "noodley" under me. Thanks in advance for all of your input.
Which Frame should I get? Need your input
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If you can wait…….
as well as the epic rides I like to take in CO
The Intense Spider is on my short list.
Well heck currently it is the only frame that I would buy to replace my Sugar. The other frames you listed are nice but a 4" VPP would be great for your riding style.
Also Niner is coming out with a 4.5" frame soon.
Good luck and let us know what you choose.
as well as the epic rides I like to take in CO
The Intense Spider is on my short list.
Well heck currently it is the only frame that I would buy to replace my Sugar. The other frames you listed are nice but a 4" VPP would be great for your riding style.Also Niner is coming out with a 4.5" frame soon.
Good luck and let us know what you choose.
You'll get lots of recommendations for Leviathans on here.TN29'er said:
I'm an Asylum/Titus man myself, but to try to be objective, I'd say the Leviathan is a hair closer to the "trail bike" than the Racer X. I would say there's a huge amount of overlap in the bikes, but the RX errors a little on the racey side, while the Levi errors a bit on the "trail bike" side. However, you could do a lot of either on both.
I'd look at sizing, availability, your personal budget, etc.
Noodly
As a prev owner of a Mooto X, they do feel a little noodly but in a good way. I personally prefer a laterally rigid ride. Never have ridden the Lev or a 29er RX but did ride a RX 26er - would imagine that would be a hell of a ride - less compliance in the frame for sure than the Moots. I'm curious about the Lenz however. Would imagine it would be the right combo - word on the streets is that its more comfy than the RX. Would love to see a head to head between the RX and Lev.
As a prev owner of a Mooto X, they do feel a little noodly but in a good way. I personally prefer a laterally rigid ride. Never have ridden the Lev or a 29er RX but did ride a RX 26er - would imagine that would be a hell of a ride - less compliance in the frame for sure than the Moots. I'm curious about the Lenz however. Would imagine it would be the right combo - word on the streets is that its more comfy than the RX. Would love to see a head to head between the RX and Lev.
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Actually, it's been done. Someone on these boards did a comparo of the two bikes a couple years ago, or less, can't remember exactly when. The findings were along the lines of what's been posted here already. The Titus being stiffer platform, more racy. The Leviathan being more plush, bottomless feeling in travel. Both performed admirably, as I recall. It all amounts to what kind of feel and handling you want out of a bike in an endurance event, or long day in the saddle. I would err to the side of the Leviathan, myself. But, you may not agree. Either way, you'll get a great bike!Tbone said:
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TN29er, I don't know what size frame you ride but I live in Huntsville and have a XL Leviathan with WB 1.0, and my buddy has a large Asylum with a Reba. Your welcome to come down and give them a test run. It might be worth the hour and a half drive to help you make up you mind. Just PM me or send me a e-mail sturner at knology dot net.
Steve
Steve
Go here.
www.ventanausa.com.
Ventana has really embraced the 29er movement. Owner Sherwood Gibson has totally converted his stable of 26" bikes into 29s.
www.ventanausa.com.
Ventana has really embraced the 29er movement. Owner Sherwood Gibson has totally converted his stable of 26" bikes into 29s.
A buddy of mine is going to be doing a 4-man, 4-bike full test/shootout soon, and presumably the results of that shootout will be his first post back on the forum in some time.
Bikes will be
*RX 29er (24.7" ETT)
*Leviathan 29er (24.6" ETT)
*Sugar 293 (24.0" ETT)
*Dos 9 (24.9" ETT)
Riders are all the same rough height, except the 293 pilot, and bikes are all roughly same size, again except the 293, so there should be ample ability to swap bikes back and forth, re-ride same terrain, comments from each rider on each of the different bikes.
Word is that it will be thoroughly photographed, recorded, reported, and digitally weighed, complete with direct comments/quotes from each rider on each bike, over various terrains. Since each rider will be the owner of one of the bikes, it is hoped that this will help wash out natural bias towards one's personal bike (ie, everyone says my bike rules, your bike sucks, then that would become clear).
I'll try to get more details posted up as the Shootout date approaches, to see if anyone wants to join in the shootout...we'll have pedal wrenches on hand for swapping stuff out.
Date: late Jan, early Feb
Place: NW Arkansas
Invited: Anyone who wants to hang out and try out some cool bikes - paging any El Capi riders who are looking for a road trip...
Bikes will be
*RX 29er (24.7" ETT)
*Leviathan 29er (24.6" ETT)
*Sugar 293 (24.0" ETT)
*Dos 9 (24.9" ETT)
Riders are all the same rough height, except the 293 pilot, and bikes are all roughly same size, again except the 293, so there should be ample ability to swap bikes back and forth, re-ride same terrain, comments from each rider on each of the different bikes.
Word is that it will be thoroughly photographed, recorded, reported, and digitally weighed, complete with direct comments/quotes from each rider on each bike, over various terrains. Since each rider will be the owner of one of the bikes, it is hoped that this will help wash out natural bias towards one's personal bike (ie, everyone says my bike rules, your bike sucks, then that would become clear).
I'll try to get more details posted up as the Shootout date approaches, to see if anyone wants to join in the shootout...we'll have pedal wrenches on hand for swapping stuff out.
Date: late Jan, early Feb
Place: NW Arkansas
Invited: Anyone who wants to hang out and try out some cool bikes - paging any El Capi riders who are looking for a road trip...
Ventana does have a fleet of El Capitans for demos. Contact Teresa @ (916) 631-0544 ext. 203.29inch said:
Sorry all I have is a stinkin' 26" wheeled El Saltamontes. My El Comandante won't be done until the end of January.
FYI: Ventana's email is down for a couple of weeks and I think they're shut down this week for the holidays. At least that's what they told me. They probably just told me that so I'd stop dropping by and saying,"Is that my ebb, is that my top tube, is that my seat tube?"
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