Like the look of both of these. I have a Gryphon already so know how good Singulars are. Was after a Swift but can’t quite make my mind up. Anyone tried both or have an El Mariachi?

anyone?

What type of riding is it for?

South and Mid Wales natural and trail centre stuff.

I have a steel and titanium El Mariachi. They are both fantastic bikes. The flexibility of the swinging dropouts on the steel one is useful – it can be run SS or geared, plus when you run it SS you can buy a different drive side dropout with no mech hanger if you are a fusspot (like me!). It works fine anyway, though. I’ve not ridded a Swift for any length of time so can’t compare, however the 2012 El Mar has a 44mm head tube which makes it future-proof as you can run either a 1 1/8 or tapered fork. The 2 frames are very similar in terms of weight.

Depends what you are after. Having ridden On-ones (steel and ti) which have similar geo to Swift/El Mar, I have gone over to frames with slacker ha and shorter stays. Currently Canfield Nimble 9. Not cheap (it is in the states!!) but I prefer the ride. CTBM has a demo.

Doesn’t seem any slower in singletrack or uphill, but better down.

The Salsa has long stays. I think WMB reviewed it. Not a bad review but it came across as boring. Having said that there seem to be happy owners on here. The Swift gets loads of good reviews.

Then of course there is the Cotic Solaris which is the best looking frame, imo.

or…. My Pace 129??

I did look at the Pace, which says a lot as I ride for Salsa but the sizing was really odd – very long.

GB

thanks all

So…..what are you going to do??

In the spirit of the ‘where to live in devon or somerset’ thread where the answers are ‘clevedon/portishead’..

The answer is, as always, Orange 5.

Hope this helps 🙂

Slightly OT …..

I was considering both of these frames as the basis of my third (hopefully successful) 29er build.

I ended up buying a Genesis Fortitute Adventure frame.

😛

I love mine, not had it long but it’s good in the slop 😀

Swift for me

I like the el mariachi a lot, but then Sam is a great guy making great bikes.

The salsa dropouts are very good, triple butted tubes. There is a lot to like.

You will be fine and damned good on either