MegaSack DRAW - 6pm Christmas Eve - LIVE on our YouTube Channel
While my other thread about forks rattles away I have another question for the STW 29er mob.
I have been thinking about an Anthem 29er but they are so expensive I really can't justify spending that sort of money. I have a Swift which is currently rigid but may become a HT some time soon. Meanwhile, I am on the hunt for a full suss 29er for epic rides, 12 hour races etc. They all seem to be a bit pricey and I was beginning to give up when I came across the Dos Niner. OK it is a soft tail with limited travel but given the size of wheel and the impact reduction they seem to impart, wouldn't a soft tail do the job equally well?
Has anyone actually ridden one of these and if so what is your opinion? Hit or Miss?
Ive just built one for my cousin. I have a mamasita so I'm predisposed to Salsa, but I was hugely impressed with the Dos. Its like a hardtail with benefits. I only took it out for one decent spin but found it to be very impressive. Steering isnt razor sharp but thats not its intended purpose. Its was built for endurance events where speed over the distance will be far more important than chuckability in your local woods and it hits the nail perfectly. NOTE - salsa has discontinued the Dos, so stock might be an issue (we struggled to get one in XL - kudos must go to Charlie the bikemonger for sorting us out)
Rats - on two counts. I was hoping to get one (or something similar) after I off loaded a bike I haven't broken up yet and XL would be the size I'd be after.
Thanks anyway Buzzard I'll keep my eyes open.
I had an XL in mind as well as a change from my Mamasite, but the new FS 29er they have on their site looks rather nice too.
I've heard nothing but praise for them. I too am a Salsa boy with an XL Big Mama FS and an XXL Fargo. Would also upgrade my other 2 non Salsa 29ers (HT and SS) to Salsa frames should anything happen to them - i'd be more than happy to have a full stable of Salsa. Great bikes.
The Spearfish (new FS) looks good and is well priced and the new Big Mama is due out some time next year and possibly a new Dos Niner according to the blog on the Salsa website. Availability is the difficult thing in the UK and the cost here is usually more than the dollar cost in the states, also you'll find it near impossible to get one to test. I have seen a few XL Dos Niners come up on Ebay though.
If you're anywhere near the midlands i'd be happy to let you test the Big Mama for size.
I got my frame from bikecomponents.de which was no problem. I ordered a Salsa LaCruse cross frame from them in XL as well but eventually cancelled the order after waiting 6 months for it to arrive and got a road rat. In hindsight that was a mistake.
I imported mine from the States and it saved me a packet over the UK rrp (enough to pay for the Maxle Reba that i bought at the same time with £100 left over). Exchange rates were better at the time though - around $1.65.
My Fargo was bought from my LBS - took around 6 weeks to arrive but they did me a reasonable price on it so i was happy enough - even though i saw one on a US website for £250.
Speak to Charlie the bikemonger as he has been superb to deal with and sorted both my mamsita and the dos I built up.
oddjob - that spearfish does look like a very hand upgrade to the mamasita but it means new tapered fork and new chainset with BB30. So although the frame looks like it will be competively priced its the add ons that will kill me. That being said Ive enetered the Transportugal and the dual suspension might just be what gets me over the line - wonder when they will land on our shores.
