Finally sratched the Jones itch…. – Page 2 – Bike Forum

solarider · 2016-04-15T20:02:43Z

After a recent round of n-1, I have thinned out the collection and got it down to: A bouncy bike (Transition Scout) A road bike (Cervelo R3) A gravel/winter disc road bike (Seven Evergreen) Oh, and a Brompton. So that left room for a rigid mountain bike. I wanted something unique and ‘best in breed’, so there was only one choice. I have been mulling over a Jones for literally years, but finally took the plunge last week and fortunately Biff at the importers had just the frame I was after in stock that saved a long leadtime. Took it out for a shakedown ride yesterday, so it didn't stay pristine and clean for long. Believe the hype. The Jones Spaceframe is certainly unique to look at, but the ride is amazing, and the loop bars are similarly unusual but make a great deal of sense. It’s a true trail bike. Certainly not an eyeballs out racer, but a wonderful bike for general riding. I now understand why owners are such evangelists for Jeff Jones’ crazy ideas. The truss fork is massively stiff, but in a good way. It tracks beautifully, and makes you realise how flexy suspension forks are. The 3 inch front tyre adds some much needed cushioning. The spaceframe itself flexes in all the right ways, but again is stiff where it should be. Both are helped by thru axles. The truss fork was an absolute pig to fit, but with a Chris King in place, hopefully it won’t need to come apart very often! As you know, I have an appetite for Amercian handbuilt ti, so I was a little sceptical about the Taiwanese ti production that Jeff Jones uses, but I have to say, the workmanship and sheer amount of manipulation that goes into each frame is staggering. There isn’t a tube that isn’t squashed, flattened, curved or machined in some way and the weld quality is first class. The loop bars put your hands in a really natural and comfortable position and offer plenty of choices. I was a little worried about the width, but actually the inside of your hand is as wide as it is on a wide riser, the outside is turned back which gives fantastic control. I have the carbon version on back order that will drop a little weight and change the ride quality (and importantly not be silver!). In the meantime, Biff very kindly lent me a set of aluminium bars to getting on with. Thanks Biff! Thanks to Phil at Neil’s Wheels in Kingston. A real Jones fan himself, and riding his Jones diamond frame was enough to seal the deal. Otherwise, it’s all fairly standard stuff. The Derby rims are a bit of an experiment, but having read great reviews, and having now ridden them a few times they do seem like a great bit of kit. Super wide (45mm), true, and very light. I have ENVEs on a few bikes, and dare I say for a fraction of the cost these are better finished, and ride just as nicely. Still a little fettling to dial in the stem height and spacers and change the bars once they arrive, but otherwise I am really happy with how it has turned out. After years of experimenting, I think I finally have exactly the variety of bikes that I want to suit the riding that I do. Frame - Jeff Jones Thru Axle Ti Spaceframe Fork - Jeff Jones Thru Axle Ti Truss Fork Headset - Chris King NoThreadset Chainset - Shimano XTR 9000 (175mm, 34t) Bottom Bracket - Chris King Threadfit 24 Pedals - Shimano XTR Race Rear Derailleur - Shimano XTR 9000 Shifters - Shimano XTR 9000 Brakes - Shimano XTR 9000 Chain - KMC X-11 SL Cassette - SRAM XX1 (10/42) Hubs - Tune Fat King (142 x 15mm)/Kong (142 x 12mm) Rims - Derby Carbon 29 x 45mm (32 hole) Spokes - Sapim Race Quick Release - Jones Maxle/Carbon Ti Maxle Tyres - Maxxis Chronicle (3.0) and Ardent (2.4) Stem - Thomson X4 (100mm) Bars - Jones Carbon Loop Bar (710mm) eventually! Seatpost - Thomson Elite (27.2mm x 410mm, layback) Saddle - Fizik Tundra M3 Bottle Cages - King Titanium Grip - Jones Foam [IMG[IMG[IMG[IMG[IMG[IMG[IMG[IMG[IMG[IMG

bikebouy

Posts: 0

Full Member

Nice bike, I'm more saddened by the fact you sold the Moots 😕

Posted : 17/04/2016 8:54 am

biff

Posts: 0

Full Member

Stu – as said, 24" Plus at Neil’s Wheels. 25" at Charlie Bikemonger. My 24" test is with Cycling Plus for a test. Thanks.

Posted : 17/04/2016 8:22 pm

singlespeedstu

Posts: 17780

Full Member

Cheers Biff.

Posted : 17/04/2016 8:42 pm

martinh

Posts: 0

Free Member

I've been riding my Plus exclusively for the last month. Riding the Spaceframe yesterday it felt short and twitchy.

Posted : 02/05/2016 7:16 am

john_l

Posts: 953

Free Member

Been riding my diamond & truss for a couple of years now, such a fun & amazingly capable bike. Started with Blunts & then 35mm LB rims - proper magic carpet ride. I leant it to a friend for a couple of hours who was curious - he now has an orange space frame 🙂

Not convinced by the fat front though, in fact if anyone has a need for a Jones/Marge let me know.

Posted : 02/05/2016 8:20 am

julioflo

Posts: 0

Free Member

Had a back to back test evening on Peanut's Steel Diamond with Fat Front and 24inch Plus last year.

Wanted to see if they were better suited to my needs than my 100mm racey hardtail.

In short they were. Forgot I didn't have suspension / showed up how limiting 100mm forks are. They were both very capable. At speed on steep trails I would want to be on the plus though. So stable and confidence inspiring. The Plus absolutely rips.

I will buy a Plus one day...

Posted : 03/05/2016 10:07 am

zinaru

Posts: 444

Free Member

its like a cleaner shiney version of my bike!
4 and half years later I'm still loving it!

Posted : 03/05/2016 11:23 am

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[Closed] Finally sratched the Jones itch....