Basically, it's only now I realise it, but whilst looking at 29er HT frames I should really have bought a Whyte 929 when I had the chance about 2 1/2 years ago! A very rare beast, presumably cos it was so ahead of its time and not many people "got" it, but anyway... It no longer exists, and 650b is prevalent...
So... Help me find an alternative... Requirements are...
-Suits a 120mm fork
-Tapered headtube (or 44mm)
-Sub 68 degree head angle with fork sagged
-Low BB sub 12.5" anyway, this excludes a lot of frames unfortunately!
-Chainstays under 440mm, preferably 430ish
-Reach figures around 430mm would be ideal along with a sub 18" seat tube (so I can run a 125mm Reverb)
-Would prefer a 142x12 axle, but not essential
-Prefer ally for reasons of being relatively cheap and light, the idea is to build the bike up on a relative budget and it be light enough to do the odd XC event and longer day rides on.
-Prefer a 31.6 seat tube size, but 30.9 OK too.
So... Any ideas?
I know I've basically just described the Whyte 929, which given they don't make it any more, upsets me! Their 729 model comes close on most criteria, the chainstays are longer than ideal at 440mm but not enough to be a deal breaker, but it's only available as a complete bike, which means hassle of selling all the parts I don't want... Which would be most of them! Also it's designed around a 100mm fork, again not a total deal breaker, I'm sure it would take 110mm without too much fuss, but I'd prefer to run a 120mm.
The Stanton Sherpa comes pretty damned close on a number of levels too, but being steel, it's heavier than I'd like, plus my GF has one already (and she'd kill me if we had the same bike!) and the BB is slightly taller than ideal for me although it's lower than many.
I've excluded the Cotic Solaris on the grounds the Stanton Sherpa is closer to ideal in many respects, and though I've never ridden a Solaris, I know people who have ridden both and they all said the Sherpa was a much nicer ride.
Funnily enough, despite my dislike for Trek, the 2013/4 Trek Stache would almost be ideal if it wasn't for the 445mm chainstays...
Anyone else got any ideas? Prefer it to be a frame only option, and to be under £500, but starting to look at more exotic options too if that's the only way to go!
Onone parkwood??
There's 3 problems with the Parkwood
Firstly, and most importantly, it's an On One. I'm not gonna be crude and go into details, but I won't be buying one.
Secondly, they're not in stock in medium anyway for a while.
Thirdly, the seat angle is a little too slack for my taste, which leaves the reach too short and would give a tendancy to wheelie whilst climbing.
Oh, and it's ugly as sin! Otherwise, it meets most of the criteria.
How about a Pinnacle Ramin? Looking at one myself. Ideal for 120mm fork, tapered head tube. 439mm seat stays and 69.5 head angle so should be able to get that down with the right headset thing (this is not my area of expertise!) Not to sure on seat tube size but of you have to buy a new one this comes so far under budget it shouldn't be a problem. Price off the top of my head is £170 from Evans.
Ragley Bigwig too heavy?
Did think mine was until changed to summer tyres!
Aren't all the Whyte X29 alloy frames the same? If so, maybe get a second hand 529 and strip it?
I have an 18 month old 529 which I am about to completely rebuild to a higher spec for use as an all weather bike.
Highball ticks most box's
Zealous Division? CS are shorter, but otherwise close.
I've got a Zealous Division and I loves it.
If you've not slammed your seat forward you could do so on the OO...acknowledge your other reasons for not buying it.
Does 10-15mm on chainstay really matter so much to spend so much more?
Don't exclude Solaris and there's now a MK 2 version.Amazing bike.Fflipsake at least ride one and feel the steel.I tried a Sherpa but much preferred the Cotic.
I also really wish they still made the 929 or they would lower their alloy 29er frames, really like whyte bikes just wish they didn't make them so long in the seat tube.
I'm with jonnyv on this, I've demo'd both the Sherpa and old solaris, thought the Sherpa was a bit meh but loved the solaris!
The OO is also way off the reach figure he wants - they're really short front ends.
Canfield Yelli Screamy or (out of budget) new Epo.
Reckon the Pinnical Ramin is good for most of the requirements, except the headangle isn't 'that' slack but hardly steep. Though for all that maybe the Whyte is the best option
(Regarding the Ramin)
jameso
69.5 sagged head angle with 100mm forks. Chainstays are 435mm (actual not 'effective') on the 2014 bikes, new FDs mean some sensible clearance still.
So it's slacker and shorter than many, but not as slack/short as some frame-only bikes. Suprisingly it's a tad slacker than a Canfield YS if you check the numbers and how they're measured, but the Pinnacle isn't really a 140mm fork bike. The Pinnacle gives away a whole 5mm chainstay length, the 424mm of the Canfield is measured 'effective' not actual. The Pinnacle is 429mm if you measure it that way.
BB is 12"/305mm with sag on a 100-120mm fork.
cows_in_cars - Member
I also really wish they still made the 929 or they would lower their alloy 29er frames, really like whyte bikes just wish they didn't make them so long in the seat tube
Indeedy, you aren't alone... definitely feel my medium 929 is a bit small, but the large 729 TT seemed very high on the demo ride but great fun otherwise. Might try to pick up a large 529 cheap myself... Hmm
Another vote for not casting aside the Solaris.
The mk1 frames are reduced right now and have shorter cs than the mk2.*
*Ok it's something like 5mm but as a biased mk1 owner I have to cling to something!
mboy
Are you based in South Wales?
If so, you are welcome to have a jaunt with me , you can ride my Trek Stache 9 29+.
You might like it, you might not, worth a ride though.
I live near Afan.
Regards
Denis
Just buy the complete bike of the 729 and sell the bits. Trade price on the bike, less what you get for the build kit will be cheap. It's what I did with my Superfly, kept the frame and fork and changed the rest - headset, seat clamp, the lot!
It's not that much effort.
Kona Taro would fit the bill, though you'd probably have to buy a full build. Slack, low bb, long tt, ally. The old models had a tendency to snap at the seat tube but this apparently has been sorted in the 2015 model!
Just buy the complete bike of the 729 and sell the bits.
Is where I'm heading to be fair... Unless...
Aren't all the Whyte X29 alloy frames the same? If so, maybe get a second hand 529 and strip it?I have an 18 month old 529 which I am about to completely rebuild to a higher spec for use as an all weather bike.
This seems like it might also be a good option... Seen a lot of WTD ad's for basic 29er forks and QR wheels on here recently, so must be a market for that stuff.
Highball ticks most box's
Misses out on more than it ticks!
How about a Pinnacle Ramin?
Hadn't thought of that one. Doesn't look too bad, and it's cheap. Would prefer slacker head angle though, and it does look a touch industrial.
Zealous Division? CS are shorter, but otherwise close.
I've got a Zealous Division and I loves it.
I really want a Division, but I'm not sure I could live with the unrelentingly stiff nature of the frame. Also at 5.5lb for the frame only, it's 2lb heavier than I'd like ideally! Having had a quick go on one though, the geometry does suit, and the new +8mm dropout means plenty of tyre clearance in the mud too!
Does 10-15mm on chainstay really matter so much to spend so much more?
To a point, yes. Anything 440mm or under is fair game, prefer closer to 430mm. Anything over that and I've said it's a definite no go, having ridden a few 29ers with longer back ends and found they were too ponderous on the twisty stuff.
I'm with jonnyv on this, I've demo'd both the Sherpa and old solaris, thought the Sherpa was a bit meh but loved the solaris!
Found the Sherpa a lot better than the Solaris myself. Horses for courses!
Are you based in South Wales?If so, you are welcome to have a jaunt with me , you can ride my Trek Stache 9 29+.
Cheers for the offer, but no I'm not, and I'm an anti Trek Snob I'm afraid! That and I have no desire to go down the 29+ route...
Kona Taro would fit the bill, though you'd probably have to buy a full build.
Good spot that man! Geometry is bang on, will investigate further... This is why I asked, as I knew there would be options I hadn't thought of!
mboy - Member
though I've never ridden a Solaris
mboy - Member
Found the Sherpa a lot better than the Solaris myself.
😉 sorry Mark I couldn't resist 😆
not light and cheap,
but ticks nearly all other boxes...
http://www.2soulscycles.com/index.php/products/quarterhorse-qqhq-98
sorry Mark I couldn't resist
Forgot I'd had a quick go on one! LOL. Albeit only round a carpark. Just found the geo on the Sherpa nicer.
Canfield Yelli Screamy or (out of budget) new Epo.
Yelli's ridiculously slack Seat Angle rules it out. EPO looks good, but will be all the money...
Sounds like you're looking for the holy grail. It doesn't exist. Just pick a bike and ride the thing!
Serious question.
Would any of the things you're asking for make any difference to your riding on an average ride?
I can understand someone that's wanting to win some national/ world round worrying about a couple of mill here and half a degree there but for an average trail bimbler you seem to tie yourself in knots over shit that doesn't make any difference.
I am loving this rig. As 'singlespeedstu' said, don't get too hung up on geometry
[img] 
[/img]
Apparently its a cross country "race" bike / frame but I've put a 70mm stem and 730mm bars with 1 x 10 gearing on there, some tubeless tires and its good to go.
Works beautifully when I just want to get out into the woods and enjoy the dirt trails, with no fuss.
I should point out, its stupidly fast when I can be bothered to pedal hard!
(mountain biking is my current escape from road cycling!)
Don't find my Zealous Division too unforgiving - dropper post helps as the skinny stanchion gives a fair bit, and also because with a dropper I stand more with the seat down, or partially down.
Makes a big difference - had a dropper on my Honzo and found it surprisingly comfy. When getting the post serviced, I stuck in a Bonty Rhythm 31.6 post - was unbearably harsh!
Wouldn't write off a frame for being overly stiff - there are ways round that with tyre and post choice. I would write off an overly soft frame though.
When you get to this stage, go custom. Even a cheap one direct from China.
When you get to this stage
What the stage when reading/ writing about stuff becomes more important than actually just getting out there and riding...
Sounds like we are looking for the same elusive bike. Just wondering, has anyone tried running the new stache as a normal 29er? I know the op is a snob but it seems to be exactly right
esher shore - Member
Apparently its a cross country "race" bike / frame but I've put a 70mm stem and 730mm bars with 1 x 10 gearing on there, some tubeless tires and its good to go.
I can really understand this.
I've been a big advocate of the Solaris and have enjoyed owning mine for the past year but I also would say my previous 29er (now my son's) was excellent too.
It was a Spesh Carve Expert with fairly xc geometry and I'd tweaked it with wider bars, etc and it was just brilliant.
The only reasona I changed were I wanted something steel and less mainstream (to appeal to the retro and snob sides of my personality) and I wanted a bit more standover clearance.
Still aspects of that Carve I miss despite being a Solaris fan though. Though some of that might highlight I'm more of an xc rider than I thought / admitted to myself.
I have a 2014, 19-inch Stache if you have softened on your Trek opinion any
Funnily enough, despite my dislike for Trek, the 2013/4 Trek Stache would almost be ideal if it wasn't for the 445mm chainstays...
I can understand people being anti On One, and I could give you some anti On One chapter and verse myself..... but don't slag off the Parkwood until you have tried it.
One of the posters here is saying it will be a bad climber because of the published geometry stats. Whatever the stats, my Parkwood is one of the better climbing bikes I have owned.
And while it may not reflect the rays of the sun in more than oriental splendour, it is pretty good at most other things too.