Sorry for another thread.... please don't throw things at me...
I'm getting a bit lost and confused with selection of steel 29er's there is out there... I currently ride a Mk1 Singular Swift, which I am more that happy with after justing fitting an Alfine. After 6yrs of abuse and multiple house moves it is showing it's age. I'm running fairly cheap/old components tbh so weight isn't the be all and end all, I'm 85kg so a light bike isn't going to matter the time I get my amble backside on it...
The two on my mind were the:
Mk2 Swift - Love my Mk1 so why not...
Stooge - Like the looks and a bit more of a relaxed ride, plus the option to run 29x3.0 at a push.
Now I was happy with trying to work between those two, I was going to try and get to the Singular ride at the end of July to try a Mk2 frame and see if I had time to pop into CTBM on the way home to try a Stooge.
Confusion added to the mix today when I popped into Hayle Cycles and they had a nice Stanton built up.. well 2 and a nicely discounted Switchback frame in grey (if only I had my wheels built 27.5!)... They are lovely looking frames and a Sherpa is very tempting with but the price is probably over what I really want to spend tbh. The but is they are a bit more future proof with the 44mm headset and might convince me to keep it for a good long while, TBH it could be my last frame if looked after right.
I could save some money and buy the one thats on sale but I would like the horizontal drop outs.... though I could just run a chain tensioner.....
Ash also mention the Surly Krampus but heard they have a reputation of a bit of a lead framed bike.... Plus it's not British!
Would welcome any advise, the out going Sherpa is very tempting at the current price.
Cheers, Steve
I lurve my El Mariachi
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Solaris
What makes a frame British? Presumably we are not referring to where it is made?
Oh and is your singular run as a hard tail?
@ edhornby - Solaris is nice, but if I'm going to spend £499 I might as well buy the new Stanton which horizontal dropouts.
@ Rorschach - nice looking bike but the trouble is trying one locally, thats the problem I'm having trying another Swift or Stooge.
Cheers, Steve
@ ampthill - Um...well.... sold by a British based company.... 🙄
Swift has no choice to be hardtail? I'm running suspension up front due to a knackered wrist.
Cheers, Steve
Ritchey p 29.....I miss mine so much, I am 90 ish kgs
Genesis high latitude 2016 looks nice.
Not sure if frame only though
@ vondally - Beautiful but same issue as the Cotic, for the money the Stanton has horizontal dropouts, or could save a bit and get the older Sherpa.
Cheers, Steve
I lurve my El Mariachi
I like mine a lot, too.
Rumour has it the El Mar is no more after this year, though I'd be astonished if Salsa don't replace it with another steel 29er (though probably 650B+ compatible)
I had the old sherpa and was always grinning when I rode it as it was fantastic. In hindsight..........
DeKerf SST. Pretty much bike porn!
[url= http://www.dartmoorcycles.co.uk/shop/sanderson-town-crier-19-29er-frame/ ]Oh Yay, Oh yay, hear ye this.....[/url]
I know, not horiz drop outs
Price is right though....
Cheers, Steve
I have had 3 steel 29ers...a Krampus, Surly Karate Monkey and a Chromag Rootdown.
All very different, what do oyu want the bike to do (bar the obvious).
Trail centre smashing? Bike Packing? XC Racing?
I like my Sherpa but I'd like a go on a Stooge...
@BillOddie - Um.... No racing just play really, bit of trail centre and some open moor land really, Dartmoor, Exmoor etc. Looked into bike packing but doubt I will have the time for it really.
And boring stuff with the family that is a little too rough for the road bike.
Cheers, Steve
The more I think about it the old Sherpa at it's current price makes the most sense.... It's a tad cheaper than both the Swift and Stooge...
I would have to run a chain tensioner and it would be a change in headset, is the Reynolds 853 worth it?
Cheers, Steve
Well, I really liked the look of the Sherpa so demoed one about this time last year. To say I thought it was underwhelming would be an understatement. I now own a Solaris:)
Yea thats whats worrying me, as I do like how the Swift rides, just feel I sometime need something that bit more aggressive. They don't have a Sherpa in the shop but they have the Switchback. If I had my wheels built 27.5 I would have come home with the 18" Switchback frame he had there for £350.... don't fancy another wheel build this soon after the last fiasco.
Cheers, Steve
Right this is where I am at the moment.
I'm thinking a outgoing Sherpa and fit a chain tensioner. The frame is slightly cheaper and made with a "brandname" steel. For £400.
I'm thinking it should last me a good few years!
Only problem is I would require a new headset, seat post and a few other parts which shifts the balance of the bike but not by a great deal! If I buy budget to get the job done for the moment.
Or I could just buy a Swift/Stooge and have a direct swap....
Is the 853 badge worth it? Biggest downer is the chain tensioner.
I run a blackspire stinger on my Sherpa, with a N/W chainring (cause that's what's on there with gears). Looks more sleek in my option than a tensioner. No issues so far with dropped chain. Used during the winter for commuting, so not to eat up posh gearing.
Right now I own a Niner Ros9 (not the plus) but I have been through the process of choosing a new frame and the headache.
Niner Sir9, Singular Swift/Rooster, Ritchey P29, TransAM 29(because I could get 40% off).
The Stanton bikes were off the table early as the weldings, cable mounts and finish wasn't near Singular and Niner.
Check the Sir9 out.
Oh thanks for that, I took the decision I don't want to go back to a chain device. I did think they aren't that bad but looking back on it they weren't great, I've been spoilt by an EBB.
The Niner Ros 9 looks nice, especially in the purple! Bit out of my price range from what I have seen.
SIR 9 is a sunning looking bike but don't think I can run an Alfine with the rear dropout set up.
It's looking like I'm back to either Singular Swift or the Stooge, they look pretty similar, the L swift is a bit longer wheelbase but the Stooge has the better standover, which is the main reason for the possible change.
Cheers, Steve
I'm a complete convert to the Stooge, from being a devotee of the El Mar (which I also still own). The Stooge really is a hooligan that converts well to a bikepacker - very comfy over distance, but slack enough (especially with 29+ up front) to make it a hoot descending. The back end is very agile, and forcing it out on twisty stuff is a lot of fun.
I've no experience of the Swift personally.
So still not bought anything..... just been told I get to work away for a bit... so that should mean a bit more cash but I wont be back until the end of summer.... so not much point buying a new frame right away.
I've been offered a nice Rooster but it's a Large so am just thinking on that before I go away.
Another option to the list is the new Vassago Jabberwocky while a bit more money than either swift or stooge the 44mm head tube is a bit of future proofing.
Cheers, Steve