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Hello, Got a Kona Taro which has served me well but always been a little small. It's been sensibly upgraded so got all the bits I need,although the Sektor fork is probably at its limit with my riding. I'm convinced by big hoops, so tempted by a bigger frame of same ilk and potentially a new fork, but by the time I've done that I'm thinking I'm almost in new bike territory. So, stick in the same vein (endorsements of other slack 29ers welcomed) or go whole new bike. And if so what; Whyte 905, Cannondale Trigger? Most of my riding is Scottish trail centres.
I likes me Nukeproof Scout 290.And £315 with BC discount.
Last Fast Forward should be shipping soon for a few more £'s.
I'm on my third bike in three year, cube acid, which got me back into mtb'ing after along time off, then got a lefty 29er last summer which is a great ride, recently got a 27.5" full sus canyon nerve and it is so much more fun on trails, singletrack, and it actually climbs really well, but for trail and more downhill sections it really comes alive.
Plus it's far more forgiving, been a few times lately were I've hit a badline and I'm glad I'm not on my Hardtail as would have thrown me off
Maybe worth considering a full sus.. If your gonna have a stable of Bikes you may as well have some variety .
Ps my mate has got the whyte 905 27.5" wheel, great bikes and rides really nice and is light,
So much so that another mate is now considering the T130 works full sus
Rorschach - MemberLast Fast Forward should be shipping soon
I have a tracking number 🙂
Pictures or it ain't happenin'....though I like your optimism (thank f#$& I did'nt order one at the time).
Had a Kona Taro briefly, built it up from a frame only with a pretty good spec. Just didn't gel with it, partly cos a 68deg static head angle just isn't very slack these days, but also I found that the 420mm stays made it feel too much like a 26" wheeled bike. That might be a good thing in some people's opinions, but I just felt if it was 10-15mm longer out back and slacker up front it would have worked a whole lot better for me.
Which is where frames like the Stanton Sherpa come in... My GF's Sherpa has a 110mm Rockshox Revelation on and measures 66.8 static HA... Even with a 100mm fork on they measure sub 67.5 static. BB height is about 15mm taller though which may or may not suit.
I looked at the Nukeproof Scout 290. 2 things put me off... I want a 120mm fork on a HT max, and the back end of the Nukeproof is built to withstand a nuclear fallout! I know from experience of the Taro that experimenting with a 140mm fork got the HA to about where I wanted, but the change in geometry whilst riding with the longer fork as it compressed was very noticeable compared to a shorter fork and I didn't like it. Also the Taro back end could not be called forgiving by any stretch of the imagination, and I knew I didn't want anything in quite the same vein...
Ended up going a slightly more complicated route after doing lots of homework. Bought a 2016 Whyte 629 complete bike and stripped it. Sold all the components off it and ended up with a frame just over 4lb in weight with a sub 67deg HA with 120mm forks fitted, BB height very nearly as low as the Taro, and built it up to my own spec. It's as close to the limited edition 929 model that Whyte produced a few years ago before the mass market decided 29ers were dead and 650b was where it's at, as it could be geometry wise, which having ridden a 929 briefly in the past, was what I knew I wanted.
Did consider at one point (and who knows what the future holds) going down the custom route and asking Curtis to make me something part way between their AM9 and XC9 frames to my own specification, but that's a lot of money to spend on a hardtail frame when it comes down to it, especially when for me 80% of my MTB riding is on a full sus bike these days.
Thanks a lot of your posts, particularly Mboy. I like the flicky nature of the back end of the Taro though it could be more stable. For me the BB can at times be a smidge low, probably made worse by the chain device. The Scout was an obvious choice but I also had my suspicions the back end was overbuilt. I'd prefer an alloy frame from a weight perspective and from the view that once you have a fat seatpost the steel benefits are reduced. That said, the big wig looks well made for a Ragley product. Will take another look at the Whyte catalogue.
Bigwigs ARE really well made this year, very tidy production. I really like my new Zealous, but I guess if you are talking about wanting long stays then that's a no-go. If you can make it to Edinburgh at all we have a Bigwig demo bike at Pedals and soon a Zealous as well, just need to do some part swapping.
Rorschach - Member
Pictures or it ain't happenin'....though I like your optimism
Heh. There definitely is a box with DHL on the way to me - which should in theory have a FF frame, a reverb and a t-shirt for me in it.
I wouldn't have waited this long either if I'd known...The plan was to sell my Soul Frame/Forks and use the drivetrain/hubs etc. to build the FF. Since then I've decided 11sp would be nice.... new bars/stem...new dropper.....new wheels on new hubs...and I'm already thinking I might upgrade the bars and maybe get a second wheelset having not ridden it yet.
I have just bought a 2016 Ragley Bigwig frame & built it up. It is one of the most fun bikes I have owned. I sold my Stanton Switchback & replaced it with the Bigwig. It's as fun to ride as the Switchback but longer and faster...
I have also ridden a Sherpa which is a good bike. All 29er haters (which included myself) who have ridden my Ragley have been impressed with its handling. Modern 29ers are ideal for general trail riding & woods etc, I also have a big bouncer too which hardly gets used.
I threw my legover a Ragley at the weekend which I spotted someone riding at Glentress and it was well sized for me I thought, so it's definitely a goer. I'm Edinburgh based, so I'll try and take a trundle to your shop - you are on Bruntsfield Place?
I've ruled out the Sherpa as it needs a different sized Reverb and I cant be assed with the expense.
The big wig is quite short for modern bikes.
I've got a Honzo which is the steel version of the Taro.
Stuck 140 forks and -2 headset on it then pulled the sliding dropouts as far out as they would go. Its now a total beast.
No such thing as a hardcore 29er. By very definition the wheel size is about xc
DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE TROLL
What's the sizing like on the bigwig? I've been looking at one myself but being a shade under 6ft should I be on a medium or large?
With the large being 20" I'm thinking it maybe a shade too big.
Depends if you are long in the leg or long in the body.
I'm 5:9 and long in the body so the medium would be too short in the reach and the large would be too long in the seat post.
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Ti Fireline Evo. My go-to bike these days.
The sizing on TransAM 29s is all 'one size out' so their medium is 16", with the reach of a Bigwig medium at 18", the TransAM 18 is the reach of a Bigwig 20 (or slightly longer) and then TR do an XL that's 20" and loooong. But then they are a few degrees steeper, and more expensive. Neither one is better just different. But the TR is certainly a good option for people looking for length without height.
Yes we are on Bruntsfield Place, opposite the petrol station. Our demo bike is currently sitting with 3" B+ wheelset on but we have a 29" set as well.
No such thing as a hardcore 29er. By very definition the wheel size is about xc
odd thing to say
i am on a Large Bigwig. I am 6ft 1" with a long torso & although the figures say shorter reach than some I run a 50mm stem with 760 Joystick bars & it feels great.
How about a parkwood ?
Genesis high latitude 2016 has great geometry, but it's not on their site as frame only unfortunately.
odd thing to say
Well he's hardly known for letting facts or experience influence his opinions too much.
Yep, High Latitude would probably be top of the pile for me if it was frame only. I had an early altitude which I loved.
I did spot this on eBay if you're lanky, perhaps a touch overpriced but there is a "best offer".
Would be just a large I think.
Oh, and Parkwood probably not slack enough.
Thanks a lot of your posts, particularly Mboy.
No worries. Here's the only pic I can find of my Whyte right now for reference...
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I like the flicky nature of the back end of the Taro though it could be more stable. For me the BB can at times be a smidge low, probably made worse by the chain device.
DEFINITELY try out the Stanton Sherpa then... You'll love it!
I've ruled out the Sherpa as it needs a different sized Reverb and I cant be assed with the expense.
That's what the classifieds on here is for! I've swapped a 31.6 for a 30.9 in the past on here... You can always buy a new outer sleeve for about £35 iirc and get it fitted. Certainly a ridiculous reason to rule out a real contender given your criteria!
Chromag Rootdown FTW!
Chromag Rootdown is a thing of beauty and looks right, except the back end is built to take an atom bomb, and it weighs as much as the great pyramid. It's built for huckers.
Hmmm. The Rootdown is very tempting though I'm not sure a large is in stock at present.
And is a 120mm Sektor going to work on it initially?
Designed for 120mm to 160mm forks. Mine is one of the older non boost/screw in BB models and the back end isn't harsh at all.You can cover mile after mile in comfort and then throw it down the nastiest rock and root strewn decent while laughing like a loon!
Just checked. Rootdown out of stock in large. Mboy,I'll keep mulling the Sherpa, although I do think a 140mm fork/alloy frame is probably ideal.
Zealous Division - really fun bike.
Personally I wouldn't class 120mm as hardcore
No such thing as a hardcore 29er. By very definition the wheel size is about xc
By definition the wheel size is about 29".
Personally I wouldn't class 120mm as hardcore
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Not hardcore at all... 😉 And that's not even on big wheels!
That BTR looks over built, over weight and over priced.
Personally I think a 120mm fork works fantastically well on a 29er.
Preferably a Pike or similar.
Chromag Rootdown FTW!
THIS!
I would expect there to be some new Rootdown BA (longerer, slackerer)frames to be on their way to Shorelines from Canada.
Drop John an email, he's a nice chap to deal with!
Man totally misses point!
That BTR looks over built, over weight and over priced.
Fork travel does not define the riding characteristics of a hardtail - geometry and fork/frame stiffness are more important. 120mm travel on a stiff chassis with long/low/slack geometry will shred the gnarr better than 150mm on a more typical hardtail.
Never! well knock me down with a feather.
I have a Vitus Sentier 29 that is ace. What about a Transition Transam,for the 120mm fork?
29 (on 35mm rims here) and b+ compatible. up to 140mm fork (29er)
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I'll drop shorelines a message....to be clear I'll replace the Sektor 120mm later in the year (if not immediately), so it shouldnt feature too heavily in the thinking. Certainly don't see the need to go beyond 140mm with a 29er though.
The Vitus is a great value option. Tempting. And the higher grade 650b bike seems an even better deal. Anyone got comparable experience with Manitou forks? Also, has anyone made the shift from 29 to 650b and found it life changing?
What is that rocketdog ??
Onza Jackpot?