Just wondered what everyones opinions are as to whether they would have a Ltd Edition Ti 29er from a respectable builder or a fully custom steel hardtail? I have all the bits to transfer to a steel hardtail but the 29er would require new forks, wheels and tyres. Bikes in question are a Kona Raijin, only 250 being made, built by Lynskey plus i'm a bit of an old school Kona Fiend [i]or an Indy Fab Steel Deluxe. Ive had the Raijin on order for a while now and think i got the last one available and i have a quality 100mm travel steel 26" hardtail already. If i sell the Raijin when i get it and get the Indy Fab i have to strip a bike to build a bike whereas by buying the bits to go on the Raijin id still have a 26" steel hardtail there and a new 29er. I know its a brilliant dilemma to have but its still a dilemma as i keep on telling myself that there are only being 250 of them made and i want to try this 29er thing but i would love an Indy Fab 🙄
Edit: there is that wee bit about it being built by Lynskey that annoys me though as they have been known to crack but surely he builds frames for loads of companies so some are bound to fail plus when the Raijin arrives i might fall in love with it and not end up wanting to sell it
1. 29ers are good (if you're not a shortar*e)
2. If you can afford to buy the 29er and keep the HT you should
3. The bent downtube on Lynskey frames looks gash, and I've got one.
4. Lynskey frames come with a lifetime guarantee (don't know about the Kona) - if they broke frequently, they'd be out of business.
5. IF will still be there when you next get the itch to change bikes.
6. This advice is worth what you paid for it.
4 - they do and they just repair busted frames .....
Lynskey built frame owner !
am def not a short arse and i was thinking that IF would always be there plus thats just an excuse for another new machine a year or 2 down the line 😆
i'm liking your reasoning so far nicknoxx 😉
still if they are willing to fix it then thats something 😕
i think the answer would depend on how good a fit the ti frame is.
if its a really good fit keep it, if its not quite right thats the perfect reason to change it for a full custom frame.
personally i would go full custom steel, but thats me, not (necessarily) you.
Buy the Raijin, build it and enjoy it.
Buy the Indy Fab, build it and enjoy it.
Keep the quality 100mm HT, carry on enjoying it.
*You can never have enough bikes.
Why not a custom steel 29er?
I've had my ti deluxe for 5 years and I'm on my second frame. No problem with the replacement as IF store all their customers bespoke measurements.
It's a keeper and I'm a bit of a bike whore....
FWIW. Save, sell a kidney and save up for the Ti version and it seems your from your comment you've made up your mind ''i'd love an IF."
Ive got a Kent Eriksen so i think ive ticked the custom ti hardtail box already but if it was to be a 29er it would have to be the Raijin as i remember hearing about the bike, seeing it and thinking for the first time that i might need to try this 29er nonsense 😉
Think i'll try the Raijin and see how it goes then get a Steel Deluxe if it doesnt work out
Found some pictures of one on MTBR last night. A 20" same as mine will be and it looks pretty, very very pretty 😀
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6977658310_9d652670cf.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stewno1/6977658310/ ]raijin[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stewno1/ ]stewartmckinven[/url], on Flickr
Haggis1978. If the Raijin doesn't work out for you, 1st dibs? 😉
yeah i could do that lol
I would never buy a Lynskey Ti frame. I've seen too many shoddy and broken ones.
double post
I had a IF Ti frame, it was OK but i've now got steel frames.......