What money no option steel 29er hard tail?

Toying with the idea of an Indy Fab steel deluxe but what else is out there. Not necessarily custom build but like the Cotic Solaris for example.

^^ There should be laws against posting such openly pornographic pictures on an open forum! ^^

Hmm – that Ritchey……

I really like my Swift, there are changes I’d make if going custom*, but it ticks most boxes and looks good.

*My arms still sorefrom breaking it, which may be influencing my rearward weight bias preferances in this brain fart. Top tube length off a large, slackened head angle, shorter stem (so the same cockpit length, longer front center, comparable steering). Shorten the fork as it wouldn’t be suspension corrected and drop the headtube/top tube accordlingly. Shorten the seatstays to keep the wheelbase, and probbaly go for a 73mm BB to help this. But I’d like to try it with just the front changed first to see what effect it had. But then it’s no wheelie monster at the moment so shorter stays can’t do any harm. Little things like internal brake routing and a dropper post too.

I have talked myself out of a swift because of the weight. The Ritchey is definitely a contender.

cielo

that Ritchey is lovely.
but i would go for a inglis or a retrotech or a shand or a vicious.

I have talked myself out of a swift because of the weight. The Ritchey is definitely a contender.

It’s not light, but there’s not much you can do to make a steel 29er lighter without spending a lot more money. I considdered upgrading it to something in 853 or similar, but the extra £400+ that would cost would buy bigger weight savings in components and I’d not want any less stiffness.

IF, no question.

The Engima for me:

I could get an IF for the cost of the Enigma….

But why would you want to? I’ve yet to see an attractive IF.

Druid:

DeKerf are doing 29ers now.

soma_rich: Why did you do that? Now I have to find the eye bleach.

I have one of these on my very similar short list:

Druid horses for courses. I like bright colours….

English cycles are very nice too, although I understand it might be a wait to get one made.

🙂 Arise…

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IMAG0349[/url] by pten2106[/url], on Flickr

Really like the SIR9 but dont want an EBB.

MCR then. 🙂

Soulcraft for me if money were no object.
Loverly.

Ritchey for me – in fact I have!Will have once the damn thing arrives!

Steel you say? I’d ask Paulus Quiros for a quote on something beautiful.

AverageMark ….

Have you ridden the Ritchey and are you buying the frame or a build ?

Just curious as its a thing of beauty which I also want …

Just buying a frame and moving all the parts across from my Swift to it. Unfortunately there’s been a bit of a wait for it, was supposed to be here last month but is now due on the 16th June.

I love my Solaris – it rides great – but for looks the Pace 129 takes some beating. Beautifully built, fillet braised etc. but a bit heavy. The Ritchey would be nice in a less retro colour scheme.

I’d get another bike from Rick Hunter like a shot.

http://www.huntercycles.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/huntercycles/

Knock kneed Elvis seatstays. Wishbone stay. Yoke chainstay. Years experience making 29ers.

Off the peg? Kelly RoShamBo.

Why would you give work to an american company (IF)when you could give it to a UK one (Enigma)? Surely just willy waving?

I haven’t got anything against IF or any other US builder but Enigma seem to have the skills if not the reputation of IF.

I’m not saying one should buy UK products for the sake of it but when you can get a product of equal quality why not?

Sadly not only have we lost the ability to manufacture (to a large degree) in this country, we’ve also lost the willingness to support what industry there is.

If I were to buy a British frame it would be from Demon Frame works I really dont like the look of the Enigma.

Well that’s fine then, get a Demon. I too have lusted after Indys and a few years ago if I’d been in a position to buy a bespoke 29er I’d have gone US as I didn’t think there was the experience of them in the UK. I think that has passed to a degree now and as I said, I’d rather give the money to a UK company.

If I were to buy a British frame it would be from Demon Frame works

😀 Tom is a top guy, local too.

bol – Member

The Ritchey would be nice in a less retro colour scheme.

Wash your mouth out, Sir! Some things just are…

There was a guy at the London Bike Show from Brighton called Chicken who could build you one, he’s ex Enigma. I love the Enigma Ego ST, had a test ride last year, rides well, just not digging that 29er though.

The Cielo with Syncros FL forks is a beauty though.

It has to be those colours, it’s the law! You’ll probably see it before i do anyway unless Alex has it delivered straight to Lowestoft.

one of Jon at Chickens Cycles frames;

[/url] 🙂

bol – Member
The Ritchey would be nice in a less retro colour scheme.
Wash your mouth out, Sir! Some things just are…

It has to be those colours, it’s the law! You’ll probably see it before i do anyway unless Alex has it delivered straight to Lowestoft.

I thought that might be a little controversial. 😀

Didn’t realise it was you who was getting one from Streetlife Mark. I’m sure it will be lovely.

I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Siren cycles, proper tour divide pedigree…

And

http://www.sirenbicycles.com/johnhenry.html

I’d get Robin Mather to make me something.