I have got to say 'very flimsy' is a description I've never heard said about White Brothers forks. I've heard many others things said, but never flimsy

So, I have to ask – what do you weigh ton?

I like MB sq taper.

I have a Phil Wood BB which not only lasts a very long time but is serviceable.

You can get hardcoat MB chain rings which are more durable

You can swap and change. 1×9, 2×9, change the rings for different tooth numbers. I ride 29er's so handy for this.

Never had an XTR, but run an XT set. I've heard XTR shifting is slick, but man, the cost of them just brings the question home

The White Brothers are 15mm longer travel (135) that your Rebas which will slacken your HA by ~1.5 degrees.

This brings all the associated change – better on the steep downs, rolling over stuff easier, easier to loft, more of 'trail' upright riding posture compared to 'XC' stretched out position, etc

Don't you like them?

Haven't seen it Clink – give us a 30ssecond review of the review

What's it like to ride compared to steel and alu?

I know someone who had a carbon Anthem. Was standing holding the bike and accidentally let it drop away and down to his side. It hit a rock and tore a gash in the DT.

He was proper gutted as he hadn't had it long. IIRC he bought it second hand, so no warranty. Ended up repairing it.

It's stories like that that would worry me.

I haven't ridden a super light weight bike, does it really make that much difference, or is it a feel thing?

singlespeedstu – Member

Thinking about a Tallboy then?

Walked into Two Wheels Thursday and Andy flung himself at me evangelically proclaiming he's found the bike I need (I know, broken & record comes to mind).

Gave me a Blur LT frame with shock to hold. It certainly is very lightweight, but I don't think I would buy a bike just because it's light. I know SC are also known for having dialed bikes when it comes geo and suspension platforms…

But hey, I've only just bought a FS Lenz, and I WOULD be worried about damage, despite SC saying this is their strongest yet. What's SC's replacement warranty like?

I'm sure they will.

You've got more patience than me

Custom?

Goods arrive in 5 – 10 days. Warranty included. Price is usually always less.

One of my frames failed, manufacturer directly sent a brand new replacement :-)

I had a Reba Team Maxle 29er fork delivered this morning. It cost £371 ALL IN. That is delivered to my door. Its value was marked as $43-33 and a gift.

CRC price £540. I didn't buy from the US because it was cheaper, it was just that was the only place that had them. The price was a bonus.

And just once again to be clear:

The 'low' marked price of your frame is the COST PRICE which the seller pays to get the item from his supplier, the frame manufacturer.

That way if things go wrong, your friendly seller will not mind sending you another

GSter – Member

I have imported quite a few things from the USA.
The BIGGEST pain in the neck is the amount of Duty you have to pay on EVERYTHING, not just the value of the product….you also have to pay duty on the postage cost as the Inland Revenue levy duty on the entire package.

I think you're getting confused over duty and VAT

It's just not going to cost you that much.

If you buy in the frame & fork, and liaise with a seller/dealer, and get him to mark the value lower, it will be alot cheaper.

No reasonable dealer (not big shop like Speedgoat) will mind putting a buying cost on rather than the MSRP or price you have paid.

That is what has happened to every US frame I have bought in

In fact even Speedgaot put cost price on a fork from them

Import duty on bike parts[/i][/u] is 4.7% Duty on a Complete bike is more.

Can't you just get the frame and fork? I'm sure Speedgaot would do that.

Otherwise source it elsewhere

I stand by what I said on costs. that was based on 4 frames and a few forks I've had shipped from the US

Sppedgoat will not mark the value down.

I would guess with 4.7% duty, Parcel farce's handling fee, and then **** tax (the biggest sting) on the whole lot (inc shipping) be between £100 & £200. At least the pound has recovered. It was low when I had to cough for the balance payment on the Lenz

The Big Mama was my second choice before the lenz. i would defo have one. A gorgeous looker for for. and as you say all feedback positive. An excellent and strong trail bike. Built by Salsa too. Go Steve Go!

Hey Steve, can you get a Salsa Big mama in your size?

Also has Voodoo Canzo been mentioned?

FFS Ton!

Have a USA holiday and arrange some 29er test rides across some of the most breathtaking country while you're there – work out much cheaper, and if you buy there, a free holiday too with import duty savings.

Enigma were going to make me a HT ti 29er for around a grand (Chinese?).

That was until I asked them on the phone for more standover. Never heard from them again

I'm going steel for my HT

Go tubeless already

*for sale* Bonty 29er inners at least half a dozen – half price!!

Here you go guys, looks like we could all do what these comedians are. I know it's a HT, but it's quality entertainment

Pity, it did sound just a chunk too much

jonathan – Member

the XL (21") an effective TT of 26.5" – which is a good chunk longer.

It'd definitely be worth hunting one down to sit on as they are excellent bikes for the money.

Hey, that might be up your street after all Mr Tall

MrTall – Member

I may pop over to see you at some stage to have a chat and to look at your Shockwave, sorry, i mean Lenz ;-).

Very welcome, anytime

I think the CB Tall Boy would be like the Blur – one drop or crash on a rock and the frame's toast 8O

Wouldn't mind a play on one for a bit though :D

Steve – YGM

Rich. TBH I asked Devin Lenz to supply an XL (24.625 ETT) with a large seat tube height (19"). What arrived was by my reckoning a medium (23.4) with a large ST!

I didn't spot this sizing error till well after it was built and I was riding it for a while. But I'm so glad it worked out like it did, for the reasons above.

I still have my Niner SIR 9 *cough, for sale* which is 25.25. This is just too big for me now, and the TT is so high there's little seat post showing, and of course a compromising standover :oops:

I have had the Niner for over 2 years, and have enjoyed it, but having tried a smaller bike there's no going back. Oh, your lower back pain. I only suffer it when I get very tired on the bike, but that happened on all bikes, otherwise no problems.

One more thing – I run a 50mm stem & 2" risers! My Niners to start with had a flat bar with a 90 stem.

6' 2.5" 34.5 inseam (short legs)

Well, I've had a Niner and albeit an 07 model and the 09/10 is around and much stiffer blah blah, I would not buy one. I thought the HTA is too steep (Also own a SIR9 *for sale* and for me, this is too steep as well).

I can't get plussed about Turners. Ask SSTu what he thought about one.

The Monk is a solidly built bike that you wont go far wrong with. The Ventana is also similar in quality, if you can stand the look of it. Of course I like my Lenz, and for my riding style it suits me well.

As for sizing I would go smaller than your HT RHopper. Having tried a 'big' 29er (ETT 25.25") I have now gone 'smaller' (23"). This is much, much more fun. I can move about all over the bike, pull it this way and that, lift the front etc). I will always go for the smallest frame I can possibly get away with. With you inseam I can see you with a long seatpost, but shorter TT

My 2c

MicArms – Member

Bonesetters preference seems to be scaffold pipe…

Most def the way to go – just the right amount of rear end spring, but keeping the lateral stiffness :lol:

Stu – what's your (29er) preference – ti or steel?

Another custom ti builder (designer) is Justin Burls.

His frames are made in Russia and he sells them for a grand. He's very helpful and is 29er literate. Delivery time is 4 weeks too!

Mine were brialliant to start with, but reduced power after a while. The pad type did mamke a big difference and i only ever use genuine ones now.

I bought some Mega's (alsmost the same as the Ones) and they are just mental. Ridiculously powerful. Had them now for 6 months and the pads last a long time as you aren't thraping them!

Great pics as usual

They like their cows don't they?

I take it superman wasn't in your group? :D

Another two bikes for you *cough* us to buy ton – Brant's latest 29r offerings – a ti Lynskey corroboration and a taiwanese alloy

I've just removed all cookies (FF) and it has worked (shame i had to remove them all though – still, not a bad thing from time to time)

They are a 2010 tyre, and as they have just been released no-where has them. Schwalbe UK haven’t even heard of them

US suppliers have them, but that’s make an expensive tyre even more :(

You could do with a Lenz for that alpine knarl Stu instead of those tichy wheels

schrickvr6 why buy another if you didn’t like the comfort? Just askin

MTFU – nah, I leave that to the singlespeeders. I run a 30t remember :wink:

I’ve got to say that rear end does look like it was built for an elephant. Overbuilt does spring to mind.

I wasn’t expecting smooth, that’s for sure, I think I was relying on a low pressure 2.4 out back :lol:

Perhaps I should go back to Plan A

Being honest with myself it’s a tad on the beefy side for what I want. This frame would I’m sure put up with a hec of alot more than I could ever throw at it. Had originally planned on a steel XC’ish version with this exact geo.

It’s the numbers behind it which draws me primarilyand the snap of an alu HT I saw a nice plus, and if the curved SS’s work then it’s a real winner.

I can’t seem to find/get any real world idea of how much compliance the Shock Block really gives, except for Banshee’s ‘huge difference’ comment above, and two comments on mtbr on the Scirocco – one saying it was harsh, the other it smoothes out trail buzz…?

It certainly looks as if the design should work.

Is yours coming from Freeborn?