29'er SS quandry

[ECOdork]

I'm still seeking more challenge out here...

I've been saving my pennies and the boss has given me clearance to pursue a 29'er SS rig!

After getting motivational speeches from you guys and other riding buddies regarding more research, getting exactly what you want, yada, yada, yada, I bailed on the "it's cheap but I can ride it now" concept behind the redline. I have trouble going into a $500 buy knowing that I'm going to want to upgrade 95% of the bike within a year or two. AND I have heard that the BMX characteristics of the RL can make upgrading a little troublesome--though they do provide solid, tank-like performance.

Anywho enough of the build-up; I visited LBS Frank's Cyclery who specializes in esoteric and higher-end builds...i.e. he likes to build up just about anything you want and will make sure that mo'fo fits you just right.

After various measurements and philosophizing with Frank and Co., here's what it boils down to:
BTW - None of the frames are the "custom" versions. I'm after mech disc brakes, rigid fork (for now), good but not great wheelset, and decent quality components...gotta balance quality with budget. Price point is set rigid at < = $1500. Shopping around for myself on internet I was a little over that amount. I don't have enough sh!t in the spare parts bin... Frank says he can make it happen.

1) Voodoo Dambla (2007 Dambala) - This moved to the top of the list. Frank has built up a handful of these and really likes the rear tensioner b/c it holds good and you don't need to mess with disc brake to change a flat. Can run SS or geared (if I don't like the ss for some reason). Would do well with a Reba 100 mm fork later in life.

2) Vassago Jabberwocky - (Bikes are F-in cool) - While I love this frame in theory I have a problem venturing into the unknown at this point. Not many of these frames around these parts. It would be a gamble that I like the funky geometry. Would I be buying the BETAMAX of 29'ers? Would prefer 80 mm squishy fork later in life.

3) Soma Juice - (Soma Juice 29er) - I'm sure this frame rocks, but I think the Voodoo wins out by the rear tensioner alone.

4) On One Inbred - FoShizzle's raving reviews have this as a top contender as well. But the rear tensioner thing again.....

Thoughts?

[guero]

save your money and put it towards a new 5 inch travel f/s rig.

[ECOdork]

Dude, ye olde Rocky Mountain with it's steep headtube and 4 inches of glory is MASSIVE OVERKILL out here!

Originally Posted by guero

save your money and put it towards a new 5 inch travel f/s rig.

[SAR_boats]

Check out Q-Ball Bicycles ::QBALLBIKES.COM::

The only drawback is that they only come in black. Other than that, it is a handmade in the USA frame, uses high quality materials, is completely TIG welded, has a fair and honest lifetime warranty, gives the kind of ride that only steel can, is 100mm fork compliant, and, you don't have to mess with the brake mount to change a flat.

Oh, yeah, and if you decide that the SS thing isn't your style it has a derailler hanger so you can convert it to gears.

If you want to test ride mine come out to the loop on a thursday or PM me your phone # andI'll call you.

[tkblazer]

i really love the jabber that i rode and i'm likely to pick one up in the future if i don't upgrade my fs rig. Hit up Weyland (dubjay) as he has a voodoo azian and has ridden many other 29ers and can tell you the diferrences. Adam (beantownrider) absolutely loves his bandersnatch and raved about how much better it climbs then his old GF

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

If you want to test ride mine come out to the loop on a thursday or PM me your phone # andI'll call you.

Lance (ecoDork) doesn't live in socal anymore, he moved to North Carolina

[dubjay]

I have an Aizan, the scandium version of the Dambala. I believe the geometries are very similar - and if that is the case, you may have clearance issues with the Reba top caps. When I had a Reba on my Aizan, I had to run a +7mm crown race for clearance.

I personally didn't like it with the Reba up that high, but your mileage may vary.

Edit: Looks like they changed the downtube for clearance on the 07's - nice..

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by LBmtb

Lance (ecoDork) doesn't live in socal anymore, he moved to North Carolina

Didn't even look at the location bar. My bad. In that case you could call Scott (the owner) at Q-Ball and see if there are any dealers in N.C. where you can take a look at it (not likely) or see if he will send you a demo or something

[ECOdork]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Man, that's what I love about this site. I'm 2000 miles away and the MTB love is still flowing!

There are a few SS's out here but not nearly as many as SoCal. I wish I paid more attention to them when I lived out there. I'll take a look at those Q-balls.

I should be getting my quote from LBS soon...

[Burner]

I'm pretty sure the new inbred has new sliding dropouts that solve all the tensioning hassles of the previous model. That would be high on my list.

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by Burner

I'm pretty sure the new inbred has new sliding dropouts that solve all the tensioning hassles of the previous model. That would be high on my list.

actually the new inbred uses horizontal dropouts, but they changed the disc brake mount to on the chainstay so you can remove the wheel without messing with the caliper

[ShinKen]

just go with the Niner dood!! ;oP

[FoShizzle]

I would get the new Inbred (though your shop likely will not be excited about it). I hate EBBs, sliders dont excite me, and frankly, prefer either generic track dropouts (ie, horizontals) of all single speed specific setups (even prefer the ENO eccentric hub to EBBs by a mile....but thats just me

[klutter]

One thing to keep in mind about the On-One Inbred frames and BB5/BB7 disc brakes is a clearance issue. But there is a workaround, see posts #53 & #55 here Slot dropout Inbred - build in progress - Page 3 - Mtbr.com Forums.

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by klutter

One thing to keep in mind about the On-One Inbred frames and BB5/BB7 disc brakes is a clearance issue. But there is a workaround, see posts #53 & #55 here Slot dropout Inbred - build in progress - Page 3 - Mtbr.com Forums.

you can run the road version of the BB7 for the rear

[tbowren]

I see many many posts on MTBR of people loving their Jaberwockys.
If you are looking for a size 20" bike, I know there is a GREAT deal on an older (but brand NEW) Reynolds 853 Dambala hanging from the ceiling of the Path. They don't make that size or that nice of steel Dambala's anymore so it might be worth a call to Brian or Tani at the Path.

I almost bought it but the TT was too short for me.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by ECOdork

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Man, that's what I love about this site. I'm 2000 miles away and the MTB love is still flowing!

There are a few SS's out here but not nearly as many as SoCal. I wish I paid more attention to them when I lived out there. I'll take a look at those Q-balls.

I should be getting my quote from LBS soon...

I had one and liked it. Sold it because it was a tad small. Now have a Niner and like it but have a love hate relationship with the EBB. The geo is spot on

Check out the Kona!

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by 29wheels

Now have a Niner and like it but have a love hate relationship with the EBB. The geo is spot on

Check out the Kona!

precisely!

Geo on the Ninerbikes is spot on! Though I friggin hate EBBs...not just from the Niner experience (which was not great), but with my Phil Wood and even my Ventana Bushnell...thought that is the best of the 3 I have owned in regards to the EBB experience.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by FoShizzle

precisely!

Geo on the Ninerbikes is spot on! Though I friggin hate EBBs...not just from the Niner experience (which was not great), but with my Phil Wood and even my Ventana Bushnell...thought that is the best of the 3 I have owned in regards to the EBB experience.

My next SS with have paragon sliders fo-sho

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by 29wheels

My next SS with have paragon sliders fo-sho

ironically perhaps, my best (by far) experience has been with my ENO Eccentric rear hub....it rocks! Granted, my only experience with sliders has been my Inbred 29er but still....