Sell '05 575 for 29er?

[MTBMaven]

My how opinions shift. It was less than three weeks ago I was just poo pooing the whole 29 thing with a riding buddy. Now he has me totally interested in investigating a 29er.

Here is the case:
I have an awesome 2005 Yeti 575 totally tricked out the way I like it. The bike and I are like a well seasoned team on the trail. Problem is it is just not as much fun anymore. All the trails I ride are easy now. There is no challenge left. Plus I am less interested in seeing if I can clean that gnarly section of trail or drop off that rock. I suck in the air and am far from a freerider.

With all my road biking activities I am more interested in covering mucho miles on dirt. I want to get back into the wilderness. I also want to do two things with the bike: 1) endurance events like 12 and 24 hour events, and 2) unsupported off road touring with tents and stuff.

What kind of bike I'm looking for:
I want a light, non crazy light, endurance raceable, fully geared, hardtail, 29er with at least 80mm of front travel. I would like the bike to be steel, but not mandatory, and it would be great if it could also be run as an SS, so an EBB would be great. A mix of XT/LX or X.9/X.7 drivetrain, good wheels, hydro brakes are pretty much required for me.

A surly would be an interesting way to go but they are tanks and it would be a shame to got from a top end Yeti to a Surly or Zion (call me a snob I know). I realize now I don't need a boutique bike with King everything to be a good and fast rider. So I am not looking for bling. Something in the 75th percentile kind of thing.

Budget:
I would like to get something like $1,800 for my Yeti. We will see. I could reasonably see putting in another $500-$800 in on top of that. So something in the low to mid-2K price range. If I don't sell the Yeti I don't see being able to pull together even $1k but maybe 1,200 by the Spring.

Obviously I need to demo some bikes and see what it's like.

Thoughts?
Sell the Yeti? (This would make the 29er my sole MTB)
You're a kook, stay on the road bike with your lycra

[dstepper]

Brian I don't know what to say, first your dirt friends have missed you this summer. I think your problem is that you missed to many of our road trips. But I do know that getting a new bike usually gets me back my passion to ride dirt. If getting a 29er will get you back on the trails with us then hurry up and buy one.

Scott and I are up in Quaking Aspen this weekend but anytime you want we can hook up for a ride and you can ride either my Niner One-9 or my Niner RIP both medium frames. Or join us in the Sequoias this weekend.

Dean

[MTBMaven]

I knew I would hear from you on this one Dean. I really have been enjoying the road biking thing. Such and awesome work out and really a fun freeing experience. I still plan on going for the CA Triple Crown next year (3 200 mile one day rides in one calendar year). I want to take that endurance challenge thing to the dirt now too.

Plus a MTB camping trip here and there would be wonderful. Check out this guys stuff for lightweight touring: http://carouseldesignworks.com/flyer.html

I know you are a big Niner fan Dean. I like the Niner RIP. Any other recommendations? I love the idea of getting a custom Curtlo 24 Hour 29er. Have him add some rack braze ons and an EBB.

[OffRoadie]

If it were me, I would save up to buy a 29er. I'd hate to sell a bike that I really liked to buy a different one and wished I had it a year later.

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by OffRoadie

If it were me, I would save up to buy a 29er. I'd hate to sell a bike that I really liked to buy a different one and wished I had it a year later.

I think that is good advice.

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by OffRoadie

If it were me, I would save up to buy a 29er. I'd hate to sell a bike that I really liked to buy a different one and wished I had it a year later.

Good point. What would you say if the 575 had only been ridden 5 or 6 time in the past year?

[allison]

How tall are you?

(No bearing on my recommendation, just curious for the 29er purpose, and NO I don't think you have to be as tall as Jeff to appreciate big wheels.)

FWIW, I think it seems like you are done with the Yeti and ready for something new. If you demo a few 29ers (even if they are out of your price range and not what you are looking at specifically, but just to determine if you are interested in one) and feel comfortable, go for it.

I think more and more we will see endurance and XC racers on 29ers. With the additional fork options and better wheelsets it's gonna happen. There already are quite a few peeps out racing them.

If you want something light weight, I say go for the scandium Dos Niner. The new 07 bike is bitchin. There is a guy here at work that had his geared, but after getting sponsored by a non-Salsa shop he picked up a 29er Spider to race with. His Dos is now his SS bike.

If you want something a bit more burly, but not Surly-sized... Definitely look into getting the Niner Sir9. It's steel with EBB.

The Dos is gonna have a bit more cush cause it's got the angry inch. However, if you want steel, the SIR9 is where it's at.

Get a Reba, a Stan's wheelset built up to your liking and go on some long-azz rides!

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by allison

How tall are you?

(No bearing on my recommendation, just curious for the 29er purpose, and NO I don't think you have to be as tall as Jeff to appreciate big wheels.)

FWIW, I think it seems like you are done with the Yeti and ready for something new. If you demo a few 29ers (even if they are out of your price range and not what you are looking at specifically, but just to determine if you are interested in one) and feel comfortable, go for it.

I think more and more we will see endurance and XC racers on 29ers. With the additional fork options and better wheelsets it's gonna happen. There already are quite a few peeps out racing them.

If you want something light weight, I say go for the scandium Dos Niner. The new 07 bike is bitchin. There is a guy here at work that had his geared, but after getting sponsored by a non-Salsa shop he picked up a 29er Spider to race with. His Dos is now his SS bike.

If you want something a bit more burly, but not Surly-sized... Definitely look into getting the Niner Sir9. It's steel with EBB.

The Dos is gonna have a bit more cush cause it's got the angry inch. However, if you want steel, the SIR9 is where it's at.

Get a Reba, a Stan's wheelset built up to your liking and go on some long-azz rides!

knows her stuff....better listen up

[ShinKen]

I really dont know what this size thing is all about Brian's wife (from the path) rides one with no trouble @ all and she's not taller than Sarah.


for the dood looking for the big wheels I say go with the Sir 9 (Niner). Steel, and u can go Single or gears if u want!! I did and never looked back. btw ONLy bike I have and I LOVE it!! I can almost ride anything on it

[allison]

Originally Posted by ShinKen

I really dont know what this size thing is all about Brian's wife (from the path) rides one with no trouble @ all and she's not taller than Sarah.

Impy's like 5'2 and she rides one also.

It really just seems that taller people thoroughly love riding on the 29ers, so i was curious. GEEZ.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by allison

Impy's like 5'2 and she rides one also.

It really just seems that taller people thoroughly love riding on the 29ers, so i was curious. GEEZ.

to every rule. But the FACT is that taller riders will benefit more from the big hoops than shorter riders. IMO if you are 6' or over the bigger hoops are a requirement. If you are under 6' they are an option

[cjwally]

Originally Posted by ShinKen

I really dont know what this size thing is all about Brian's wife (from the path) rides one with no trouble @ all and she's not taller than Sarah.


for the dood looking for the big wheels I say go with the Sir 9 (Niner). Steel, and u can go Single or gears if u want!! I did and never looked back. btw ONLy bike I have and I LOVE it!! I can almost ride anything on it

I love my SIR9!! I ride everything that I rode on my 5" FS setup... Big Wheels Baby I actually think I may be faster on my Niner now....BUT maybe that is perception...

[Endo Verendo]

I'm about to sell my Turner. The SIR 9 works for me!

[DDB@OCR]

Oh Yeeeeeeeaaaaaah!

[cjwally]

Originally Posted by DDB@OCR

Oh Yeeeeeeeaaaaaah!

SWEET! Ohhhh YEEEaaahhh ....

[DDB@OCR]

I was sniffing out the Tang Scandium One-9 with a cro-mo fork at the FTF....a bud of mine was fitting the test bikes and offered me a ride. Whatta gorgeous ride.

But- I turned it down.

I had to.












Otherwise, my mortgage would have been really, really late!

Originally Posted by allison

it's got the angry inch.

hehehehe.....she said 'angry inch'.

[ghixon]

Take a look at the VooDoo Dambala. Before I settled on the GF Rig, I was seriously looking at the VooDoo. It has the sliding disk brake dropouts for either SS or geared hubs. (I was looking for a SS specific setup myself). It's designed to work with a Reba 100mm front fork, but wahtever you want to put on it - go for it.

http://www.voodoocycles.net/07_dambala.htm

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by ghixon

Take a look at the VooDoo Dambala. Before I settled on the GF Rig, I was seriously looking at the VooDoo. It has the sliding disk brake dropouts for either SS or geared hubs. (I was looking for a SS specific setup myself). It's designed to work with a Reba 100mm front fork, but wahtever you want to put on it - go for it.

http://www.voodoocycles.net/07_dambala.htm

fo-sho. My next SS will have sliders or a ENO rear hub.

I am done with EBB's