29er Build

[MTBMaven]

Thanks for everyones comments on my previous post. I am pretty gung ho about the 29er idea. I'm trying to arrange for a demo of a Niner but having problems. I contacted Niner and they referred me to a shop in Santa Monica (the name escapes me). I called them and they don't have any bikes. He was going to contact Niner but hasn't called back. I am making contact with those who offered demos previously. The only problem is OC and some of the Santa Monica burned and the ANF is closed. I will try to see if I can set something up for next weekend.

Here are my thoughts right now. My Yeti is collecting dust. If the 29 demo is successful I will proceed one of two ways budget or all out.

Budget build will basically be a lower risk venture to dip my toes in the water and will be a phased implementation. (Wow this is sounding way too much like a report for work.) Frame will be a Zion and fork will be Reba Team. I will prolly start out building a 96er with a Stans 29 rim matched with a WTB Laser Disc. I will reuse my King/Mavic 819 rear wheel to complete the 96er. Most parts will be ported over. Eventually I would like to get ride of my boat anchor Race Face Evolve DH cranks and overkill Hope M4/Mini brakes. These parts weigh a ton. Might go with some Middleburn cranks to join the ranks of Steppie and Fo.

For the all out build I am leaning towards either the Salsa Dos Niner, Curtlo Epic Mountaineer, Niner Sir9, or possible some other steel frame from Vassago maybe. I am also really into the monstercross idea using Midge or WTB dirt drops with road bifters and Avid road mech. disc.

Thoughts?

[Abui]

The Santa Monicas did not burn but there's a red flag warning for the week-end. The State Parks will be closed (Topanga, Will Rogers, Malibu Creek, Pt. Mugu).

I don't think the Zion will be a good 96er - Choppered! Just grab a budget 29er wheel set.

[BrewMaster]

Adrenaline has a Voodoo 29er frame for cheap. It may be an 06 frame, but it's brand new and purty.

[MTBMaven]

Arg why is Adrenaline's web site so worthless. It is nearly impossible to find anything without first scrolling through page after page. The MTB frame section is not less than 11 pages. Too bad because they are a good shop with a good reputation.

[tbowren]

Its funny because I was thinking about selling my Leviathan and getting a Yeti. To try it out with a 29er in the front of course.

If you want to go HT I will recommend you looking into a Unit 29. I have really taken to liking that bike way more than I expected. They had some SICK deals on those frames recently at the Path. CrashMax even has one up on Ebay right now for $200! You wont find a better frame at twice that price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2007-Kona-Un...QQcmdZViewItem

I saw your sell 575 posts on MTBR as well, don't let those freaks get you down. The water is much warmer over here.

[Collette]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

Thanks for everyones comments on my previous post. I am pretty gung ho about the 29er idea. I'm trying to arrange for a demo of a Niner but having problems. I contacted Niner and they referred me to a shop in Santa Monica (the name escapes me). I called them and they don't have any bikes. He was going to contact Niner but hasn't called back. I am making contact with those who offered demos previously. The only problem is OC and some of the Santa Monica burned and the ANF is closed. I will try to see if I can set something up for next weekend.

Here are my thoughts right now. My Yeti is collecting dust. If the 29 demo is successful I will proceed one of two ways budget or all out.

Budget build will basically be a lower risk venture to dip my toes in the water and will be a phased implementation. (Wow this is sounding way too much like a report for work.) Frame will be a Zion and fork will be Reba Team. I will prolly start out building a 96er with a Stans 29 rim matched with a WTB Laser Disc. I will reuse my King/Mavic 819 rear wheel to complete the 96er. Most parts will be ported over. Eventually I would like to get ride of my boat anchor Race Face Evolve DH cranks and overkill Hope M4/Mini brakes. These parts weigh a ton. Might go with some Middleburn cranks to join the ranks of Steppie and Fo.

For the all out build I am leaning towards either the Salsa Dos Niner, Curtlo Epic Mountaineer, Niner Sir9, or possible some other steel frame from Vassago maybe. I am also really into the monstercross idea using Midge or WTB dirt drops with road bifters and Avid road mech. disc.

Thoughts?

I know Cynergy carries Niners, that's probably the shop you were thinking of.

[Burner]

B, let's hook up for a ride this weekend, try all you want. I've even got the poser funky bars, so you can get the full effect of what your asking for.

you could always keep the 575 and budget build this new bike as an experiment with all the funky HB's etc.

Originally Posted by tbowren

Its funny because I was thinking about selling my Leviathan

what size?

[Impy]

Originally Posted by Burner

B, let's hook up for a ride this weekend, try all you want. I've even got the poser funky bars, so you can get the full effect of what your asking for.

you could always keep the 575 and budget build this new bike as an experiment with all the funky HB's etc.



what size?

I'm sure we could get you hooked up with a 29 inch bike this weekend for shore. Al and I are roadie riding on sat but sunday remains a possibility. Pm me !

[SAR_boats]

The Reba team doesn't come in 29er model. The top-o-the line RS 29er fork is the Reba Race.

Other than that, it sounds good whichever way you go.

[papisimo11]

All your choices are good ones. You can't go wrong with either of the frames, though I have to say that Salsa bikes aren't as light as you would think. But then again, they aren't as expensive.
If you are on a budget, I just scored a 2007 silver Gary Fisher Cobia(SRAM X9 & X7, Reba SL, Racelight Wheels) for 1,000 bucks for a friend at Helen's Cycles.
Just putting that out there.
Your Yeti will definitely collect dust once you get a 29er. Count on it.
paz afuea

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

The Reba team doesn't come in 29er model. The top-o-the line RS 29er fork is the Reba Race.

Other than that, it sounds good whichever way you go.

Thanks I was getting the Team and Race mixed up. It seems the only difference between the Race and Lite is the Race as externally adjusted compression lock out? Other than that the specs on the Rock Shox site seem the exact same.

I have found several Reba Race with Poplock on eBay in the mid-400. I missed the $250 Reba's on Speedgoat the other day.

Impy and Burner:
I am out of town this weekend in Yosemite with my wife. I am shooting for the weekend of Nov 10-11 for the 29er demo days. Is the Backbone Trail open from Kannan to Coral Canyon? I thought Coral burned. That might be a good place to test out the 29er. My personally fav place would have been the Chantry Zion Loop, Strawberry, or 3 Points to Hilyar. Lots of mixed terrain.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by Collette

I know Cynergy carries Niners, that's probably the shop you were thinking of.

that's the one- I know the MTB manager- good guy, and he knows the niner guys to the point that they've all done BBQ's in the parking lot @ cynergy. as for Gabe, tell him Ethan sent you. Gabe was my manager at REI when I was wrenching.

edit: i know it's a drive, but does the path have a niner demo for you?

[jcampbell]

Make me a decent offer on my 29er and its yours (offer is less seat, seat post and peddles) I have a picture in my gallery. Its basically brand new:

Zion Med frame white
Mary Bars
Hope Headset
Hope Seat Collar
Avid Juicy 7's with 180 rotors
Explorer Wheelset
26er extra light specialized tubes
Kenda Small Blocks
Lizard Skin Grips
Kick Ass Cogs 21 rear
Surly Spacer kit and lock ring
FSA Crank 175 32T
Sram 8 speed chain ??'s on model
Tompson 15 deg 90 Length Stem
**STR Sticker***

Wait... what am I thinking... NOT FOR SALE YET!

[Fired Yo Momma]

Originally Posted by jcampbell

Make me a decent offer on my 29er and its yours (offer is less seat, seat post and peddles) I have a picture in my gallery. Its basically brand new:

Zion Med frame white
Mary Bars
Hope Headset
Hope Seat Collar
Avid Juicy 7's with 180 rotors
Explorer Wheelset
26er extra light specialized tubes
Kenda Small Blocks
Lizard Skin Grips
Kick Ass Cogs 21 rear
Surly Spacer kit and lock ring
FSA Crank 175 32T
Sram 8 speed chain ??'s on model
Tompson 15 deg 90 Length Stem
**STR Sticker***

Wait... what am I thinking... NOT FOR SALE YET!

Yea let me know when your thinking of selling

[Impy]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

Is the Backbone Trail open from Kannan to Coral Canyon? I thought Coral burned. That might be a good place to test out the 29er..

It's open barring santa ana's/fire etc. That's a good trail to test ride a bike. I'd go with ya but I'm working that weekend.

[Black Bart]

Hi all,

Ryan from Niner Bikes here.

Just an FYI for everyone, Cynergy Cycles in Santa Monica now has two Rip 9 demo bikes available, one medium and one large, both sporting the new Manitou Minute 120 fork. These are available for on trail demos, contact Cynergy for details. Gabe is no longer at Cynergy, Randall is now the man to ask for.

Happy trails!

ryan@ninerbikes.com
http://cynergycycles.com/

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by Black Bart

Hi all,

Ryan from Niner Bikes here.

Just an FYI for everyone, Cynergy Cycles in Santa Monica now has two Rip 9 demo bikes available, one medium and one large, both sporting the new Manitou Minute 120 fork. These are available for on trail demos, contact Cynergy for details. Gabe is no longer at Cynergy, Randall is now the man to ask for.

Happy trails!

ryan@ninerbikes.com
http://cynergycycles.com/

Sweet! Thanks Ryan. I think those demos will get some good miles on them with this crowd.

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by Black Bart

Hi all,

Ryan from Niner Bikes here.

Just an FYI for everyone, Cynergy Cycles in Santa Monica now has two Rip 9 demo bikes available, one medium and one large, both sporting the new Manitou Minute 120 fork. These are available for on trail demos, contact Cynergy for details. Gabe is no longer at Cynergy, Randall is now the man to ask for.

Happy trails!

ryan@ninerbikes.com
http://cynergycycles.com/

hey Ryan cool to have ya on the group!! this is Jose lets ride soon ehh!!!

[Burner]

Brian, that weekend works for me.

Originally Posted by papisimo11

though I have to say that Salsa bikes aren't as light as you would think. But then again, they aren't as expensive.

4 lbs is heavy for a soft tail frame?

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by papisimo11

All your choices are good ones. You can't go wrong with either of the frames, though I have to say that Salsa bikes aren't as light as you would think. But then again, they aren't as expensive.
If you are on a budget, I just scored a 2007 silver Gary Fisher Cobia(SRAM X9 & X7, Reba SL, Racelight Wheels) for 1,000 bucks for a friend at Helen's Cycles.
Just putting that out there.
Your Yeti will definitely collect dust once you get a 29er. Count on it.
paz afuea

You mean a X-Caliber???? The Cobia was blue with RS Tora fork an