Yeti Big Top 29'r or Niner Air 9

Let me start by admitting yes, I'm the guy that wrote how I didn't like the after taste of the 29er Kool Aid last week. However, maybe it was the flavor that was the problem.

Although I'm not a fan of the "either this bike or that bike" posts, there is a wealth of knowledge on STR I'd like to tap into.

I have a carbon Spesh HT, and although fantastic for racing, it is way too stiff for 2.5+ hours on the trail. Fantastic bike -- all energy propels you forward -- but can be an issue in keeping the rear wheel hooked up in technical sections. Yeah, I know an Epic 29er will solve that issue.

So I'm looking to build an aluminum frame for all-day riding. Something to throw some 2.25's on and roll all day. I know there are a lot of options out there, but I'm looking to keep it simple for now. I like the idea of the Yeti Big Top, but haven't read a lot about it after the release last year. It fits my criteria rather well. Otherwise the Niner Air 9, to me, is a simple solution.

 

An aluminum frame will ride stiffer than most carbon frame. If you're looking for a more compliant ride from a hardtail, I'd look at steel or titanium frames. BTW, the Air 9 is scandium. In the Niner family, the MCR (geared), and SIR (geared or single speed with EBB) are their steel frames. Pretty flexy but a nice all-day ride.

 

why such limited choices?

whats your budget?
On-One has a new carbon 29er frame, in addition to scandium and steel.
Voodoo zaka 29er (ti), aizan (al), dambala (steel) are all decent.
Salsa has some hardtail 29ers in al, carbon, and steel.

ride as many as you can, decide from there.

any specific geo you are looking for?
Look at a banshee paradox or canfield yelli screami for a more fun all day 29er hardtail.

 

If you want all day comfort go Steel. Do you care about weight? If you're running 2.25s are you thinking more AM Hardtail? Geared, single, or both. If you go standard dropout geared frame you'll save a little weight too.

Here's some folks I'd look at too:

Siren - John Henry or Song
Salsa El Mariachi
Denis Duty
Kona Unit
OS Black Buck (not sure if Generation 2 frames out yet)

 

+1

 

I test rode a number of 29 hardtails before I purchased, My favorite was the Trek Superfly...Very plush ride, I thought it was a bit nose heavy, full carbon but a bit pricey for the components you get. I ended up with the Yeti...Aluminum Main frame and Carbon rear..Not quite as plush as the Trek but acceptable, I usually do 20-40 mile rides and found it to be no problem, very comfy bike for a HT..Nice bike and reasonably priced for what you get. It is great on the techy stuff and climbs really well, very nicely balanced

 

^^^^ Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the response.

 

I find the Air 9 (scandium) smoother riding than a steel Sir 9. I agree that aluminum can be harsh but adding scandium to aluminum produces something very different.

What Kona says: http://www.konabikeworld.com/08_tech_scandium.htm

It’s this strength and durability that makes Scandium alloys so
attractive a material when it comes to manufacturing bicycles.
Strength is so much higher (Scandium alloy is twice as strong
as 6061 or 7005 aluminum) that we’re able to use much less
material to achieve riding characteristics similar to steel. And
we like the sexy, compliant feel of steel. With Scandium we’re
able to shave weight from our aluminum frames by 10-to-15%.
If you look at the history of the materials we’ve used in our bicycles,
originally we were a steel bike company. We were late to switch into
aluminum frames because we felt that the ride characteristics of
aluminum in mountain bikes weren’t good on pre-suspension frame
designs. Suspension technology allowed us to take the harshness out
of the aluminum ride and it became the material of choice at Kona—
like it did for most of the cycling industry.

It’s quite apparent that when it comes to high performance, lightweight materials, most of the cycling
industry is crazy for carbon fiber. One of the struggles of designing bikes is the conflict between consumer-
driven design and purposeful function. The consumer is pushing for more carbon products, but the mountain
bike platform demands something more durable. We feel that to make a carbon frame durable enough for
the rigors of mountain biking would make it heavier than the same frame made of Scandium. In fact, our
new Scandium cyclo-cross bikes weigh less than our carbon fiber models did.

This coupled with the shock absorbing characteristics of Scandium alloys, as well as its long-term durability,
are the main reasons why it’s the material of choice for most of our high-end bikes.

Since we began using Scandium alloys
in 2001, we’ve continually added more of
it into our line. This year we have 15
Scandium bikes in our line. Next year
we’ll have more. It’s light, tough, and
incredibly durable, with premium,
“compliant” ride characteristics that
absorb shock and vibrations, yet remains
stiff in critical areas. A real beauty.

 

I agree 100%. I guess I wasn't real specific on my parameters and experience. I have narrowed down my search to the two -- my LBS can get them for me, which works for me from a convenience standpoint.

Either of the two -- Scandium or aluminum with carbon seat stays -- is going to be more compliant than my Stumpy Carbon. Depending on the layup -- the days of Carbon being less stiff than aluminum are over. The rear-end on that thing is as stiff as my S-Works Tarmac SL3.

Thanks for the info.

 

My vote is for the BT, but I'm biased. Had the bike for a couple weeks now. Took two rides to get comfortable with the bike handling and setup. Still trying to find the sweet spot on tire pressure, but so far it's been awesome.

 

I had a Kona Unit 2-9 (cro-moly) steel framed bike and thought it rode real nice. Definitely more flexy than aluminum. I dont know about carbon (never rode one). I would still have it but I swapped out the parts to build my FSR 29er. I would bet that the Path would have some Kona Unit 2-9 frames in the shop.