[Closed] Anything I should know about the Tallboy mk3?

Yeah, I have the 27.5 C version... Very capable bike,not much to worry about. Except, not much room for a water bottle, if that matters for you.

Seat angle is rather slack, and gets even slacker the higher the saddle is. Pedals very well, even by VPP standards.

Cool thanks chaps, it would be a xxl in 29” if the seller ever replies. Does the clearance for water bottle increase with frame increase I wonder. Seat tube angle was a concern but with the xxl there should be minimal need to raise the saddle too much I hope.

thanks for your info

Mine is a size large, and I am currently using a large Fidlock bottle. It's a bit tight, but it works.

I really like mine. Have about 7 miles of road travel to reach my favourite trail, and it pedals well. Especially locked out.

Was choosing between a Blur and the Tallboy, glad I took the Tallboy. And I saved about 1000 pounds!

Have had mine about 3 years. No water bottle issues on my large frame. First set of bearings lasted 2.5 years. Regularly swap between plus and 29 and I’m still not sure which I prefer. My only criticism of it, is how capable it is... it may be slightly lacking in personality, and part of me is craving a single pivot for something more urgent

Got an XL 29er but it was purchased as a 27.5+. Much prefer the 29er set-up so you've got that right. I ride it on the South Downs mainly and it's perfect for that - just a really efficient mile-muncher that can climb very well (as fast as my carbon hardtail to my chagrin). But it's also done some rougher DHs and stood up well (like Downieville where it regularly wins the Classic). Things I don't like: getting a water bottle in and out of the cage is annoying. And there's only one cage mount. I think the newer layout would be much better. The geo is quite traditional but that probably suits my preferences and experience so it's not a big deal. But generally it rides brilliantly and is more capable than its travel might suggest.

Water bottle isn't a problem when using a Zee cage with side entry - a 750ml bottle can fit on the AL frame and don't see it being any different for carbon.

Apart from seat tube length the rear of the frame has the same geometry on all sizes, so the seat angle does get slack the when the saddle is high. So if you do have the saddle high then you may need to run the saddle forward on the rails.

On the carbon frames the grease port on the lower link is nice, especially if you use the bike in all weathers.

I've been riding an XXL too the last 2 years. I use it for everything, enduro and downhill trails to xc and bikepacking so I'd say its pretty versatile. Pedals well at least in comparison to what I have ridden previously. Only issues is 29er rear tyre clearance is a bit limited so generally maximum 2.35s will fit. If you want to make it a bit more like the new one, then 9point8 now do an angleset for it which takes it to 65-66degrees. I've also fitted a single offset bushing to drop the BB a smidgen down to the claimed height. The top tube length is pretty massive on the XXL so can feel a little stretched out for me when seated. I have the saddle as far forward on the rails as possible and a short stem to help a little.

Plenty of bottle space. I normally use a 1L bottle with a top loading cage without issues. The shock can get in the way a little depending on the orientation/model used.

I ride a large 29er. I've found it perfect for long days out in places like the Lakes, Shrposhire & Wales. Copes with a variety of terrain yet still manages to pedal well. Run it with a 130mm Fox 34. I personally wouldn't feel the need to slacken it off any more, but thats all just me. Seat tube is a bit slacker than some current frames but in use I've never felt like this is a hindrance.

No major problems from my prespective. I really like the bike and its definitely a keeper. I dont use a bottle cage, Zee cage would work fine although might be tight with some of my cables. Rear tyre clearance is the main thing to be aware of, as others have said. I'm running a Maxxis Ikon 2.35 and previously had a Forekaster of the same size, which is about the limit IMO. There is approaching 10mm clearance all round [but not much tread on the Ikon]. I seem to remember the limiting factor is the space to the bottom bracket, rather than the chainstays. Tend to take a hardtail out in proper slop.

Awesome, all really good info. Thanks everyone. Hoping this will be a good replacement for my cotic Solaris that is now feeling a bit weird in comparison to my am9 but also give me the bit of squish my back has been craving after all these Covid local riding (concrete hard bridleways with fossilised horsey footprints)

I'm very happy with my Tallboy 3 CC. 6'1/186cm on an XL, I'm 2.5yrs in now and enjoying it immensely. Replaced a Yeti SB95 but in no way feels like it has less travel - it's a very capable bike all-round. I'm using a 130mm Pike. I've just sold my 29er hardtail as I no longer rode it offroad: partly due to a crap back but also because I found myself grabbing the Tallboy for stuff that previously I'd use the hardtail for.

Saying all that, I'm interested in this:

9point8 now do an angleset for it which takes it to 65-66degrees. I’ve also fitted a single offset bushing to drop the BB a smidgen down to the claimed height.

Only worry would be what that does to the ST angle. I already have my saddle quite far forward on the rails and still feel like it'd be better with a steeper ST angle.

The angle set would actually steepen the seat angle too, so might have the desired effect.

The angle set would actually steepen the seat angle too, so might have the desired effect.

It does not change it significantly as there needs to be external headset cups that increases the effective headtube length. This is offset by the slacker head angle dropping the height of the front slightly. The stack increases but the seat tube angle should be roughly the same. See https://www.9point8.ca/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=56

You also need to have enough spacers under you stem for the adapter to fit.