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Hi Chaps,
If you *had* to have a 29er, as a do it all bike, what would you go with?
I'd pin my money on a Cotic Solaris, loved my BFe, until it tried to kill me on many occasions.
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Cheers
Ricks
Yelli.....oh yeah,I got one 8)
I went for a Genesis High Latitude 2x10. Really, really like it.
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8706260439_9de29aeb60_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/8706260439/ ]Rivington Pike #windy[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/simondbarnes/ ]simondbarnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/8925358516_08fd7bb8fb_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/8925358516/ ]Dragged myself out #mtb[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/simondbarnes/ ]simondbarnes[/url], on Flickr
Yeah probably the cotic for me, that one looks great. Although saying that I didnt find my BFe amazing, kinda dull to ride.
Kinesis FF29
If I had some spare cash... a Quarterhorse.... I don't have much spare cash so it is probably going to be a Buzzard.
Money no object...this
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Or I could mug DrJon
Bronto Reverend. Beautiful bike, meant to be amazing to ride.
I am currently torn between the Solaris and FF29, That Solaris up top definitely helps lean me that way!
Steel, in a nice colour(Rack mounts, lightish, sprightly, EBB).
Internal hub gear.
Hope wheeled and braked.
Wide alt bars.
Sprightly seatpost.
Oh look, someone made some:
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I just piked up a stache 8 last week. I took it for its first outing this morning on Hexham Common and it was great. Being up to this point a 29er virgin I don't have much to compare it to but it flew round.
I managed to find one reduced also which helped somewhat. The 120mm fork and tighter frame means it is a bit more do it all. The only limitation is my skill.
Trek Stache is looking really nice for the money.
This. It'll singlespeed, race and get around most trails in the UK.
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And I can get two bottles on it.
Happy with my Yelli Screamy, I don't think I'd sacrifice the fun it is for a bit more straight line speed, and it's no slouch anyhoo. It would do if I had to only have 1 bike.
IMO one has to give the Buzzard serious consideration, near identical geo to the Yelli but less than half the cost.
I had a Swift, very competent, versatile and VFM but it didn't release my inner grom in the same way.
Nimble 9
This is an absolute classic "everyone recommends what they own" thread.
Nimble 9
Ahem. http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/canfield-nimble-9-frame
2Souls QH.
Just awsum.
SS or geared it can do it all.
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8600307359_6ef2bedc06_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/8600307359/ ]2013_0329deadwood0038[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8605945061_ebff95c997_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/8605945061/ ]2013_0331welshweekend0040[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr
Still a good frame.......who ever owns it......and they're the bestest ...sucker 😆
I think we've had this conversation before.
Lol ...might have . 😉
Because they look a little different to me, I have trouble telling the frame size from those pics. Any in L/XL?
If i *had* to have one (nothing against the idea, but have no need for one yet) it might as well be the right size and that's a big large. Something playful and versatile that didn't feel awkward like some big bikes can.
That QH with it's low standover looks playful, with a touch of butch lesbian shopping bicycle 😀 Would something like that be the equivalent of an Evil Sov'd styled bike?
hey Mattoutandabout I wouldn't go recommending this
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with those forks on, they are way too long & too much travel, I should know, as it's mine! soon changed those forks
If you *had* to have a 29er, as a do it all bike, what would you go with?
In what sort of twisted, unsustainable, gutless world would you *have* to have a 29er as a do it all bike? I would rather take up ballet. Or go to yoga classes. Or get a degree in crochet. HTH.
It is kind of like a butch lesbian but without the stubble and hairy legs.
with a leather thong
Steel, as playful and rideable as a Yelli but not twice as heavy.
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No, it's not mine.
No thong.
More of a pointy bra with studs kind of thing.
Edit.
Ohh look at you with your Sram 11 speed. 😉
How you finding it?
No2 edit.
Just read the it's not mine bit at the bottom.
Come on Martin you're dissapointing me now.
Ohh look at you with you Sram 11 speed
That'd never work with me....I can only count to 10
I can't afford an 11 speed cassette.
I'll post pics as soon as I have mine
I can't afford an 11 speed cassette.
I bet you can. 😉
£200 plus an outrageously expensive free hub replacement for one measley gear. Hopefully there will be cheaper versions someday soon
Whilst I'm currently having a dither over a change to a Quarterhorse or maybe a Surface, the Yelli Screamy is pretty hard to fault....
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I keep thinking of getting an XCAD titanium version of my yelli made.Optimised for 140mm fork (lower bb slightly and steepen the seat angle a smidge),room to fit a 34/36t chainring (xx1 😀 ),chainstay mounted brake and reverb stealth routing.
But the short chainstays are very tricky to achieve and I can't afford to do it twice (or just buy a vertigo).
Ti 29er.
Run with or without suspension
SS or Rohloff
I can swap ss for the rohloff hub in less than 15 minutes. And maybe 20-30mins for the forks. But only if I really need to have a geared HT - say for a trip to the Pyrenees etc.
The A-C varies between 450mm (Rigid) and 495mm (@80mm) to 535mm (@120mm) and so the bike has very different handling. I prefer it down at 450mm but Ive thrown it down the Pyrenees at 120mm on the 20mm axle rebas and it's been fine - but probably not as good handling as the current crop of 120mm travel frames out there.
But 99% of the time it's in SS rigid mode.
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This is just lovely.
No do it all bike for me, however as a "first out of the shed" bike I'd like to give one of those Titus Ti Fireline Evo's a try.
I'm getting a shiney 29er to use for everything it falls into the racey side of things but ill use it for popping to the shops and doing wheelies down the park aswell.
Yeti Big Top... single speed option (if that's what you want, i don't!), light, fast, ace 8) my go to bike for 90% of my riding....
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/75474888@N00/8656054226/ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/75474888@N00/ ]Rob_G_Clarkson[/url], on Flickr
right so we're doing pikchers:
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my take:
* if you're seriously racing with a shot at podium, get a proper race bike. I have no idea what.
* if you're into chewing up miles, maybe a Swift, or a steel Niner
* for everything else, those 2-3 hour rides with your mates when the last 2% in pace isn't relevant, get something along the lines of a Yelli, Buzzard etc. The key numbers are 120mm fork, 68 degree head angle, 425mm chainstay.
The 'trailsy' HTs such as Solaris, FF29, (Fireline) come out as a bit of a compromise in my mind, the Yelli (et al) has the balls to be what it wants not what it thinks the market demands. It's still a perfectly good XC bike, I'd happily race it too as I'm not a podium contender, I enjoy riding it and I'm as quick on it as any other bike.
SSStu - When are you going to bring that QH down to Devon then (or your Yelli for that matter). I'm beginning to get a bit 29er curious now there are some proper ones.
The 'trailsy' HTs such as Solaris, FF29, (Fireline) come out as a bit of a compromise in my mind
Why?
my take:
Yeah, I reckon a do it all is most likely something that you'd pick for some uppy downy have a go trail riding, but not something suitable for racing at any discipline (except maybe at a push gravity enduro) as all so massively compromised.
Not sure I'd pick a single speed as my do it all either.
A do it all bike is going to be compromised, that's inevitable as its got to be competent at everything. A jack of all trades.
I am steadily picking up parts for a 29er SS build for the winter, to mince around my local 1.5 - 2hr loop and not have to clean it very often.
Not got a frame lined up yet, hoping to get a go on a [url= http://www.stantonbikes.com/content/sherpa-853 ]Stanton Sherpa[/url] when the samples come in later this year.
Otherwise it might just be a Scandal, or....oh I dunno.
Those Yelli's look wrong with the bendy top tube, like it's been run into a tree. However, it interests me from mattg's pic above how far back they get the seat with the sloping seat tube. Looks almost right over the rear axle, compared to some other bikes. I wonder how that compares to other bikes.
Birchy.
Did you not try the Yelli last time?
If your up this way visiting family you can borrow it or the QH for a couple of days.
I have to have a 29er?
Then I'm right behind BWD in the queue for Yoga classes
My Taro's numbers: 419 CS, 68°, 120 fork, 310 BB, 12kg.
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I liked the look of those Taro's but wasn't impressed by the spec's & they didn't do a frame only option (looks like you've replaced nearly everything MNTB). 1st one I've seen & it looks good.
As per the rules of this thread... my bike, a Whyte 929 (fresh out of the box back in Jan):
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8234/8373246256_72aede89eb.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/15253377@N00/8373246256/ ]P1010895[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/15253377@N00/ ]z1ppy2[/url], on Flickr
Out in the wilds of late:
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8539/8693556376_cb0e585e65.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/15253377@N00/8693556376/ ]P1010958[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/15253377@N00/ ]z1ppy2[/url], on Flickr
Got to be a Trek Rumblefish or Stache, depending on your preference for full sus or hardtail.
Without any doubt it's got to be a Maxlight Sync Ti.
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Treat yourself to a handbuilt Curtis:
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Love the Curtis 8)
Shand?
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This looks a bit XC but its custom so have it your own way 
@stiggy liking the look of that, wonder if they'd do a Yelli-a-like. Hmmmm. What are the figures on yours?
Static with 120mm forks: 68.3 head angle, 73 seat angle, 435mm stays, it's great fun to ride and now my only bike! It's going to be a model called the AM9.
I went with a Scandal V2 and spent the money i saved on some nicer bits.
Only been on a few rides but am really pleased.
[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/8939462115_073cc39fe2.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandwicheater/8939462115/ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/sandwicheater/ ]sandwicheater[/url], on Flickr
Stiggy ta, I wonder if they could get a few mm out of those chainstays and slacken it a tad more .. does it feel steel? The geo of the Yelli is great but I wouldn't mind a little bit of steel zing.
If I'm not careful I'm going to find myself with a new project here ...
Definitely feels steel, 853 front end with a Columbus 29er specific rear, cherry picked tubes or what? Head angle would not be not be a problem, shorter stays might be. They are however coming out with a 27.5 frame with 425 stays and a 68mm head angle. Talk to Gary, he's a top bloke.
Thx, I mailed but you pretty much said it all there.
I knew I should have waited for that Kinesis...
Matt ..Gary will do whatever you like ...but it'll cost ....and make the Yelli look cheap
^^ will it make a 2nd hand Nimble 9 look good value too?
The Yelli isn't handmade by a master craftsman though 🙂
Stiggy- mind me asking how much it set you back?
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/8722635987_23a726c948.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/8722635987/ ]Kinesis FF29[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/jimbosussexmtb/ ]South Downs MTB Skills[/url], on Flickr
The FF29 is a pretty awesome all rounder 🙂
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7544634918_25a19eac0d.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/7544634918/ ]Kinesis Ti 29er prototype[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/jimbosussexmtb/ ]South Downs MTB Skills[/url], on Flickr
I rode the prototype of the Sync at the Bonty last year, that was pretty damn good too
The AM9 will be £900
Kinesis FF29 and that Curtis.... oh my. I think I did a sex wee.
Those Ardents look humongous! They've gotta be 2.4s, which I guess us a 2.8 with any caliper.
Damn saving for a wedding, I want a 29er hardtail for poncing about the woods on. Maybe I'll stick a cardboard cutout of the Curtis to my 5Spot and pretend.
Haha! Good work!
That curtis is stunning! Everything looks perfect.
Some day I'll get one (in 650b).
Edit- bars look rather narrow in your pics? I know, personal preference.
My do-it-all would have to be biased towards dicking about so Buzzard (have), Canfield, Honzo/Taro, Cromag Surface, etc would be on the list.
I like that Taro up there as a sensibly priced option, although, as said above, it looks like you've re-specced it pretty thoroughly. Why don't they do it frame-only or with a decent spec?
One day someone will make a bike with this geo in cheap carbon and that will go to the top of my list. Calling Brant (again)...
I think you get what you pay for ....Curtis frames are lovely
Ardent front is only a 2.25
Bars are 711mm, 730mm Thomsons on order 🙂
The Curtis is lovely but I've become obsessed with chainstay length and it falls outside my arbitrary threshold. 8)
Lucky really, as there's no way on earth I'll ever pay £900 for a steel hardtail frame that's going to get beaten, abused and covered in mud.
It'll still ride the same....
The Curtis, only a tad more than CTBM's price for a Yelli, and less I'm sure than a Nimble 9 or steel Niner.
OK it's > double a Buzzard but on my brief try on a Buzzard I didn't feel any steel zing.
I share Cheez's obsession with chainstays, I think I'd sacrifice a front mech if that swings it.
The Curtis would be a lot more if you had it speck'ed to what you want ...I.e Yelli geometry....prob more like £1200...that's what I was told after a conversation with Gary....when I wanted a steel Yelli
Singletrack - interesting. How far did you go with the conversation and was it a direct replica of the yelli? Fancy making a few adjustments personally, slightly steeper seat angle and maybe a lower bb with a 140mm fork and would rather stump up a bit more, ok 30%, to get exactly what I want. Plus Stiggy's looks tight for clearance on the rear stay and I'm guessing the rear tyre is an ikon? I'd like to get 2.4 rubber like a dampf in there for alps trips.
chromag surface is a beauty, dekerf only makes a few a year, not cheap. Also on my dream list is this cielo.
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Yep, surface comes out at the same as the Curtis custom by the time you've paid taxes etc ie 1200. Beautiful frame though which is a thought that never comes to mind when I get my yelli out the shed despite how much I like the way it rides.
Gotama...just give Gary a ring send have a that he'll tell you all you need to know