lets see some 29" XC racers
Just finished building this up...
[img] 
[/img]
... yet to get it dirty 🙂 Meant to be an inexpensive 29er experiment. Shall hopefully put it to the test at a brass monkey round.
mrbloody
Yes i like that, looks fast!!!!!
mrbloody
Excellent typo!
Be joining the club shortly, I'll revisit this in a couple of weeks!
I'll pretend that I race ...
[URL= http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y309/nickwatsonphotography/IMG_0001.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y309/nickwatsonphotography/IMG_0001.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Nick
mrbloody
Excellent typo!
I like, may have to change my user name!
Trying to resist the temptation to lighten it up a bit as the seat post, clamp and stem are heavy old parts bin bits. Think it could probably do with a nice KCNC layback from xcracer 🙂 23lbs on the nose in its current form though, which isn't too shabby for the budget.
Be joining the club shortly, I'll revisit this in a couple of weeks!
njee, I am expecting a properly sub 20lbs weapon 🙂
I have a kcnc post on the sale section not layback though 10g
Still racing a 26er, its all in the legs you know 🙂
Liking FM056 that Chris Noble built up though.....
link
http://chris-noble-mtb.blogspot.se/2013/04/new-race-bike-hongfu-fm056.html
I have a kcnc post on the sale section not layback though 10g
Thanks sefton, think I need a tiny bit of layback.
Now lets see more race bikes... 🙂
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Good weight on that hong fu frame. For reference my 18" Scandal was 1752g on the kitchen scales.
njee, I am expecting a properly sub 20lbs weapon
Me too, just not totally sure what it is yet...!
Either a Trek Superfly FS or their hardtail. XX1, some carbon wheels and what not either way, reckon I can do about 19lbs for the hardtail!
swedish chef. nice looking build that...will have a good read after.
you raced 29" too?
ditto about it's all in he legs. 29er could snatch a position but wont change your life 🙂
I've never raced a 29er with a number on, I have however nailed a couple around one of my test loops.
Possibly worth 90 seconds per hour on a XC course, not totally convinced, quicker yes, worth the money when you've already got a 20lb 26er, nah not at the moment.
However since my two previous Trek frames have cracked and they no longer so a 26er SSL, then maybe sometime soon.....
However since my two previous Trek frames have cracked and they no longer so a 26er SSL, then maybe sometime soon.....
Which is how I find myself in this position 😉
[URL= http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx252/leeshunburne/906909_529138583794310_1821117606_o_zpsf6fffc88.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx252/leeshunburne/906909_529138583794310_1821117606_o_zpsf6fffc88.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
That was it's first ride - I've since cut the steerer and front hose!
bet you could build an amazing 26" race bike without braking the bank!
Which is how I find myself in this position
Interesting, you had the bouncy one?
Transfer the drive chain, brakes, contact points, new wheels and forks? Still and expensive exercise.
Keep us informed.
[img] 
[/img]
ragley TD-1 in its natural habitat - being raced - 10 uder the ben 2 years ago - hence the lobster tan it was about 30 degrees :d
Its one of them bikes that just encourages fast riding - it weighs about 21lbs in Singlespeed guise with carbon forks but its so much more fun/comfy than my 20lb carbon race bike with 27spd XTR and sids.
I built a sub 20lb 26inch wheeled race bike for around the £1500 mark. That was with Carbon wheels and stuff on a whippet frame
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Can't believe the Trek has snapped Njee, bad times! Sub 20lb should be easily doable, mine is and its towing four Duracell's around..
[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/62413584@N04/ [/img]
Here's my On-One. Could have gone for a lighter build but am a clumsy munt so wanted the reassurance of the Stans Arches with 14 stone wheezing around on it...
Salsa El Mariachi ti, soon to be pimped with some carbon rims...
[img] 
:large[/img]
Reminder to post later...
Gee - did you give up on the 650b bike? </stalker>
Gee - what carbon rims? Something exotic?
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/8988997356_f46878d218_c.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/parkesiemtb/8988997356/ ]Cannondale f29[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/parkesiemtb/ ]Parkesiemtb[/url], on Flickr
Race trail commute
Hi
the 650b bike is a different bike - I'm still racing on that one. Pic below... The rims coming for the 29er are the Light Bicycle ones which I've been running on my 650b bike all season. I also have some prototype Halo carbon ones coming in December for my Spearfish; those will be a little heavier than the Light Bicycle ones but a hell of a lot stronger and are more designed for AM/Enduro use if I'm honest.
The ti post and bars on the 29er are new this week and are a-ma-zing. I'd forgotten how bendy ti seatposts are - it's so much comfier than the aluminium one it replaced.
[img] 
:large[/img]
Can't believe the Trek has snapped Njee, bad times! Sub 20lb should be easily doable, mine is and its towing four Duracell's around..
Aye, with any luck! It's a cracked chainstay, there are just no more 26" ones, Trek have been fantastic actually, can't fault their response.
i changed from a cannondale flash 29er to a scalpel 29er. 20lb, an XX1/XTR hybrid. Have only ridden it once for various reasons but its an amazing bike.
Ok its off the peg spec, but still good in my eyes
[img] 
[/img]
Pennywise
[img] 
[/img]
Only upgrade has been a clutch rear mech to reduce chain drop.
I hate it as it makes my 26 wheeled bikes feel like slugs.
[img] 
[/img]
what a machine
Jono
[url=www.facebook.com/PivotBoompodsRacing]www.facebook.com/PivotBoompodsRacing[/url]
[img] 
[/img]
I know it's only a Specialized but with some lighter wheels replacing the stock ones, it doesn't half shift.
@ crispycross
I'm a bit of a Spesh fan so that looks great to me.
[URL= http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd366/coopersport11/Bike%20bits/photo1.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd366/coopersport11/Bike%20bits/photo1.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
My Giant XTC 29 alloy frame.
A cheap off the peg frame but i have been very impressed.
Very rapid off the line.
With suspension it is running at 21.5 pounds.
XL frame too!
A bit lighter at the moment in winter spec with some carbon Niner rigids
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr143/madmax_photo/IMAG0660_zps1451fe92.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Thanx,
Max.
Damn this thread. I want a 29er now.
Anyone want a couple of 26ers?
Well it's race-y and light-ish... even if I'm neither:
[img] 
[/img]
You just collect bikes hh ? Your worse than me ?
You just collect bikes hh ? Your worse than me ?
Yup, you know me only too well... at least yours get justifiably ridden!
[img] 
[/img]
[URL= http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx292/squealer/5DB6E3AA-5CA9-40D7-8C9F-61B8B04647FF-1378-000000F90309F698_zps23302fa9.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx292/squealer/5DB6E3AA-5CA9-40D7-8C9F-61B8B04647FF-1378-000000F90309F698_zps23302fa9.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Not a true xc bike but its fast....
Scott scale 900sl, few lightweight stuff, 19.5lbs
[img][url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/8884646621_6ca4fc1115_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/16324512@N02/8884646621/ ]590[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/16324512@N02/ ]Radoggair[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Does a 29er race bike need to be a hard tail? This is my 100mm Orbea Occam, lightish and really fast. Good fun too.
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
Nope- this is my XC racer
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
[URL= http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii450/LeeWilliams1976/FinallyFinished_zps055421fe.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii450/LeeWilliams1976/FinallyFinished_zps055421fe.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
[img] 
[/img]
It's now sporting bar ends 🙂 yet to be ridden with them though.
The bonty tyres are very lightweight at about 470g in 2.2 width, but also fragile.
Thinking of selling the frame as I've been tempted by some carbon loveliness. Not sure though as the Scandal rides so well.
Looks like Crests are the way to go for the XC types by the number on bikes here. Anyone know what a pair of Crests on Hope weighs please ?
On my kitchen scales the 15mm front was 780g and the 9mm rear 906g (out the box with tape removed.) A decent set of wheels for training. If the 29er was to become my race bike of choice I'd get some properly light wheels (probably Chinese carbon jobbies.) I only really went for the Crest/Hopes because they were 200 quid in the Halfords sale 🙂
mrblobby, I know this is going back in the thread and not massively related to the topic, but my advice, and feel free to ignore, is steer clear of the KCNC layback post. I had one and it was insanely noisy and more importantly the saddle moved every time you went over any reasonable sized bump/dip in the ground, when still in the saddle that you hadn't noticed.
Maybe I had a bad one but wouldn't rush out to get one again.
If the 29er was to become my race bike of choice I'd get some properly light wheels (probably Chinese carbon hobbies
The Chinese rims aren't really 'properly light', in fact they're barely lighter than Crests.
If you want really light then try the Ryde Edge MC-1, seem to be a bit like vapourware at the moment, but 290g claimed for 29er rims. Probably rather noodly too mind.
Cows_in_cars, thanks for the advice. I think I need to look elsewhere anyway as I need a 400mm and the kcnc layback only comes in 350mm. Anyone recommend a similarly lightweight seat post with a bit of offset in 400mm?
The Chinese rims aren't really 'properly light', in fact they're barely lighter than Crests.
Interesting tip. What about performance of the Chinese carbon rims? I've heard they're significantly stiffer for the weight? Though not had any problems with the 29er crest in my limited experience. It'd still build into a lighter race wheel as the hub and spokes would be lighter, and fewer spokes too. Noodly puts me off a little.
A decent set of wheels for training
the crest rims are as light as I'd want to go for a 29er MTB rim - they are very light without being noodly. The Pro 2/Crest Hope Hooops use Sapim Sprint spokes (similar to DT supercomp), so a little lighter than your common DB spoke, but less noodly than DT Revs.
Which leaves the hubs as realistically the only place you'll save a reasonable amount of weight - the point of the wheel where you'll notice it least.
IMO the pro2/crest wheels set is a bargain XC race wheel.
Anyways.. tubeless, light tyres etc... you can save more significant weight than spending loads on super bling hubs.
Cool, Crests on Hope Evo's are now officially on my Dear Santa list. Thanks
Mondraker Podium Pro has been my weapon of choice this past year genuinely the nicest race bike I've ridden
[img] http://www.silverfish-uk.com/ImageHandler/16761/515/1000/0/ [/img]
Interesting tip. What about performance of the Chinese carbon rims? I've heard they're significantly stiffer for the weight?
Gee of this parish absolutely raved about his having come from Crests. Never heard a bad word certainly. Stan's Valors look interesting - they're comparable weight to the Ryde Edge, but carbon, so should be stiffer. Not cheap though, and not available until the new year.
[img] 
[/img]
After several failed attempts...I've finally learnt how to participate in this thread.
Here's my ON-One. Love it...
. Stan's Valors look interesting
About $2k in the US I believe so probably be about £1.5k maybe in the UK. Look a bit out of place on my 150 quid frame 😕
About $2k in the US I believe so probably be about £1.5k maybe in the UK
$1900 in the US, but they're working towards a retail price of £2000. I kid you not. Makes it cheaper to fly to the US and bring them home. JRA have them for £1680 or something, which seems a little more plausible, albeit still hard to swallow.
BOR/FRM builds from Strada are worth a look - lighter, eyeleted rims than Crests & Darren's been using Pillar triple butted spokes. Come in at around 1500gms with Pro 2s & nice & stiff.
[URL= http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad36/paulhollis24/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad36/paulhollis24/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Yeti big top, no carbon wheels due to me destroying a set
nice lurcher @househusband - What does that way in at?
Thanks, mccraque! I'll try and remember to weigh it tomorrow; it is not a lightweight build by any means!
this is what i bought, £380 1450g
[url= http://www.actionsports.de/gb/Wheels/Wheelset-Specials/MTB-Disc-Wheels-29er/Fun-Works-N-Light-Evo-NoTubes-ZTR-Crest-29er-Sapim-CX-Ray-disc-1450g-Laufradsatz::39956.html ]funn wheels[/url]
Fun works, rather than Funn. Tempted by a set myself, but if you buy hubs only you have they only come as QR and with a standard freehub body. Less of a bargain after the XD body and what not.
Been alright?
been pretty reliable all year, no issues. Had to replace crest rim after british champs marathon but apart from very pleases with them and dont think much touches them for £ to weight ratio
here's mine.
Pivot-LES Carbon Hardtail
As mentioned in the 'can XC bikes be fun thread' this has become my used for everything bike rather than just a race bike.
Freshly built up - running 1x10.
[img] 
[/img]
In current rigid SS winter mode at last weekend's Gorrick.
[img] 
[/img]
https://www.facebook.com/PivotBoompodsRacing
Lovely bike RichP, even nicer as a singlespeed
[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodwings75/10883485073/ [/img]
I can post my Scandal, now ive finally cut down the steerer!
Not sure about weight, but it feels pretty light to me. Wheels are the FRM Urano ones, which Strada do. (although these were Ebay) they are nice and light/stiff; Hubs have very small bearings, but last well. FRM support is excellent, but has to be shipped direct from Italy.
If I hadn't got these for a steal, I would have gone Crests/pro2.
Edit: i could post it if I could work [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodwings75/10883485073/ ]Flickr[/url]
[img] 
[/img]
How do you find the switch to rigid RichP?
I've an odd itch to try racing a rigid 29er that might need scratching at some point in the new year.
[img] 
[/img]
How are you tensioning the chain john_l?
clink - what chain guide are you running?
clink - what chain guide are you running?
That's not my bike - I just posted the pic as the previous poster (johnny) hadn't managed too. 😀
Thanks Clink! STW teamwork wins through.
The chainguide is the Superstar XCR one. In fact it's two of them- I and a mate both broke them in the same place, and i bodged one out of two!
it's with a 36t middleburn front ring and a clutch mech. onse i got is set up ok, it's not dropped a chain since.
Thought I'd try the new narrow wide rings on my scandal. A 34t works components one and a short cage x9 type 2 mech. In my quick sample of two rides I've yet to drop the chain. Gave it a thorough test the other night too as I think I hit just about every root in the dark! Impressed so far.
Another Scandal
[img] 
[/img]
and just to prove i have raced it, me in action at Bedgebury Insomnia
[img] 
[/img]
How are you tensioning the chain john_l?
I'm not in that pic. 34/18's magic, but a little bit too tall now it's got muddy. I've now added a half link & 2 teeth on the back & can probably get away without a tensioner again, but have popped a Gusset Bachelor on, just to take up about half an inch of slack. Very impressed with the Gusset - looks ok too.