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@tomtomthepiperson - how does the dropper cable route please?
Grabbed off the CRC site on a full build.
Yep, just like that. I pushed an inner and outer in from the top, grabbed the inner with some tweezers when it appeared near the exit then pushed it up the seat tube. Was very easy (just don’t forget the grommet things).
We got a Marley 290 to replace my partners 2016 orange crush. Pretty much built just waiting for a new reae brake line as we moved the brakes over and they physically go one but the line is too tight round the headtube. Looks awesome though and I know she will enjoy the jump from 650b to 29er.
Does anyone fancy posting up pics of their yellow Marley 29 frame or build?
I’m still tempted to grab one but I need some more visuals to sway me! 👀
NBD today for Tyred Jr the Younger.
His previous bike was a wonderful Top Fuel 9.9 (when it was an XC rocket rather than a downcountry not-sure-what) inherited from his older brother who'd ridden it half to death. The younger brother completed the job in Champery this summer by managing to crack the rocker. That bike had had a good life - replacing bearings had become an exercise in filling some of the housings with resin so the bearings vaguely fit, the once-lush fork was at the end of it's life and so on.
The older one and I both have Ragley BigWigs, brilliant for everything bar XC racing, especially over the winter. Recently the younger one has had 4-pot envy plus a growth spurt that's seen him get close in height to his big brother. There's been a subtle but deliberate shift in the younger one referring to "your hardtail" to "the hardtail" and some bickering over who gets to ride what and when, now we're all close in height.
On seeing this PSA, figured I'd get a BigWig or Big Al frame plus a Revelation fork, take the wheels and Eagle groupset off the Trek and away we go, but by the time I'd accounted for all the other bits it was looking distinctly less of a bargain, then I spied Wiggle doing full-build BigWigs half price with not a bad spec: https://www.wiggle.com/p/ragley-big-wig-hardtail-bike-moss
Courtesy of the parcelforce driver ,there's now a big box in the younger one's room and I'm waiting for him coming in from school in the next few minutes.
Everyone loves a NBD, especially when the sun's out and particularly if you're the younger sibling who only ever gets hand-me-downs! 🙂
especially when the sun’s out
Where the heck are you? Bloody miserable in Derbyshire
Happy NBJ to Jnr
Frame arrived today - Ragley Mmmbop - so converting the 2016 Crush to that is this weekend's project in between rides! Will let you know how I get on!
Frame arrived today – Ragley Mmmbop – so converting the 2016 Crush to that is this weekend’s project in between rides! Will let you know how I get on!
Pictures please when you get it. Been hovering over a copper one for a few days
Will do re the pics. Frame looks better in the flesh IMO. Will take some pics tomorrow
Piglet headset - ZS44/28.6 upper, EX44/40 lower
So it's this yeah?
https://www.wiggle.com/p/brand-x-semi-integrated-44iets-sealed-headset
@2tyred don’t keep us hanging, how did it go?
Awesome, the sparkly moss green colour's lovely. He's over the moon with it, not long back in from the maiden ride!
Ragley mmmbop in orange/bronze!!
Ragley mmmbop in orange/bronze!!
Nice - is that a large frame?
Yes. Pretty much the same dimensions as my crush. Frame swap this weekend…!
That's nice.
Let's see that moss green frame mentioned above as well please.
Good PSA. Mine arrived yesterday. Swapped over the bits from my Marin hardtail. Pretty everything went over without any "standards" issues. Just swapped the rear wheel as it has a different hub spacing and it takes a much longer dropper.
Went for the green Marley.
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Very happy with it after a quick ride. Still need to tidy the cables/hoses (the brakes aren't staying long term) and need to cut the grass.
That orange/bronze finish looks lovely!
yes, its really nice - much better in the "flesh" than I was expecting!
Will drop some pictures of the finished bike later this weekend (hopefully) when done
That looks fantastic! I'm glad I'm quite good at disassociating myself from the cost of bike purchases, or the vastly higher price of my Moxie vs these Ragley bargains would be rather painful! (Also I do like my sliding dropouts for singlespeeding but that's a bit of a niche preference...)
Went with this. Probably a so-so fork but around £400 in total if the cashback works. Now do I go 10-45 or 10-51 with the 30t? I currently have 11-50 on a 32 but 27.5 and quite happy with it. I have worked out the gearing and basically my current gearing is between the 2 proposed ones. So I can either go with a silly granny OR smaller gaps between gears...
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Also, would anyone know what length hose I will need for the rear brake on a L frame? Will 150cm work by any chance with 800mm bars?
So I can either go with a silly granny OR smaller gaps between gears…
Smaller gap between gears is pointless on MTB...
In your situation I'd go 10-51 but replace the 30T chainring with a 32T for a bit more top end speed too...
Thanks a lot, sounds good. No idea why the pic of my basket is not showing. I went for a L size Big Al in white with the £180 Revs.
I might actually keep my NX cassette so 32 makes sense. Can I run the SLX cranks with my current GX chain or do I need a Shimano chain? And if so, will that work with the NX cassette? Cheers.
Just picked my frame up from the depot where it’s been sat whilst I’ve been up in the Borders.
N(old)BD tomorrow!
Couldn’t wait till the weekend so cracked on with the build. Pretty happy with it. Looks nice!! Test ride Sunday
the cranks will be fine Nick.
Simon, if you're going to put a rear guard on, put a rear guard on!
otherwise, looks nice. 😉
Del
Full Member
the cranks will be fine Nick
Thanks Del. That's my assumption but the internet keeps saying the 12 speed Shimano rings don't play well with Eagle chains so I thought I would check!!
Hmmm
Got to admit, I'm not a huge fan now I've seen it built up - and I can't place my finger on why, because technically it should look great, soz 🥺
But it has made my decision easier about which frame to buy, cheers 👍
Enjoy though, I'm sure it'll ride great and the colour is lovely
Anyone got any tips for how to tighten the front hose retention clip bolt on a Marley frame please, there isn’t space to fit an Allen key in as it’s too close to the downtube.
I had exactly that issue. Stupid design.
I managed to find an old Allen key that must have come free with something flat pack and that just fitted using a 3/4 turn each time.
the biggest pain is the thread lock as that just makes it harder!
What's a front hose retention clip? Does the front brake hose need to be attached to the frame?
Do the bare frames come with the rubber grommets for the dropper cable?
Anyone got any tips for how to tighten the front hose retention clip bolt on a Marley frame please
Normal Allen key, not a fold out set, just about fits. I actually have a set that I've cut down as I often work on things with limited access. That fits nicely, but you can still only turn it 3/4 each go. Bit of a pain but neat once it's done and still way easier than internal routing.
Do the bare frames come with the rubber grommets for the dropper cable?
Yes. And cable ties or clips for the other cables/hoses.
What’s a front hose retention clip? Does the front brake hose need to be attached to the frame?
Not for the front hose, but to mount the rear hose to the underside of the crossbar. There's three clamps. The rear two are easy but the front one is right in the triangle with limited access.
Thanks Nick. I can't wait for the swearing when I get the Big Al frame. I was going to put it together in the house but on reflection I might do it in the garage 😂
Thanks for the tips guys. I ended up doing an emergency Halfords trip for some cheap allen keys that I ended up filing down to fit.
Shes done ..would have been quicker but my old dropper remote shat itself
Nice Steve. Is that a M or a L?
170mm travel dropper?
Just asking as I hope to be able to slam my Trans X adjustable travel dropper into my forthcoming Big Al in L while adjusting it up to the full 200mm, as currently only set on 170mm even slammed into the 2021 Meta HT on 27.5.
@nickfrog believe it or not that is the xl frame and a 170mm dropper, im 6.3 and all leg but ive since dropped it a little. I loved the old version (2020) and swapped it for a tallboy frame but winter slop and ease of cleaning brought me back in to the fold ... that and the £170 price drop 🙂
Cheers Steve. Wow. They are very low. There is a 30mm delta in seat tube length between L and XL so I might just be spot on if my dropper goes deep enough. I am only 6ft.
I am going to build it and not ride it until the weather turns next year actually, mostly because I went for white 😂
Wow. They are very low.
Yep. Vast improvement over my old Marin. 180mm drop in my medium.
Here's my finished (and ridden a few times) Big Al.
Spec is: XL frame with 140mm Pikes, 170mm Brand-X dropper, mainly XT with Hope brakes, Raceface Turbine stem & bars, Crest wheels with Ikon & Mezcal 2.6" tyres. Weighs about 13kg. Rides lovely but the dry weather tyres are going to need changing very soon as it's getting a bit muddy now. Very happy with it though.
How quickly did people receive their frame? I ordered it on Friday alongside the Revs forks and some DT wheels, I got the wheels and forks today even on free delivery but the frame is still showing processing. Weird or to be expected? They still have plenty of stock.
They might come from a different warehouse? I ordered a discounted Nukeproof frame and some parts recently and the parts arrived before the frame too (albeit just a few days apart).
I’d just sit it out for a few days yet.
My frame was despatched a few days after the other items in my order. They just come in the standard frame box so I suspect their logistics processes are easier/most consistent just to send them out like that and send other items separately rather than opening frame boxes and putting other stuff in.
Other than that again, I guess logistics/warehousing/courier collection dates dictate when the frames go. Eg. They might only have Parcel force collect a couple of times a week but a huge dedicated truck turns up where other stuff in much higher volume goes in evri trucks daily. Or something.
Thank you so much. Last question (hopefully), 1 spacer on the drive side for a HT2 BB presumably? Or does the ISCG05 tabs change that?
Frame arriving Wednesday. The service has been excellent actually, perhaps a side effect of them not being very busy.
Last question (hopefully), 1 spacer on the drive side for a HT2 BB presumably
Yep!
Thank you!!
I built my Marley 290 up with the parts off my old 2017 Jeffsy, so a 140mm fork.
Today I’ve taken it for its first ride, ~1900 meters of climbing, 58km in mid Wales, with strong winds.
The bike is brilliant fun, and pretty comfortable too. It’s not an XC bike, but it’s fine for longer rides.
Descending it’s really confidence inspiring, I’ve not done anything really tech on it yet, but I think it’s going to be really good.
All in all a great fun bike, amazing value for £190 (including delivery). I’m stoked.
Today we’ve mostly been riding the Enduro lines in Hafren Forest,
Wow. This bike is great fun on faster and techier trails. It really made me want to do everything at full send. Didn’t feel too harsh, and kept goading me to be off the brakes and go faster.
A great, great bike at any price never mind £190.
No, I can’t get the image function to work.
Hello everyone.
Finished building my Marley last night. It's a large frame. I can slam a 210mm OneUp dropper right to the collar with no interference.
At 6' with 490mm reach on my enduro bike I was a bit worried the frame would be too small, but under sag it feels pretty similar, and the smaller wheelbase should make it easier to chuck around, so happy days.
The yellow is really nice. It has a slightly metallic/flecked finish with a hint of gold but it's really subtle. I made oof noises when I first saw it. It's a looker.
Only thing I would say is get yourself a stubby 3mm allen key for the cable guide nearest the headtube. You need one.
I wasn't going to bother with frame protection at first, but I like the finish so much I've changed my mind. Just waiting on a kit to arrive before I take it out.
Ooooh that yellow is nice 🙂
I was trying to resist buying one - that's not helped lol
Ah @mac89, i liked your post on Insta last night after searching for Marley pics (kernduro)!
Your build looks awesome btw. It's also helping to sway me towards getting one 😁
Been after an excuse to build another hardtail for a while…
Large frame with EXT/XT/Burgtec/DT Swiss - all taken off my other bike while it’s away getting painted. Just waiting for a 150mm airshaft to turn up though it actually rides surprisingly well at 170mm with a load of sag (looks daft though). Shrink wrap has been shrunk since the photo!
Lovely view from the garden!
(And very nice bike too...)
@orena45 awesome, glad to be of service 😂 Some lovely steeds you’ve got yourself 🤜
Anyone got a Big Wig?
I prefer the look to a Big Al, but it's 800g heavier - is it a bit of a portly pig?
Anyone thinking of buying one of these, I’d wait and see what pans out with CRC over the next couple of days.
Received my Big Al frame earlier in the week, also got some Revelation forks and some new DT Swiss M1900 wheels at £185 for the pair. At 6'6" the XL frame is my first hardtail that actually fits me - I need all the reach I can get. Great ride for a bargain price.
CRC in voluntary administration. 😕
The Marley does look good in yellow, so much so I've ordered one, hope the order is fulfilled! Going to build it up with some spare Yari, DT 481/Hope wheels and all the rest of the parts from a 26 Banshee Spitfire I haven't ridden in a while.
Still absolutely loving this bike. It’s made my local loop much more fun, and encourages yobbish behaviour.
How were everyone's packages sent? I ordered a frame and a few other bits. I got an email saying my order has been fully dispatched however the summary doesn't mention the frame and says it's a parcel (suggesting no frame). I assume the frame will come separately later but the "fully dispatched" wording doesn't make sense.
Frame is sent separately. I presume they are prepackaged so they don't open the box to stuff in the other parts. Frame came parcel force, other bits evri. They were scheduled for different days but turned up within hours of eachother. I had two emails saying my order has been fully dispatched. One for the frame, one for the bits.
Ok thanks, no word on the frame yet but the rest was dispatched the same day as I ordered so I won't worry yet!
I ordered on Friday. Parts were delivered yesterday for me, frame yet to arrive. Same dispatch email, nothing related to the frame.
Took mine to Degla for a mess about yesterday. Ive been there a few times before on my Tallboy . Megatower and verious Oranges .. I have to say it was a right blast being back on the ragged edge of being rattled to high hell. Even some how managed a few PBs . Cracking bike
Well my headset arrived yday and my Big Al says its dispatchwd and will be here today or tomorrow
As others have said, frame came separately from other bits, and took a few more days to process.
Yeah I think it makes places where I’ve previously been slightly over-biked much more fun.
I got my frame dispatch email late last night, it said delivery will be today or tomorrow.
Here is my XL Big Al build with Revelation forks. Modern seat tubes are very short these days and my 150mm dropper could barely be inserted enough, so I ordered a reduced 200mm fox dropper from CRC that I will install soon. Fabulous bike and I think the first hardtail that is long enough for me to fit comfortably
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I was very tempted to change my previous gen mmmbop (which I only bought in April this year) to a bluepig, but I'll stick with my bop. At least I got it when everything was discounted first time around at £1k. I'm 6ft 1" with a long reach and the 480mm on the XL is just perfect for me. It's a very playful bike, if a touch harsh.
Anyone with a brand-x dropper, mine has a lot of side to side play, is this normal?
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52789934961_1761f4f47d_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52789934961_1761f4f47d_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2oqSdur ]Ragley mmmbop[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/colinhines26/ ]Colin[/url], on Flickr