most bike for 29er SS buck - need opinions

[dave66]

hooo doggie! haven't even got the gearie sold well the guy is thinkin' about it]and already i am chompin' at the bit to buy my 29er!
thing is, I am a rather thrify individual and was wondering what the best bang for my SS $ would be - complete bike or build up a KM which appears to be the best buy frame wise.
the GF big rig with an 800 $ price tag and disc brakes looks pretty hard to beat
Are there any other complete bikes or frame sets I should look at as well? All this is complicated by me being a canuck and having to pay fat a$$ duty on anything crossing the border.

[onegear]

I'm a Karate Monkey SS rider but the new offering from Fisher is going to be hard to beat. It offers very good components, as well........

And all for $799??????? What a deal! I've been toying with the idea of selling the NRS and purchasing one. I haven't had the NRS out of the garage in about 6 months (isn't that a sin or something?).

:)

[Cloxxki]

2 years ago, the KM was the big hype long before it became available, and it proved even better than expected, hardly anyone disliked it.
Now the Rig is getting even bigger attention, and will be bought in very significant numbers, at least for a SS. If they can supply them, I bet more than the Cannondale 1FG, and even the Kona Unit. Ideal low-entry way to get yourself good SS and 29" gear.
As any Fisher, the value (within the USA) is very strong, but comes from using quite low-end parts like seat(post), stem, handlebar. If you manage to get the bike for $800, and shop around smartly, you could upgrade the stock Rig considerably, and give it a bit of a personal touch, and stay around $1000.

-A lighter (and longer, for some safe insertion) seatpost such as a Thomson is always nice. Setpack would look cool.
-You can find a cheap, light, and okay SSeat for maybe $40 if you look enough.
-A Ritchey-pro level stem would drop around 3 ounces, and a nice one could add cool factor.
-Not everyone likes riser bars, I personally like the flat Salsa 11º wide Moto-Ace bars, which are also nice and light. The higher BB of the 2005 Fishers will take away the need to go flatbar/neg. drop stem for most riders.
-Put a Surly stainless chainring on (maybe a second in stead of the guard), a pimpy colored chain, and perhaps 2 different Surly cogs. The EBB will allow you to adjust your gearing to your ride, and eat like 2 or 3t difference (not sure) without altering the wheelbase, might as well take advantage of that.
-WTB will soon re-introduce their Nanoraptor, a great rear tire as it rolls well, and for smooth courses a decent front.

But of course, the bike will run fine and look cool even without a single upgrade. Even if they offer nice warranty, a longer seatpost can never hurt IMO, even if unlike me, you don't really need the length.

[onegear]

Yeah, I'll tell ya', I absolutely LOVE my Karate Monkey SS. This is by far the best bike I have ever owned. I have two different wheelsets for it, one set for commuting and one set for hitting the trails. The bike is so simple but can do so much! When we do trail work, everyone wants to ride my bike on the new sections. They all love the 29er wheels (either that or they want me to get the first flats). :)

Did I say that I LOVE it?? :)

[smutvendor]

I posted this on another thread but I meant to put it here. All you guys looking for a 29 inch bike should check out the Slingshot Bigshot 29er. http://www.slingshotbikes.com/showr...ain/bigshot.cfm Although I'm not that into 29 inch bikes, I raced one belonging to Slingshot legend Scott Quiring in Michigan, and it was pretty sweet. I was more impressed by the Bigshot singlespeed, though, because the sling-effect really enhances the ability to climb steep hills when you only have one gear. Seriously, the inchworm flex effect IS NOT HYPE, it actually makes climbing more efficient without being bouncy. The steel slingshot frame might be a little heavier than others out there, but the singlespeed sling is light as hell, which is why I'd recomend the Bigshot singlespeed over the Bigshot with gears.

[MunkeeHucker]

Listen to Cloxxki he is wise I pumped for info ( on MTBreview Cloxxki you know me as angus!)) last winter and I built up my KM. I love the Monkey. I am interested in a Rig But probally won't get, at least yet. Though the KM is a heavier frame it rides light and climbs soo well.
IIn my opinion a SS is better served being Steel (or Titanium if you got $$) than aluminum, also if you do alot of riding in muck you not be a fan of the EBB, I have a friend with a 1FG and his EBB reminds me of the cleats on my shoes, it takes 5 minutes to scrape out the crud to get wrench on it. If your on a budget check Ebay everyso often there is a good deal on a KM, or you could buy the Rig and sell the frame on ebay and buy a New KM!

2 years ago, the KM was the big hype long before it became available, and it proved even better than expected, hardly anyone disliked it.
Now the Rig is getting even bigger attention, and will be bought in very significant numbers, at least for a SS. If they can supply them, I bet more than the Cannondale 1FG, and even the Kona Unit. Ideal low-entry way to get yourself good SS and 29" gear.
As any Fisher, the value (within the USA) is very strong, but comes from using quite low-end parts like seat(post), stem, handlebar. If you manage to get the bike for $800, and shop around smartly, you could upgrade the stock Rig considerably, and give it a bit of a personal touch, and stay around $1000.

-A lighter (and longer, for some safe insertion) seatpost such as a Thomson is always nice. Setpack would look cool.
-You can find a cheap, light, and okay SSeat for maybe $40 if you look enough.
-A Ritchey-pro level stem would drop around 3 ounces, and a nice one could add cool factor.
-Not everyone likes riser bars, I personally like the flat Salsa 11º wide Moto-Ace bars, which are also nice and light. The higher BB of the 2005 Fishers will take away the need to go flatbar/neg. drop stem for most riders.
-Put a Surly stainless chainring on (maybe a second in stead of the guard), a pimpy colored chain, and perhaps 2 different Surly cogs. The EBB will allow you to adjust your gearing to your ride, and eat like 2 or 3t difference (not sure) without altering the wheelbase, might as well take advantage of that.
-WTB will soon re-introduce their Nanoraptor, a great rear tire as it rolls well, and for smooth courses a decent front.

But of course, the bike will run fine and look cool even without a single upgrade. Even if they offer nice warranty, a longer seatpost can never hurt IMO, even if unlike me, you don't really need the length.