New 29er advice

[tognar]

I'm shopping for a new 29er and trying to use what I have and save a few bucks. I've been looking at building up a karate monkey(heavier but cheaper) and swapping out some parts from my current ride. This means new frame, wheelset, etc but still riding 8spd and v-brakes and probably going rigid at first. Another frame option was the new Salsa 29er (YBB style), and suspension fork (mo bucks), but pics i've seen show very little rear tire clearance, --Or -- Throw down for a new complete Fisher, 293 or hardtail both with discs and Reba. Any suggestions from the 29 crowd would be greatly appreciated. To-Gnar

[gran'pooba]

Well bro, I've only had my Monkey for only 2 months now and I have been having an absolute blast on it. I've just about thrown everything at it (rocks, rocks, rocks, roots, river, punk bike enduro (MUD!). It's really an animal, rolls quite fast and is not all that sluggish in the tight twisties (ponder the bent seat tube). As I reside on the east coast. Sure it's on the heavier side but common' this is mountain biking we are talkin' about, right? It has great characteristics. Just try it rigid first which ever route you take. There's my two cents. :D

[Raymo853]

Have you taken a look at the threads on MTBR forums about the Salsa softtail, the Dos niner.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=65090
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=64715

I am considering a 29". After riding my flat bar cross bike on trails I am convinced the hype is real. I think the Dos Niner frame may be too expensive for me to justify, $1050, and may not come in a size for me at 5'9". My primary focus is now on the Gary Fisher 29" Paragon. It seems like a great deal to me. I see the Paragon to be used as both my main geared MTB and a replacement for my cross bike.

[Moto Ace]

Have a look at the ORBEA 29er
599 for the frame retail.

[Tman]

I have ridden my Karate Monkey for a couple years, before that a Bianchi Project 7. I can say the Surly is a killer ride.The Bianchi was ahead of it time and its design. I still love the old girl. The Surly is just an amazing frame.

[unclefuzzy]

before that a Bianchi Project 7.
So tell me about that Project 7? I've been looking for one for a while as a kind of retro/29" project. Think it'd be worth it? I've got plently of tires that would fit it, and I know the current 2.1's won't fit. Maybe the Conti's, but not so sure on that one. Would ya be intersted in selling?

[Tman]

Well, the Bianchi is an amazing bike for the spec and the money. I typed Project 7 but it really is a 5. I spent 12 years running bike shops and was a bit of a parts snob to being with. This bike is running 95 vintage STX!?!?! and still holding out. Granted, I am smooth and take care of my stuff. As for tire clearance, I run the old Smoke 45s on it and there isnt much room for more. Since building the KM (designed by a good pal of mine :D ) 2 years ago, the Bianchi has sat as a ready backup.

[unclefuzzy]

uh, I know those Surly guys quite well meself. Used to work at QBP a time back. Good folks they are. I'm kinda interested in finding an old P7/5 for a retro 29" build.

[schoenitr]

OK. The best way to go, Fisher Paragon 29er. Good parts spec., affordable, and you can easily justify upgrading it since it's a good frame. Or, if you want 29" and discs....... Get the Rig. You'll be pushing SS, but you'll have Avid mech. discs, Reba fork, and big wheels.

[stump ss]

so I'm looking around myself, thinking I want a steel rigid 29er for off-road touring/enduro kind of stuff to supplement my single(s). the surly sounds good but for once I have a little extra leeway on the price and so I'm torn between something like the KM or taking the big step for a Kelly/IF/Vicious. But obviously that is a very very big step for a bike that I can't ride first, and I'm not sure I can pony up for a boutique frame without waiting a while to build it up.

Oh, and while comparing those, what do people think about the shorter chainstays of the KM (some rubbing and/or clearance problems, but snappier handling) vs. longer stays on most other steel frames (more cadillac-y ride)?

I'm also looking at the Fisher, because it is a great deal and reasonably light, but a) I'd want a rigid fork for it and b) seems like if I am going to reap the benefits of 29 for unsuspended trails/touring then it should be steel.

Would the Kona Dr. Dew (also aluminum, I know) fit fatties? Or is it destined for the cool townie niche only?

if I'm gonna do it I want disk brakes too. I haven't bought a new bike in 5 years, and that was a pro deal so I could afford it easily...oh, questions questions questions. thanks y'all.

[wooglin]

Custom steel frame for ca. $600-700 from either of these guys. Fork for about $200. They can put the parts on it too.

http://www.waltworks.com
http://www.spicercycles.com

[riderx]

the surly sounds good but for once I have a little extra leeway on the price and so I'm torn between something like the KM or taking the big step for a Kelly/IF/Vicious. I've got the Kelly 29er and it is one fine riding steed. Well thought out on the geometry, handles very smooth. I've ridden the Monkey and had considered one (quite a few of them around here) and it's not quite the same. I'm happy I went w/ the Kelly. That's certainly not to knock Surly, I'm a huge fan and own a 1x1 and Crosscheck (love them both), plus a few of their hubs. The Monkey is a great bike, you would not be disappointed with it if you went that route, but I love the Kelly.

[tognar]

Ok, still shopping, tax return should be on its way. I've narrowed the choice down to the fishers due to my lack of 29" parts and need for discs. Question now is hardtail or full suspension. Does anyone own a 293. Is the 4" of rear travel a plus or overkill. I'll be riding mostly local (SW PA) trails along with racing and maybe an endurance/24hr race in there this year. Any good words on the paragon... Help out if you can.

[Cloxxki]

If you've always managed on hardtails, the Paragon seems likehe obvious choice. You get to buy soms nice upgrades, such as a Thudbuster seatpost for those longer rides, and some slightly lighter parts in the tube/seatpost/stem/bar/grips departments. Use the seat you already have, it probably safes tons over the stock seats on Fishers.

Hopes this help, and if not, check mtbr.com for many 293 and Paragon owners.

Good luck,

J

[tognar]

I'm coming off 5+ years on a Proflex. The last few on frozen up elastomers so I can probably handle the hardtail. Looking for any really convincing 293 info. Overall the paragon has better parts and is cheaper. That's where I'm leaning.

[29erchico]

The '03 paragon was fine for a hardtail, ran a Thudbuster & it was a pretty cool bike. Put on the Avid discs. Both bikes were spec'd with the same wheelset. Ran the Jones ACX 2.2 tires on both of them for some time. Ran the very same crankset on both. I don't think Fisher has changed the frame set between '03 and '05.

My '04 293 with '99 lx 5 arm cranks & 20/30/42 rings, avid mech discs(7"ft/6"rear) and Thudbuster (that's right THUDBUSTER suspension seatpost!) is BY FAR the most fun I have ever had on the trails. Amazing in it's ability to climb steep, messed up trails. Decending is a quasi-religious experience. Just plain WAY better everywhere.

Only gained 13 ounces by going to the 293.

Don't worry about picking lines anymore, just carry LOTS of speed and mow thru the nasty stuff. The Thud addition takes this bike right into the freeride category. I'm finding that the Thud deals with most all the large and small bumps and the rear shock deals with the mid size hits. When I hit the far side of a really big whoop at speed with this setup and the Thud moves really far down and back I just howl YES! at the top of my lungs.

I'm 6'3" 215#'s and 47 years. I have been riding hard in the dirt since 1985.

29erchico

[Raymo853]

I have heard bad things from people that have test rode the 2823/292. The complaint, the bike felt so long and was very slow in handling. A good thing for dowhill and climbing steap & loose stuff but bad for carving around courners.

I suggest getting the Paragon. I have a Rig (basicaly same frame) and like it lots. I find it a little smoother than my steel hardtail due to the big wheels.

[Cloxxki]

Actually, almost nothing stayed the same for the '05 Fsiher hardtail frames.