Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association - Forums

I'm in the market for a new ride now that I've sold one...

I'll be building up a frame because that's what I love to do.  First things first, I'll need a frame.  Here's my criteria:

1. Steel
2. 29er
3. Single & geared capable (whether it's an EBB or track ends)
4. Disc only (OK, capable...)

I want a 80mm capable suspension corrected frame, but I'll initially be building it rigid.  That leads to the fork situation, and my final bit of criteria:

5. Frame & rigid fork (doesn't have to be same manufacturer if geom. fits) must be less than $1000

Here's my short list so far, in no particular order:

1. Surly Karate Monkey
2. Niner SIR
3. Redline Monocog Flight 29

I'm currently collecting info. so if you can think of any other frames that fall into my somewhat narrow criteria I'd appreciate the input!!

Thanks!
Kris

On-one Inbred 29

I just ordered one yesterday.

http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Slot_Dropout_Inbred_27.html (http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Slot_Dropout_Inbred_27.html)

Also worth mentioning. I've got a Kona Unit29 complete for sale. $500. There is a guy coming to look at it on Sunday but he is a big boy and we're are concerned about fit. So if he does not fit, it will still be available.

Coyle you're gonna by another 29er to sit in your garage and collect dust? Sweet.  :D

Good luck Kris, unfortunately I know nothing about ridgid 29ers. Yet. Maybe some day but I just bought a brand new Downhill Rocky Mountain RMX bike (in the box) and I sold the fork it came with on eBay (MArzocchi 888) and I'm gonna buy a Fox 40. Then I get to build this baby! I also love building bikes... Good times!

Those things look sweet!  Nice choice.

I might have a matching On One rigid 29er fork to match that if you're building it up rigid. Beyond Bikes sent me the wrong one a long long time ago and I never got it taken care of. I could prbly sell it to ya cheap. Let me know if you're interested.

Niner......On One is nice, but the niner EBB is worth it over the slotted dropouts x10 IMO.

....(runs from dmitri)

Seriously. I almost felt bad for that poor bike. But don't worry, this one is being built up as a commuter type bike, complete with racks and skinny tires so I will less dependent on my gas powered vehicle to get around and run to the store. People are way too dependent on driving around even if it's only a couple of miles to pick up one small thing. Not me. I can get there on my own power.

I chose this bike because you can run a rear rack and it does not interfere with the disc brakes at all, and I can convert it to a sweet mtb very easily. Plus I don't need a bunch of road bike parts around my garage so I will mostly built this up with mtb parts.

Thanks, guys.  Tom, I'm not sure about that Kona.  I'm 6'3" but I've got pretty short legs so stand over is a big issue for me on these 29ers... gotta make room for the boys, ya know!  Checking out the geom. on the Kona, it looks like the right size would be a bit too tall for me.  But who knows!  I also really want something that can be build geared.

The EBB on the Niner looks pretty nice considering the other EBB designs I've seen.  Simple is always best!

And Tom, I hear you with the whole human powered short trips thing.  My Cross Check gets used as much as my MTB (it even finds its way onto the trails sometimes!).

I'm with ya on that. Gotta love expensive gas. It's making us all think and do the right thing. DAmn I hate thinkin... (Sorry to hijack your thread Kris! )

Too bad you don't want to build around a 100mm fork - voo doo's wanga is nicely built frame.  Sliding drops w/ either a hanger equipped or ss option, nice steel - longer across the top for gorilla built, knuckle dragger types. 

Karl

Here's a shot just in case. Just put it together, ready to go. The guy comin to look at it is like 6'4" so that's why I'm worried it won't fit him.

Good call.  What's 20mm, anyway?!

...i can't say enough about my surly karate monkey. i run it rigid and single speed with v-brakes. it is serious fun. they aren't light, but light enough. it is a smooth ride with that "steel is real" feeling.

good luck with the search and have fun building! picking and choosing the parts is a really fun process. then finally riding it is such a trip!

Jeremy

Thanks, Jeremy.  I'm a big Surly fan and couldn't be more happy with them as a company.  The weight really doesn't scare me as much as the standover height on the L, though... a little too close to home for me I think.  I'm trying to find several frames so I can take a good look at geometry and then zero in on something that will fit me the best without being custom.  Right now the Niner looks like the best fit, and is of course the richest!

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Good call.  What's 20mm, anyway?!
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Fun, that's what it is.  Check the stats geometry wise and if it works for you, email me for a price.

Karl

Kris, you may want to check this thread out over at MTBR...

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=421455

It is a Karate Monkey specific sizing thread. Maybe someone your build has posted what frame they are on.

Jeremy

I might be a little partial on this topic .....  ::) ..... But how about an EWR OWB29er with a White Industries Eno hub?  Built locally by a local company with local employees.  Plus I think you had the chance to ride one too?

Shit you can't beat that! You will be dealing with the guys who designed and built the bike, here in PA! That's also why I like Cannondale. But they are huge now and I think the Russian own them... Or is it the Indians?   ??? ;D

EWR's are sweet. Nothing like riding a bike that was made in the city you live in.

Yeah, way to go Tom!!! Another On One in da house!  ;)

And, Chuck, you better run and hide!!!  :-*

dz

I agree with the EWR- Kenn was awesome to let me get a ride on the OWB29.  Admittedly, it was the first 9er I'd been on so it was hard to judge it compared to anything else.  I'm just checking out stuff in another price range and putting some opinions together!  The 26" was incredible compared to all of the other 26" HTs I've ridden so the 29" is probably ass kicking in the 9er arena, too.  And I forgot about the ENO- they're not as expensive as I'd imagined.

My only intent in this thread was to drum up some ideas- and that's been really successful so far!

Thanks for the link to the KM geom. discussion, too.  I'll check that out after work.

No worries Kris, I was just phishing for a little self promotion.  I'll never be upset with anyone for buying another brand of bike.  Unless its a Bilenky. ;)