|   29"er all along | Cronometro
Sep 23, 2002 5:11 PM | | Ya, know I have been thinking and wondering about a 29"er after riding with (following) Martini on my 26"er. But I have been riding a Skinny Tire 29"er for about two years. I built a Surly, Cross Check about two years ago. I started out with 27mm tires, moved up to 37mm tires and last fall I got 40mm mythos semi slicks. With the wider tires I ride everything I rode with my 26"er. But I have more fun!?!. The surly has no shocks but it seam to roll better and carry speed better. I like fast single track and well holding speed easier on this bike. I would like a little more rubber under me for epic rides and races. So I think I will build a 29"er for next year. The question is does anyone build a 29"er for a pacaderm. I say that because Clyde does not discribe me. I am 6' 7" and 300 lbs, Clydes are a mear 200-220lbs at the races I do. I am looking for a frame with a seat tube of 23-24" range. And a well built steel frame. I am mountain bike patroller and put in quite a few hours during the season so I need a bike that will last.
BTW, love this discusion group I would like to ride with anyone from this group. |
| Ya better go big cuz..... | banks
Sep 23, 2002 7:47 PM | | any wheel size below 29" will make you look like a circus trick. Vail Cycle Works posted a "custom" steel frame for a 7'+ human and built it up with 26" wheels. Poor customer if he rode it; looked like a 6 foot'r riding a 16" wheeled bike. :(
Here is a personal list of companies in no particular order:
My East Coast friends, Wojick or IF.
"Center of the 29" Wheeled Country" in Colorado: Moots, Willits or wwww.mattchester.com if you want a Ti single speed.
West Coast: Rock Lobster, Hunter, Kelly.
Hell any of them; Vicous, Vulture, Stong, man the list is growing every day for the rolling revolution!!!!!
You could also try a 29" Fisher in the XLG, they do run big.
Have a blast!! |
| It's time for sure-- | Bigwheel
Sep 23, 2002 8:12 PM | | Custom as listed by the other poster is certainly going to be your most immediate solution, except for the long lead time most custom builders have, not to mention the cost involved. The Fisher, because it is aluminum, would be out if you are seeking steel of course. I would hope that if Surly made a CrossCheck in your size that they will have enough foresight to make a frame at least that large in their new 29" Karate Monkey that is due out this fall. Airborne is coming out with a Ti bike but no word on a how big or how it would perform in Ti that big. Another company that will be starting sales beginning of next year with an overseas sourced steel frame name of Ox Brand may be another option but unsure of what their largest size will be also.
I would suggest that you build a set of 36h wheels and go with a rigid fork also. Perhaps you don't swing that way, but you might give it a try. It works and I don't know of a suspension fork currently available in 29" that would work for a person your size. White Bros is rumored to be making their fork with springs and bumpers though---
Hope it works out for you soon, so that you can keep up with Marty! |
| IF has made a couple of 29"ers for BIG NBA players | 2melow
Sep 23, 2002 8:22 PM | | Maybe give matt bracken at Independent Fabrication a call. I know they have already built big bikes for big boys like you. From what I hear they are doing the double top tube thing that may be worth it if you want a machine that will last.
Any custom builder will work, not just IF. I'm sure Wes or Rick Hunter can build you a frame as well. Might as well bite the bullit once and get it done right, sounds like you already know what you want.
Post pics when you get one!
2m |
| I second the rigid fork | Cloxxki
Sep 23, 2002 10:45 PM | | It's the cheapest and most reliable way to build up that Real Clyde's bike. However, if you consider suspension for the future, do get the frame built to work with the very longest rigid fork you can find, so a suspension unit won't take away 2 or 3 degrees off your angles.
The Marzocchi Shiver singlecrown fork that Chris@speedgoat converted to 29" by reducing travel a little keeps intriguing me. I'm almost sorry that I'm not a gram heavier than 190lbs, even on a bad day. Than Shiver is a gorgeous fork! Will take quite a bit of fiddling, but I'm sure it would take your brutal abuse with ease. There are more options like that available, but they all take some work to get dialed in prefectly to be a worthy 29" unit. A 26" downhill fork must have a high or absent bridge and travel should be reduced by some 30mm without shortening the length at zero sag.
Good luck finding your custom builders, and tell us how you went about chosing them, more big boys like you are entering the sport just because it now become a real possibility for them.
Happy Trails! |
| Hey Crono, good to see you here! | martini
Sep 24, 2002 6:10 AM | | If you are looking into just getting started and aren't quite sure of how much you wanna spend, the Surly might be the perfect bike for you. Again, not sure what size the Karate Monkey will come in, but if they're making it for big boys, it'd only make sense that they do BIG sizes. The nice thing about it is that you can do SS or Gears, and it comes with a rigid fork. Nothing else out there comes rigid. I remember you saying that Suspension was wierd for you...Come to think of it, if they're making a rigid fork specifically for the KM, I'd be willing to bet that QBP will sell the fork in thier catalog to get a lower price on itfor the frames. Interesting....there may be a rigid fork option soon guys!
If you wanna go custom, I'd whole heartedly suggest Rick Hunter, he did a great job on my bike. I asked him to make it on the heavier side, able to take more abuse, with a stiffer drive train for SSing. I got exactly what I wanted.
Another builder I like to recommend is Curlto. He'll also do whatcho want, and he does it for the VERY reasonable price of about $600. No fork included in that price though.
For wheels, I'd go with tandem specific's by either DeVinci out of Colorado, or Sun puts out a Rhyno Lite in 700 with drillings from 36°, 40°, and 48°. Strong wheels shouldn't be a concern for you. I've had no troubles with my Salsa Delgado rims in 32°, and they also put out a 36° that should be lighter than tandem rims out there.
It was really good to ride with you guys up there! That trail is SOOOOOOOO good! I couldn't wipe the grin off my face as I was rdiing along. Its a great recovery from the roads of the 40. Here's the pic I took while we were resting. |
| Hey Crono, good to see you here! | Cronometro
Sep 24, 2002 9:39 AM | | Guess, who I am in the photo. |
| re: 29"er all along | Cronometro
Sep 25, 2002 7:45 PM | | Actualy the 60cm Surly XC is a little on the small side for me. I have a 120mm stem with 40deg upsweep and about 1" spaces under it to make my maise bars sit in close to the right position. If the same bike was about 3-4cm larger it would perfect for cross/single track. |
| |
