|   First time 29er in need of some serious advice... | dæmon
Oct 11, 2002 4:32 PM | | Hey all. First let me say I'm 6'9 300lbs. I have been looking for a bike for quite some time that is large enough to fit a guy my size. Naturally, when I saw the Fisher Zebrano standing tall above all other bikes in the store, I jumped all over it. Never had I seen a non-custom bike over 23" and here was this 25"! It was a must buy.
So, now as you can see, everything but the frame pretty well stinks on this puppy. The way I figure it, I really spend $350 on a frame. I need to build around it and get it XC worthy, but am totally new to the 29" world. Where would you start? My observations thus far have been: the fork it terrible, not even worth talking about (I think I want to go rigid, any thoughts/suggestions/brands?), I've already blown the drivetrain and it now needs replacing (good stuff strong enough to support me?) the tires are scary thin (recommend a good general purpose larger tire?) and the rims look like they are a curb away from becoming a taco, seat/seatpost... please. Brakes were rediculous so I put on Avid Ti's and am very happy with the change.
Weight is not a concern, budget is. All advice is more than welcome here. I cant wait to get on my new huge 29er and ride for hours! |
| re: First time 29er in need of some serious advice... | Cloxxki
Oct 12, 2002 12:56 AM | | Euhm, before I start, is that bike a true 29" bike, in the largest size? I mean, will it clear the 2.1" tires? We'd have to dig into the bikes geometry to see what fork would be best.
Supposing the frame is really good for a guy your size, please let us know your budget to build it up, super-clyde proof. There are quite some 29" parts that are reasonably affordable for their strength. The lack of a weight limit is good, makes it easier to figure out a good setup for you.
Is the frame, apart from being high, also long enough for you? What stemsize do you expect to need to get a good riding position on it? Thomson stems are almost must-haves for clydes like yourself, and well worth the buck, they go up to 140mm.
Is the seatpost holding up? What size is it, and what would be best for you? A $10 cheapo post sometimes is very strng due to the high amount of material used.
Let's get you your XC-worthy niner! |
| Fisher calls that bike a city/path bike | dredd
Oct 12, 2002 2:12 AM | | it does have 700c wheels, but there is not enough room for bigger
tires. Also the top tube is only 23.3, short. This bike is for
riding around the block, not for offroad use. |
| check out the new Surly 'Karate Monkey' | Hollywood
Oct 12, 2002 4:42 PM | | http://www.surlybikes.com
(KM not on their site yet, check Interbike photos board)
strong
steel
29"
rigid
disc brakes
reasonably priced
comes singlespeed but can be converted to gears. Maybe build a 1x8?
give 'em a call.
Jeff |
| re: First time 29er -go b ig | John Voss
Oct 12, 2002 7:43 PM | | hi, if you want to do some serious mountain biking, I think you should think about a custom frame. Any standard frame will be so small as to give you constant back pain. Many builders will build you a custom frame from anywhere fro 700-1100, and then you can spec it out as your budget allows. I would go sturdy LX/downhill stuff. I would also talk to white brothers about a custom sprung shock to handle your weight. I'm 6"4', went custom and don't regret it for a minute.... |
| re: First time 29er in need of some serious advice... | Bighoops
Oct 13, 2002 3:18 AM | | How commited are you to cycling? If you truly want a xc worthy bike for a guy your size, see your LBS and buy a bike thats intended for off road use. Your bike was intended for a casual roll down a country lane. Your frames geometry is set up for an upright relaxed riding position. This postion does not add to your bikes off road handling. An upright position makes it hard to climb and almost impossible to get the front wheel to bite in the corner.I have tried in the past to take an entry level bike and "upgrade" into something I really want. But in the end I have something I like to call Frankenbike. Frankenbike will cost you twice as much as if I would have bought the bike I really wanted in the first place.If your budget allows and you are willing to take the plunge, give the guys at Sycip, Rock lobster, Independant Fabricators, Vicous Cycles, Willits, Retrotec, Surly or any of the 29" frame builders a call tell them who you are what you like to ride,and they will be happy to help you. If you are determoned to make your frame work, keep the drivetrain simple. Lower end shimano stuff (alivio,deore) work very well, and you can find them at a reasonable cost. As for a rigid fork, a correct one will cost as much as you paid for your bike, and the correct one for your frames geometry probably does not exist.
All is not lost however because you ride a bike. Remember life is like bikes and some people dont have bikes.
Bighoops |
| re: First time 29er in need of some serious advice... | dæmon
Oct 13, 2002 9:36 AM | | You all make some wonderful points. The more I think about it, the more sure I am this is not something I want to build around. The geometery just isnt there.
So lets for a moment talk custom: a custom 29er or 26er? If strength is what I'm after, isnt a 26er perhaps a better choice? Also, what do I give up if I do not go 29? I realize this is a more general question than we started with, but we are talking about a lot of money and I want to be sure I'm getting what is best for me. Again consider my size and the fact this will be a single track bike (no drops bigger than a foot or so) that I'd also like to climb with.
Thanks again all. |
| big wheels for big boys=perfect toys | Bighoops
Oct 13, 2002 11:01 AM | | You wont regret a 29" bike. Dont worry about strength, check the post out below about 26" vs 29". I typically ride 100 miles a week with half on firebreaks/singletrack and half on the road. The 29" works perfect for me. I have a set of Mavic T519 wheels built on xt hubs with Avid mech discs with Wilderness Trail Bike Mutano raptors for my off road adventures and the same setup with some Continental Top touring tires for when I feel the need for some on road speed. Since I used disc's I don't need to adjust anything I just throw on my road wheels. My local bike shop conjured up a cassette that would work with my two biggest chainrings. When I am feeling good I can actually catch roadies and then drop them on the hills. Love the look on their face. They usally catch me on the downhill(I hate areodynamics and spandex).
During my ride this morning I was thinking about your situation and you might want to find a Gary Fisher dealer and try one of their new XL 29" hardtails. A Paragon or Mt. Tam. Remember you can always upgrade the shock kits for a clydsdale like you.
Hope this helps;
Bighoops |
| don't worry about being big on a 29" wheel | John Voss
Oct 14, 2002 5:18 AM | | You, plus all your gear is still 25%-30% less than what a typical tandem wheel must hold. While a 26" wheel will be inheritently (sp) stiffer than a 29" (really a 700c) wheel. Building one up as a 36, 40 or even (gasp) a 48 spoke should make your new 29er, freakin indistructable. For what its worth, I'm 205 and I run a salsa delgado cyclocross rim to a xtr hub with 36 spokes. No problems so far. |
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