|   Do the custom frame builders know what they do??? | phatlizard
Jun 12, 2003 6:09 AM | | All of a sudden most frame builders offer a 29er-Version of their current bike.
Most of the time with an attitude that lets me doubt if they are really serious about it.
My question now is: how much do they know about the specific geometry of the 29er!
Talking to Cloxxki some I know that it is not all that easy to come up with a geometry that works! For sure not as easy as just blowing up a 26er-geometry ... !
So how do I find out if a certain framebuilder knows what he is doing?
Thanks! |
| re: Do the custom frame builders know what they do??? | Cloxxki
Jun 12, 2003 6:45 AM | | Don't listen to me, I make everything sound more complicated.
Bobbi29 ordered a custom 29" bike from Duratec in the Czech REpublic. They'd never even heard of 29", but accepted the order as clear drawings were supplied. They didn't design, just cut, weld and paint.
The bike was tot the mm exactly as specified, so you could say they know what they're doing (with aluminum at least). But don't ask them to just put a 29" design together for a rider of a given length, I'd be surprised to see them get it right first try.
No need to select builders on their 29" knowledge. As long as you supply crystal clear drawings, anyone that can do 26" will be able to do 29".
Should they want to try and change a few things to a stock 26" frame to get big wheels to fit, you know they're just messing around cluelessly. |
| yes Cloxxki you make my life more complicated ... ;) | phatlizard
Jun 12, 2003 7:31 AM | | But I am happy to know that you are out there!
Here is what I am after ... well one of the many ideas I have in my mind - and that is changing daily!
Retrotec |
| That's kinda what I did for mine... | martini
Jun 12, 2003 6:50 AM | | that is, blow up 26" geometry. And it works fantastic. I certainly helps that the bike I modeled it after rode damned sweetly(a WTB Pheonix). I used all the same angles, but just extended the stays a tad to accomodate teh rear wheel. I've got no toe over lap issues on the front. The TT is long enough for me(though it could be a tad longer and I'd be fine iwth it). Stand over is ideal. My next ride(Matt Chester MuTinyman hopefully!) will be a near copy of my Hunter.
marty |
| re: Do the custom frame builders know what they do??? | xxlt
Jun 12, 2003 6:52 AM | | I can't speak for others, but I can recommend Bernie Mikkelsen. He built mine, and did the prototypes for Ox Brand's 29"ers. He loves to talk, but when its your frame he's talking about how can ya mind?
If you live anywhere close to him (Alameda, CA) you can also visit his shop and ride his "700c" fitting bike. This thing has more adjustments than I thought possible. He'll use to to dial in your exact fit preference. So basically, you get to ride your 29"er before he builds it.
My Mikkelsen before she was fully built and before the 190mm cranks. Bernie built the fork for me also. |
| Some do their homework... | ERoman
Jun 12, 2003 8:07 AM | | The whole "blow it up" isn't the right approach. Those kids at Independent Fabrication have tried a few different things and I get to test'em as one of their "team guinea pigs"...not the end consumer who should get a solid frame designed and true. What the builders should look at is the ride characteristics they want and work it from that angle. Just making a bigger frame isn't going to cut it. You have to deal with trail, BB drop/height, top tube length, tubing choices, and who is going to be riding the bike. From what I gathered from Matt, the bike was a test of their custom geometry in the 29" frame. It rides much like a 26" framed bike by them with the advantages of the bigger wheels. They figured out how things would translate and then tested... It is like anything else, there are different paths to a similar destination. The 29" bikes should be approached as a whole new design, it is different than 26" and just modifying the current frames won't yield a bike worthy of the time and expense. |
| Buy a litespeed, I'll give you the drawings although they still | Skateparks
Jun 12, 2003 10:58 AM | | have all of mine. amazing bike.
".jpg) " |
| Price tag for the frame says..???? (nm) | phatlizard
Jun 12, 2003 11:20 AM | | |
| Price tag for the frame says..???? (nm) | Skateparks
Jun 12, 2003 12:31 PM | | Depending on your connections and options, I would say $1200 to $2000. Here were my additional charges
- custom charge $250
- Huge 6/4 downtube
- machining Kitsuma 6/4 top tube
- eccentric $200 (?)
- 6 sided seat tube
I don't remember what each of these little additions cost, but it would have been around $1900 at FULL RETAIL, you figure it from there.
Email me for more details,
-tom |
| Lizzie, send me your email address. | Skateparks
Jun 12, 2003 12:35 PM | | |
| if only I had yours - but mine is inside this ... | phatlizard
Jun 12, 2003 1:35 PM | | phaty at gbbc dot de |
| if only I had yours - but mine is inside this ... | Cloxxki
Jun 12, 2003 1:42 PM | | No way in Europe. Custom charge is 375 to start with, over a 2400 Lookout as a base. Nothing under 3000 is realistic, my research as a Litespeed rep told me. Especially if it involved 6/4. A Tanasi in 6/4 is 3800 off the shelve. Waiting starts after 4 months. |
| don't be so negative, clox !!! LOL | Skateparks
Jun 12, 2003 2:17 PM | | |
| The dutch are born with this handicap! (nm) | phatlizard
Jun 12, 2003 2:46 PM | | |
| The dutch are born with this handicap! (nm) | Socrates1969
Jun 15, 2003 4:28 AM | | Being a Dutch myself... I TOTALLY dis.... aeghhh, ok, i agree with it. We ARE born with it, but we like to call it realistic :-) |
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