|   Fork & Wheel Q's... | Big Bird
Jan 5, 2004 10:32 AM | | I'm going to build a custom steel 29" SS w/ EBB, but I'm not sure about a few parts...
1) Fork: White Brothers BW .8/1.0 vs. Marzocchi Marathon SL?
2) Rims: Velocity Dyad (or whatever their 29" rim is called) vs. Alex TD17? (or another brand?)
3) Rear Hub: Chris King SS Disc vs. Paul WORD Disc?
4) Stem: Race Face Deus vs. Thomson Elite
Last question...for technical East Coast cross-country riding, which is better 80mm or 100mm? I'd go 100mm without thinking twice if it weren't for the fact that this bike will be a singlespeed (i.e. lots of out-of-the-saddle climbing).
THANKS!
Big Bird |
| marz marathon | ncj01
Jan 5, 2004 11:02 AM | | There is a used Marz Bomber on ebay right now (not mine). here is that link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3650425614&category=36135
I'm a little confused about people (such as above seller) who say they have a Marathon, but the fork actually says "Bomber" on the side of it. I know a Marathon isn't a Bomber, but is a Bomber a Marathon? What is the difference? I don't know....weight?
I have a brand new Marathon 29er fork that actually says Marathon SL on the side of it, which is new un-used condtion, which I plan to list sometime next week (need to take pic's first). It's the bright yellow color. I will also post in classifieds at that time.
should you have an interest, my email is ncj01@uark.edu |
| re: marz marathon | ncj01
Jan 5, 2004 11:49 AM | | got to feeling guilty about the above spam, so paid for an ad in classifieds:
http://marketplace.consumerreview.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl?db=MtbReview&website=MtbReview&language=&session_key=3ff9bd502af1abd5&search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=65156&results_format=long&query=retrieval&exact_match=on |
| most marz. forks say... | donkey
Jan 5, 2004 12:35 PM | | bomber on them. I have a 29er marathon sl and a 29er mx pro and they both say bomber on the side. It probably just depends on who was stickering the fork the day that it left, because marz. is that unorganized(you'd be surprised)!
Soo, in answer to the question, all marz. forks are bombers! |
| re: Fork & Wheel Q's... | Winky
Jan 5, 2004 12:49 PM | | 1) Go w/ the Zoke, I like mine (a 26er mxc). They are solid and dependable.
3) PAUL WORD, they are really well made, easily servicable (no proprietary (sp?) tolls to repair like w/ the Kings). I love my Pauls and I know from experience that they have outstanding customer service. Plus they are less $$.
4) I haven't ridden the RF, but I do have a Thomson, it's nice, it looks great plus it is light and stiff.
Good Luck with the build, be sure to post pics.
Winky |
| re: Fork & Wheel Q's... | donkey
Jan 5, 2004 1:04 PM | | I would go with a marz marathon, but not their lower end forks, too heavy. Also, the white bros forks are pretty sweet, you might still find a deal on a cx-1. I would get a rigid if I were you, save some money and some weight!
SS hubs, king, king, king, king! For several reasons.
1. don't have to deal with a crappy freewheel
2. easy to work on, no proprietary tools necessary.
3. super quick engagement.
4. very easy to change rear cogs, much easier than changing a freewheel.
5. will last forever
6. they come in mango.
On the stem, I would get the bike and see which size fits better. As far as the stem goes, I would buy cranks from a crank company, and stems from a stem company:) |
| Fork | Mike C
Jan 5, 2004 2:04 PM | | The Marz forks are a bit heavier than the WB's, but the biggest difference is in lateral rigidity. The Marzocchi's have smooth suspension action, but they flex laterally like it's a new sport. If you're a bigger rider (175lbs or more) or if you'll be using a front disc brake, or if the trails you're riding are very technical, I'd strongly recommend the WB BW1.0. You can adjust it between 80 and 100mm to suit your riding style and preferences.
I like the Paul hubs because they are simple and light, but it's hard to argue with the durability, weight, and modularity of the CK hubs if price is no object. I'd suggest a third option--the DT Swiss 240s single speed hub. Similar in price to the King, but a touch lighter, can be easily rebuilt with NO tools (but very rarely needs to be). It's a no-brainer for me.
Good luck.
MC |
| agree with you.... | donkey
Jan 5, 2004 2:14 PM | | on all the fork stuff, and also on the DT hub.
But, what are they thinking only offering that hub in the centerlock disc attachment? bizarre.... |
| I think that... | Mike C
Jan 5, 2004 8:48 PM | | their thought was that it's crazy to stock several different configurations of such a niche item, so they offered it with the most versatile--the center lock. It comes with a cap that fits over the center lock splines--it's really a nice fit and difficult to tell that there are splines beneath it. Looks sharp. Perhaps if the hubs sell really well they'll offer other options, but I wouldn't hold my breath...
MC |
| white bros | n8ofire
Jan 5, 2004 8:04 PM | | I have owned both Marathon and BW.8. The WB is by far the better fork, in performance, construction and weight. Not to mention, the customer service is far better (trust me, I talk to these companies regularly out of my shop.)
Hubs, you can't go wrong with any of your choices, but I'd lean towards King or Hugi. |
| My opinions | chuckc71
Jan 6, 2004 3:29 AM | | 1. I'm going with the WB .8. I've heard nothing but good about the fork vs grumblings about both the 29er and 26er version of the Marathon.
2.I think there are several good rims including both of the ones you mention. I can't comment on these myself. I built my wheels with Bontrager Mustang Assym Disc only front and rear. I'm happy, but they are not built like a DTSwiss rim.
3. Again, have no personal input about those hubs. That's what mtbr.com reviews are for. If it works good for a regular mtb, it will be fine for a 29er. I run a WTB Lazer Disc Lite hub in the rear and have been very happy.
4. I've run both stems and I can say I can't tell a bit of difference between them. Go with whichever you can get for cheaper, the right length or you think looks good. |
| on the bandwagon... | sslos
Jan 6, 2004 9:04 AM | | 1) bw.8/1.0- no question. i've done a lot of research, and rebuilt my share of both wb and marz. forks, and my money is going to wb. mike c summed it up very well. for my needs (24 hr. and 100m. racing, i weigh ~175-180lbs.) the .8 seems custom made for me.
2)i run the dyads. i've had good experience building them for customers' tandems, and also for bigboy cyclocross. i also had tire blowout problems, and the rim (not to blame) was none the worse for wear after bouncing on the rocks a bit with a dead tire!
3)if you can stand the king "buzzzzzzzzzz" they're great hubs. me? that sound drives me nuts! i'd second (or third?) the dt hugi 240ss as a very viable option. i like the splined rotor interface- it just makes sense to me, and shimano's adherance to it will make sure there's rotors out there for a while.
4)i've seen a lot of bolt breakage on the thompson stems, and the wedge doesn't make any sense to me. i definitely suggest the race face.
as i have yet to ride my 29" bike with front suspension, i'm not
i sure,
but the wheel size does go over stuff better, so i'd think the 80mm will be sufficient. out here in sandy eggo, i have ridden rocky technical stuff just as fast (if not faster) than a lot of full-squishy 26" riding guys. in fact, the only reason i'm doing front suspension at all is that my crunchy, wrench-turning wrists get sore after a while. 'cause i'm a nancy-boy. :-P
the los |
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