|   Ventana Pantera complete bike photos | CTRider
Nov 27, 2002 6:37 AM | | I'm growing more and more interested in the Ventana Pantera, but the Ventana website doesn't feature any photos of a complete bike (unless I haven't looked hard enough).
Does anyone have any photos of their Panteras that they'd be willing to post and describe the build up to me via email or to the forum?
Thanks!! |
| There's at least one on Larry's website ... | dogbert
Nov 27, 2002 7:26 AM | | www.mtnhighcyclery.com
From reading some of your previous posts, you've already been in contact with him. Go to the Pictures section and look for "Customer Bikes". There's a complete Pantera there.
I'm sure I've seen others posted here so you might want to check the archives. Maybe the #2 Ventana-phile, ciclistagonzo, can provide you some pics. (I still consider Shylock the #1 Ventana kool-aid drinker, mixed with gin, of course.!) |
| Here's a couple I've found | Rob in NH
Nov 27, 2002 7:28 AM | | Apologies to anyone that I may have 'borrowed' these from.. |
| And #2 | Rob in NH
Nov 27, 2002 7:29 AM | | Peace,
Rob |
| And #2 | CTRider
Nov 27, 2002 8:45 AM | | Thanks Rob!
BTW, did you check out the Nthdegree frames?
Have you narrowed your choices down at all? |
| Yeah, actually... | Rob in NH
Nov 27, 2002 10:06 AM | | ... I just checked out the site a few minutes ago. Pretty impressive for a fairly new company, however I'm the type of guy who likes to have the tried-and-true designs that have already shown themselves to be quality. I am definately going to keep an eye on them though, very solid looking platforms they seem to be running with.
As far as my search, I haven't narrowed it down really too much, except to say that it will definately be a Heckler, Loco-Moto, or Pantera at this point. Right now, I'm putting all the geometry specs together (yeah, at work lol) for a comparison to my old R-X frame. Then I need to start learning more about what the pivot location differences are between the three and how it affects things.
I'm an engineer, so this stuff is pretty fun to me anyways :-) How's your search going? It's probably a good thing theres more then one of us here researching the same genre of frames... makes it easier to compare and learn.
Peace,
Rob |
| Hey Rob, are you the Nemba Rob? | esquire
Nov 27, 2002 10:16 AM | | Adair? |
| Not this guy, but I am a member... | Rob in NH
Nov 27, 2002 12:11 PM | | .. got me a nifty NEMBA t-shirt too :)
Peace,
Rob |
| Very nice, me too, perhaps I'm thinking of | esquire
Nov 27, 2002 12:16 PM | | the VT chapter president.
Good organization, we should get a Maine/NH ride/trailbuild going sometime next summer. |
| Very nice, me too, perhaps I'm thinking of | CTRider
Nov 27, 2002 12:26 PM | | I'm a NEMBA member as well. CT-Chapter....great organization! |
| Yeah, actually... | CTRider
Nov 27, 2002 10:21 AM | | My search is going slow. I'm indecisive by nature and going the route of a Ventana or SC or other High-end brand would be a huge step for me $$-wise.
I wish we could have the ability to test ride more brands here on the east coast. It's easy to find a SC here on the East Coast, but Titus dealers are few and far between and Ventana dealers are pretty much non-existant.
Do you think I should wait and save up for the high end rig, or should I go with a mainstream FS Rig and then save up for the "boutique" bike later?
I'm torn between the two options.
But that Pantera sure does look sweet! I have short legs 30" inseam and a longer torso, so I like the extra standover height offered by the Pantera.
Decisions Decisions! |
| CTrider.... | makalu
Nov 27, 2002 11:07 AM | | By your handle, I assume your in Connecticut right?
If so, I know a shop that carries Rocky Mountian, if your interested. |
| CTrider.... | CTRider
Nov 27, 2002 12:39 PM | | Makalu,
I am in Connecticut....Northeastern CT near UCONN. There are several RM dealers nearby....also several Kona and Jamis dealers. But few boutique bike dealers nearby other than Vernon Cycle which carries Santa Cruz and Intense frames/bikes.
No Ventana or Titus dealers that I'm aware of.
I plan to ride a lot of different bikes to see what fits and feels the best and I most likely will have to go with a bike below the pricepoint of a SC or Titus or Ventana (Jamis, Kona, Marin....something along those lines). But hey one can hope right! :)
Where are you located? Let me know if you find an '03 Jamis anywhere soon. |
| As a non-engineer | makalu
Nov 27, 2002 11:12 AM | | I am very dumb when it comes to all these angles, measurements, etc
I am wondering, exactly how are you determining what size tubes you want, and at what angles?
Obviously real world riding can answer part of those questions, but at some point, I am going to have to do some analysing of numbers I assume |
| Yeah, actually... | Russ
Nov 27, 2002 1:12 PM | | Rob,
I've just gone through your "struggle" myself (Pantera vs. Heckler) I ended up choosing the Pantera and I've just ordered it from Larry at Mt. High Cyclery.
I'm also in the same boat as you with no Venatna dealers in the area, so it's a bit of a leap of faith. I'm pretty sure I've made the right buying decision and Larry's a great guy to do business with.
My current FSR Pro is a great race bike, but at 6'3" @ 230 lbs I'm no racer boy so I decided a few months ago that a bullet proof single pivot trail bike would be my next purchase. By the way......I took the plunge and got the red frame (same as the El Chamuco That Larry posted pics of) Can't wait to get it!!!
Good luck,
Russ |
| here 's one | Hammerheadbikes
Nov 27, 2002 11:12 AM | | we have built up a few Panteras, and they guys are loving them
nice bike, like all Ventanas, extremely well built, _stiff_ and tough with good handling..
http://www.hammerheadbikes.com/images/pantera1(3).jpg
Charles
Hammerhead |
| here 's one | CTRider
Nov 27, 2002 1:51 PM | | Thanks! And thanks to the others who posted pictures.
The Pantera looks bombproof! Really sharp!
What is the height of the bottom bracket? Would it be a great choice for rooty, rocky trails like we have here in CT? I rode Soapstone Mountain here in CT (perfectly describes the place!) on my Nail Trail and beat the crap out of my pedals and crank arms hitting rock after rock trying to maneuver my hardtail in and around them....meanwhile everyone else was riding right over the stuff on the Squishy rigs!!
Not sure if I can go the Pantera route due to finances though.
Charles, care to recommend any frames or complete bikes at a lower price point that offer great bang for the buck as a FS "Trailbike?" |
| Wanna try a HH100x? | Jisch
Nov 27, 2002 5:29 PM | | CTRider - jeez I must be "board" today...
If you want to try out my HH100x, you're more than welcomed. I'd gladly meet you up at Soapstone (I usually ride from Hopkins Road). I'm about 6' with 35" inseam, 160lbs.. and Hammerhead is a great place to buy a bike from...
John |
| Wanna try a HH100x? | CTRider
Nov 27, 2002 8:30 PM | | Thanks for the generous offer. Your inseam is 5" taller than mine so I bet your frame would be way too big...plus I don't think you'd really want me to ride your beautiful rig at Soapstone. I crashed a bunch of times when I last rode there!
It would be cool to ride with you though to see the bike and how you have it spec'd out and to learn more about dealing with Charles, who seems like a great guy. As does Larry (aka Ventanarama).
Hope you can join Bonee and me when he comes back east in December as well.
Cheers!
Mark in Mansfield |
| I'll be there... | Jisch
Nov 28, 2002 2:30 PM | | Yeah, I'm looking forward to that. Hope that either we get another 5-6" of snow so I can back country ski or it all melts so we can ride...
John |
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