What 29er (frame and forks)

[Cheeky Monkey]

I hesitate to ask this but then decided everyone loves a good "what bike thread" every once in a while.

I'm waiting for Dialled Bikes to launch their Prince Albert 29r but it's not out until Xmas (and I imagine it could be even later, ultimately). There's not a lot of rational thought behind that choice other than I have liked every one of the bikes of MIke's that I've ever owned / ridden and assuming this will be the same.

In the meantime I'd like to lash together a 29r for fun and sun this summer. It's not a bikepacking bike but will get used for some so would like it to work for that as well as "normal" riding. Thinking of rigid forks as that seems to be something that suits bikepacking well (or so some have said and I'd like to try for myself) and they logically seem to work better with bigger wheels.

What would folks recommend in the lower price bracket or secondhand to look for as something to stick toghether in the near future? Only looking for frame and forks.

Have considered; Maxlight FF29 + carbon forks (not "cheap"), Swift (not as pricey and like my Gryphon), On Ones (Scandal or a Whippet - cheaper, depending on sales etc).

Any ideas or suggestions welcome, ta.

[Bearbonesnorm]

IMO for value for money a Scandal's pretty hard to beat. Saying that, when I built up a new bike for guiding duties I chose another 29er Inbred rather than a Scandal but I do like steel frames

[BRP]

You could buy my complete Merida for £300 and sell what you don't need? :D

[Cheeky Monkey]

IMO for value for money a Scandal's pretty hard to beat. Saying that, when I built up a new bike for guiding duties I chose another 29er Inbred rather than a Scandal but I do like steel frames

I like Ti frames but I figured that would be a bit extravagant I am also a big steel fan which is one of the things that nagged at me although I really liked the look and sound of the FF29.

BRP - I get the logic but I already have way too much gear in my garage, hence only after a F+F. 10 out of 10 for effort though

[gairym]

Cotic 'Solaris' - I love mine!

[TheBrownDog]

Ritchey P29er? Not sure I could live with the colour scheme and not cheap. Singular Swift? Never ridden one but said to be great and pretty good value for around £400.

[Ian]

Pace RC129 possibly worth a look

[gairym]

Pace RC129 possibly worth a look

my dream bike!

[Mart]

Swift would get my vote, but then I'm biased... Love mine :)

[Cheeky Monkey]

Pace RC129 possibly worth a look

Crikey, way to go over budget Nice looking though. They do a discount for the club but daren't contact Adrian in case I get bikelust madness

[Ian]

Lol, You said "Any ideas or suggestions welcome, ta"

You didn't specify a budget

[Cheeky Monkey]

Oi!

What would folks recommend in the lower price bracket or secondhand to look for as something to stick toghether in the near future? Only looking for frame and forks.

[Ian]

So you start looking for a secondhand Pace RC129, no?

[InspiredRamblings]

Surly Ogre.....???

Around £450 for frame and forks here.

(I'm currently torn between buying an Ogre or a Troll - was going to create a thread on that at some point but as it risks turning into a 'what bike is best' thread, I may leave it for a little while...

[zigrat]

Cotic Solaris.
Really enjoying mine, would go so far as to say it's the best 29er I've ridden yet and I've been through a few ( fisher paragon, scandals x 2, singular swift, Sir9, Merida big nine carbon etc...) It isn't soft though - much better with a carbon seat post. Climbs really well, vaguely exciting on the twisty stuff and encourages really stupid speed on the downs - what's not to love ? £500 for the frame and 270 for a reba rlt with taper and 15mm axle from winstanleys if they've any left.

[Cheeky Monkey]

What did you reckon to the Scandals as have a chance of not a bad deal on one?

[AlasdairMc]

El Mariachi? £300 for the frame, £100 for a carbon fork.

[johnnystorm]

Ignoring anything you've said about only wanting a F&F you should buy that gorgeous looking Swift with Alfine gears that's in the classifieds*



*Subliminal advertising. :!:

[darbeze]

I have plumped for a Genesis Fortitude...

Should be getting cheaper as I understand they are stopping them this model year....

[Cheeky Monkey]

Ignoring anything you've said about only wanting a F&F you should buy that gorgeous looking Swift with Alfine gears that's in the classifieds*



*Subliminal advertising. :!:

Sadly the wrong size. Plus I've already got an Alfine waiting for the right frame. Buying another would just seem greedy

[zigrat]

Regarding scandals; I really liked mine when I had them and thought they were ace, however having ridden more 29ers now with more relaxed front ends (69/70 degrees vs 71) I think they're a bit twitchy especially if you run them with a 46mm offset fork. The newer geometry tends to be more stable at speed.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Interesting. Picked up a lightly used secondhand one (V2) with 120mm Recons and a slackset for 325. Will have to see how it fares.

[Teetosugars]

I'd be buying that Surly Krampus over there on STW if it was me...

[zigrat]

Sounds good - mine were both the 1st version on 100mm forks.