bcd pushing the DH limits - but what about a long travel trail bike 29er??

[MMcG]

bcd is doing some cool stuff with his Inedible, but what about a long travel hardtail or FS 29er - not much going on there right now.

Is it because of fork manufacturers not producing the product, or frame makers not taking that risk yet or a combination of both..........or do you just not need all that travel with the big wheels?

Discuss.

[moff_quigley]

As someone that is curious about the whole 29 "thing" I would say it is a combination of forks and frames. Fork makers seem very cautious about entering the market ie Fox. It wouldn't make sense for a frame mfg. to put out a frame for which you can't get an adequate fork.

I'm pretty excited about Niner Bikes RIP 9. Only thing about that frame though one's still limited on fork choice. I don't care for RS, White seems mediocre at best and the Mav DUC needs better damping, IMO.

I almost picked up a rigid 29 SS, which seems to be niche for 29 right now.

Tires mfgs are starting to see the light which is encouraging.

[Cash-Money]

i was thinking a steel hardtail frame, designed around the WB 130mm fork would be killer. Big wheels, classic travel.

[ito]

Lenz Sport Leviathan has been around for a while.

I think the big problem right now is lack of longer travel forks for those bikes. Also, ride height on a hardtail with a 6 inch travel fork and 29er wheel would be a bit nuts. The fit on that bike would be tough.

Personally I don't see the need for a 29er long travel FS bike. However I bought my 29er because I wanted to smooth out the ride of a rigid bike. For big guys who want a full travel trail bike it makes sense, but at 5'7 and riding fully rigid I don't fall into that category.

Personally the only FS 29er I rode I hated, however a lotof people love them. I would like to see a Gary Fisher Cake 29er.

The Ito

[MMcG]

Lenzsport has the BEhemoth at 5" of travel - the Leviathon is currently a 3" travel bike, but soon there will be 4" rockers for it.

I guess you could build a sturdier frame at say 4.5" of travel and have it serve as an all mountain freeride type of bike.

Sorta like the Transition Preston FR concept but with bigger wheels.

I wouldn't mind tryin a bike like that.

[ÆX]

I got a call from a frame builder friend today and he is working on a
unified SS trail/dh bike with 6''.

the pivot will be only like 4'' right above the BB @ 90 deg at 1/2 sag.
so BB movement will be minimal.

he is using long horizontal dropouts to be able ot use 29 or 26 rear.
he is sorda short so its a good idea.

should be a fun trail bike.

[MMcG]

I got a call from a frame builder friend today and he is working on a
unified SS trail/dh bike with 6''.

the pivot will be only like 4'' right above the BB @ 90 deg at 1/2 sag.
so BB movement will be minimal.

he is using long horizontal dropouts to be able ot use 29 or 26 rear.
he is sorda short so its a good idea.

should be a fun trail bike.


Who is this builder?

[Smelly]

Who is this builder?

and why is he building a unified bike when there are endless possibilities for a better suspension design?

[noname]

.........or do you just not need all that travel with the big wheels?
I have done some pretty rough rides with my fs 29er and the way it was going over some of the logs and rocks had me convinced that I just don't need any more travel than what that bike has. I imagine that the freeride/downhill set will always push the limits so the levels will always increase but for the little dh-ing I do my bike feels more than adequate.
(granted I only weigh about a buck fourty five so . . .. . .)

[ÆX]

Who is this builder?

dave salinas in albuquerque

he doesn't have a site yet.

dab bikes is his name.

[ÆX]

and why is he building a unified bike when there are endless possibilities for a better suspension design?

its going ot be SS, so a unified is a great simple design.

if you put the pivot above the bb your weight hangs down

when you stand and it becomes softer when standing.
It's like a idrive. neutral unified. NOT locked out like old
designs were.

[NoLongerGumby]

The astrix monk looks good but it's getting a good fork up front at a decent price and the tire selection that are the problems.
Still as N8 said it's only a matter of time.

I did hear and post on mtbr about a sighted race style proto by specalized.. carbon front/alloy rear/4 pivot /possibly 4" of travel.
Not much response to my post, perhaps it was wrong to mention it, jinx factor and all...

Not what I want but if it starts the Specalized and Fox combo rolling I am all for it. I would like a fox 36 talas in a 29er version.

[MMcG]

I have done some pretty rough rides with my fs 29er and the way it was going over some of the logs and rocks had me convinced that I just don't need any more travel than what that bike has. I imagine that the freeride/downhill set will always push the limits so the levels will always increase but for the little dh-ing I do my bike feels more than adequate.
(granted I only weigh about a buck fourty five so . . .. . .)

What is your FS bike??

[noname]

What is your FS bike??
http://www.fisherbikes.com/images/bikes2006/bikes_medium/sugar293.jpg
2005 Fisher Sugar 293 slightly modified from the one pictured.
Flack Jacket cables and 8 inch front rotor.
I flog the living piss out of this bike, I honestly think it takes more abuse than my bmx and my 26'' dirtjumper/urban bike.

[Bicyclist]

I would love to see a Specialized Enduro-esque 29er. Something w/ 6" of balanced travel that climbs well but can be shuttled, and has the right geo w/ a nice low CG.