Franken-69'er

[SVPPB]

Lately I have been really wanting a 69'er. I like the idea of the 29" up front, with a durable 26" in the rear. It really appeals to me.

Then I remembered the idea of the Specialized Epic. I have seen a bunch of them around lately as frames, and I could build it up right.

Here's my questions:
1. Do you think the geometry would be so far off this bike would no longer be fun to ride if I went to a 29"? I was thinking the Fox 32 F29.
2. Any way to run this bike as a single speed aside from using a SS tension device?

I think this is a hell of an idea, and if it worked I'd build one up for my wife too. I think she'd dig it.

[sportcult]

I think 96ers are really fun to ride, however a full suss one is a little harder to cobble together than a rigid one.
You would need to use either a 80mm Fox or White Brothers IMV since they have the shortest axle to crown (~480mm) and larger offset to keep the bike from getting too slow steering. I think the Epic is speced for a 470mm fork. The difference in axle height between the 29 and 26 wheel is about 32mm so you're left with raising the front end by around an inch (~20mm) depending on tire choice and shock sag. That's not too bad, only a degree slacker which you might like if you're used to a DH bike.
In the spring when there are more choices, you can stuff a 650b wheel in the back and it will rip!
A friend of mine rides a single speed Epic, you have to use a spring type tensioner since the chain length changes through the travel. I don't remember which one he used but it works well and looks clean.
Lastly, go used so you can afford to experiment more...

[MMcG]

I would look for a 2002-2004 Era Enduro frame and pair that up with an 80mm 29er fork.

Something like this for example:

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n60/MMcG25/enduro96er.jpg

I also experimented with a Schwinn Rocket 88 and it worked well in my opinion. I think the low stack ICBM headset helped to keep the front end down a bit and therefore the steering wasn't overly floppy.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n60/MMcG25/Rocket96er.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n60/MMcG25/Rocket96erfrontangle.jpg

regarding sportcult's idea of putting a 650b in back - might be a tight fit, but there is a guy experimenting with FS frames and what will fit and what won't fit over at www.650bpalace.blogspot.com (I think that's the link).

[sportcult]

:lighten: Better yet, how about a sweet white Santa Cruz Blur with a white Fox 29er f...

I can hook ya up...:brows:

[MMcG]

That would look pretty sweet actually! White blur, white fork.

[SVPPB]

:lighten: Better yet, how about a sweet white Santa Cruz Blur with a white Fox 29er f...

I can hook ya up...:brows:

Well let's see it!

[MMcG]

Well let's see it!

Here She Be:

http://www.ridemonkey.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=9948&cat=24