Black Buck

[hitekrdnk]

93770

Scroll down to info on this blog. http://blackmountaincycles.blogspot.com/

While limited in scope due to one frame size only at this time this looks like a very clean bike from a very reputable source.

[martini]

**** - for five bills, that's a great deal, especailly something with that much heritage. Like Mike says, there are a number of really nice touches on it. Just wish the stays did curve quite so much. Or that the TT curved a bit to match the stays. But thats really a minor quibble.

[MMcG]

Not bad for $500 at all - I wonder why only one size though? Guitar Ted told me about these a few months ago. I wonder if more offerings will appear down the road a bit?

[ssmike]

One size for now because that size takes up the majority of the theoretical "bell curve" for rider size. However, Mark is working on a smaller and larger size. It's likely the smaller size would be available first unless there is big demand for folks wanting the bigger size first.

[MMcG]

Thanks for the information Mike - and welcome to Ridemonkey.com!

Hope you'll stick around and spend some time here. We could benefit from your insights here in the 29er forum.

Cheers,

Mark

[el-cid]

So, did they all sell through? Slates website says that there was only 100 in the first run and they were expected October 2007. I need yet another bike (let alone a SS) like a hole in the head but that happens to be pretty close to the numbers of my custom Strong... No mention where/by who the frames are built, do you know Mike? Congrats on the progression of the shop, too.

[ssmike]

So, did they all sell through? Slates website says that there was only 100 in the first run and they were expected October 2007. I need yet another bike (let alone a SS) like a hole in the head but that happens to be pretty close to the numbers of my custom Strong... No mention where/by who the frames are built, do you know Mike? Congrats on the progression of the shop, too.

Sell through - no. They actually arrived at the end of November so they all have that new bike smell.

The frames were built by Maxway in Taiwan. The go-to-shop for steel frames in Taiwan.

Thanks, Mark. I'll try to hang out here a bit more, time permitting, of course. And thanks, el-cid.

[Guitar Ted]

Looks like I'll be getting all friendly like with a Blackbuck soon. Stay tuned............

[MMcG]

Takin the plunge eh GT - nice!

[Guitar Ted]

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=93926&d=1201475399

Got it in and built up. I had to use the old parts spec off my '05 Inbred. Used the fork off it too, for now.

I'll use it as is for a baseline on the handling, (it should be close to how the Inbred steered) and then I'll pop the Blackbuck fork on it. I'll also test it with a Reba and an RST M-29 fork.

Weight as is was right at 25lbs ready to ride.

There will be clipless pedals and a Salsa CroMoto stem and 17 degree carbon bar installed on the bike at a later date. (Probably mid February)

Sorry! No ride report worth mentioning yet. It's still winter and all the trails are socked in right now.

[ssmike]

Wow, it's like the 90's all over again - in a good way! Looking forward to further reports.

[Guitar Ted]

Ha ha! Yes, I love anodized goodies. I had quite the collection of stuff and as you can see, some of it is on this build.

Another industry friend told me ano is on the way back, to just sit tight for new goodies. I hope he's right. Black and silver are not all that exciting or fun, ya know?

Viva La Colors!

[MMcG]

I feel for the Inbred that got stripped of it's parts. :(

Once trails get rideable - let us know how that thing rides. I saw one of those carbon Inbred forks on Saturday at my LBS - pretty sweet. It was on a SIR 9 that was decked out with a ton of WTB goodies - I guess the owner bought the bike from a WTB rep or something.

[Guitar Ted]

The frame and original steel fork are going to a co-worker that has an XXIX he is going to swap the parts over to. It'll be trail-able soon enough and be getting ridden quite a bit.

Can't say what is going on with the Raleigh though!

[MMcG]

Glad to hear the Inbred is "staying within the family" so to speak.

I miss mine from time to time.

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

[Hup]

That is a cool looking bike. I love the purple parts and curved back end. Nice.

J

[MMcG]

Saw this old Giant in the classifieds and it made me wonder - was this inspiration for the Black Buck??

http://www.ridemonkey.com/classifieds/watermark.php?filepath=3/large/DSCF00101.JPG&file=11337

[hitekrdnk]

Doubt it.

[Guitar Ted]

Took out the Blackbuck on a little urban excursion that included a bit of frozen grass/dirt, curb hopping, and general shenanigans.

I have read comments by Mark Slate himself that claimed the curved seat stays were not done for a more "vertcally compliant" ride, but this bike is soooo smooth! I really am liking the way it feels over the bumpy tracks I have had it on so far.

The steering and feel of the front end is so much like my old Inbred set up, I could close my eyes and think I was on the same bike! Fortunately, I didn't close my eyes! The On One Carbon Superlight fork has much to do with this, me thinks.

I am going to get a slightly shorter stem and new bars for this ride to really dial in the fit, but it is a really nice riding SS and I am stoked to have it here. Can't wait for better weather!

I've gotten two more King base plates so fork swappage is also going to be done. I'll be doing A/B/C tests on the same trail to get a handle on how the forks make a difference.

That'll be a bit. We're still frozen over here yet!

[alixta]

gTed, wondering if you could help me decide if the blackbuck frame will fit me.

I currently ride & enjoy my large Avanti KISS (http://www.avantibikes.com/single-speed/kiss-29.aspx?bid=74) aka Raleigh XXIX but am keen to switch over to the Blackbuck.

Do you think the 9.5mm shorter ETT lenght on the Blackbuck will be noticeable? I currently switch between a 90 & 60mm stem on the KISS depending on my mood so am thinking it should be OK. For what it's worth I am 6" tall, no idea about standover height though :-)

Any comments appreciated.

Cheers
Alistair

[Guitar Ted]

gTed, wondering if you could help me decide if the blackbuck frame will fit me.

I currently ride & enjoy my large Avanti KISS (http://www.avantibikes.com/single-speed/kiss-29.aspx?bid=74) aka Raleigh XXIX but am keen to switch over to the Blackbuck.

Do you think the 9.5mm shorter ETT lenght on the Blackbuck will be noticeable? I currently switch between a 90 & 60mm stem on the KISS depending on my mood so am thinking it should be OK. For what it's worth I am 6" tall, no idea about standover height though :-)

Any comments appreciated.

Cheers
Alistair

Hey, I think you'll fit fine. I'm 6'1" with a 34" inseam and I feel it fits fine. I normally run a 100mm stem on it with a suspension corrected rigid fork. Tons of standover, plenty of room to stretch out, and it handles fantastically.

It's one of my favorite bikes right now. Highly recommended.

[WestRider7]

Ha ha! Yes, I love anodized goodies. I had quite the collection of stuff and as you can see, some of it is on this build.

Another industry friend told me ano is on the way back, to just sit tight for new goodies. I hope he's right. Black and silver are not all that exciting or fun, ya know?

Viva La Colors!

Ano is on it's way back, my shop just built an Ibis Mojo SL with ano Dw links, Crank bros wheels and headset spacers, all blue and a perfect match with the dials on his fox suspension, it is pretty rad.

[alixta]

It's one of my favorite bikes right now. Highly recommended.

That's all I need to hear, time to place my order :-)

Thanks heaps for the info.

Cheers
Alistair