Finally bought one!

[TheHare]

Well, after way too much deliberation (but it filled my winter with good thoughts), I went with the Raleigh XXIX. It is sitting pretty in the living room, until the trails melt and dry out. Came down to the main deciding factor being the non-suspension corrected frame/fork. Can't wait to get out on-er. If you are undecided yourself, test rides are available. Drop me a line and we could go for a ride.

[MMcG]

Congratulations!!!!!

[bdee]

Nice, those are really cool looking. The one I've pedaled around the LBS is nice.

[YakFish]

photos

[TheHare]

Camera on poor quality mode... Any pointers?

[C.P.]

I gotta say, that's a sweet bike for the price! It looks basically similar in spec to the Haro Mary, but less the mary bar...good fun awaits you :)

[mdc]

I love the sculpted look of the seat stays. Nice looking rig....

[MMcG]

Enjoy it to the fullest!

[SteveC]

I too like that sexy XXIX rear end....but most espexially those nice little allen 'teets' underside the BB......That's a nice ride. Only lacking two things. Gears and suspension. But Raleigh's got that covered, in an economical sorta way.....
SC

[TheHare]

To add to the appeal... The downtube is subtly ovalized. With the color, and sticker location, it is a little difficult to notice.

And a question: The cross member connecting the two seat-stays, near the seat collar, has FOUR BREATHER holes in it (look close in the pic). Three on the tire side and one on the seat-tube side. Can I go ahead and fill those with shoe-goop, or are they functional at all? I thought they were just for welding pruposes.


MUD, MUD, GO AWAY!!!

[SteveC]

I'd seal em up quick. After shooting all the weep holes I could find with FrameSaver. They're only for welding purposes.

[bikerdom]

If it's steel I wouldn't seal them. I would treat it with FrameSaver though. Frame builders I've asked said it's a no-no to plug those holes because it allows condensation/moisture to escape. Condensation forms from temp changes and chances are the bottom bracket shell has holes where the chain stays are. After a wash or water crossing the insides of BB shell will get wet and those holes allow it drain.

[TheHare]

Been out for a couple of rides on the bike now... Really liking it! Handles very well. Only complaint is the "flop" (as I call it) of the big when you turn sharp at slower speeds. With the big wheels it feels like you can turn too-far sooner and it just wants to "flop" past that spot, more than my smaller wheeled bikes. Anybody have a clue of what I'm talking about? :confused: That is the only thing though. It accelerates better than the geared 29s I have ridden and rolls over stuff real-nice :cool: ... The steel is a bunch more cushy than the aluminum I have been riding. Definitely a fine ride!!!!

[Muddawg]

I plan on getting a single speed but haven't found any cost on a good brand. Im not picky but could anyone give me a rough idea of a price? I'm 15 and my dad wont buy me another bike.)=

[leebo]

Is it a steel frame? If so did you use frame saver? I used it on my Surly 1x1 , recomendo for the steel. I think Dirt Rag had a review last issue on the Raleigh. Please give an update after logging some miles. What is the gear ratio?

[TheHare]

Is it a steel frame? If so did you use frame saver? What is the gear ratio?

Yes.
Yes.
32x20 - Seems pretty good. A little easier than the 32x18 on the 26", but I think I like it. Rather pedal up, than walk any day... :cool:

[Jisch]

I plan on getting a single speed but haven't found any cost on a good brand. Im not picky but could anyone give me a rough idea of a price? I'm 15 and my dad wont buy me another bike.)=

Price point had an On One SS on sale for around $700. Vee brakes though.

John

[ArmOnFire]

Yes.
Yes.
32x20 - Seems pretty good. A little easier than the 32x18 on the 26", but I think I like it. Rather pedal up, than walk any day... :cool:

32x20 with 29" wheels = 46.6 gear inches
32x18 with 26" wheels = 46.1 gear inches
:D
I like the 32x20 on my 29er! Seems to be good everywhere.

-Dan

[Muddawg]

I found a Novara at REI for $650 with Disc breaks
theres the link vvvv if anyone could or would check it out and tell me if its a good bike.
http://www.rei.com/product/745582

[TheHare]

32x20 with 29" wheels = 46.6 gear inches
32x18 with 26" wheels = 46.1 gear inches
:D
I like the 32x20 on my 29er! Seems to be good everywhere.

-Dan

Maybe it's a 32x17 on the little bike :confused: I switched around a couple times last year and don't know where I left it.

[bdee]

REI's bikes have a decent reputation. That's not a bad bike for the $$ - just keep an eye on those Truvativ GXP cranks (See my earlier post in Shop Talk) - they can be a pain, but once you loctite them they seem to stay put.

I'd recommend checking out the Redline Monocog for less than $500. Ebay some Avid discs for under $100 and you'll be all set for ~ 600 or less. If you go for a Redline be sure to ask lots of questions about the stock headset, the older ones were crap and a decent LBS should swap it out at the time of sale. The newer ones should be fine.

There's always the used market - look for Surly (1x1), Spot, Bianchi etc... good deals are out there.

[Superb Man]

Been out for a couple of rides on the bike now... Really liking it! Handles very well. Only complaint is the "flop" (as I call it) of the big when you turn sharp at slower speeds. With the big wheels it feels like you can turn too-far sooner and it just wants to "flop" past that spot, more than my smaller wheeled bikes. Anybody have a clue of what I'm talking about? :confused: That is the only thing though. It accelerates better than the geared 29s I have ridden and rolls over stuff real-nice :cool: ... The steel is a bunch more cushy than the aluminum I have been riding. Definitely a fine ride!!!!

Hey Man,

I put in a long ride on a geared Niner at Wendell/ M&M--I too noticed the flop (and also thought it was the only apparent downside to the bike). Slow Speed, slightly uphill, very turny, very rocky terrain--the bike suddenly seemed down right unwieldy!

It was a geared Sir 9--I really liked it (though I must admit I'm not a Hard Tailer--as that's the first one I've ridden for that distance---ever, Hard to Believe, Huh?).

Are you riding the Raleigh Stock?

[TheHare]

Are you riding the Raleigh Stock?

Only changed tires, pedals and saddle.

Bought the Med/18". I am 5'8" and within a half inch of the seat post upper limit. I have short legs 29" inseam and a slightly longer than normal torso. Bike fits me great, though. I usually put longer stems on my bikes, but do not feel the need on this one.

[MMcG]

Hey Man,

I put in a long ride on a geared Niner at Wendell/ M&M--I too noticed the flop (and also thought it was the only apparent downside to the bike). Slow Speed, slightly uphill, very turny, very rocky terrain--the bike suddenly seemed down right unwieldy!

It was a geared Sir 9--I really liked it (though I must admit I'm not a Hard Tailer--as that's the first one I've ridden for that distance---ever, Hard to Believe, Huh?).

Are you riding the Raleigh Stock?

Part of that feel "floppiness" may be due to the fork on the bike. Did the Niner have a Reba on it? The offset on the REba is really designed for 26" wheels rather than 29ers.

I have an On One Inbred right now with an Inbred fork with a 47mm offset vs. 38 on Rebas and many other rigid forks - and My Inbred feels as nimble if not more nimble than any other bike I've ridden.

Just a thought on why you might have experienced that unwieldy feeling on the Niner.

IN 2007 and 2008 we'll be seeing forks from Fox and Manitou that will have a friendlier offset for 29ers so it'll be interesting to see how these new forks make 29ers handle in the tight twisty stuff.

Cheers,

Mark
Mark

[Superb Man]

Part of that feel "floppiness" may be due to the fork on the bike. Did the Niner have a Reba on it? The offset on the REba is really designed for 26" wheels rather than 29ers.

I have an On One Inbred right now with an Inbred fork with a 47mm offset vs. 38 on Rebas and many other rigid forks - and My Inbred feels as nimble if not more nimble than any other bike I've ridden.

Just a thought on why you might have experienced that unwieldy feeling on the Niner.

IN 2007 and 2008 we'll be seeing forks from Fox and Manitou that will have a friendlier offset for 29ers so it'll be interesting to see how these new forks make 29ers handle in the tight twisty stuff.

Cheers,

Mark
Mark


Yeah-now that you mention it-I was fairly unhappy with the reba (which I found odd as I really love that fork on 26ers). It lacked that precision and stiffness I'm used to.

I will say-I was reallly Happy with the huge Nevegals (2.2) on the bike-That's a fine tire in the 29er configuration.