What to buy??? 29 SS
I am kind of down to the short list of Redline and Haro. Kind of obviously, looking at the non-boutique completes, with a firm fork. The Haro is way cool, but the Redline is sold by my shop, and seems of equal. Any thoughts on these, or the others in class (Raleigh, KHS, Jamis, Kona)? Any others I missed? Kona is also at my shop. Thanks!
If you didn't build the trail, don't mess with it.
The Haro is a nicer ride than the basic RL IMHO - discs, etc.. The Jamis looks cool but if I were picking between the Jamis and the Kona I'd lean towards the Kona. A buddy of mine has last years version and likes it a lot. The kona is a dedacci steel I believe. Supposed to be fairly light and very stiff, but then again so is the Reynolds the Jamis is comprised of. Assuming your shop deals with QBP you might be able to put together a Salsa fairly cheap by getting creative on the build kit. Either way try to ride a few before pulling the trigger.
If I were to do it all over again, I would have gotten the Kona Unit 29er. I know somebody who just got the MC Flight and he loves it. I have boutique bike, a QBall, rigged ss and rigid and I love it. So much in fact, that I am a complete SS convert. Next bike I am working on will be a ss 69er.
If you are not getting Kona, get the Haro Mary.
I'm leaning towards getting the "higher end" Redline Flight-that Japanese sanko steel tubing is supposed to be great stuff and it comes with discs et al. But-the Raleigh XXIX also comes well stocked and is 120.00 cheaper msrp (750 vs. mid 800).
Honestly, Steve-you should buy the flight from your local loyal shop (Is it Gravity Warehhouse?) who gives you unparalleled deals (right??) all these bikes RL, KONA, JAMIS RAleigh, KHS-are pretty much the same (how many flavors of Bargain steel SS can you really get anyway!!!).
What a winter for riding-
PM me for skiing, dude.
Liamm
Well, my friend, in this world there are two types of men, those with loaded guns, and those who dig. So Dig!
Does anybody ride with Mary bars, or do they just get swapped out? They look real cool, but are they feasible to ride in the woods with?
Liam, Sent you a PM.
If you didn't build the trail, don't mess with it.
i'm looking at the kona unit 2-9 right now too. i understand the frame got an upgrade from last year - supposed to be stronger...
-t
Originally Posted by TheHare
you are joking right?
If you have a set, and want to get rid of them let me know
-dan
armonfire@gmail.com
They Look pretty wild, and I was very suspect of them, since I Love a nice 28" wide bar with rise & sweep...
They came with the SS 29er bike I have, and I'm definitely gonna keep 'em on it now, IMO they really compliment a rigid fork/SS format nicely...
FWIW I wouldn't ever run them on the bike I ride 'nam or do shuttles with...
"Everyone I know in bicycling is at least a little bit crazy, present company included." Sheldon Brown
semass
Three different designs exist for EBB's.
1. Split shell with pinch bolts (sounds like what you have on your tandem Hare)
2. Set screws thread through the shell and set the insert in place.
3. 'Bushnell type' eccentrics have an expanding wedge, kinda like an old quill stem.
I have a bike with the set screw type, and initially had some difficulties, but after figuring the thing out, I've had no problems of late.
My feeling is set screw type seems to be the best (of the ECC's) b/c to me it's the simplest. IMO, Pinch bolts can stretch or snap, and splitting the shell just doesn't seem like a good idea anyways, and I've heard that expanding wedges are prone to noisiness.
I've always wondered if you could use an expanding type (Bushnell) in concert with set screws...
That said...currently whether it's horiz drops or an EBB, there isn't any choice that's not without it's plusses and minuses...you gotta pick the devil you'd be willing to live with...
Last edited by C.P.; February 8th, 2007 at 02:23 PM.
"Everyone I know in bicycling is at least a little bit crazy, present company included." Sheldon Brown
semass
I just took the XXIX out for the weekend, (Dave's in Milton has a demo--take it out!...)and for the money, ($750.)you can't beat it! No it doesnt have all (any)boutique parts on it, and it's not a custom frame, (but sure has some sexy chain/seatstays.....Not a rigid or ss convert by any stretch, I did feel fairly comfortable that the bike went where I pointed it, and FAST!
I think the geared/front suspension version would be even more fun.
--mie owe too.
SC
If you worried about falling off the bike, you'd never get on.--Lance Armstrong
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email:SteveC@semassnemba.org
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