Mountain Bikes

[garrett]

Mr. Red,

If you have a little cash to spend, check out my good friends shop. If any of you are old enough to remember some of the first boutique shops back in the day not long after the Marin Co. folks were bombing down fire roads, then you know Grove Innovation bikes. Founded by Bill Grove of Centre Hall, PA. They became well known for their mono-skis later. My buddy John now builds his own gourmet stuff. Nothing fancy, but very nicely built frames.

Have a looksee. http://hubcapcycles.com/

 

[mjbrox]

MJBROX,

What size rip 9 are you on? I'm on a xl rip @ 6'3". I'm right on the border but think the L would have been the way to go.


As far as the OP question. The actual size bike 29er is the only size bike I'll ride anymore. Little people ride them, big people ect. The bike feels right for my size and goes over stuff easier. I'll never buy or ride another 26". As far as niner the brand, I love my rip 9. Bike begs to go down hills and climbs like a goat. I got a spin on the east coast niner rep's air 9 carbon and its stupid fast. Like a road bike acceleration, but I thought it was fragile. He assured me he beat the hell out of it.

I race a motobecane fantom pro 29sl that I have a grand in. I have beat the piss out of the bike and handed many a 5k snob elitest their asses. If your just itching to get on 29" wheels I would highly recommend bikesdirect.com. More bike for the money. You might piss your local lbs off if you need service that you can't do.

mine is an XL and I would not have it anyother way.

 

[sven]

Buy a used MTB. SOOO many people buy the best bike and then never ride them. Take advantage of that.

 

[bigred]

Buy a used MTB. SOOO many people buy the best bike and then never ride them. Take advantage of that.

You make a great point, Sven. Who here wants to cut me a sweet, sweet deal on a Niner?

 

[mulisha00]

What size? I've got a '10 xl rip 9 in raw. Fox f29 fresh from fox. Pushed rear shock. XO carbon shifters, xo rear derail, xtr front, magura marta sl carbon brakes, fsa carbon team issue cranks, chris king hubs in blue and stans rims, maxxis ardents, thomson stem and seat post, carbon fsa bars, and some other high dollar crap I'm missing. $3500. It's about a $5500-6000 build.

 

[bigred]

What size? I've got a '10 xl rip 9 in raw. Fox f29 fresh from fox. Pushed rear shock. XO carbon shifters, xo rear derail, xtr front, magura marta sl carbon brakes, fsa carbon team issue cranks, chris king hubs in blue and stans rims, maxxis ardents, thomson stem and seat post, carbon fsa bars, and some other high dollar crap I'm missing. $3500. It's about a $5500-6000 build.

I'm 6'2", so does that probably make me a L?

 

[pschuler]

Depends on the length of your torso, arms and legs. Try to ride both and see what feels better. I'm 6'5 and ride a Trek Remedy 9 that is an XL.

 

[mjbrox]

What size? I've got a '10 xl rip 9 in raw. Fox f29 fresh from fox. Pushed rear shock. XO carbon shifters, xo rear derail, xtr front, magura marta sl carbon brakes, fsa carbon team issue cranks, chris king hubs in blue and stans rims, maxxis ardents, thomson stem and seat post, carbon fsa bars, and some other high dollar crap I'm missing. $3500. It's about a $5500-6000 build.

that is a good deal. I would jump on it.

 

[mjbrox]

What size? I've got a '10 xl rip 9 in raw. Fox f29 fresh from fox. Pushed rear shock. XO carbon shifters, xo rear derail, xtr front, magura marta sl carbon brakes, fsa carbon team issue cranks, chris king hubs in blue and stans rims, maxxis ardents, thomson stem and seat post, carbon fsa bars, and some other high dollar crap I'm missing. $3500. It's about a $5500-6000 build.

that is a good deal. I would jump on it.

 

[mjbrox]

What size? I've got a '10 xl rip 9 in raw. Fox f29 fresh from fox. Pushed rear shock. XO carbon shifters, xo rear derail, xtr front, magura marta sl carbon brakes, fsa carbon team issue cranks, chris king hubs in blue and stans rims, maxxis ardents, thomson stem and seat post, carbon fsa bars, and some other high dollar crap I'm missing. $3500. It's about a $5500-6000 build.

that is a good deal. I would jump on it.

 

[mulisha00]

I'm 6'2", so does that probably make me a L?

Yeah I would say 6'2" if your proportional would be a large on a niner. I would ride both though. Blackwater bike shop in Lynchburg had a niner ride day back in the summer. Got to ride a bunch of different bikes that day. I would check with them and see when that's gonna happen again.

I think on the niner website you can look at dealers and see what demo bikes they stock.
If you wanna ride my bike, I'm in Danville.

And just a FYI for everyone as you know Will's shop is in Danville, but we have some really nice trails within 15 minutes of his shop. I'm always down to ride and if your in town grabbing parts, bring your bike and I'll show you around. We have around 29 miles of trails now.



And since the thread title is mountain bikes do any of you guys ever get on

chainlove.com mtb
bonktown.com road
steepandcheep.com camping & hiking

gearscan.com will allow you to track all the sites and view all the past listings.

I've scored more stuff of those sites as there all owned by the same place and only need one account. New deal every 30 minute or so. Been a ton of pelican cases on steepandcheep lately. Beware don't blame me when you get hooked. I've got an app on my droid that alerts me when something is listed.

 

[nosivad_bor]

so what bike did bigred end up with?

 

[bigred]

so what bike did bigred end up with?

I didn't. Shortly after this, I ended up having ankle surgery. I'm back to hunting for a bike now. What's the best source for a deal? Craigslist? Something else? I would rather not buy something new from the bike shop if I can get more bike for my money elsewhere.

 

[Jake]

Personally. I'd try to find s decent Klein and upgrade what you want to. But I am an old fuck and stuck in my ways. No suspension bikes for me.

 

[mulisha00]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mountain_bikes.htm

The prices include shipping.

 

[bigred]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mountain_bikes.htm

The prices include shipping.

Thanks! Did you ever unload your Niner?

 

[Devildog01]

I've got a Klien Mantra comp I'd part with.It's a classic and in excellent shape.

 

[bigred]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mountain_bikes.htm

The prices include shipping.

Is that all no name brand bikes or can you get a frame that you would have heard of there too?

 

[mjbrox]

Personally. I'd try to find s decent Klein and upgrade what you want to. But I am an old fuck and stuck in my ways. No suspension bikes for me.

The evolutionary jump in technology of MTBikes since Kein made bikes is so dramatic that dealing with that old crap is not worth it.

Geometry of frames - They had so much wrong in the 90's. Bike climb faster and handle much better now
Components - Hydrolic Disk Brakes are so fucking amazing compared to rim brakes I dont even know where to start. Gears are now run as 2x10 giving you nice range of gears that shift confidently even under load
Front Suspension - In the 90's forks basically had rubber bands for suspension. Now they are fully adjustable air/oil shocks
Rear Suspension - It used to be that suspension was just for jumps and crazy downhill stuff. Now rear suspension even makes climbing more efficient and fun
29ers!!! - Wheels are no longer 26 inches. They are 29 inches and if you think it is hype, then you have not rode a 29er.

There are other advantages, but I will stop for now

 

[jefhuf]

I didn't. Shortly after this, I ended up having ankle surgery. I'm back to hunting for a bike now. What's the best source for a deal? Craigslist? Something else? I would rather not buy something new from the bike shop if I can get more bike for my money elsewhere.

I would check local shops for demo bikes which they usually unload for pretty good prices. Also check out pink bike.com