Entry Level 29er...

[Snot-Rocket]

I was sniffing around for a geared MTB because hauling my 4-year old on a tag-a-long just didn't seem as controlled and safe on a SS per my inadequate level of fitness. I've bought into 29ers full blown, dumped all 26er stuff minus that required to maintain my spousal units ride. I didn't want to spend tons of cash, but was surprised of the lack of 29er MTBs w/ entry level price points.

AFTER assessing that I have enough parts to build another bike, minus inner tubes and some other misc stuff (wheels) - I ordered a Karate Monkey frameset to build up in order to achieve my goals. I was looking at the GF Cobia- but figure I could spend just a bit more then a Cobia, but get a custom, tailored ride. So outlined a plan of action, lobbied for budget and am in execution...

Today, I get this Mail Order Catalog from REI and learn that Marin has a entry level price point MTB, the Alpine Trail 29er (http://www.rei.com/product/762209). This ride is $629.00 this is awesome- a geared, entry level 29er! If I knew about this- I'd have seriously mulled this over...granted, I'm more excited that this platform exists to give new riders an option for entry level participation. I have two guys at work looking to buy an MTB who are greater then 6' - and I'm all about pushing 29ers due to the intrinsic value to tall folks, but outlining a $1K+ bike as a point of entry just doesn't go over well w/ them. So this is a great option to be out there.

[macdaid]

Tom,

The Marin looks sweet!
It's almost affordable on my anemic bike budget. I'd snap it up if I had the cash.

Other alt. you might look at; SG posted up about Spokes, Etc having a Raliegh 29er in stock for a great price, but I think it was an SS. Haven't been able to find her post. You may want to PM her...

Dave



Marin has a entry level price point MTB, the Alpine Trail 29er (http://www.rei.com/product/762209). This ride is $629.00 this is awesome- a geared, entry level 29er!

[Squirrel Girl]

Tom,

The Marin looks sweet!
It's almost affordable on my anemic bike budget. I'd snap it up if I had the cash.

Other alt. you might look at; SG posted up about Spokes, Etc having a Raliegh 29er in stock for a great price, but I think it was an SS. Haven't been able to find her post. You may want to PM her...

DaveYep, that's right. Spokes can special order a Raleigh SS 29er for a scant $500. With Avid disc brakes at that! However, the Spokes in Ashburn has a medium on the showroom floor. Woo hoo!

[BikerMiker]

REALLY nice frame and disc setup for $800-ish.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=34097

Just saying...

mike

[eloach]

I have had good luck with my steel ZION frame, although it's an older 26er. I think the new 29er version is going for $179. After that, the Karate Monkey does come to mind as well as the Redline that goes both ways.

For a fairly nice wheel set, QBP (The Bike Lane) carries Salsa Delgado Race Rims with dtSwiss spokes and the dtSwiss 240 hub made by Quality Wheel House for a decent price (which means less than you might get the parts for).

IMO, unfortunately, unless your bike is a rigid SS, quality will really be lacking if you pay less than $1000 for the entire bike. The exception would be a used bike or a bike that's been reduced by 40% or more for off year. With the 29er market, this seems to be doubly true.

Something about a Dart fork on a 29er scares me. :eek:

[eloach]

REALLY nice frame and disc setup for $800-ish.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=34097

Just saying...

mike

Now, what about that Dart fork? ;)

[BikerMiker]

Oh, you guys have ridden that fork and don't like it?

mike

[jabberwocky]

Now, what about that Dart fork? ;)Going by Manitous past low-end forks its probably pretty mediocre, but to be fair its not like you are gonna get an amazing fork on a 26er hardtail for 800 dollars.

[Snot-Rocket]

I'm just grooving on the total package pricing of say the Marin, Specialized and even the Cobia and Cannondale's entry level priced geared 29ers.

I think back to my 1992 Giant Sedona- there is no way in hell you'd get me to ride the trails I rode in NY on that bike today, knowing what I know now; but that bike worked just fine. I'm sure this Marin/Specialized aren't as well equipped as the $1K price point offerings- but you have to consider how far along bike manufacturing has come. I'm sure any stock, major brand bike at any price point, properly assembled is one helacious product. May not be the lightest, but a great valued machine.


Per the Marin...it is cheap, but REI, one of my most favorite stores in the world, provides amazing service.

Rah,

Tom

[DaveG]

Going by Manitous past low-end forks its probably pretty mediocre, but to be fair its not like you are gonna get an amazing fork on a 26er hardtail for 800 dollars.

I'd guess that it's pretty darn sweet for a cheap fork.

[jabberwocky]

I'd guess that it's pretty darn sweet for a cheap fork.Oops. Go go reading comprehension. Thats a bit better, I'd rather have a rockshox than a manitou.

Honestly, you can probably count the 29ers available with front forks costing less than a thousand bucks on one hand, so you can't get too picky. I'd personally try to get something with a Reba on it, but thats gonna cost a lot more.

My only complaint with the Specialized would be the super low-end drivetrain (Alivio/Acera 8-speed). The fact that its 8-speed means you need to replace the entire drivetrain when you want something nicer.

[ernie]

If I recall correctly, the way REI's sales typically work is that the current 20% off coupon for members doesn't apply to bikes, GPS's, Oakleys, etc; however, they'll launch a 20% off sale on bikes in another couple of months or so. That'd leave the Marin somewhere pretty close to $500, which'd be a big bargain for someone in the market for such a beast.

Per the earlier poster's mention of the Zion, I think Jenson's running both the geared and SS 29er frames for $145. Very good deal.

[eloach]

Oh, you guys have ridden that fork and don't like it?

mike

It's brand new. IMO, rigid is safer than a crappy s-fork and making cheap forks only lowers public opinion of your brand. RS should leave that to others.

Yes, this is just my rancid, uninformed opinion. Let's see how the Dart plays out for RS. Maybe it will turn out to be a great fork for the money. One thing in it's favor is that Specialized was willing to use it. They don't usually do stupid things and they do make very good bikes.

[eloach]

If I recall correctly, the way REI's sales typically work is that the current 20% off coupon for members doesn't apply to bikes, GPS's, Oakleys, etc; however, they'll launch a 20% off sale on bikes in another couple of months or so. That'd leave the Marin somewhere pretty close to $500, which'd be a big bargain for someone in the market for such a beast.

Per the earlier poster's mention of the Zion, I think Jenson's running both the geared and SS 29er frames for $145. Very good deal.

Yeah, it's so cheap it makes me want to go to MTBR and see if there are problems with the newer ones. The one I bought used has certainly done a great job for me.

[halfinch]

i like the looks of marin's new hydroformed tubes over the other oddities they've put out in past years.. the triangular tubing is as bad as square headlights on a jeep.

i second zion. decent steel frames if you want to build and not buy complete. a marin at 20% off is worth the dart fork. imho -as we're speaking in terms of entry level products for new/frugal riders.

[silly_yak]

If you have an old 26r, you can get these and run 29r and 26r rims...

http://paulcomp.com/

the motoBMX ones.

[punga]

If you have an old 26r, you can get these and run 29r and 26r rims...

http://paulcomp.com/

the motoBMX ones.
You'd have serious frame clearance issues with those. 700c is not the same as 29er wheels. 700c wheels will be the same diameter with tires as 26", just a lower profile tire on a wider diameter rim.

Not only that, but even if you fit them in the frame/fork, you'll change the geometry and handling drastically.

p!

[silly_yak]

You'd have serious frame clearance issues with those. 700c is not the same as 29er wheels. 700c wheels will be the same diameter with tires as 26", just a lower profile tire on a wider diameter rim.

Not only that, but even if you fit them in the frame/fork, you'll change the geometry and handling drastically.

p!

Damn, I hate it when I have to deal with smart people.:mad:

It would shorten the wheelbase a bit, but since the front and rear would be lifted about the same, would the geometry be thrown off that much?

Gregg

[anomaly]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom29pro_08.htm
Motobecane Fantom Pro 29er
Tora 318, XT RD, LX shifters...