IRO Model 19 - opinions?

[brian_brox]

www.irocycle.com has the Model 19 built on sale for $600. To you SS rigid 29er folks - is this a frame I can keep alive and upgrade?

I'm interested in it because:
-the price is right
-I'm 6'4" and the 22" frame has a huge 25.85 TT
-I'm not sure about rigid, but this will hold 2.5 tires to take the edge off.

Am I missing something, or should I jump on this?

[mjbrox]

Am I missing something, or should I jump on this?


yes, you are to fat and slow for a Single Speed

[Vecsus]

Looks like a pretty decent deal. Very basic but at $600 that is not surprising. A big from tire will help a LITTLE but you are still gonna feel the abuse.

[brian_brox]

Looks like a pretty decent deal. Very basic but at $600 that is not surprising. A big from tire will help a LITTLE but you are still gonna feel the abuse.if i hate it, i can add a suspension fork - I just want to make sure I'm not buying a frame that I will need to upgrade right away.

[walsh]

if i hate it, i can add a suspension fork - I just want to make sure I'm not buying a frame that I will need to upgrade right away.

Make sure the geometry is suspension-corrected if you're really thinking about going that route. From the photos, it appears to be, but you should check the axle-to-crown measurement on the fork.

The EBB on a bike of that quality might be a pretty cheesy. The one on my Raleigh XXIX functioned acceptably, but still annoyed me with its weight, tendency to slip, and feeble set screws. Fortunately, at 68x55mm, it is compatible with Niner bottom brackets, and I replaced it with the new Biocentric EBB. That was a prerequisite to comitting to a headset/wheels/brake upgrade.

I have to say, after doing the same thing you're about to do (getting a bargain basement SS, and then rebuilding a year down the road), that you don't save much in the long term. there are some pretty sweet stock Fishers and Niners out there - probably the route I would have taken, in retrospect.