9er Full Suspension?

[Matt McD.]

Funds allowing I'm trying to get a new rig by winter / spring '08 and I'm leaning pretty hard to the 9er side of the force. Currently I'm riding an 8 year old GT i-drive and in dire need of a bigger/ better bike. (I'm 6'2ish, 240lbs, I was a bit shorter and lighter when i got the GT) So far I've only found Ellsworth and Niner as the only manufacturer's that make a decent 9er FS but their designs are relatively new. So get a tried and true 26 FS and wait a year or two for the designs to get hammered out or bite the bullet? Opinions?

Thanks,
Matt a.k.a. brew boy

[TiRyder]

Have you thought about the Turner Sultan? 100mm travel FS 29er - Awesome bike, I have one and love it.

There are several other 29er FS bikes out there. For starters, you can also check out the MTBR 29er FS shootout. They reviewed 8 bikes, including the two you mention. It was done in January and there are even more bikes available now, including Specialized, a trek FS 69er, and many others.

Shootout here: http://www.mtbr.com/spotlight/29er/

I would also wait for a few weeks to saee what pops up after interbike at the end of the month. You will definitely be able to find the right bike for yourself by late winter/early spring

[Matt McD.]

sweet, thanks for the link

[smdubovsky]

Funds allowing I'm trying to get a new rig by winter / spring '08 and I'm leaning pretty hard to the 9er side of the force. Currently I'm riding an 8 year old GT i-drive and in dire need of a bigger/ better bike. (I'm 6'2ish, 240lbs, I was a bit shorter and lighter when i got the GT) So far I've only found Ellsworth and Niner as the only manufacturer's that make a decent 9er FS but their designs are relatively new. So get a tried and true 26 FS and wait a year or two for the designs to get hammered out or bite the bullet? Opinions?

Thanks,
Matt a.k.a. brew boy

Matt, PM me your email - I've got a spreadsheet of info;) Im building one this winter and have been doing lots of research. Ive got all the parts except the frame, fork, and seattube (since those go hand in hand).

Other FS manufacturers you didn't list: Specialized, Turner, Lenz, KHS, GT, Ventana, GF, Astrix, Voodoo, ... ;) More manuf/models will likely be announced @ interbike next week.

SMD

[DaveG]

Have you thought about the Turner Sultan? 100mm travel FS 29er - Awesome bike, I have one and love it.

There are several other 29er FS bikes out there. For starters, you can also check out the MTBR 29er FS shootout. They reviewed 8 bikes, including the two you mention. It was done in January and there are even more bikes available now, including Specialized, a trek FS 69er, and many others.

Shootout here: http://www.mtbr.com/spotlight/29er/

I would also wait for a few weeks to saee what pops up after interbike at the end of the month. You will definitely be able to find the right bike for yourself by late winter/early spring

Of course if I mention again that I love my Sultan and it's the best bike I've ever ridden a certain someone (cough Jabber cough) might get on my case.

I've been hearing a lot of good ride reports for the new Specialized 29er as well. I'd also look @ Lenz (been doing it longer than anybody) and Niner. I _might_ ride an Ellsworth if someone gave it to me, but then again I might not.

Dave

[jabberwocky]

Of course if I mention again that I love my Sultan and it's the best bike I've ever ridden a certain someone (cough Jabber cough) might get on my case.Ha ha. :) I've gotta admit, that Sultan of yours is one of the sharpest looking bikes I've ever seen. I guess you don't miss the 5-Spot then?

[DaveG]

Ha ha. :) I've gotta admit, that Sultan of yours is one of the sharpest looking bikes I've ever seen. I guess you don't miss the 5-Spot then?


High speed rough stuff was easier on my 5-spot; especially w/ the Pike on the front. Of course that's comparing it to the Sultan w/ a 3" Reba and skinny little race tires. I'm getting some burlier tires and a fox 4" front fork soon, so it will get better in that regard.

But no, I really don't miss the 5-spot that much. :)

[allroy]

Depending on what you like and where you ride, I've heard a couple people mention the bb height on the Niner RIP 9 is around the 11.75". I've never ridden a RIP 9, but that's what the bb height on my Karate Monkey was and hated it.

Interbike will unveil many more options for the 29er crowd.

[jimh]

If you are on the fence...check out Speedgoat. Those guys are super nice and really pushed Titus into the 29'er ring.

They are about 2.5 hours from Frederick, Md. ( where I live ) A nice fall day trip through the mountains to get there.

I spent some time up there and was going to pull the trigger on an Asylum but found a killer demo deal on a Titus racer X 29'er through an aquiantence.


Good luck,
JimH

[typeo]

You should check out the Asylum OCD as well. It is built in partnership with Titus and is basically the prorotype for their 29er Racer X.

Speedgoat has a deal on a 2006 frame with with fork and King headset in their closeout section.

http://www.asylumcycles.com/ocd.asp
http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=119554

[skillet999]

I've never tried one but the super fast dude who kicks butt in the Expert class (Joe Fritch?) was touting his Lenz as a great bike.

[Matt McD.]

thanks for all suggestions, a few clarifications though while i'm at it, i'm lookin for something with 4" or greater rear travel and a max of $2500 for a complete build. If it's a frame only the limits around 1500 but with some play room. The specialized ride looks freakin sweet but a bit out of my price range.

TiRyder - you don't ride at schaefer by any chance do you? I've been reading some mixed reviews about the sultan, if you'd be willing, think i could take a short spin on it and make my own opinion?

[Dirt]

Ventana and Lenz Sport also make some very nice 29er FS frames.

Pete

PS: Don't forget Gary Fisher. He invented the 29er. ;)