Anyone else gone to the dark side? Confession: I’ve just bought a 29er..

[sminchnz]

That’s looks like a tank! What is it?

Its a Pipedream Full Moxie - small Scottish company who seem to specialise in the slightly ridiculous.

 

[The History Man]

Its a Pipedream Full Moxie - small Scottish company who seem to specialise in the slightly ridiculous.

I must litigate.

 

[The History Man]

Had about 6 big things.

 

[ishaw]

I've been slipping slowly to the dark side. Still love my retro steeds but they are special so are reserved for sunny days and light duties.

I started with a carbon 29er I got after I was made redundant, just to see what they were like. It got me out with a mate on some 3-4 hour rides and to be honest, riding again after lots of tinkering rather than riding. I had to admit that it was a nice bike to ride, with lots of carbon and xo 10x2.

I decided to treat myself to a ti 29er frame, an was to swap the parts of the above, ended up with a full build instead of doing that. It was an even nicer ride and was my go to bike. I did pinch the carbon cranks off the other 29er, but went 1x10 xtr, crossmax and droplet (not really used it though).

Dabbled with 27.5, liked it but I found the frame I built the bike around too small.

A gravel bike then came my way and I have to say, despite being a doubter, after taking it out on a few family rides, I have to admit that it grew on me and I like the drop bar position, hydro brakes and 1x11.

Now I'm building a new 29er, but trying to get it as modern as I can, boost wheels, forks, frame, chainset, tubeless. It started out as a modest build around a planet x jack flash in zesty lime, but I've blown the budget with DVO forks, e13 carbon cranks, hope brakes and xt 1x11 (I'd like to have gone xtr but despite blowing my budget, I've reigned myself in). It's a slow burner but getting there, and is very, very green. I hope all the new fangled standards are felt when I get out on it once finished.

 

[synchronicity]

Nope. I have absolutely no interest in 29ers. Or 27.5" bikes for that matter.
I have three mtbs all 26, one 650c road bike and one 700c.

I already got fucked over with the then new 650c wheel size, then felt "safe" staying with 26" wheel bikes. Then promptly got screwed over there too. The thing that shits me is that we don't have the same choice in tyres anymore.

I've upgraded some suspension bits, which I admit are much better than they were.
Otherwise, I'm staying right where I am.

I have not even ridden the newer wheel sizes.
(I think kids riding huge wheels looks ridiculous)

 

[sparkybhp]

Thanks for taking the time @ishaw and going in to detail with your modern projects, it’s nice to hear that there is still fettling to be done with modern kit. Sounds like you just dipped your toe in to start with before sliding into modern bikes.
@synchronicity, I hear what you’re saying about larger wheeled bikes - 26” wheels seem to look ‘right’ proportionally, especially with smaller frame sizes. If you get the chance have a ride on the more modern stuff, it’s definitely different - not saying you’ll like it necessarily but there is a reason (other than to sell more bikes) that manufacturers have gone that way.. I respect your decision to stick with 26” mtb’s though, there’s enough variety to never be bored with them and if that’s what you enjoy then there’s no need to change.
Another thing I forgot to mention in my posts was that a big part of the fun of the retro stuff is indeed the acquiring of bikes and parts, and the therapeutic nature of the build.
I love finding what I consider a bargain.
I enjoy the little road trips to collect stuff, and often the sellers you meet are cool or interesting.
The quiet hours in the workshop fettling are soothing for the soul.
The support and enthusiasm on this forum are brilliant, I can spend ages reading other people’s build threads - there’s some engineering talent here too, but no one is showing off.
I’ll be sticking with the hobby for all of the reasons above and saving the retro bikes for steady enjoyable miles. I’ll report back once the new bike arrives, and when I’ve had a chance to get out and use it I’ll post updates with how things are going.
I’m stoked to see how it goes.

 

[BerthaPog]

ref sizing and “looking right” for wheel sizes.

I rode several bikes (Leisure Lakes ride day at Cannock), both 29ers and 27.5s (sometime in 2017 from memory). At time, all the 29ers I rode, I felt very much perched “on top” of a too big a bike, even though were the correct size for me (5’7”ish). Generally the 27.5s felt much more right, but there was variance even in those - the T130 felt the most connected of them all and as if the bike and I was “as one”.

Happy to accept that things have moved on and that 29ers for non-tall people work better. Still like the principle of different sized wheels for different sized people.

Will get a picture of my Whyte including my two other FS (both 26, 1995 Circuit FS and 2002 Sub5Pro) for comparison.

 

[clubby]

I rode several bikes (Leisure Lakes ride day at Cannock), both 29ers and 27.5s (sometime in 2017 from memory). At time, all the 29ers I rode, I felt very much perched “on top” of a too big a bike, even though were the correct size for me (5’7”ish).

Happy to accept that things have moved on and that 29ers for non-tall people work better. Still like the principle of different sized wheels for different sized people.

This is very much the case. In the beginning manufacturers just whacked in the bigger wheels and bodged designs to fit. Geometry has moved on a lot and the bikes are much better. That’s not to say they ride like an old 26” bike. They (and all modern bikes) require a different riding style. IMO that’s what people don’t like rather than the big wheels. A short ride just isn’t enough to adjust and the bike just feels wrong.

I’m firmly in the bigger is better camp, but I’ve never had a break from riding and always kept up with changes. Each new bike is a step rather than a jump. Still have a 26” that I’ve had since new but it’s a garage queen that only gets ridden round the village every few years when I need to move stuff around in the garage. I do love a build though, but since becoming a father I’ve lost interest in collecting stuff for the sake of it. Sold off the builds that had no sentimental value. Do love a tipsy eBay browse but would need to be something special from my formative years (90-92) and thankfully the price of those put me off.

Totally understand those that are happy with what they have, I just wish manufacturers still supported 26” better. New parts are easy to find, but quality parts are not. No one is going to waste money make new 26” molds but can’t see why they can’t use existing designs with decent compounds. Similar with forks. Can’t see any money (or need) in building a 26” Zeb or Fox 38 but I could see people buying a new SID or Pike. The least they could do is still make service kits, or provide specifications to specialists, much like they do for classic cars. OK, it’s a smaller market but I think it’s still there.

 

[synchronicity]

They abandoned us.

 

[Tootyred]

Of course they abandoned us.....built in obsolescence.....they sell more new if you cant fix the old.

This tied with most big shops offering "technicians ", most whom have never seen a 26" wheel or a cantilever and have never repaired an item in their life doesn't help.

Oh yes! Just chuck it away and have a new more flashy one.....all this in a society apparently trying to reduce waste! Jesus humans are stupid creatures.