To all you 29er's out there!

I'd say the range is pretty good 405 % gives a good enough range of gears for MTBing easy.

Just wish they'd make them more compatible with different shifters.

Agreed, one workaround I've just used for drops, on my I-9 bike, is a regular bar end. I used a Titec L bend, coz I had some, and cut it off at the bend. I then used a metal file to ream out the inner dimensions of the clamp. This wangles round the bends, up to the flats, no problem. You can then position, and orientate, as you like. I did try to find something like this ready made but couldn't. I have it pointing back towards the saddle as I find that best for shifting from drops and the flats.

Found the pic.

Looks nicely positioned to me. The real bonus with a bar end set-up though, is the fact that you can shift and brake easily. Even when wearing lobster style gloves. I would'nt be able to run the pictured set-up during winter.

I posted this Rohloff solution, on the belt-drive thread. Very neat but only one bar to chose from, and I'm now dangerously adicted to winter cycling with my midge bars. The twist shifter is another winter glove friendly solution though.

Spotted these, although havent heard much about them.

http://www.sussex.com.tw/versa.html

My favourate, but they dont do one for the 11 speed hub yet. Classic bar-end shifter desgned to work with internal hub gears.
http://jtekengineering.com/jtek_bar-end_shifter.htm

At the moment I'm stuck with twist shifter only for the I-9, here's a picture of the bar end workaround:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37729119@N08/4343769661/

should be getting the 29er back soon, alfine with rapid fire set up, on-one carbon 29er fork on way, be able to stick it all together, sorry build it up then.
gonna be slinky.

Had a chat today with Luke at Triton Cycles, about the Haro Mary. Apparently the components surprised him when he had to have a look at the rear hub.
The internals show ratchets and pawls, not just bearings and braces. A much higher quality than expected.

EDIT: Corrected Halo to Ha*r*o. Cheers mmccarthy.

Ahem, Haro Mary.

;)

Any of you guys using an EBB know how much teeth difference you can get away with without having to change the chain length? I'm currently running a 20T on the back and want to go down to a 17T, maybe lower if I can get away with it.

After much searching, reading, and weighing up, I have ordered some bits and bobs for converting the 29er to tubeless.

I had hoped to get hold of some Bonty Rythm 29er rim strips. Which are both cheap and well sized for my Velocity Blunt rims. But no one seems to stock them.

I have therefore gone for Stans nylon spoke tape, Stans 26" freeride rim strips, and Caffe latex sealant.

Came in at just under 50 notes with much shopping around (with 1Ltr of sealant).

Looking to run my 29 x 2.55 tires at around 28 PSI. Should give me about as much traction as I can hope for on rocky climbs.

^Ahh great! I'll be interested to see what you think of the Stans & Caffe Latex. I've been thinking of going a similar direction myself, but I'll wait for the summer when I have more km's under my belt.

From what I gather from reading around. The Caffe latex is not actually much better than the Stans stuff in terms of longevity (which it claims), or at puncture repair (Stans is often regarded as the best at repairing punctures though). The clincher for me was the fact that the foaming property makes the initial sealing far easier.

With fat tyres mounted on fat rims. I figured I needed all the help I could get.

I'll do a few sessions with inners first, then compare with the tubeless after. I want to be sure that I like the tyres, before getting messy, anyway.

Below is an indepth independant review. Others have said that the sealant lasts longer. The reported repairing properties vary alot (like puncture resistant tyre reviews I suppose). All report easy set-up though.
http://twentynineinches.com/2009/03/27/effetto-mariposa-caffelatex-tire-sealant-on-test/
http://twentynineinches.com/2009/04/22/effetto-mariposa-caffe-latex-update/
http://twentynineinches.com/2009/06/06/effetto-mariposa-caffelatex-mid-term-report/
http://twentynineinches.com/2009/08/04/effetto-mariposa-caffelatex-final-review/
http://twentynineinches.com/2009/08/04/effetto-mariposa-caffelatex-final-review/

Ease of initial use was my idea behind using the Caffe as well. Now I guess I can just sit back & wait until you've done all the dirty work... and passed on the knowledge;-)

Thanks for the info by the way.

Ordered the CaffeLatex from here:
http://www.freeflowbikes.com/effetto-mariposo-caffelatex-sealant-3411-p.asp

I am planning to get a El Mariachi 2007 frame to build my first SS 29er.

I am bit confused about which size to choose as I am in between the Small and the Medium.

My measurements are 5'8" tall and 32" inseam.

The ETT (Effective Top Tube) from the 26" MTB frames I have are just either 1cm up or down from El Mariachi ETT.

Nothing too extreme that cannot be corrected with a different stem / saddle positioning

In relation the Stand Over Height, the Small size gives a gap of 10cm and the Medium of less than 4cm.

I am pretty confident I will be able to fit both sizes but not sure yet which one to choose.

My main concern about getting a Small is the 5cm of difference in Seat Tube Length in relation to Medium. This may result in the seatpost having to stick out too much from seattube.

In relation to the Medium size, I am not sure whether the frame is going to feel 'too big' with just 4cm between inseam and SOH. It might also feel a bit 'unweildy' for technical tracks for my height.

The seller (I am buying it online) suggested a Small and told me that the Medium is only recommended for people taller than 5'9".

Other bike-friends who already have 29ers have pointed out that a Medium would fit me better.

So I am in a kind of frame sizing dilemma as I really do have no experience with a 29er frame geometry.

Any tips or help to choose the frame size of 29er are really appreciated -not asking to size it for me.

Regards

Geometry chart for this model here

Ordered the CaffeLatex from here:
http://www.freeflowbikes.com/effetto-mariposo-caffelatex-sealant-3411-p.asp

"When dry, Caffélatex-sealed wheels are still air-tight, but Caffélatex won't actively repair punctures."

So what does that mean in practical terms? Do you have a sealed hole, but it isn't as strong as the rubber it replaces?

The 97 Mariachi fits a bit different to most. I ride a 20" c-t with 26" wheels; I went with Salsa's quoted effective st of 20" (21.7 c-t) and it's just right. No need to go for a smaller st to improve standover with the insane bracing design on these. Niner bikes, for example, fit very differently: they seem to be designed for smaller seattube and longer seatpost with equivalent (effective) top tube length to acheive the standover. Looking at the geo charts, it seems that Salsa have gone with this approach for the current Mariachi.

Mariachis are fucking awesome!

Edd 13 I sent you a pm.

I am bit confused about which size to choose as I am in between the Small and the Medium.
My measurements are 5'8" tall and 32" inseam.

Instinctivly I'd say that the small would be better for someone of your height. But as you say your preferred ETT is between small and medium, and your inseam is long (for your height). I'd say both would fit. But that they would ride differently. Ultimately your ETT should be the same for both 26" and 29" wheels.

It might be tempting to small, as smaller frames are considered to handle quicker.
My personnal preferance would be for a medium with a short stem though. The wheel base is only just over 1cm longer, the HTA is a steeper 72 deg, and you'll be using a shorter stem. IMHO these factors would give you better handling with the medium. 4cm standover is fine.

Nothing beats a test ride though.

(ED: a nice aid is to punch the frame stats into BikeCad, then add your saddle height etc. and see how it looks. should give you a better idea (remember to swap the wheels to 29"x2.2)
http://www.bikeforest.com/CAD/bcad.php)

"When dry, Caffélatex-sealed wheels are still air-tight, but Caffélatex won't actively repair punctures."

So what does that mean in practical terms? Do you have a sealed hole, but it isn't as strong as the rubber it replaces?

It just means, dont worry about your sealant drying out mid ride and your tyres deflating.

The idea is to always have liquid sealant in the tyre. Stan's No tubes sealant needs topping, up due to drying out, every 3 months (roughly). Caffelatex claims to remain liquid for up to 12 months.

I've got a Gary Fisher Rig in XL and I'm 6' 5" which is fine for me. Although I am looking for a new frame in titanium and will probably go for the Burls. But never back to 26" wheels.

I've got a Gary Fisher Rig in XL and I'm 6' 5" which is fine for me. Although I am looking for a new frame in titanium and will probably go for the Burls. But never back to 26" wheels.

On-one are bringing out some improved Ti29er inbreds for the spring.
http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Ti_29er.html

The Van Nics are pretty well priced.
http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/detail.asp/sku=VN-zion29er

But I love the ridgeline SL personaly.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=45200

Finally got this back, bearing in mind it was a replacement frame for a 2005 Montare off warranty, well happy with the upgrade they gave me.
Been in the forest yesterday and few miles today,
really impressed with the pick-up on the alfine, even whilst track standing it feels engaged, then picks up quick. Good range but still big jump between 5/6 (only downside for me)
Quite a long machine which steers really well, and this set up the hayes nines bite well when braking at speed, previous set up they always felt too strong for the frame and forks, perhaps this 29er frame (paragon) with short head tubes they all got on now stabilises.
just need a bashguard to replace big ring, chainline wont go perfect on outer on this frame, but like I said, bonus bike.

Nice^^

I get the impression HTAs and STAs on 29ers are getting slightly slacker. Maybe thats why the braking feels more controllable? Certainly helps going down hill with no sus.

Its gone from -5 to +5 over the weekend, so everything is thawing out. I'll be giving the Spot a proper run out soon :)