2005 Bike question: Full OEM Bike vs. Custom Steel

[hockeynut]

Happy Halloween everyone....

After reading forum posts about new bikes, frames, etc. from the past 2 years or so, I can glean the a couple things that pop up everytime:

1. Make sure it fits you... makes sense as if your back is sore, knees hurt etc. the fun-quotient will drop considerably

B. Frame, frame, frame... components will always wear out, but a good high quality frame can be upgraded, and used practically indefinately (high quality, and steel probably)

So, while I had practically made up my mind on my next bike (more than likely 05 X-Caliber, a 29er that is spec'd with middle of the road stuff, ZR9000 Al frame or a Big Sur, 26" with slightly better spec'd parts - each of which is about 1000 bucks) I stumbled across some cool looking custom "shops" that could end up making a custom steel hardtail bike for around 1500 or so.

Is jumping in and spending more now (with some changes made with how work is giving out PTO the first of the year I'll be getting a large check.. a one time thing, so may not have the flexibility again for a while) a good plan? The more I think about it, the more I think it may not be a bad deal. I'd have a frame forever (or at least a long long time), and it should fit perfectly. Am I missing something?

Thanks for your thoughts and here's hoping for some dry weather....

Z

[Buck]

hmmm, If you are going custom, hardtail, and xc... I would look at DEAN...mmmm...drool...so awesome...But personally as with my DH bike, I couldn't afford to buy all at once so I did it as I broke stuff, which happened to be often, but the nice thing was I was breaking mid range parts so I wasn't to bothered...now I have the pimpest of pimp bikes!!! :D I kinda wish I would have but you know it is nice to be able to really shop around try other peoples bikes, parts, set-ups the whole thing ya know. If the company is reputable I would go custom, nothing is better then having a bike that you know is just for you, no give alittle take little crap, no decisions, you know the bike will fit spot on.

Hope this helped some how...
L8R
Buck

[Standard]

well.. for minnesota riding, I wouldn't recommend a 29'r. They're great for fire roads, but most of minnesota is tight twisty singletrack. For a really sweet steel HT, I'd recommen Independent Fabrications. I've got an IF Deluxe from '97, and it's the best ride I've ever had. They also do custom sizing. Or go with a custom steel Seven. We do a lot of custom Seven's, and all of them are beautifully done.

<edit> may have misread your post. IF or Seven steel frames will cost between $800-1200 alone... seems you want a complete for about $1500. For a full bike, I'd recommend looking at the Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail. It's aluminum, but MSRP is $1300 and it's spec'd out really nice.</edit>

[mtnbykr]

well.. for minnesota riding, I wouldn't recommend a 29'r. They're great for fire roads, but most of minnesota is tight twisty singletrack.</EDIT>huh??

you've never rode a 29" i take it?? i have a fisher supercal set up as a ss and have NO PROBLEMS riding any trails in duluth, the cities, cable or anyplace else i've rode. let's go for a ride sometime and i'll show you a trick or 3. if anything, the 29" is better on the trails i ride than a 26". do you ride the farm?? i have and cleaned 95% of it on a 29"...

rant over, back on topic, hockeynut...

you'd like the fisher 29" but nothing beats a custom frame no matter if it's steel or al.

kl

[hockeynut]

I'd be sure to take a 29er out for a spin, but have never heard any nasty things about them from people who have taken them for a spin. There are sound theorhetical reasons why they might not be the best if you aren't 6'5", but those who have them (even on M frames) don't seem to be complaining about slow handling etc.


www.waltworks.com (http://www.waltworks.com)

Without doing too much digging... custom 29er steel frame - 650, build up with parts that are comparable to the X-Caliber - around 1500 ...

I probably won't bite the bullet and go custom just yet... just thinking it over...

Thanks for the replies, and here's hoping it stays dry so there is a chance of riding tomorrow...

Z

[soupboy]

...riding that Demo too much!

29ers rock. They are awesome woods bikes and more comfortable as a rigid SS than a 26er. Look at all the folks dominating endurance racing on them...and they don't race fireroads.

Custom is cool but you can great deals on complete 29ers like the pending GF Rig 29er SS (<$1K).

Waltworks, Spicer, Curtlo, Vulture, Seven, IF, Vicious, Vanilla, Jeff Jones, blah, blah, blah. All wicked bikes.

Sean

[martini]

OMG Standard.... :eyeroll: What're you riding around on a Demo for then? Surely that's a bit over done for terrain around here, right?

I been riding my 29" around these parts for 3+ years now and it gets faster evertime I ride. Well, as fast as my lazy ass can take it, but that's another thread...

Hockeynut, I was going to suggest the Walt Works website, but I see you found it. He does great work(well from what I can see in pics and reports I've read on MTBR), is personable[read easy to work with], and very capable. Then there's his prices...Can't beat that w/a 26" tire! I may be ordering up one of his bikes too if I can get around to selling my last remaining 26".

[soupboy]

...right now.

29er, disc specific, EBB, mech hanger and cable stops should I ever want to go gearie. Suspension corrected for a 100mm WB fork.

My only real question is...S&S Couplers?! Would love to be able to just tuck the bike inside the car when traveling with the fam so that the old man can get out for a spin.

Email me with any questions. As Marty said, Walt is very easy to work with and comes highly recommended.

Sean

[bigwheel]

I think you should stick with a 26 rather than a 29. The more people riding 26'ers, the better chance I have to keep up.

Once you've ridden a 29 for a day, you'll never go back.

[Tex]

but a good high quality frame can be upgraded, and used practically indefinitely (high quality, and steel probably)
If you're planning on keeping the bike a long time you may want to go with a 26er. Just for the fact that in five years down the line once the novelty of the 29 inch wheel has worn off, finding parts for them might be a bit tough.

Believe me, when fischer first introduced the 1 1/4 headsets in the early nineties we all thought they were great. Now no one even makes parts for them anymore. Or how about when Diamond Back (another former big shot in the bike game) came out with the Axis, 700c hybrid with 700x45 tires on it? The thing was sweet, as I recall one of the Diamond back riders kicked ass on the pro circuit with it in a couple races. Now, good luck finding a good 700x45 panaracer smoke tire for it.

Now I'm not saying that 29ers are a passing fad or anything. Just that the bicycle industry, just like fame, is a fickle thing. What's here and super cool right now, doesn't mean a thing 5 years down the road when you need a new rear wheel for it.

Just my two cents. And just as an FYI, the 26 inch wheel has remained pretty much standard since sometime in the '50s. So yeah, you could go find an old Pewee Herman bike and slap some big ol' IRC 26x2.125 tires on it and go single tracking with it. Now that would be a REAL single speed!

[hockeynut]

Thanks for the thoughts...

I've just emailed Walt myself asking him a few questions... seems like a good guy. I think if I go 29" I'll let Walt do his thing. For the price, a perfectly fitted frame (with no compromises) is too tempting. I am a bit of a wuss though, would be getting it geared right from the get go. Now, what color??? :cool:

Z

[mtnbykr]

....doesn't mean a thing 5 years down the road when you need a new rear wheel for it.
do you realize that a "29" rear wheel has a 8/9/ss hub that fits any old rear wheel and a rim that is from a 700c road bike?? pretty simple to get a new rear wheel.

forks on the other hand might be tuff to find and tires might be a hassle but...nothing else is really special or specific to a 29.

and then again you shouldn't have only 1 bike anyway. :?)

kl

[nigel]

do you realize that a "29" rear wheel has a 8/9/ss hub that fits any old rear wheel and a rim that is from a 700c road bike?? pretty simple to get a new rear wheel.

forks on the other hand might be tuff to find and tires might be a hassle but...nothing else is really special or specific to a 29.

and then again you shouldn't have only 1 bike anyway. :?)

kl

To add to what Kurt said.......... 29'ers have not even really been pushed in the market so as far as being a fad goes, they have not evgen got to that point. They have yet to see their peak as far as im concerned, they are getting bigger all the time and will continue to do so!

Also......26" wheels since the 50's are not standard, try working on old cruisers *sighs* with folks that just "have" to have that whitewall that wont fit the rim they have :)

D

[crux]

I worked in a LBS for several years to help pay for parts durring college and if I learned anything buy once and be done with it. Not only will you be happier with your new ride, but it will be cheaper in the long run.
Consider this
Buy OEM bike for $1000
Replace fork $500
Replace BB $50
Replace ... $$$
It adds up very quick and you still have a lower end frame which, well you get the picture.

If you were to go the I.F. route then you can build it up with what you want in the first place, and skip the upgrade route. There are several steel builders out there to choose from and each has their own business practices so you can really pick and choose.

As for the 29er debate.
Yes they roll faster, yes logs and rocks are easier to roll over, yes the wheels are more prone to taco. If your going to be xc riding and not a jumper or hucker then consider the 29er, if not stick with 26.


Happy Halloween everyone....

After reading forum posts about new bikes, frames, etc. from the past 2 years or so, I can glean the a couple things that pop up everytime:

1. Make sure it fits you... makes sense as if your back is sore, knees hurt etc. the fun-quotient will drop considerably

B. Frame, frame, frame... components will always wear out, but a good high quality frame can be upgraded, and used practically indefinately (high quality, and steel probably)

So, while I had practically made up my mind on my next bike (more than likely 05 X-Caliber, a 29er that is spec'd with middle of the road stuff, ZR9000 Al frame or a Big Sur, 26" with slightly better spec'd parts - each of which is about 1000 bucks) I stumbled across some cool looking custom "shops" that could end up making a custom steel hardtail bike for around 1500 or so.

Is jumping in and spending more now (with some changes made with how work is giving out PTO the first of the year I'll be getting a large check.. a one time thing, so may not have the flexibility again for a while) a good plan? The more I think about it, the more I think it may not be a bad deal. I'd have a frame forever (or at least a long long time), and it should fit perfectly. Am I missing something?

Thanks for your thoughts and here's hoping for some dry weather....

Z

[soupboy]

...clearcoat only over the raw frame. That would be big heaving titties.

Be sure to ask him about getting a WB fork if you are interested in suspension.

Sean

Now, what color???

[manual63]

I ended up with a full custom steel bike in the end. I had a stock Schwinn Moab that lasted me about 5 years. But after many parts upgrades and finally a new frame, my XC bike is the best I have ever ridden. I got an On-One frame with the geared option.

I think it's obvious custom is the best way to go, but whether you can afford it or not is another story.

[noise_is_life]

...right now.

29er, disc specific, EBB, mech hanger and cable stops should I ever want to go gearie. Suspension corrected for a 100mm WB fork.

My only real question is...S&S Couplers?! Would love to be able to just tuck the bike inside the car when traveling with the fam so that the old man can get out for a spin.

Email me with any questions. As Marty said, Walt is very easy to work with and comes highly recommended.

Sean
So you gonna sell me your Monkey? Of course if he has the typical turnaround of some of the custom builders that could be a couple of years from now.

[soupboy]

...be shocking my monkey. Then petting my monkey. Then selling it, ridden hard and put away wet.

Sean

[noise_is_life]

...be shocking my monkey. Then petting my monkey. Then selling it, ridden hard and put away wet.

Sean
No spanking??

[TML]

...be shocking my monkey. Then petting my monkey. Then selling it, ridden hard and put away wet.

Sean
funny. . Peter Gabriel's shocked monkey was coming out of my cd player not too long ago.

[soupboy]

...you removed it completely and whipped it across the room at a great rate of speed causing it to shatter into countless shards.

Pat - spanking my monkey would be downright rude and uncalled for. I may beat it about the ears however.

funny. . Peter Gabriel's shocked monkey was coming out of my cd player not too long ago.

[mtnbykr]

...clearcoat only over the raw frame. That would be big heaving titties.Sean
very nice....

email me you bastid, we need to ride.

kl

[mtnbykr]

I ended up with a full custom steel bike in the end.....got an On-One frame with the geared option.
...i thought on-ones are all in stock, ready-to-go production bikes. at least mine was/is. custom [to me] means it's built to your specs/needs/wants/riding style. like my pos 2 circles ss frame.

I think it's obvious custom is the best way to go, but whether you can afford it or not is another story.
i'd agree.

kl

[hockeynut]

...clearcoat only over the raw frame. That would be big heaving titties.

Be sure to ask him about getting a WB fork if you are interested in suspension.

Sean
If you're getting clearcoat.... then that's out... gotta be different... what would pink look like? :sick:

I've been in touch with him. It's almost scary how fast he is with replies to emails.

So far I've got the 29er frame, WB 1.0 as concrete parts of the mythical build. If I get all LX stuff and nothing else too blingworthy, I can afford it no prob. I'll have to see how much piecing together some nicer stuff would jack up the price. I have a feeling I could get out of control uberfast.

Z

[ryno lite]

Walt Works looks pretty cool. I love steel! I shouldn't be looking at sites like that, all it does is give me bad ideas like spending money on a bike when I already have 2 good mtb bikes!