What 29er?

[vorsprung]

I'd like to get a new to me bike

I do not have any off road bikes at the moment. I have 3 road bikes including an ancient single speed. I ride the single speed all round the year in all weathers and it is looking a bit manky.

So I'd like to get something to replace it. One possiblity is getting a 29er MTB. I prefer the idea of big wheels and some of my stock of 700C 28mm tyres would fit on them. At some point I'd like to fit a hub gear like an alfine but initially a single speed would be fine.

Not sure about forks. I'd be mostly on the road ( crappy lanes actually ) but this might be nice.

Another plus for a 29er as opposed to another road bike is that I can fit ice tyres next winter.

The budget isn't decided yet but it won't be a titanium bike

[dasmoth]

How about a Singular Swift?

                  Singular Cycles

Should do fine as either single-speed or hub-geared?

[mike]

I've got an on-one scandium, it's a very nice bike.  I had their steel 29er before but it was quite flexible and felt quite heavy.  The ally frame is much tighter, probably helps that it actually fits - the steel one was a 19.5" and too big (I have a 580mm top tube on a road bike - these things are huge)  this is an 18" and feels much better.

It would be a rubbish touring bike, there are no rack mounts and only one bottle mount (I think), but as a 29er it's great.  is it better than a 26" bike?  Marginal...  it's certainly better over roots and bumps but feels slower on tight twisty bits.

with alfine:

[vorsprung]

I've got an on-one scandium, it's a very nice bike.  I had their steel 29er before but it was quite flexible and felt quite heavy.  The ally frame is much tighter, probably helps that it actually fits - the steel one was a 19.5" and too big (I have a 580mm top tube on a road bike - these things are huge)  this is an 18" and feels much better.

It would be a rubbish touring bike, there are no rack mounts and only one bottle mount (I think), but as a 29er it's great.  is it better than a 26" bike?  Marginal...  it's certainly better over roots and bumps but feels slower on tight twisty bits.

with alfine:

Doesnt the sandal have vertical dropouts though?
So if I wanted it SS I'd have to find an eccentric hub

[mike]

yep, that or use a tensioner.  At least you'd have the option of going alfine if you wanted to..

[Hello, I am Bruce]

I've got an on-one scandium, it's a very nice bike. 

It would be a rubbish touring bike, there are no rack mounts and only one bottle mount (I think), but as a 29er it's great.

Unless you put a trailer on it.  Then it's brill (and has 2 bottle mounts).



But if you definitely want single-speed or a hub gear, then the vertical drop outs aren't ideal.

[Chris N]

There's a new batch of Scandal frames coming in to On One this week - they might be slot dropout versions.

[Noodley]

How about a Singular Swift?

                  Singular Cycles

Should do fine as either single-speed or hub-geared?

Oh yes, very yes.  If anyone would like to buy me one, feel free 

[Chris N]

There's a new batch of Scandal frames coming in to On One this week - they might be slot dropout versions.

From On-One's site:

YES slot dropout Scandals in stock - they’ll be up on the site today.

 

[Tenbears10]

Kona do a few 29er's. Unit and Big Unit are the ss versions

[Malignant Narcisissm]

how about the GT Peace 9r? comes ss with mechanical disks and an eccentric bb so no need to faff with chain tugs or tensioners. full cromo frame and fork. £330 on evans new.  Evans Cycles | GT Peace 2008 Single Speed Mountain Bike | Online Bike Shop

[Zoidburg]

From the way you describe what you want the bike to do I would say you are probably looking for a cyclocross bike and not a MTB.

Tricross single?

[domesticated ape]

I have a GT Peace 9er and I love it. Mine is a few years old and has V-brakes not discs, but apart from that it looks pretty much the same, and it's a hell of a bike for the money.

Make sure you check how wide the rims are on whatever you get, as mine are 28mm, which would probably be a bit weird with 28mm tyres, and some 29er rims are wider still.

[Malignant Narcisissm]

if you are set on a 9r then check out the sort of tires they make for 29" rims. i tried a niner jet 9 mtb once and the tires were supposed to be the best 29" mtb tyres available but they just wouldnt grip in a straight line...

[oncemore]

There's a Niner Air9 on the ctc Classifieds that sounds the business!

[vorsprung]

There's a Niner Air9 on the ctc Classifieds that sounds the business!

1) not my size
2) not a single speed
3) 900 quid for a second hand bike is maybe a bit more than I had in mind.  I suppose anything with a chris king headset is gonna cost that much

[oncemore]

It was only a sign-post, honest! Sure ain't mine!