29er full suspension...... for a big bloke.........

[Yorto]

Okay so I have been doing quite a lot of research and it has come down to two choices. Three choices if anyone wants to spot me some extra $$$ .

Stumpjumper FSR Expert 29er
http://www.specialized.com/au/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52820&scid=1000&scname=Mountain

HiFi Pro 29
http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/hifi-pro-29

The main reason for both of these bikes is being able to (right now) order them in a 23" frame. I would have just bought a Giant Anthem X 29er but only goes up to a 20.5" frame . In saying that I am a bit over 6'6" and about 120kg so need something tough.....

So what is everyone's likes or dislikes about these two bikes ? I may wait until the 2012 bikes get announced and see if I can get one of these a bit cheaper or even better get a 2012 bike.

The other option was to get a Tallboy but can't justify that much on a bike at the moment.

 

[mars mtb]

Tallboy now comes in an alloy version which is cheaper than their carbon versions.

I'm on the other end of the scale, 174cm and 71kg, I am on my 3rd Santa Cruz and also my 3rd Fisher (this one is a 29r hardtail Paragon frame and fork, everything else is custom) so I'm a fan of both.

I think you are going about it the right way in not looking at 100 options though.

Re your height options check out the Felt range too, Paul Van Der Ploeg is a beast and has the longest seatpost extension I have seen. If Felt can fit him then they'll cover you in terms of fit. (check out his blog and see what he is riding on the Euro scene at the moment).

With Santa Cruz Tallboy, give Andrew Hamilton (Neezy Imports) a call direct and have a chat to him on your needs, he is a good bloke.

My other mates that are as tall as you are riding customer made 29r hardtails, they range from your height and heavier to your height and leightweight monster whippets. If you want to chat to one of them on how it works for them you can pm me and I'll hook you up.

Hope that gives you some help.

 

[Drew Peacock]

Evolve

I don't know what your budget is, but I have an Ellsworth Evolve (lovingly referred to as the Tractor) and it's a marvellous piece of Mountain Biking machinery, and it comes in an XL (which I think is 22 inches).

It's looks belies its abilities and its rear suspension which is virtually bob free (even without propedal) makes it climb and descend with the best of them. It's easily my favourite bike.

The Evolve is not a full on XC race bike, but I have used it in sprint races with success and I have taken it on 140k epics crossing mountains in the snowies. It's a cool bike!

 

[ray]

i'm 6'4, 120 kegs and ride an Anthem 29er XL, perfect fit for me, bike feels bomb proof so far.

Ray

 

[Sumgy]

Yorto
My only question would be what you intend to use the bike for.
If you are looking for a XC bike with "race" geometry then I would look at the Hifi or similar.
If you are looking for a more "trail" style bike then the Specialized would be closer.
IMO the 2 bikes you have are 2 different styles of bike.
The Anthem and the Tallboy seem to be able to run a foot in both camps.
120mm fork and you are more trail.
100m fork and you are closer to race.

Cannot remember what you weigh but if you are heavier this may also impact which way you go.

You might also want to have a look at the RIP9 and Rumblefish if you are looking at something more trail.

 

[Big JD]

Big Blokes unite

I am with Sumgy on this - need to define useage (race - Hardtail, trail - RIP, Sultan, Pivot 429). I am 6.4 and 100kgs and have tried the light FS 29er and for us it just doesnt work. Frame strength, suspension design (leverage and shock type) and above all fit are you main factors. While l fit on an XXL Tallboy it is useless if you run it with XC wheelset. You will find a need to beef up certain key areas regardless of frame but if your frame is flexy it will be magnified across the other areas of the bike.
. While l would love a light XC race 29er FS it just aint going to happen. The Sultan DWL is the stiffest frame as close to XC weight l can get without compromising the quality of the ride and durability/longevity of the purchase (and it is big money - spent once - you hope). I run this frame with a coil shock on the rear because l can not get an air shock (even tuned professionally) to handle my size and rough riding without huge compromises somewhere. I imagine there are a number of clydes out there thinking that their air shocks are just fine. Well they are for most riders, most situations and most users - until you try a good coil shock. I ride a coil because of my size not because l drop off buildings although l like jumping and drops. The Pivots are very stiff and big. The RIPs are good, Lenz Lunchbox, Turner Sultan, Ventana are all very stiff. The VPP bikes l have found to be flexier and longevity of bearings limited - I have owned three VVP bikes and four different FS 29ers.
I have not ridden the Specialised in the past three years so cant comment - but they have improved from first iterations. Trek XC frames are stuppidly flexy - Rumble fish is good.
If you want to race l would suggest a steel hardtail with great wheels, TA fork and strong contact points. If you want to dabble in endurance stuff - choice a great strong trailbike frame and know it will be heavier than the whippets around you and kill em on the decents.
At our weight we can not be wiehgt wennies, run light weight componants especially if the top step of the podium is not the focus.
Good luck with your selection and feel free to ask about specific gear - pros and cons - from a fellow clyde.
JD

 

[29er]

I am with Sumgy on this - need to define useage (race - Hardtail, trail - RIP, Sultan, Pivot 429). I am 6.4 and 100kgs and have tried the light FS 29er and for us it just doesnt work. Frame strength, suspension design (leverage and shock type) and above all fit are you main factors. While l fit on an XXL Tallboy it is useless if you run it with XC wheelset. You will find a need to beef up certain key areas regardless of frame but if your frame is flexy it will be magnified across the other areas of the bike.
. While l would love a light XC race 29er FS it just aint going to happen. The Sultan DWL is the stiffest frame as close to XC weight l can get without compromising the quality of the ride and durability/longevity of the purchase (and it is big money - spent once - you hope). I run this frame with a coil shock on the rear because l can not get an air shock (even tuned professionally) to handle my size and rough riding without huge compromises somewhere. I imagine there are a number of clydes out there thinking that their air shocks are just fine. Well they are for most riders, most situations and most users - until you try a good coil shock. I ride a coil because of my size not because l drop off buildings although l like jumping and drops. The Pivots are very stiff and big. The RIPs are good, Lenz Lunchbox, Turner Sultan, Ventana are all very stiff. The VPP bikes l have found to be flexier and longevity of bearings limited - I have owned three VVP bikes and four different FS 29ers.
I have not ridden the Specialised in the past three years so cant comment - but they have improved from first iterations. Trek XC frames are stuppidly flexy - Rumble fish is good.
If you want to race l would suggest a steel hardtail with great wheels, TA fork and strong contact points. If you want to dabble in endurance stuff - choice a great strong trailbike frame and know it will be heavier than the whippets around you and kill em on the decents.
At our weight we can not be wiehgt wennies, run light weight componants especially if the top step of the podium is not the focus.
Good luck with your selection and feel free to ask about specific gear - pros and cons - from a fellow clyde.
JD

In the one sentence you say that Trek frames are stupidpidly flexy and the Rumblefish is good. I find that an interesting observation considering they both are the same frame. The Hifi and Rumblefish is the same frame. The only difference is the DRCV shock, 12X142mm rear and a longer fork.

 

[chapdaddy]

In the one sentence you say that Trek frames are stupidpidly flexy and the Rumblefish is good. I find that an interesting observation considering they both are the same frame. The Hifi and Rumblefish is the same frame. The only difference is the DRCV shock, 12X142mm rear and a longer fork.

+ the head and seat angles are slacker.

For mine, I think the Rumblefish is a great option. On the cheapest one you get a 20mm maxle front with a tapered head tube, 12x142mm rear, and ABP which stiffens up the rear more. I have the DRCV on a Fuel Ex8 and it's sensational (and I'm about 120 kg). Overall with through hubs both ends, ABP and a tapered headtube, the Fish is stiffer than a honeymooner's dick...

AND, given that it's essentially the same frame as the hifi, with the same rear travel, you could easily make the Fish more 'xc' with lighter wheelsets, a 100mm fork etc etc in the future if you drop below clyde weight

 

[Big JD]

Ooopps

+ the head and seat angles are slacker.

For mine, I think the Rumblefish is a great option. On the cheapest one you get a 20mm maxle front with a tapered head tube, 12x142mm rear, and ABP which stiffens up the rear more. I have the DRCV on a Fuel Ex8 and it's sensational (and I'm about 120 kg). Overall with through hubs both ends, ABP and a tapered headtube, the Fish is stiffer than a honeymooner's dick...

AND, given that it's essentially the same frame as the hifi, with the same rear travel, you could easily make the Fish more 'xc' with lighter wheelsets, a 100mm fork etc etc in the future if you drop below clyde weight

Yeah sorry l was comparing the Superfly - my bad. Fish would be fine and a good choice for the OP - more so than the HiFi IMO. At 6.6 and 120kgs he should also look at Turner XXL frames (on sale on their website), Niner RIPs and Ventana XXL El Capitain - deals around if you search.
JD

 

[Yorto]

Thanks for all the replies, I may just wait until the 2012 range is out and take things from there. I did notice that there is a 09 Turner Sultan on sale, but unsure if I want an older model frame. Once I know what I am doing and have some more options I will come back and update you all .

I would like to race one day but at the moment would like an all mountain full suspension 29er.

 

[Larryscustomcycles]

All Mountain FS 29er...we can get you a Lenz Behemoth, 5 inches of travel. They are built in small numbers so need to be ordered in advance but with the Aussie $ as it is prices are going to be a bit less than those on our website.
We should have White Brothers Loop forks in 29er sizes around mid year too...1st 26ers are on a plane to us now.

 

[rob270]

Rumblefish

+1 for the Rumblefish. I was torn between the Hi Fi & 'Fish and decided to go the 'Fish purely due to the longer fork and thru axles front and back. I'm a weekend warrior that dabbles in the odd bit of 50 - 100 km racing so this is perfect for my use. Just junk the Bonty 29-3 tyres if you want to race it thats all.

The Duster wheelset is a bit heavy but converts to tubeless pretty easily with the Bontrager rim strips & valves. Or just go a set of Easton or Stans wheels to drop a bit of weight.

 

[Yorto]

At 6.6 and 120kgs he should also look at Turner XXL frames (on sale on their website),

At the moment it looks like I may be getting a Turner Sultan XXL XT build kit. I was looking at the Specialized Stumpjumper Expert FSR 29er but I have read so many mixed reviews about the brain, after speaking with numerous people who have had the 2011 and previous model of the brain it seems it is a hit and miss with them.
All the 2012 range of Specialized looks okay but I just can't go past the Turner Sultan.

My only issue with both the Stumpy and the Sultan are the rims. I may have to change them out for something a bit stronger. I have been looking at the following wheel sets.
Stans NoTubes Flow 29in Wheel Set $619.95
Sun Ringle Black Flag Pro Wheel set $869.95
and finally
Mavic CrossMax 29" Wheel set $1,199.95 ($1099 at some places)


I am waiting to hear back from them in regards to colours, it appears they only have a red and raw left but hoping I can get the Raw turned into black or see what they have for 2012 colour range.

 

[snedden9485]

As mentioned, get an XL Anthem X29er. I am 6 foot and abit (185cm) and I ride a medium side Anthem 29er. An XL is alot bigger than my medium. Check one out if I was you .

 

[Yorto]

As mentioned, get an XL Anthem X29er. I am 6 foot and abit (185cm) and I ride a medium side Anthem 29er. An XL is alot bigger than my medium. Check one out if I was you .

I have not big enough for these long legs. *Freak*
Anthem is good bang for buck so to speak. I am currently on the XTC 29er XL which isn't the right size for me, I might be looking to sell that shortly.

 

[mcdoned]

My only issue with both the Stumpy and the Sultan are the rims. I may have to change them out for something a bit stronger. I have been looking at the following wheel sets.
Stans NoTubes Flow 29in Wheel Set $619.95
Sun Ringle Black Flag Pro Wheel set $869.95
and finally
Mavic CrossMax 29" Wheel set $1,199.95 ($1099 at some places)

The Crossmax 29" is a reasonable wheelset for its purpose - but if you're looking for something strong and stiff, look elsewhere. ZTR flow is definitely a good option! I'd also throw Velocity P35 rims out there, build them onto the existing hubs, or do the same with the Flows.

 

[Big JD]

Sultan

At the moment it looks like I may be getting a Turner Sultan XXL XT build kit. I was looking at the Specialized Stumpjumper Expert FSR 29er but I have read so many mixed reviews about the brain, after speaking with numerous people who have had the 2011 and previous model of the brain it seems it is a hit and miss with them.
All the 2012 range of Specialized looks okay but I just can't go past the Turner Sultan.

My only issue with both the Stumpy and the Sultan are the rims. I may have to change them out for something a bit stronger. I have been looking at the following wheel sets.
Stans NoTubes Flow 29in Wheel Set $619.95
Sun Ringle Black Flag Pro Wheel set $869.95
and finally
Mavic CrossMax 29" Wheel set $1,199.95 ($1099 at some places)


I am waiting to hear back from them in regards to colours, it appears they only have a red and raw left but hoping I can get the Raw turned into black or see what they have for 2012 colour range.

new Sultan will be perfect for you. Not sure what wheels come on it - hubs and rims but if you are not launching stuff l say ride em till they cant be ridden anymore. In the mean time - keep your eyes out for a cheap burlier wheel set - l have two sets with flows and they are great. You can pick up some Hope or King hubs on the net and source some rims and a builder locally - works out fairly cost effective. The shimano xt wheelset are supposed to be stiff. Make sure you get a through axle fork 15mm minimum. Make sure you post a picture - where are you getting it from?
JD