I'm looking to build a geared and fully rigid steel 29er and am looking for a bit of advice for which frame and fork to get. Here's the kicker, I'm on a pretty limited budget ($400 for the frameset). I'm short, about 5'6, and only about 135 Ibs with gear. Bike weight isn't important, as I am primarily concerned with long ride comfort. In an ideal word I'd find a used, small MCR or SIR 9 but I don't see that happening. So, what frame and fork should I get? I've been eyeing up the On-One frame and fork from Unreal Cycles...other suggestions? I have no problem buying used, but can't find a small, used, steel 29er frame to save my life (in my budget anyway). Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks for your time. Again, my budget is $400 for frame and fork.
At that price point i would sit tight and find something used. I see some really nice small frames pop-up for really cheap on mtbr and cl and with such a limited market they would probably be willing to ship
A couple days ago a small, used Niner MCR was on eBay, and the final bid was around $360. I got my Sir9 on eBay for $400 + shipping. So keep checking on eBay.
Karate Monkey! This frame is so versatile that if you change your mind in the future, you can do whatever you want with it! For more info read Sheldon Brown's take on this frame. Good luck!
The On-One seems to be a lot of bang for the buck. Just refreshed one that I built up in January for someone - so far so good and he is really enjoying his first ride with the big wheels. If you are tired of waiting for the right deal, the inbred29 is a great option.
I will say that if you can hold out for a MCR or SIR, it will be well worth the wait....this thing is awesome...
I have both a KM (2010) and a first generation Inbred with the sliding dropouts, and I've run them both singelspeed and geared, and mostly rigid, but I have done suspension on the Inbred.
The Inbred rides great, and I loved the fast handling on it with the stock fork, but I was eventually plagued with issues on the sliders, and no amount of tweaking or hardware replacements seemed to do the trick.
The KM is super versatile, and also rides great. Not as smooth as the Inbred, but I think I like the handling overrall a bit more. I think a better fork on the KM would be my ideal setup of the two, but honestly you can't go wrong either way.
Thanks for all the input guys. I actually got a bit impulsive and rather than wait for a steel frame to pop up, I snagged the Niner EMD frame on the classifieds for a price I couldn't refuse. The seller included a CK headset, Thomson post, Reba fork, Niner bar, and Race Face stem for a steal. I'll probably swap the Reba for something rigid and the EMD will hold me over until I find a small MCR. I wanted the comfort of steel but I hear the EMD is actually pretty smooth for aluminum.
Nice work!!! Now you are in the best position possible. You have a bike that you can ride and as soon as another screaming deal comes along you can snap it up.
That's how i ended up with a brand new spot belt drive with paragon sliders new for $550.
I did grow up in chicago if you are referring to the smashing pumpkins but that is not it. First initial and part of my last name and a yz450
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