I tried to post three more pics but they're too large. I will reduce them and post later.

OK, I finally got around to building up my Niner and took her out for the first ride today. A short 8 mile run through the local trail made me a happy guy. This bike does everything that I hoped that it would do.

It's my second single speed and my first 29er so I am by no means an expert with either type of bike (99% of my riding has been on a FS 26") Anyhoo, here are my first impressions:

1. Can you say "Flywheel Effect"? Those big wheels just keep rolling down the trail when the 26ers begin to slow down.

2. It handles very quickly with no clumsy manners in tight single track, quite unlike what some have claimed. I think some of that must be due to the frame's intended design goals.

3. Lots of traction in the corners. That bigger contact patch of the big wheels really does help here.

4. I think the Mary bars will stay on this bike. They felt very natural to me from the beginning.

5. The jury is still out on the Reba but that really has nothing to do with the Niner frame. I'm not a big Rock Shox fan and I just wish that Fox would PLEASE build a 29" version of the Vanilla fork!!!!!!

The build kit is listed below. It is a mix of old & new parts and some of the old stuff will be replaced as it wears out. The pics were taken before I zip-tied the cables together so the front end looks a little sloppy in these shots.

One last thing, my American Classic wheels arrived just as I was finishing the build and these wheels look great but I may end up selling them because I just don't see how these lightweight wheels will hold up to my 240 lbs of beef. I will make a decision on selling these in the next week or two and they will be brand spanking new-in-the-box if I do sell them so stay tuned!

XL frame
Reba Race
Thomson stem & post
On One Mary bar
Avid speed dial levers
Avid mechanical discs
CODA leather saddle w/titanium rails
Truvativ ISIS BB
Truvativ Stylo cranks -180mm
Egg Beaters
IRC Mythos XC tires
Chris King headset
ODI lock-on grips
Sram pc-58 chain

Used wheelset:

Surly hubs
Salsa Delgado rims (36 spoke)
DT Swiss spokes
Brass nipples

Orange..yummm :)

Sounds like you are happy with it. :)


R.

OK, let's see if these upload.