What goes good with Coffee - well I think 650bs do!

[MMcG]

I had the pleasure of riding this Carver 96er set up in Killer B mode at the last Interbike East Outdoor Demo Days.

Well I spoke with Davis today and placed an order for the frame and it should arrive in CT on Thursday!


I loved the way it rode when I took it for a couple of test lap loops last year so I was super stoked when Davis emailed me that the frame was available for purchase.

The decision was made - it is time to go for it - dual 650bs probably with a 130mm fork up front!

Now Davis has informed me that the coffee ano on this frame has faded a bit with sunlight and it now has a cool coffee with cream look to it. So I'm wondering if I should go with black all around or maybe try and recreate the coffee and red bits look that Davis and his Bikeman/Carver Bikes crew pulled off here.

Things needed:
Headset
Seatpost collar
Disc brake set
650b wheelset (anyone looking to part with a wheelset!?)
One tire for the front wheel

Things desired
130mm fork with clearance up front - I've got a Sherman Firefly that would/could work, but would love to use something like a Fox Float 130, or Talas or maybe a Velvet (anyone looking to move something like this?)

Well I figured this forum could use a little bit of a thread like this instead of all that BS going on in that other thread of late.

So feel free to post up some ideas for this build and I'll take them all in and see where things lead.

Cheers,

Mark

[Super E]

Hmmm...interesting! I am planning on doing the same thing to my Gunnar "69er" that I have been running with a 650B up front since I got it...there's easily room for a 650B out back and I figured with the right fork the ride would be even better. I'm running it rigid now with a Walt Works 29er fork...and I like it, but think a X-fusion Velvet would be rather nice also. For now it's on my list of winter bike projects.


BTW that other tread you mentioned...I've just completely ignored it since the title alone makes it unworthy to waste time on. I vividly remember similar threads about 29ers long ago...oddly enough many of those same people who were diss'n 29ers at the time are now preaching about how good the 29er kool-aide is for everyone.

[CDtofer]

MMcG
If I were you I would go with that coffee color, even if it does fade over time. Still be more interesting than another black bike. I think the color in that pic looks really good. Would like to see it in person.

[BikesOnSnow]

Irish Cream of course! Go Green!

Congrats on the find.

You get to ride many other 650b's down there?

BOS

[MMcG]

Originally Posted by CDtofer

MMcG
If I were you I would go with that coffee color, even if it does fade over time. Still be more interesting than another black bike. I think the color in that pic looks really good. Would like to see it in person.

Oh it is on! I already ordered it and it will be shipped out today. Shipping from Maine to CT takes a day usually so I should see it on Thursday I suspect!

I just need to build it out once it arrives - hence my question/inquiry about component selection etc.

[MMcG]

Originally Posted by BikesOnSnow

Irish Cream of course! Go Green!

Congrats on the find.

You get to ride many other 650b's down there?

BOS

This photo was from the 2008 Interbike East Demo Days. I rode the Carver 650b and the Haro Beasley 1x9 at that show. Both impressed.

[trrubicon06]

MMcG, Did the wheel info I give you help out some?

[MMcG]

Originally Posted by trrubicon06

MMcG, Did the wheel info I give you help out some?

Yep. I had trouble navigating that site though last night. Will try again today.

[trrubicon06]

Cool, I believe my set will be shipped today and I probably won't get them till next week from Oregon. But, I'll let you know how the quality is on the build.

I'm stoked to get mine. Here's another members inspiration for mine except mine is orange...

[~martini~]

Mark, I love the brown. Looks like a really cool color to have. Definietly better than another black bike. I'd go green too. I like the Irish cream idea.

[MMcG]

Originally Posted by ~martini~

Mark, I love the brown. Looks like a really cool color to have. Definietly better than another black bike. I'd go green too. I like the Irish cream idea.

Thanks Marty - I'm anxious to see what it looks like when I receive it. According to Davis it has "aged" nicely over time.

[88 rex]

Originally Posted by MMcG

Things needed:
Headset
Seatpost collar
Disc brake set
650b wheelset (anyone looking to part with a wheelset!?)
One tire for the front wheel

I've got a 650b ZTR 355 with red hop hubs and red nipples (DT Revo) built by notubes that I'm considering selling. FRONT ONLY. Also have a neo 2.3 (only a handful of rides on it) already mounted tubeless. If it's something you might be interested in I can figure out how much I'd like to sell it for.

I've got 1 other 650b lefty on the way, and I'm building a second 650b lefty. So my SS is getting parted out and I'm saving up for my spring race build (Cannondale obvoiusly).

EDIT: Also have a BB7 with FR5 lever (Front only)

[MMcG]

Originally Posted by 88 rex

I've got a 650b ZTR 355 with red hop hubs and red nipples (DT Revo) built by notubes that I'm considering selling. FRONT ONLY. Also have a neo 2.3 (only a handful of rides on it) already mounted tubeless. If it's something you might be interested in I can figure out how much I'd like to sell it for.

I've got 1 other 650b lefty on the way, and I'm building a second 650b lefty. So my SS is getting parted out and I'm saving up for my spring race build (Cannondale obvoiusly).

EDIT: Also have a BB7 with FR5 lever (Front only)

I sent you a private message regarding the front wheel.

[Turtle71]

That should be a neat ride. I like the anno color. So, the 650b wheel fits the rear of the Carver 96er? Interesting...

[MMcG]

Yes - it fits. The bike pictured was sporting a Neomoto in back. I talked with Davis last night for a good half hour and he said any of the lot of 2.0s and 2.1s will clear with room for some mud clearance.

[MMcG]

Well it looks like the shiny bits will be in red........have a set of Magura Martas en route with red bits on the body and calipers.

[umarth]

You are going to have a pretty bike there. Congrats.

[MMcG]

I'm hoping it turns out nice. Should be fun - as all bike builds are right!?

[reformed roadie]

if you go to a smaller front wheel and a larger rear. won't that make the angles a bit steep?

I'd say wait - or eventually plan on - the new Velvet when it becomes available. If the original geometry was for a 29er, then you should be able to run 130mm fork w/o a problem.

[rmb]

Originally Posted by reformed roadie

if you go to a smaller front wheel and a larger rear. won't that make the angles a bit steep?

I'd say wait - or eventually plan on - the new Velvet when it becomes available. If the original geometry was for a 29er, then you should be able to run 130mm fork w/o a problem.

I read 650B front and rear. A smaller front wheel?

[MMcG]

Originally Posted by reformed roadie

if you go to a smaller front wheel and a larger rear. won't that make the angles a bit steep?

I'd say wait - or eventually plan on - the new Velvet when it becomes available. If the original geometry was for a 29er, then you should be able to run 130mm fork w/o a problem.

My plan is for dual 650bs front and rear with a 130mm fork up front.

The rear tire will be a Quasi-moto or a Neo 2.1 or something similar and the front will be a Neo 2.3.

[Wish I Were Riding]

Doughnuts?

Congrats, I bet you'll have fun with it. The color is maybe even better is its fading.

[reformed roadie]

Originally Posted by rmb

I read 650B front and rear. A smaller front wheel?

I read a carver 96er, aka 69er, which means it was designed for a 26 rear and 29 front...so, yeah 650b is smaller than a 29" wheel.
thanks.

[MMcG]

Designed for that set up ideally, but capable of so much more versatility.

the 130mm fork will make it work with a dual 650b set up. Now had I chosen an 80mm fork - well then the angles would get a bit funky if I were to go dual 650b. The longer travel fork puts geometry back in to proportion and the ebb on the Carver frames also helps with things a bit!

[umarth]

Originally Posted by MMcG

I'm hoping it turns out nice. Should be fun - as all bike builds are right!?

You apparently have better mechanical skills than myself.

[MMcG]

Frame arrived today safe and sound!!

[MMcG]

A quick pic:

[el-cid]

Funny, it has a "sunburn" everywhere but the front derailleur and seatpost clamps. It looks like the color was supposed to be like that all along. Nice!

[MMcG]

It has "Tan Lines"

[rmb]

Originally Posted by reformed roadie

I read a carver 96er, aka 69er, which means it was designed for a 26 rear and 29 front...so, yeah 650b is smaller than a 29" wheel.
thanks.

Ah, now I see what you meant.

[AMCAT]

Originally Posted by MMcG

A quick pic:

I like it...........

[MMcG]

I'm at a bit of a standstill on this project while I wait for my wheelset to arrive.

Here's the conundrum - should I??

A) Keep it really light and Single speed by using a Rigid 29er (carbon fiber maybe) fork up front

or

B) make it more trail bike like with a 130mm 26"/650b compatible fork???

What say the masses???

[Turtle71]

Originally Posted by MMcG

I'm at a bit of a standstill on this project while I wait for my wheelset to arrive.

Here's the conundrum - should I??

A) Keep it really light and Single speed by using a Rigid 29er (carbon fiber maybe) fork up front

or

B) make it more trail bike like with a 130mm 26"/650b compatible fork???

What say the masses???

Of course everyone's different, but I prefer susp forks. I would rather have the plushness even with the weight penalty.

[el-cid]

Main/only mountain bike? My vote would be suspension fork, particularly based on the (potential) geometry changes putting a larger rear tire on it and a smaller front tire. I'd think even with a 29er rigid fork it'd throw the head and seat angles off a bit.

[MMcG]

Originally Posted by el-cid

Main/only mountain bike? My vote would be suspension fork, particularly based on the (potential) geometry changes putting a larger rear tire on it and a smaller front tire. I'd think even with a 29er rigid fork it'd throw the head and seat angles off a bit.

My plan is to add a geared full suspension bike in the spring.

This will be a dual 650b set up on the Carver - and a single speed set up as well.

Here's a pic of how it was set up when I test rode the frame at Interbike East in the fall of 2008:



I believe this X-Fusion was set at 130mm if memory serves me well.

It is interesting to look at this image and see just how much the frame has "faded" over time.

[el-cid]

I was just thinking about the stock angles of the bike as set up as a 69er (I'm too lazy to actually look up the geo though). It looks pretty "right" as set up in the pic.

[MMcG]

Yep - it rode great set up as shown. I think suspension should be the direction I head in. yep.

[MMcG]

Fork purchased and shipped out to my house today!!

However- there is a bit of a snag with this project. I'm having a wheelset built around Sun Equalizer rims - but the shop that's doing the build informed me that they are still waiting on them......I sure as hell hope they aren't all sold out and out of stock - that would suck big time..........but I fear the worst.

Please someone tell me it ain't so!

[88 rex]

Currently not in stock at BTI.

[MMcG]

Yeah - that was my fear. Crap.

I wonder how those Alex rims are?

Where's CrackedHeadtube these days???

[reformed roadie]

If they are out of stock, that means people are buying them, right?

If there is demand, then more 650b rims and tires will appear.


Whatever happened to the WTB rim?

[MMcG]

I hope it is because people are buying them and not something different.

I guess my next best alternative is the Alex rim eh? I liked the width on the Sun Rims - and their price point.

The Alex rims are the same price - just a bit narrower. Also on the bright-side it gives me a chance to re-think my hub options.

[88 rex]

Originally Posted by reformed roadie

Whatever happened to the WTB rim?

Not in stock yet, but hopefully soon. At least they are now on the BTI page.

[MMcG]

Update:

Pewter Solos Headset - check!
Manitou Nixon Fork - Check!
and
I'm going with the Alex rims for the wheelset instead of the out of stock Equalizers

Getting there slowly but surely.

[el-cid]

Nice, no pictures though? C'mon! I've been riding a set of Alex TD-17s on my Strong since it was built in '04 and have absolutely no complaints (well, maybe their weight).

[MMcG]

Installed the headset and fork tonight, Syncros Stem and FSA Gravity Lite Bars as well. But it really isn't pic-worthy yet, unless you want to see the build in progress in front of a background of kids' hockey equipment in a messy garage.