Newly rediscovered MTB when I took a local job and started riding to work. Been riding my SS Kona Unit as a winter commuter even though the (L) frame is too small. I will be selling once winter ends. I just bought this in the fall and took it on some casual trails and now am hooked on SS.
I'm preparing for summer season where I want to do more trail and XC riding. I need a bike that fits better. I want to convert my old XL 08 (07-09?) Cannondale caffeine 29er F2 lefty to SS from 3x9. I like this frame with its old school upright geo, I've never tried anything "slack." I think that the lefty (never been serviced), the brakes and the rest of the bike is in working order. I have acquired Stan arch wheelset with lefty hub and 142 hub rear to run tubeless. I plan on eliminating the large small rings and using the read Derailleur as a tensioner. I have a feeling I'll likely replace the entire crankset too to narrow wide, I could see new brakes as well as everything is stock now.
Is this a good plan or should I just buy a SS? The big thing is the big frame fits me but I'm worried about investing in an old ride where the lefty could fail and then cost more than a used bike and I'm not an accomplished mechanic. Should I sell this for whatever or keep it 3X9 and look for a better XL SS to take to the trails?
As one possible option B: I've been looking at classifieds and there is an XL Salsa El Mariachi in bomb pop blue set up 29er 1X9 with some suntour fork for $600. This could be a simpler conversion without the crank set and BB change and a slightly newer bike.
I'm preparing for summer season where I want to do more trail and XC riding. I need a bike that fits better. I want to convert my old XL 08 (07-09?) Cannondale caffeine 29er F2 lefty to SS from 3x9. I like this frame with its old school upright geo, I've never tried anything "slack." I think that the lefty (never been serviced), the brakes and the rest of the bike is in working order. I have acquired Stan arch wheelset with lefty hub and 142 hub rear to run tubeless. I plan on eliminating the large small rings and using the read Derailleur as a tensioner. I have a feeling I'll likely replace the entire crankset too to narrow wide, I could see new brakes as well as everything is stock now.
Is this a good plan or should I just buy a SS? The big thing is the big frame fits me but I'm worried about investing in an old ride where the lefty could fail and then cost more than a used bike and I'm not an accomplished mechanic. Should I sell this for whatever or keep it 3X9 and look for a better XL SS to take to the trails?
As one possible option B: I've been looking at classifieds and there is an XL Salsa El Mariachi in bomb pop blue set up 29er 1X9 with some suntour fork for $600. This could be a simpler conversion without the crank set and BB change and a slightly newer bike.