I sold all my bikes! What 140-160mm 29er Frame?

PB Forum :: 29ers
I sold all my bikes! What 140-160mm 29er Frame?
Previous Page | Next Page
Author Message
flag cogden2
Posted: Jun 7, 2020 at 23:55 Quote
Well before last week I’d never sold a bike, now I’ve sold all of them. After a big spread sheet and a load of research I’ve been whittling my list of new frames down.

Basically I’m after a frame with similar geo to my Capra that climbs a bit better and maybe has a little less travel. Budget up to £1600ish. I found the Capra quite bobby on climbs.

I’m 5 9″/5 10″ ish and I was riding a Large Capra 29 with a 465 reach and that felt good. I’d like to demo some stuff but god knows when we’ll be able to do that properly yet.

My initial list was:
Meta AM 29 – Mate has just ordered one don’t fancy having matching bikes again.
Sentinal V1 – Heavy and told it doesn’t climb well. Although £1299 for frame and shock is appealing.
Ripmo AF – Great reviews but but I find it really ugly? With a coil its near enough £2k and I’m not really sure I wanna spend that much.
Pace Rc295 Medium – Looks right on paper but not many reviews and shady past with warranty. £1900 isn’t bad for carbon and all the bits it comes with but then again I’m not too fussed about having carbon
Bird AM9 ML – 10mm longer reach than my Capra but should be find with a shorter stem.

See I think the AM9 or the Ripmo make the most sense and seems to get the best reviews but neither have that wow, like, they are not the best looking bikes in the world. I feel it’s a bit like buying a people carrier, its got everything I needs, yeah, but am I gonna go in my spare room a drool over it? I think that might be why I’ve not hit order on anything yet.

Now before I just buy an AM9 is there anything else I should consider that’s not on that list?

Cheers
flag dirtrider121
Posted: Jun 9, 2020 at 3:39 Quote
Hey man, I'm in a similar position, my next frame will be 140-150. I have a trek slash currently which is fine, but will be replaced.

I am looking at the alloy hightower, think it's a perfect UK all mountain / enduro bike.

A few mates have proper enduro rigs, 170mm 29ers and they're barges, I want something a bit more nimble that I can still take to the Alps etc.

I am gonna wait for the new alloy sentinel to come out, but that'll be a while yet, but I'm not in a rush.

If I were you, I'd be looking at either the ripmo, hightower or sentinel if you're happy having an older model.
flag cogden2
Posted: Jun 10, 2020 at 9:18 Quote
Alloy Hightower is good on paper but is heavy AF. The Sentinel is pretty hefty as well.
flag dirtrider121
Posted: Jun 11, 2020 at 0:34 Quote
If you're looking at these types of bikes, weight shouldn't really be coming into it mate. Geometry makes much more difference when it comes to climbing.

Also, tyre weight and compound will also make a bigger difference.
flag stteezzy
Posted: Jun 27, 2020 at 20:53 Quote
Bit late but my sentinel v1 climbs amazing so Idk where ya heard that. Sentinel is such a fun bike for being a long-ish travel 29er.
flag Ccouch5859
Posted: Jun 28, 2020 at 18:58 Quote
cogden2 wrote:
Well before last week I’d never sold a bike, now I’ve sold all of them. After a big spread sheet and a load of research I’ve been whittling my list of new frames down.

Basically I’m after a frame with similar geo to my Capra that climbs a bit better and maybe has a little less travel. Budget up to £1600ish. I found the Capra quite bobby on climbs.

I’m 5 9″/5 10″ ish and I was riding a Large Capra 29 with a 465 reach and that felt good. I’d like to demo some stuff but god knows when we’ll be able to do that properly yet.

My initial list was:
Meta AM 29 – Mate has just ordered one don’t fancy having matching bikes again.
Sentinal V1 – Heavy and told it doesn’t climb well. Although £1299 for frame and shock is appealing.
Ripmo AF – Great reviews but but I find it really ugly? With a coil its near enough £2k and I’m not really sure I wanna spend that much.
Pace Rc295 Medium – Looks right on paper but not many reviews and shady past with warranty. £1900 isn’t bad for carbon and all the bits it comes with but then again I’m not too fussed about having carbon
Bird AM9 ML – 10mm longer reach than my Capra but should be find with a shorter stem.

See I think the AM9 or the Ripmo make the most sense and seems to get the best reviews but neither have that wow, like, they are not the best looking bikes in the world. I feel it’s a bit like buying a people carrier, its got everything I needs, yeah, but am I gonna go in my spare room a drool over it? I think that might be why I’ve not hit order on anything yet.

Now before I just buy an AM9 is there anything else I should consider that’s not on that list?

Cheers

Just grab a Meta AM 29 in a different color than your mate! Easy!
flag gafoto
Posted: Jun 28, 2020 at 21:35 Quote
How about a Jeffsy? Similar numbers but a little less aggressive travel. My girlfriend has one and it has plenty of capability.
flag DanMG
Posted: Jul 3, 2020 at 13:43 Quote
dirtrider121 wrote:
If you're looking at these types of bikes, weight shouldn't really be coming into it mate. Geometry makes much more difference when it comes to climbing.

Also, tyre weight and compound will also make a bigger difference.

I'm trying to learn more as I search for a new 29er so I am hoping you will expand on this a bit if you don't mind. I currently ride a 650 alloy that I am pleased with. I've looked at some carbon frames and while I do like what the new enduro/all mt ones offer, where I ride is very loose and rocky. I am a bit of a banger when I descend and have some good hits on my alloy frame, which on a carbon frame might just destroy it. Plenty of people ride carbon here, but they are better/smoother riders than I am on the difficult descents.
flag krehzeekid
Posted: Jul 3, 2020 at 14:32 Quote
Really digging my Ripmo AF. Geometry is a nice blend of capable and nimble- it's progressive enough for aggressive riding, without feeling totally hopeless on easier terrain. Also climbs really nicely with the Jade X coil, though you do feel the weight. I'm just over 5'10" and the large feels really nice with a 40mm stem.

I would also look at a kona process 153 frame- I don't know about availability overseas, but they're bomber frames and ride really nicely. Again, well balanced in terms of capability and agility. My experience is that they ride more playfully than my Ibis or things like the megatower. Worth a look at least.
flag Jeeptec33
Posted: Aug 28, 2020 at 5:42 Quote
Check out the Banshee Titan if you are ok with aluminum.
flag HammerheadOG
Posted: Sep 29, 2020 at 17:38 Quote
Orbea Occam carbon with a Fox36 150 or 160 up front
Previous Page | Next Page

 
Copyright © 2000 - 2023. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.013336
Mobile Version of Website