Who makes the best alu 29er HT frames?

Discuss light weight issues concerning mountain bikes & parts.

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darkblue08
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:56 pm

by darkblue08

Im looking for my first mountain bike. Coming from a carbon road bike its hard to judge the quality of the frame. I have been looking at Giant, Scott, Cube, Cannondale, Trek and Specialized. Who makes the 29er alu frame with the best ride quality, build quality and weight?

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yourdaguy
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Location: Southern Indiana USA
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by yourdaguy

Air9 is really nice and very light for aluminum especially if you get the black anodized frame.
For certain parts stiffer is more important than lighter.

by Weenie


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musk3t
Posts: 38
Joined: Thu May 10, 2012 11:43 am

by musk3t

Niner or Santa Cruz.

darkblue08
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:56 pm

by darkblue08

Thanks for the tip. Looks like they are hard to come by in Denmark. Anyone knows where to buy them in Europe?

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eurperg
Posts: 936
Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 10:32 am
Location: Finland

by eurperg

http://www.niner.ee

I have been very satisfied with the ride quality of my One9, especially with the RDO carbon seatpost.

drider85
Posts: 183
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:53 pm

by drider85

I have rode/owned a aluminum Flash and had a chance to compare it to Niners. The Cannondale rode better because of the more compliant rear triangle. Weights were very similar.

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yourdaguy
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by yourdaguy

The rear compliance of the Air9 and Flash are very similar. Tires, seat, and seatpost make a much greater difference in rider comfort. I do recommend the Flash 29er seat post though. That is a carbon post with a flattened section. It makes a huge difference. It is a 27.2 post so you will have to use a shim but I have one on a One9 (with a shim) and love it. Also, because of the length, it and the shim are actually lighter than any 30.9 post that is at least 400 mm long. I have the Cannondale post on 2 of my Niners, a full rigid SS Sir and the One.

I am not sure of pricing in Europe but the Flash and the Niner are both really good and between the 2, I would buy on price. In the US, I can generally get the Niner for about the same price.
For certain parts stiffer is more important than lighter.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



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Ghastly
Posts: 466
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:43 pm
Location: Belgium

by Ghastly

I'm enjoying my On-One ScandAl. Almost identical geo with the Air 9, but for half the price.
Dunno about the new frame, but I guess they're following the same strategy...

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