top end alu 29er hardtail frame

[Helpmytrap]

Niner or Tallboy get my vote. Ridden neither but this is the hub, since when does one need experience to be an expert

 

 

 

Maybe when being ridden but I'm willing to back my alu frame over a carbon frame in a dropping on a rock or seat/ bike stand clamp pressure contest.

 

I'm not into aesthetics and a bit of a hazard so my alu is full of scratches and dents. Basically it suits my personality. I don't want to have to treat my bike like a vase every time I handle it. Plus, if I really wanted to be lighter, I'm sure I could save that weight by having one less beer or boerie over the weekend.

The guys at Santa Cruz did a test. The carbon frames were always stronger than the alu, the other difference was the way in which they broke...snap vs bend.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6APhKvaW6ig

Edited December 20, 2013 by Helpmytrap

[Mailman7412]

Cannondale alu is the way to go. Their 29er geometry is dialed in and what many people don't realize they were the first mainstream bike manufacturer to start making alu bikes so have years of experiece with it.

 

Have owned both Giant and Cannondale alu MTBs and you cannot compare the ride quality.

 

Currently own a Cannondale Carbon 29er and have not been able to break it - they build them tough.

 

Starting to build this tommorrow

[I am not SomeBloke]

 

The guys at Santa Cruz did a test. The carbon frames were always stronger than the alu, the other difference was the way in which they broke...snap vs bend.

 

I think Santa Cruz totally own the best combination of aesthetics and technology. Damn, their bikes are desirable.

[Palaeodom]

Seen that vid, its pretty awesome how strong they are. Needless to say, I still feel like I have to be gentle with falling in rocky areas or just dropping it, standing on it or other such unpredictable acts.

[Palaeodom]

If I'm going to break a bike then I'd rather it cost 8-10k than 15-20k.

[Eldron]

I'm a Ninerphile so Niner for me.

 

I rode the AIR9 and found it quite racy as JC said - did Joberg2C on it and found it a little too stiff on the 100km+ stages. For out and out racing get the AIR9 - for something a bit more forgiving get the EMD.

 

Giant has to be the best bang for weight for buck frame around. Even my XTC29 Version 1 was under 1500g. You can pick them up real cheap.

 

Agreed on the impact resistance thing. I crashed my brains out in pmb when my bar caught a rock and spun the shifter into the top tube. Despite a few layers of insulation tape (to stop scratches when the shifter hitsa the top tube ironically) the shifter "spiderwebbed" the carbon. I don't think there is any structural damage but it looks ***/broken. Alu frame would have scratched/gauged and little else I reckon.

Edited December 20, 2013 by Eldron

[Morwa]

http://www.santacruz.../highball-alloy

 

I was also looking for one.... a month ago. Phoned a couple of shops. All had the same answer. Dragon Sports (Giant & Santa Cruz) don't import the alu version of the Highball. But...it can be a special order. Price would be close to R10K in the end.

 

Ended up buying a Momsen AL829 frame from a fellow hubber! Nice frame!

[Mailman7412]

Starting to build this tommorrow

 

Build done