Out of the Box: Raleigh XXIX+G
December 21st, 2006 by Guitar TedA new entry in the geared only, hard tail 29″er ranks has been delivered for testing. The Raleigh XXIX+G Before I get to the features, here are the specs from the Raleigh website:
Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL
Frame: 29″ 4130 butted CROMO w/ CNC dropouts, Replaceable insert, & hangar
Fork: Rock Shox Reba SL 29″ Air w/ rebound adjust
Crankset: Truvativ Firex 22/32/44
Bottom Bracket: Truvativ External Bearing
F. Derailluer: Sram X-7
R. Derailluer: Sram X-7
Shift Lever: Sram SX-5 9spd.
Brake Levers: Avid FR-5
Brakes: Avid BB-5 Disc, 6 inch rotors
Cogset: Sram PG-950 9spd (11-34)
Rims: WTB Speed Disc 29″ 32H
Tires: WTB Exi Wolf 29X2.3
Handlebar: Easton EA-50 31.8mm
Stem: Easton EA-30 31.8mm
Seatpost: Easton EA-30 27.2mm
Saddle: WTB Laser V Comp
Headset: Ahead 1 1/8th
Hubset: JoyTech Alloy QR Disc 32H Cassette
Spokes: DT Swiss Champion blk. 2.0mm
Grips: Raleigh
MSRP: $1325.00
The newest Raleigh in it’s 29″er series is a very similar bike to the XXIX single speed that Tim has written about before. The major differences are the obvious lack of an eccentric bottom bracket, cable stops added to accomodate the gear cables, and the slight change in front end geometry to accomodate the Rock Shox Reba fork on board. The basic frame, a double butted steel tube set, is the same. It features plenty of tire clearance for the new crop of 29″ fatties. The only caveat here is that you may have to change out the front derailluer for clearance. (The front derailluer on the bike delivered to me was a Shimano Deore unit, by the way, not the listed Sram X-7 unit in the specs)
The bike has a nice, subtle graphics package with the exception of the large downtube decal, which like the XXIX single speed, is on the inside of the front triangle. While it’s a cool and unusual place for the decal, you might find the placement of a cage and bottle will detract from the look. Otherwise the bike has a minimalist and business-like appearance with it’s gloss black paint job.
The bike has a no nonsense spec that should cause little if any concern to the average trail rider. The addition of the Rock Shox Reba SL was welcomed and should be trouble free. Good solid parts through out are durable, if a little on the portly side. The bike tipped my scale right at 30lbs, but considering the price and what you are getting for it, I don’t feel it’s a bad weight at all. In fact, a judicious choice in a tire swap could instantly yeild well over a one pound loss in weight alone.
I expect that the XXIX+G will be a fun and trouble free ride and I can’t wait to get it dirty to find out how it handles. In addition to my thoughts on the bike, you can also expect to see what Tim has to say about it, as he is taking delivery of one of these black beauties too.
In conclusion, I want to thank the fine folks at Raleigh USA for this opportunity and say thanks for a much needed addition to the choices in a geared specific hard tail 29″er.
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Wow that seems awfully heavy…30lbs is a lot to swallow. Looks like an OK spec for the price. Not a fan of the downtube graphics at all.
Keep us posted on the ride reports when all of the snow clears. Better yet, just ship it out to AZ and I’ll put some miles on it for you while you guys thaw out…
Are those Raleigh frames made in China rather than in Taiwan?
Thie frame is made in China.
I just got mine yesterday and I’m ready for the first ride. The first thing I did notice was the lack of clearance for the front derailer. I also have the xxix ss and love it
.downhillfaster.: Well, as I said, we should keep in mind that this is a mid level spec on a 29″er that has way heavy tires and, as those of you with XXIX single speeds know, heavy bars, stem, and seatpost. I’m guessing a weight loss of up to three pounds can be had in a hurry and for cheap by switching out those components. (along with the saddle, which I happen to like, by the way)
Also, no snow here. We got a lot of rain, though. No riding until it dries up a bit.
Yes, it’s correct that the frame sticker says China, although the frames drop outs are exactly the same as the Haro Mary’s which has a Taiwanese manufacture. Coincidental, but not all that unusual. I was originally under the impression that the Haro model and the Raleigh were from the same factory. Maybe that’s wrong. It would appear so.
The frames in fact are made in Taiwan. The made in China sticker is from the China assembly factory.
A bit porky at 30 lbs. What’s the frame weigh? 6lbs?
My guess is that a customer at the lbs who picks up a Fisher and the XXIX might wonder about the weight. Sure people could switch out the components but if you have the stuff lying around or a bike to swap stuff off of it would be better to pick up a Niner EMD, On One, etc and end up with a much lighter bike.
nalax: I do not know what the frame weighs. I think you missed my point. That is with a tire switch, seatpost, stem, and handlebar switch, you most likely could get this down to a sub 27lb bike. Those four items won’t get you very far into a Niner bare frame build.
It’s obvious that there are lighter bikes out there. However; I don’t know of too many complete hardtail 29″ers that are MSRP @ $1325.00. (likely somewhat less at street price) You mention the Fisher bikes, and they are fine 29″ers, but you would be in the X-cal range here, with only the Cobia being cheaper.
Tim Grahl’s X-Cal weighed in at 27.18 lbs, and the lionshare of weight savings there is in the much lighter tires and wheelset. Again, the XXIX+G could easily be made to weigh the same.
I think when you look at it in this light, it’s not hard to see that the XXIX+G is a pretty decent bike……for what it is. I agree that if weight is of primary concern, and if you have the $$$ it takes, one could do much better in the weight of a complete bike. However, this isn’t just about weight. It’s about a new choice in an under represented category of LBS available 29″ers. In that vein, the XXIX+G is a welcomed and very nice addition to our choices.
Well today was the first ride on this bike and besides the 6-12 inches of new snow it was a great ride. This bike is by far the fastest thing I have ever climbed up the trail with. Two months ago I sold my overpriced full sprung 26′er and started to rid the Raleigh xxix ss that I had bought in the summer. I then relized how much better the 29′er handled.
My freind on the other hand thought that I was crazy but I could not believe how well it rode. I then found out that the xxix-g was coming out for 07 and put my order in.
Well today my friend started to see the major differance in the way that the 29′ers climb. We are well matched in our riding and ride together most of the time but today I was having to wait for him because I was climing so much faster than he was.
I will put a picture in the photo gallery of the ride today.
Rocket: Thanks for that write up. It would seem that your style is well suited to the big wheel’s attributes. I’m glad to hear you are having some fun on this bike.
I odered my XXIX back in July and I’m still waiting for it. Anyone esle out there still waiting for theirs or is it just me?
I’m looking for some help with the REBA fork that is on this bike. I have a pop-lock for the fork but I think I’m missing a part that goes on the top of the lock out knob.
Have any of you out there used this pop lock setup? If so guide me in the right direction.
Thanks
Hey Rocket, I ran the same fork on my Rig, the Reba SL doesnt have the remote feature the Reba Race does, under that bronzish silverish cap on the top of the lockout is where you can adjust the poplock sensitivity of the lockout though. Hope this helps a bit
Matty
Thanks for the help. Do you know if I can buy an adapter tp be able to use the pop lock on the SL or should I even worry aout it? How often do you use the lock out feature?
Spanky: You need to check with your dealer about following up on your XXIX order. (Maybe your order got lost? I don’t know.) Most of us that got them earlier this year did have to wait for at least a month to get it in to the dealer. Some dealers now have them in stock.
Let us know where you are at and we should be able to help you out in figuring out what to do.
Matty: To get the handle bar mounted upgrade you need an entirely new top cap assembly, cable, and “thumbie” mount. All parts are available through Rock Shox, or your local bike shop can also call them up and order it. That’s not a cheap upgrade, but I can not quote you a price. Parts were something like $45-50 or so, last time I checked……I think!
Spanky: GCG199 is right. You need to contact your LBS. This bike is available now. The shop I work at got our pre-season XXIX’s in and they weren’t supposed to show up until the orders by customers were filled. Something doesn’t jive here!
yup you can that lockout kit thingy for the SL model, but be warned, the top of that lockout thing could hit the downtube when turnin some sharp corners, some frames it does, some dont. if it does then you have to get this headset race stacker.
I personally never used the lockout when i had a suspension fork, but that is definitely more of a personal personal preference, but when i did use it i never had an issue reaching down and hitting the lockout on the fork.
Hope this helps and have a good Festivus everyone,
-Matty
Thanks Matty
I’m not going to worry about it I’ll just reach down and turn the knob. Went for a great Festivus ride this afternoon on my XXIX, It made me fell good about all the junk food I have been eatting the past couple of days.
Tahnks for the help.
The handlebar mounted lockout was a very useable upgrade for me. I rarely used the lockout on my old set of Reba’s because taking my hand off the handlebar was a such a pain… now that it’s a flip of the thumb I use it on a regular basis. I think it’s def a good upgrade for $50.
Wow, SPANKY, sounds like you need to find a new shop to patronize!!
I contacted the shop before I posted they said they would look into it. That was oh three or four days ago still no word. I love this shop I can’t wait to do more business with them. I think I’ll go sleep infront of the shop tonight in the snow so I can be the first one to give them my money in the morning.
Loyalty is so rare these days! God Speed, my brother!
I heard through the grapevine that my bike is finaly in. I can’t wait to hear the excuse as to why it took 4 months to get it. Would a $1 a day dicount be too much to ask for( of course prorated from the month it should of taken in the first place)? I still haven’t heard from the shop that it’s there. If it is I’ll get it tomarro. Wish me luck.