New 29″ers Spotted!
January 18th, 2007 by Guitar Ted
Here’s something I hadn’t been aware of until recently. A company called Vassago Cycles that is making 29″er frames and forks. They have a model,( The Jabberwocky pictured here) that is a singlespeed/geared frame set. Sort of another version of the Karate Monkey/Inbred type of 29″er. The Jabberwocky has track ends and a built in screw type chain tensioner on each dropout. It claims to have a no fuss rear wheel removal with a disc brake set up. The canti bosses are removeable, ala On One’s Inbred. The color, as you can see, is an almost de riguer for 29″ers shade of green, but several powder coat options exist for an upgraded price. Speaking of the price, Vassago sells these direct for $379.99 for the frame only. A rigid fork is also listed on their web site. Another model that is geared only, The Bandersnatch, is also offered. The geometry appears to be a bit more towards the “MC/Western” side of things, but it’s hard to tell since they didn’t list fork info on the site.
Another long awaited bike, the Fisher Ferrous, appears to be available now as examples are popping up on mtbr.com’s 29″er forum now. Details include a “fish skeleton” motif head badge and seat tube gusset. Of course, the Ferrous is another one of the “do-it-all” steel hardtails out there with an EBB to make it into a single speed, if you want it that way. I like the low key graphics and that blue color is pretty cool too. I just wish it was available as a frameset, with no cable guides for gears. (I like my single speeds pure ever since I saw the XXIX) But, it’s still an awesome looking rig built out of True Temper OX Platinum steel, so it should ride quite nicely.
More cool 29″er stuff should be showing up real soon! Stay tuned!
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Can you explain your MC/Western Geometry reference? What does this compare to? What do you consider midwest geometry, or for that matter East Coast geometry??
Could be a good topic for a separate thread, but as a New England based rider I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Ferrous GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!
MMcG: MC/Western geometry = Matt Chester, higher trail figure type front end geometry. Good for wide open, fast trails where you have time to “set up” for the next trail obstacle because of longer sight lines. Generally not good in tight, twisty, technical single track where you can only view 10-20ft of trail at any given time due to vege or forestation. A quicker handling bike that reacts in an instant with little body english is preferable there, usually. That’s my take on it in a very, very general sense.
The Jaberwocky looks good, but any idea of how their fudge-free disk wheel removal claim works out? The dropouts look very similar to KM dropouts.
The Ferrous is very pretty, but I dont get it. How many people that are going to spend that kind of cash want a ‘do-it-all’ frame? For a few more bones you can have a nice dedicated geary and a nice dedicated SS. And I really don’t understand why a geared only rider would want the extra weight, potential creaking issues, and potential geometry changes that go along with an EBB. Though I certainly understand the business reasons behind making one. So I guess it would be a good SS, but do they sell it as a complete SS or frame only?
Damn is it pretty though!
That’s not just any Ferrous splashed all over mtbr.com’s 29er forum - it’s mine and I must say it is an awesome ride. I still am in awe how smooth the ride is everytime I get on it. This is my first steel ride after riding 29er aluminium hardtails since January 2003 and I have been looking at both steel and titanium frames for the last year or more. I bought the Ferrous and have no regrets (I must admit though I am still oogling over ti frames). I really liked the idea that it could be run geared or SS even though I had intended to run it as an SS primarily. I have never had a problem with EBBs creaking like a few others tend to complain about - I know how to use grease and also know that maintenance is paramount to having a good ride every time. Another reason I bought the bike is that it is USA made so my money staying here to help employ a welder and a few others that put this bike together for me (a big THANKS to all of you).
Justin R: On the Jabberwocky, the disc mount for the rear brake looks to be in a slightly different loction than the Karate Monkey’s. Perhaps it is enough to allow you to remove the rear wheel without fuss. There is a possibility that Twenty Nine Inches may get a Jabberwocky to test, so keep your eyes peeled for that, and we just may find out for ourselves.
As far as the Ferrous is concerned, you can check out Eric’s comment, and I would add that the frame does have some cool detail touches. The “fish skeleton” motif for the seat tube gusset and head tube badge are things you don’t normally find on mass produced frames. The spec is pretty decent, much like a Paragon. The EBB? Well, you could say that if a person was to shell out that kind of cash, they might just want a little more for their buck, (single or geared), and not less, (just geared). It all depends upon your perspective. It’s certainly not for everyone. I would also agree that it would be sweet if you could get the frame only, maybe even with a matching uni-crown fork!
Eric: Congrats on the bike! It sounds as if you are digging it and your salient points on maintenance are well taken.
I will also agree that titanium frames are intriguing. Maybe I’ve gotten the bug since doing the Lynskey story!
New 29er coming in from Felt. http://www.feltracing.com check it out. It will be in 3 different models. One is a single speed. Looks really good.
likewise mass market southern hemisphere brand Avanti with their K.I.S.S and Scratch 29ers
Congratulations to them ! (although spec a little disapointing..)
http://www.avantibikes.com