Comments on: Raleigh 2009 29″ers: Sneak Peek!

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:21:37 +0000

xxxix: Yes, you have that correct about the fork and frames from the three years of XXIX production.

As for Raleigh’s geometry being different: Well, it kind of is unique in its own way. Raleigh managed to produce a 29″er out of the box that could handle a 2.55″ tire, had shortish chain stays for a 29″er at 17.25″ , and a head tube angle with a suspension fork of about 70.5 degrees. (Unsagged with a 80mm travel Reba)

Some other manufacturers have similar head tube angles, but longer chain stays. Some have shorter chain stays and steeper head tube angles. So, raleigh is a bit unique in their own way.

Regarding the shorter fork and BB height, read my findings on An Experiment In Front End Geometry series on this site. It isn’t as bad as you might think it would be.

By: xxxix

xxxix — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:38:33 +0000

So if I ran one of the 2007 XXIX rigid forks on a 2007, 2008, or a 2009 frame, they would all have the same geometry (except for the seat tube length).

Do the 2007 Raleigh XXIX and XXIX+G frames have really different geometry than most other 29ers? If you ran a 440mm fork on any other 29er, I’d imagine your bb would be in the dirt.

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:14:27 +0000

dominick: You’d want to keep the ‘07 model you have then. The ‘09 will handle like the XXIX+G, since now the XXIX will be suspension corrected, making it’s axle to crown length longer than your bikes, and slackening out the head angle ever so slightly.

By: dominick

dominick — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:28:27 +0000

I have the original xxix(it’s orange…2007-?) I wonder if current changes will affect handling, and if so, should I pick-up a 2008 while they are still available? Or are the changes an improvement warranting an upgrade? I weigh 290+ and am very happy with the durability and handling,will stay suspension-free.

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:00:47 +0000

xxxix: The style of the decal is a style that is seen a lot in recent years on BMX street bikes.

The geometry of the frame itself is unchanged from 2007. Yes, both the geared and single speed frames are set up with the same angles. the only modification to the main frame for 2009 is that the seat tube lengths are slightly longer.

You can find steel and carbon forks that will mimic the original XXIX fork from several sources. Just check around, but some suggestions would be Origin 8, Salsa, OS Bikes, and several more.

By: xxxix

xxxix — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:55:34 +0000

I don’t understand how these bikes have “BMX-inspired graphics”….Am I missing something? Is it just the plain solid color with slight decals or what?

I prefer the shorter fork. My Zion with Mary fork is too high and is aesthetically wrong with such a short headtube and all that air between the front tire and downtube. I’ve been considering a XXIX+G frame and XXIX fork (440mm)…guess I’ll have to find them used now.

Is the geometry different from 2008 on the singlespeed frame? Have the geared and SS models always had the same geometry?

By: dan

dan — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:16:15 +0000

come on deluxe ! can’t wait till high roller comes out

By: jg

jg — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:13:56 +0000

Thats Hot says Paris Hilton, the blue one not the lame one with the susp fork -

By: steve

steve — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:24:54 +0000

If the only thing you’re going to change is paint, please spare us the Wal-Mart graphics. The original Raleigh on top of the downtube was so cool.

By: BearSquirrel

BearSquirrel — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:01:06 +0000

160mm front and 185mm rear should be standard for 29ers. Similarly, 140mm on the rear and 160mm on the front should be standard for XC 26ers.