Editors Note: Yeah, yeah…..another year end review! Tis the season! So, here are my favorite things that have passed through the Twenty Nine Inches review process during the past year. I want to point out a few parameters that I used for what I chose here.
1. The product had to be in the review process during the time period of December 2007 through to the end of November 2008. Reviews that are currently in process I did not include and will be eligible for my 2009 Top Ten list.
2. They had to be products or bicycles that I personally used during this period. Nothing any of the other Twenty Nine Inches staff reviewed on their own could be considered for my list. This list doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinions of anyone but me, Guitar Ted.
That said, let’s get on with this……
Number Three: OS Bikes Blackbuck Frame: I talked with OS Bikes founder Mark Slate at the ’07 Interbike show and from that meeting, I was convinced to purchase an OS Bikes Blackbuck frame and rigid fork. It arrived in the depths of winter, and I didn’t get any “real” trail rides in on it until late spring. After that though, the Blackbuck and I were nearly inseperable until winter set in again just recently.
Why It Made The List: Well, simply said, this bike is nearly perfect…..for me! I was replacing an Inbred 29″er, so it had tough shoes to fill, but the Blackbuck shined and went beyond all my expectations. It is why I chose it to do my “An Experiment In Front End Geometry” series. The bike flat out works, and does everything a single speed should do rather well. Add in the exclusivity and curvy, unique look, and how could I not choose this bike to be on the list this year?
My Two Cents: Had Mr. Slate done a complete size run of the Blackbuck, I would have chosen it as my #1 pick in a heartbeat. Yes, I think this frame is that good. For the money you spend on it, you get incredible value in a single speed, workhorse bike. It has a unique look, with the swoopy seatstays that may not trip your trigger, but honestly, while I was riding the Blackbuck, I never noticed them. What I did notice was spot on performance every time I rode this bike. The OS Bikes Blackbuck is hands down my favorite rig of 2008.
Two more pics to go before this years list is complete! What will they be?
Any chance this will hit the market in an XL size for us tall dudes?
My guess for one of the top two slots – Bontrager InForm saddle.
You didn’t even mention the sweet split shell BB. I’m liking mine too, accept I’m using the 650B version.
GLG: Mr. Slate isn’t going to decide on that until he sees more demand. Also, no non-29″er related products will make my list.
Wish I Were Riding: I did make mention of the split EBB in my test of the Blackbuck in an earlier post. I think it is a brilliant solution to single speed chain tensioning. Glad to know you are as enthused as I am about these frames.
GT – it IS 29er specific when mounted on your 29er
GT- what size road bike do you ride/how tall are you? I’m contemplating a Blackbuck as a monster-crosscommuter, Alfine or I-9, WTB dirt-drop bar’d bike. Just not sure if the top tube will be too long for me.
jimmythefly: It depends on the manufacturer, and “if” I ride road
, but my size varies from 58cm-60cm. (I’m down to an old ’84 Colnago Super for a road rig these days!)
Hey GT
Any idea which brand of “quality cro-moly” Mark is working with? And sorry if I missed this but what is the weight of the frame? Also did you get a frameset? It looks like only complete bikes are available but your build looks different from stock; assuming you are using this as a test-bed for your many and always appreciated reviews. Just wondering how it compares to my Dragon 29 (4.0lbs. Reynolds 853 (3 tubes))
GT,
What’s the biggest tire you think this frame will take?
Thanks,
Keith
prphoto- A couple of months ago Mark emailed me a price of $440 for the frame and rigid fork. Can’t recall if that included shipping or not. Also, not sure if it’s mentioned in the previous reviews, the frame comes with a derailleur hanger that sandwiches between the QR and dropout, and uses pins to orient itself corrcetly.
I really, really wish it was my size.
Keith: I’ve had WW LT’s and Racing Ralph 2.4′s on Gordos that measured over 60mm wide on the Blackbuck with room to spare.
prphoto: Mark is using Maxway as his fabricator, which is where all the good quality steel frames are coming from out of Taiwan now. It’s good stuff.
Hello Guitar Ted. I tried to check out OS Bikes website to get more info on the Blackbuck but the website is not up anymore. Do you know if they are still in business or what the situation is with the website?
Kristian: Yes, I was made aware that the OS Bikes site was down as of yesterday, but I am afraid I do not know at this time what is going on there. I hope to be able to have some information for everyone soon.
Thanks Ted. I know I am waaay late here…. GLG, I would like to do some taller frames. Word on the split shell – line bored after welding with inner diameter held as close to the O.D. of the eccentric as I could get. On the Cromo I use – not a name brand and tubes are 10% heavier than they could be with that loooong down tube in mind (bigger diameter there too). Cost is still $400 for a frame (does not include shipping), but price will go up at some point here. For now I am sticking with my own form of stimulus. (Rode today on the local ST.) Sorry about the site being down. My friend hosting me says it is on an old server and he will update soon. Well, I am four months late here… anybody reading me?
slate: Ha ha! Yes! Loud and clear.
I get notices whenever somebody posts, so I always see stuff even if it’s on posts from three years ago. The innerweb is amazing, eh?
mtbr.com has been buzzing with a few guys posting their Blackbucks, so the bike is getting some exposure.
Trails are drying out and I just went over my Blackbuck today, as a matter of fact. Can’t wait to get out on it some more!
Where did all of the Blackbuck pictures go? None of them are loading for me!