Fat Yo Eddy vs. Bontrager Race vs. Ibis Mojo POLL

[BikePimp]

Itching for another ride. Lost a bid today on eBay on a Bontrager Race Lite because the stupid eBay cookie expired the minute I was going to bid. I was mad for about an hour.

Anyways it got me thinking which bike I should build. I've never had an Ibis. Had some Bonty Privateers, but not a Race / Race Lite. Owned a Fat SaB but not a Yo Eddy.

Looking to find a frame that handles like my Kona Hei Hei. Might even do a Litespeed or Merlin...but so far I'm itching for another steel bike.

So I'm taking a poll.

 

[pete_mcc]

For the most solid, confidence inspiring and down-right perfectly built bike give me the Bontrager Race (not Lite) any day!

Edit: should have said, rode the Ibis and loved it but it was a bit plain to look at, owned a bonty and loved it but sold it because it was a little mechanical and over-engineered for me, still own a Fat as it's well engineered but has soul and passion built in. This doesn't detract from the fact that it doesn't ride as well as the Bontrager though, hence my vote for Keiths bike

 

[Crell]

Lol, welcome to the poll of the zealots. The outcome will be based on the number of owner / zealots present...so enjoy your new Yo

I guess you were watching that white racelite? The new owner has quite a deal (assuming it's OK under that poorly applied powdercoat).

If you can't get a ride, go with you heart...buy a Yo ! (...aka less competition in the Bonty market hehe )

 

[Elev12k]

Hi,

All 3 great bikes :!:

Mojos are not so well represented here. Go Mojo

 

[al]

well personaly speaking i wouldnt go for any of them!

Cos i was told by a cycle shop assistant today, that cheap gash baddly formed carbon and nasty grade ex coke can alloy frames, bonded together with a bit of fish paste.And then painted with dulux over all the ragged carbon ends and glue. Is the future of bicycles!

So my advice would be choose carefully.

Cheers,Al

 

[gil_m]

Got to be a Mojo

Beautifully understated, nice clean colours and graphics, humour and soul rolled into one, lovely butted tubing and above all a bloody good ride...

Sorry I am a bit biased

 

[hollister]

you don't want a bontrager.

 

[Mr. Zero]

In regard to ride quality why qualify the FAT and the Bonty? Though in both cases the source of construction changed the fundamental design did not. Without the intention of insult it seems a bit of snobbery.

I personally own a pre-Trek Bontrager Race that I love, but I was also a dealer for Bontrager as they went through the transition to being manufactured by Trek. After riding a gaggle of Trek manufactured Bontys I feel very strongly that you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in ride quality between a pre-Trek Race or Race Lite and a Trek manufactured Privateer with the same paint, much less a Race or Race Lite.

With only minor detail changes the story is the same with the FAT. I own both a Somerville and a Saratoga built FAT and can tell you that craftsmanship of the Saratoga FAT is noticeably superior to that of the Somerville FAT. However, ride quality of both is excellent.

Yes, I'm sorry that Keith sold out to Trek and Chris sought additional partners to grow his company, but it seems one of the most important aspects of these transactions go overlooked: Trek built Bontrager continued to be built to Keith's design as did Saratoga built FATs to Chris's, and both continued to be built in the US by very capable craftsman. I think we really need to ask ourselves why it is we consider the early bikes from these designers to be the ultimate expression of what they had to offer to mountain biking?

I don't mean to rant, but honestly feel as a community we often elevate the importance of source over quality and detail. Anthony and I just had a similar conversation in regard to the Kona Hot, so it must be fresh on my mind. :roll:

 

[jh4rt]

In regard to ride quality why qualify the FAT and the Bonty? Though in both cases the source of construction changed the fundamental design did not. Without the intention of insult it seems a bit of snobbery.

I personally own a pre-Trek Bontrager Race that I love, but I was also a dealer for Bontrager as they went through the transition to being manufactured by Trek. After riding a gaggle of Trek manufactured Bontys I feel very strongly that you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in ride quality between a pre-Trek Race or Race Lite and a Trek manufactured Privateer with the same paint, much less a Race or Race Lite.

With only minor detail changes the story is the same with the FAT. I own both a Somerville and a Saratoga built FAT and can tell you that craftsmanship of the Saratoga FAT is noticeably superior to that of the Somerville FAT. However, ride quality of both is excellent.

Yes, I'm sorry that Keith sold out to Trek and Chris sought additional partners to grow his company, but it seems one of the most important aspects of these transactions go overlooked: Trek built Bontrager continued to be built to Keith's design as did Saratoga built FATs to Chris's, and both continued to be built in the US by very capable craftsman. I think we really need to ask ourselves why it is we consider the early bikes from these designers to be the ultimate expression of what they had to offer to mountain biking?

I don't mean to rant, but honestly feel as a community we often elevate the importance of source over quality and detail. Anthony and I just had a similar conversation in regard to the Kona Hot, so it must be fresh on my mind. :roll:

Here Here!

I couldn't agree more. Having owned a '99 Yo and still the proud owner of a 91, I'm going to say that the ride of each is actually very different, mostly because of that 80mm of suspension adjusted geometry. However, WRT construction, paint, finish, fit, etc..., the '99 was a better bike. I traded it for a 2007 IF Ti Deluxe... VERY similar geometry, still a classic bike, although new, and that one is even better still. Were Chris still making bikes, I believe he'd be proud.

But, the rides are different, and the setups are different. I rode a Wicked the other day, and kind of expected not to like it. I was pleasantly surprised and am now looking for one. Could I get the same or better ride and quality from a similar bike of newer vintage, sure... but it wouldn't be a Wicked.

So, my suggestion to you is pick what you like, or think you like, the idea of. You won't be disappointed with any of the three, right? I mean, in their day these were the best bikes made.

--humbly...

 

[BikePimp]

I actually prefer the double tubed seat stays on the pre-Trek Bontys. As for feeling the difference in ride quality between pre and post Trek, I too doubt I would be able to discern. However, by the time I'm done building / upgrading the bikes I keep for the long run, I figure I spend way more money on that than on the frame...so I rather start with the frame I really want.

As for the Vintage Fats, I figure they got most everything right back in the Somerville factory. Not sure if any tube lengths or geometry changes happened after it switched hands.

There's also the resale issue where the earlier ones get more than the latter ones....even if later ones have better welds...eBay will show that, even if it's unfortunate that it's come to that.