Although I was totally in love with my Slackline, it was just too small to use as a trail bike. Initially it was just for mucking about on but it rode so well and I redisvovered the fun of riding hardtails that I was using it for longer rides.
Due to it being too small, it climbed like a pig because my weight was too far over the back. As I was using the Stanton so much I came close to selling my Rune to buy one really nice hardtail but I couldn't get what I wanted / needed for it. I did however get a better Christmas bonus than I thought I would do I decided to get a bigger hardtail frame and keep the Rune.
Despite my scepticism about 650b, that's the route I've gone down. More because I liked the frame than because I wanted silly wheels or yo future proof myself. The idea of a properly slack steel hardtail frame appeals on lots of levels.
Ideally I would have had the translucent green but they're sold out until April and I didn't want to wait that long so I went for cherry red and in the flesh, I think it's lovely.
It's a lovely looking bike with some nice details and is a fair chunk longer than the Skackline so should be more comfortable.
Old and new together....
There are some lovely details on the frame too, this being my favourite.
I'm waiting for a lot of stuff to arrive...new headset, new wheels and tyres, dropper post, seat clamp, gear cable etc.
I need to decide on forks. I was originally going to get some new Pikes but they're too expensive and I don't really like Rock Shox. So it's between some ex demo 34's from Mojo or some X Fusion Sweeps. I rode some 2013 34's which I thought were poo, but the 2014/5 ones are supposed to be much better. The ones I'm looking at are also the FIT version. Hmmmm.
I've gone for Race Face Turbine wheels because they were cheap in the CRC sale and were the lightest where's that I was considering. Reverbs were also cheap from Merlin especially with an extra 10% off so it had to be done because I missed it on the Slackline. Tyres will be Conti Mountain Kings due to the weight.
Will post up more pics as progress is made. Can't wait to ride it.
Due to it being too small, it climbed like a pig because my weight was too far over the back. As I was using the Stanton so much I came close to selling my Rune to buy one really nice hardtail but I couldn't get what I wanted / needed for it. I did however get a better Christmas bonus than I thought I would do I decided to get a bigger hardtail frame and keep the Rune.
Despite my scepticism about 650b, that's the route I've gone down. More because I liked the frame than because I wanted silly wheels or yo future proof myself. The idea of a properly slack steel hardtail frame appeals on lots of levels.
Ideally I would have had the translucent green but they're sold out until April and I didn't want to wait that long so I went for cherry red and in the flesh, I think it's lovely.
It's a lovely looking bike with some nice details and is a fair chunk longer than the Skackline so should be more comfortable.
Old and new together....
There are some lovely details on the frame too, this being my favourite.
I'm waiting for a lot of stuff to arrive...new headset, new wheels and tyres, dropper post, seat clamp, gear cable etc.
I need to decide on forks. I was originally going to get some new Pikes but they're too expensive and I don't really like Rock Shox. So it's between some ex demo 34's from Mojo or some X Fusion Sweeps. I rode some 2013 34's which I thought were poo, but the 2014/5 ones are supposed to be much better. The ones I'm looking at are also the FIT version. Hmmmm.
I've gone for Race Face Turbine wheels because they were cheap in the CRC sale and were the lightest where's that I was considering. Reverbs were also cheap from Merlin especially with an extra 10% off so it had to be done because I missed it on the Slackline. Tyres will be Conti Mountain Kings due to the weight.
Will post up more pics as progress is made. Can't wait to ride it.
