Our B-Side prototype was put through the paces by Cycle Sports, a big cycling magazine in Japan. (Well, all magazines in Japan seem bigger than their American counterparts, don't they?)
Our Japananese distributor was so intrigued by it at Interbike, they wanted to borrow it for their show in Japan. Then Cycle Sports saw it at their show...Long story short, we only got it back a few weeks ago.
Though the test editors agreed on most of the advantages the 650b MTB platform hopes to offer, the feature they most appreciated was that the bar height was back at a reasonable level. They really don't like the jacked-up bars most 29er's have.
We are now riding the prototype here in the States and hope to move to production soon. Geometry is mostly dialed in, but we are not sure should we go with nice Tange heat treated CrMo tubeset like our other frames or go with something more affordable to entice those that are not sold and just wanna try this thing out...like a plain ol double butted CrMo or a Reynolds 631? What yall think?
If you have access to Japanese magazines where you are the review is featured in 2008 Issue 2.
26 comments:
Definately the Tange. Your frames are inexpensive enough as it is, and anyone buy this bike will immediately wish they had had the option of the Tange over the heavier/cheaper option.
My .02
Oh, and I'd be happy to test out a proto for you regardless of the material;)
Thanks!
I go for the Tange. I was happy with the 631 on my Juice but if given the choice, I'll go for the better tubing.
TANGE BABY!
There aren't going to be many options for dedicated 650b frames starting out, so yeah--go with the higher end tubeset. People eager to be on the cutting edge of this thing aren't going to quibble over a few bucks for better quality steel! Once you have the geometry where you want it (via customer feedback and all) you could produce a lower priced, CroMo option if there seemed sufficient interest.
Best, Steve
My initial thought: Produce a cr-mo version foremost. Surly will not be entering the B market, so offer the B-Side as a lower end tube set with a rigid fork included. Haro will have their Beasley line as complete's only (also equipped with a rigid fork). If the first run will be purely to gauge the interest of the US market, then why pony up the cash for the higher tubeset? Version 2.0, once popularity gains, go with the Upgraded tubing. Eh. Whatever.
Use the nicer steel! If someone is looking for a 650b right now the only choices are either low-end or really high end. Something for the rest of us would be perfect!
Go with the Tange. You produce excellent frames -- so you don't want your first production of a new concept to be handicapped by the tubset. Use the goodstuff - you can come out with a "more affordable" later.
Tange but along the same price point at the Juice frames.
I also vote for Tange!
Will this be SS or geared or Juice-type horiz. dropouts?
go with ecc. bb n horiz. dropouts. only santa cruz makes one, and it would be awesome!
My first MTB in 93 was Tange. So help remind me why I love riding so much and give me Tange! You are also pretty much the only production HT steel frame for 650B that I have heard of, so take advantage and offer the the Tange, people aren't aren't going to be swayed away by the higher price, cause they have no where else to go!
How about offering bolt on drop outs so people have the option of geared or SS. I personally want to build my 650B geared.
Cheers
Kevin
What travel length suspension fork are you designing the geometry around? I already have a Shiver SC fork with 100mm I was planning on using with this format. Curious because it looks like most of your MTB frames are based on 80mm forks.
tange tubing and please build it with juice style dropout to allow SS and geared. Please.
I'd go with the tange, anybody looking to ride something as specific as a 650B probably has a couple of bikes habging from the wall already and would love to add another bueaty to the collection, I know I'm going to
Go with the Tange. Most people interested in the format will pony up the money for a good frame.
Yes, a geared option, please.
I would also like to see the option for geared or SS use. If you can hit the price you want with the higher quality steel (tange) then I would go for it. There are plenty 5130 frames out right now (29) that I think the better steel would just differentiate this even more.
Oh yeah, leave the production version that sweet orange color!!
Tange for sure! I would really recommend something that allows SS and geared setup, too. This is going to be a bike for enthusiasts to experiment with the new wheel size (not just for small riders not able to ride 29ers) and making it more versatile would be a big plus; even though I would most likely probably just ride it single speed ;) Can't wait...when will it be available!?!
Hey all,
I think both are valid options, however I think hit the lower end first. I worked in the bike biz here in Australia for 4 years up until recently, and even 29ers are struggleing here, a nicely priced 650B option will give guys like me a chance to get out there and ride them and expand the interest. I currently run a 650 on the front of a rigid 26 frame with a carbon fork. This is a nice combo. having 29er as well i can see the benifits of a 650 a i need a long frame with a bit more standover (short legs) and the 650B seems a pretty good way to go for me. but as i have too many bike cost is the main restricting factor.
Hey all, when r we going to know when we can get our hads on one of these pls pls pls waiting with baited breathe
Tange.
What's the word on the B-Side? Will it be a reality in 2009? I assume it won't be coming out this year with 2 months left. At least give a few details!
Update: We were suppose to get these this month, but there was a minor hiccup during finishing. We are expecting these in late April barring any more complications. We'll see.
So what tubing did you settle on? (hoping for Tange).
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