[FlipSide]

I don't have the bike (yet) but I might consider buying it for next summer. The thing is I'd need a stronger bike to do stuff I'm afraid to do with my FSR-XC. I probably won't have the $$ for a complete brand new FR bike but I could have a plan to cut down the price.

Here it is: I have a brand new X-Vert Super on my FSR-XC but I still have an older SX-R. So I could rebuild my FSR with the SX-R to be more XC oriented and buy a MinuteMan w/o a fork and put the X-Vert on it.

Would it work well in a 26/26 configuration or does the MM need a longer fork to keep a good geometry? Would the HA be too steep with a 4" fork? If it is, would it be OK with a 26/24 configuration?

Thanks!

If you own a MM (KonaDude, etc), I'd like to hear about the tires/fork combination you have.

Oh Yeah! Selling the FSR is not a valid option!

 

[KonaDude]

Alright... My Minute man (the 2001 Red, 23" top tube) is built up with a 5" travel Z.1 MCR QR.20 and a 24" rear wheel. This setup makes it quite slack. I'm estimating around 68 degrees for the head tube. With a 4" fork and a 26" rear wheel, you're looking at around 70 degrees (as Balfa specs it on their site, I think that's for a 4" fork). That won't be too steep, it should be just right for dirt jumping and urban, along with some hard core trail riding. Sometimes I long for the quicker handling of a 4" fork, but I don't mind it much.

A Minute Man with an X Vert Super would be a killer machine! 4" of travel is great for a hardtail. It takes 24 or 26" wheels, and if you go 24 you can fit a 3.0" tire back there. Big tire clearance with a 26" wheel too.

IF you need to know anything else about the MM, just post a message here (I do check here sometimes) or PM me.

 

[FlipSide]

Thanks a lot for the fast answer!

What about the peoples who put JrT's, SuperT's or even Monsters on their MM? How can this work if a 4" fork can be alright on the bike too?

 

[Toshi]

Originally posted by FlipSide
Thanks a lot for the fast answer!

What about the peoples who put JrT's, SuperT's or even Monsters on their MM? How can this work if a 4" fork can be alright on the bike too?

I guess some people just like really slack head angles (they don't climb, so they don't notice the front end wander all over)...

 

[KonaDude]

Some people put those forks on them and end up with a 66 or 67 degree head tube angle... That's pretty average for a DH bike so it isn't bad at all.

So, With a 4" fork it is steeper, but by no means too steep.

 

[diesel]

i recently built up a mm with a z3 QR20 at 4" and it kicks arse. i have 26" panaracer fire's on rhynolites, singlespeed 34/16 with a planetx full monty rear hub & profiles and it rips it up. GREAT dirt jumping/urban bike. i personally LOVE the way it feels with a 4" fork and was never one for choppercore head angles. in conclusion get a mm...now. hehe