tl;dr: Waltworks steel 29er trailbike - it's awesome.
raw frame:
back from powder:
built up:
stays and SS drivetrain:
last time it'll ever be this clean:
post ride:
For those of you who care about the details...
frame: Waltworks 29er
- true temper steel
- 68.5° HA
- 60cm TT
- 12" BB height
- sliding dropouts for 42.5-44.5cm chainstays
fork: Fox TALAS
wheelset: DT Swiss 1700 spline (converted to tubeless)
brakes: Magura MT2
tires: Conti Mountain King, 29x2.4, black chili, tubeless
cranks/bb: Truvativ stylo, 32T
rear cog: 20T
headset: Cane Creek Forty
stem: Easton EA70
bars: Easton EA70
grips: ODI Ruffian
post: Thomson
saddle: Specialized
pedals: forte SPD
weight: 26.5lbs
I had a 26" wheeled Surly 1x1 which was old and heavy but reliable and fun. I also had a 29" Niner Air 9 that was stiff, fast, nimble, and stiff. It was too racy for me. So I sold both and ordered the Waltworks with the hopes of taking the best from both and coming out with 1 awesomely fun, fast, and rideable trailbike.
Walt had me take a bunch of measurements from the Niner (to get a sense of what didn't work/fit) and from my trailbike, a Yeti ASR-5 (to see what did work/fit), and we spent a good deal of time talking about what I liked and disliked about them all, as well as my riding style, what I wanted to do with the bike, and the types of trails I typically ride.
Part of me was worried that I was about to spend a lot of money for a custom frame, and the guy building the frame was relying on measurements that I took. But after talking with Walt a couple of times, I felt like he knew what I wanted, which turned out to be a fairly common request - a slack HT 29er frame that wasn't overbuilt to the tune of 6+ lbs.
So after about 6 months of waiting, the build started. From there it was about a 3 week turnaround (build, paint, ship), and I received the frame just as riding season was ramping up.
I went with what I consider to be a value build - I spent money based on the importance of the part. So the most crucial components (frame, fork, tires) I bought exactly what I wanted. Second tier stuff (wheelset, brakes) I balanced cost with performance and reliability. Everything else I saved as much as I could, generally using spare parts I had laying around the garage.
I received the frame last week and got it built up just as the rains came. I swear Mother Nature knows when I get a new bike. Anyways, I spent most of the weekend sitting in my garage tinkering with things just because I was excited about the new ride. Finally, yesterday evening I got out for a quick shakedown ride.
The early impressions are VERY good. The bike is just what I was hoping it would be. I love steel HTs, and I love SSing. This bike is both. It wants to be ridden exactly how I want to ride it. It fits well (still tweaking bars and saddle position a bit), feels good, and rides wonderfully. I already love this bike.
raw frame:
back from powder:
built up:
stays and SS drivetrain:
last time it'll ever be this clean:
post ride:
For those of you who care about the details...
frame: Waltworks 29er
- true temper steel
- 68.5° HA
- 60cm TT
- 12" BB height
- sliding dropouts for 42.5-44.5cm chainstays
fork: Fox TALAS
wheelset: DT Swiss 1700 spline (converted to tubeless)
brakes: Magura MT2
tires: Conti Mountain King, 29x2.4, black chili, tubeless
cranks/bb: Truvativ stylo, 32T
rear cog: 20T
headset: Cane Creek Forty
stem: Easton EA70
bars: Easton EA70
grips: ODI Ruffian
post: Thomson
saddle: Specialized
pedals: forte SPD
weight: 26.5lbs
I had a 26" wheeled Surly 1x1 which was old and heavy but reliable and fun. I also had a 29" Niner Air 9 that was stiff, fast, nimble, and stiff. It was too racy for me. So I sold both and ordered the Waltworks with the hopes of taking the best from both and coming out with 1 awesomely fun, fast, and rideable trailbike.
Walt had me take a bunch of measurements from the Niner (to get a sense of what didn't work/fit) and from my trailbike, a Yeti ASR-5 (to see what did work/fit), and we spent a good deal of time talking about what I liked and disliked about them all, as well as my riding style, what I wanted to do with the bike, and the types of trails I typically ride.
Part of me was worried that I was about to spend a lot of money for a custom frame, and the guy building the frame was relying on measurements that I took. But after talking with Walt a couple of times, I felt like he knew what I wanted, which turned out to be a fairly common request - a slack HT 29er frame that wasn't overbuilt to the tune of 6+ lbs.
So after about 6 months of waiting, the build started. From there it was about a 3 week turnaround (build, paint, ship), and I received the frame just as riding season was ramping up.
I went with what I consider to be a value build - I spent money based on the importance of the part. So the most crucial components (frame, fork, tires) I bought exactly what I wanted. Second tier stuff (wheelset, brakes) I balanced cost with performance and reliability. Everything else I saved as much as I could, generally using spare parts I had laying around the garage.
I received the frame last week and got it built up just as the rains came. I swear Mother Nature knows when I get a new bike. Anyways, I spent most of the weekend sitting in my garage tinkering with things just because I was excited about the new ride. Finally, yesterday evening I got out for a quick shakedown ride.
The early impressions are VERY good. The bike is just what I was hoping it would be. I love steel HTs, and I love SSing. This bike is both. It wants to be ridden exactly how I want to ride it. It fits well (still tweaking bars and saddle position a bit), feels good, and rides wonderfully. I already love this bike.
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