Sinister Simon Bar 29

RD3 · 09-08-2007, 10:54 PM

I finally have a 29er! I love how it rides.

Specs:
•Sinister Simon Bar 29 frame by FTW 4.5lbs
•RockShox Reba 100mm
•Chris King headset 134g
•Salsa Pro Moto carbon 11° bars 126g
•Hope stem 157g
•ODI Rogue lock-on grips with Straightline End caps
•Hope Mini brakes w/ power clamps, 165mm rotors, Dangerboy levers & KoolStop pads
•Race Face Turbine LP isis cranks 175mm
•Race Face Signiture XS bottom bracket
•Spot 32t hard ano chainring & alloy chainring bolts
•Spot bash guard & N-gear jump stop
•Shimano XT cassette 11-34
•Shimano XT rear derailleur short cage, alloy lower pulley & bolts
•Sram PC 89R hollow pin hollow link chain
•Shimano XT shifter, no indicator, alloy bolt 93g
•Selle San Marco Era Nitetrain saddle
•Thomson seatpost w/ Salsa lip lock clamp
•Nokon full length shift housing
•Dark Cycles Arachnid pedals 415g
•WTB Laser Disc 29" 32H rims laced to Hope Pro II hubs with DT Swiss SuperComp spokes and alloy nipples
•Maxxis Ignitor 2.1 rear & Panaracer Rampage 2.35 front
•Continental 26 tubes
•••Total weight = 24.8 lbs

RD3 · 09-08-2007, 10:55 PM

Woodchucka · 09-09-2007, 12:18 AM

disgusting.

dirtjumper202 · 09-09-2007, 12:52 AM

That build is sick great job

OMG I WANT THOSE PEDALS!

GoHuckYourself · 09-09-2007, 04:41 AM

You, my friend, are rediculous!

(party foul with the headbadge though)

Simon Bar RJ · 09-09-2007, 07:39 PM

Rob, that came out so nice! A++!!!!

RD3 · 10-07-2007, 01:58 AM

I have a few hundred miles on the FTW Sinister Simon Bar now so I wrote up a small review of how it rides.

After every ride I've gone on with the Simon Bar covering different terrain and riding spots on the east coast, the bike impresses me more and more.

At first I wasn't sure if I would like how it was going to ride, being an aluminum hardtail (I like steel or ti for hardtails). But I was pleasantly surprised that frame does a good job of dampening the ride. Probably due in combination to the design of the seatstays, chainstays and the use of a machined 27.2 seattube that is sleeved down into a larger diameter tube. The frame is good at dampening the ride, but also provides a efficient pedaling platform, flex while standing and pedaling hard never once crossed my mind.

Another concern was how was the bike going to handle the downhills. Some 29ers that I've rode felt twitchy and unstable when at speed, the Simon Bar will have none of that. I found myself asking for more rocks and logs to fly over on the downhill sections of trail. The angles that the Simon Bar uses make the bike eat up downhills. I was happy to find the bike it takes to the air easily, feeling very balanced in flight.

So is it as good on the climbs? Yes, once you find the right spot to distribute your weight over the bike, climb away. I found myself having an easier time with the climbs, especially rocky ones.

This may sound strange but the Simon Bar seemed to have better maneuverability than my 26" wheeled bikes on tight turns and technical rocky sections. Perhaps it was just rolling more efficiently over obstacles making it easier through the tight spots, I never had the feeling like these big wheels are getting in the way, like I have on other 29ers.

I can't really think of anything negative about the frame, maybe a full suspension version would be nice... FTW are you listening

I am already looking forward to the next ride on the Simon Bar... the east coast woods killin 29" machine that is handmade in a small shop in VT by a guy that might just know a thing or two about welding...

RD3 · 10-07-2007, 02:00 AM

Thanks Darrell for the awesome custom Sinister head badge.

Forrestf · 10-07-2007, 02:32 AM

I took mine on a good ride on some new (to me) trails today. Sorry for the lack of pictures. I'm really liking #1. I didn't get to play on any of those cool big-arse rocks you have there but I found plenty of muck and slick roots trying to throw me off line and into the weeds. The only problem I had was a blown chain and I can't blame that on the bike. One too many down-shifts under load was at fault there. Well, the folks on high-dollar dual suspension XC rigs kept getting in the way, but whatta ya gonna do? I may try a 30t chainring, and maybe a different front tire (the Bontrager AC-X isn't a great front mud tire) but the setup feels pretty damn good right now.

I'm finding some of the same things to be true about this frame; climbing is better than expected, frame flex - both front and rear - is non-existent, especially compared to my last two 29ers, downhills I didn't think would be anything but smooth considering Frank's portfolio.

Are there more of those bitchin' head-badges to be had? My head tube is looking kind of bare.

I need to start carrying some business cards with me when I ride or something, nobody out here has heard of Sinister, but a fair number of people have heard of Frank the Welder.

joshG · 10-07-2007, 10:09 AM

Thanks for the mini review RD3, sounds good.

Where are your riding pictures? (general region is fine)

09-09-2007, 12:18 AM	#3
Woodchucka Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Supporting Local Welders Posts: 370	disgusting. __________________ "-the guy in my avatar isn't me." WHAT WOULD EVEL DO?

09-09-2007, 12:52 AM	#4
dirtjumper202 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamden, CT Posts: 308	That build is sick great job OMG I WANT THOSE PEDALS! __________________ Sinister DNA / Argyle 409 Sinister Gruitr / Totem Coil Seshin Sh!thawk

09-09-2007, 04:41 AM	#5
GoHuckYourself Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Benson, VT Posts: 551	You, my friend, are rediculous! (party foul with the headbadge though) __________________ SINISTER Gruitr - What can't it do? Sinister Bikes * NYC Freeride * Rye Airfield * ODI * PerpetualMocean * Bern * RockShox * Avid * SRAM * Shady Ladies Everywhere

09-09-2007, 07:39 PM	#6
Simon Bar RJ Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 761	Rob, that came out so nice! A++!!!! __________________ the guy in my avatar isn't me. It's Frank. "...like a young Julie Andrews all wacked out on PCP, kinda fun but kinda scary too"

10-07-2007, 01:58 AM	#7
RD3 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: PA Posts: 107	Simon Bar in the woods I have a few hundred miles on the FTW Sinister Simon Bar now so I wrote up a small review of how it rides. After every ride I've gone on with the Simon Bar covering different terrain and riding spots on the east coast, the bike impresses me more and more. At first I wasn't sure if I would like how it was going to ride, being an aluminum hardtail (I like steel or ti for hardtails). But I was pleasantly surprised that frame does a good job of dampening the ride. Probably due in combination to the design of the seatstays, chainstays and the use of a machined 27.2 seattube that is sleeved down into a larger diameter tube. The frame is good at dampening the ride, but also provides a efficient pedaling platform, flex while standing and pedaling hard never once crossed my mind. Another concern was how was the bike going to handle the downhills. Some 29ers that I've rode felt twitchy and unstable when at speed, the Simon Bar will have none of that. I found myself asking for more rocks and logs to fly over on the downhill sections of trail. The angles that the Simon Bar uses make the bike eat up downhills. I was happy to find the bike it takes to the air easily, feeling very balanced in flight. So is it as good on the climbs? Yes, once you find the right spot to distribute your weight over the bike, climb away. I found myself having an easier time with the climbs, especially rocky ones. This may sound strange but the Simon Bar seemed to have better maneuverability than my 26" wheeled bikes on tight turns and technical rocky sections. Perhaps it was just rolling more efficiently over obstacles making it easier through the tight spots, I never had the feeling like these big wheels are getting in the way, like I have on other 29ers. I can't really think of anything negative about the frame, maybe a full suspension version would be nice... FTW are you listening I am already looking forward to the next ride on the Simon Bar... the east coast woods killin 29" machine that is handmade in a small shop in VT by a guy that might just know a thing or two about welding...

09-08-2007, 10:54 PM	#1
RD3 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: PA Posts: 107	Sinister Simon Bar 29 I finally have a 29er! I love how it rides. Specs: •Sinister Simon Bar 29 frame by FTW 4.5lbs •RockShox Reba 100mm •Chris King headset 134g •Salsa Pro Moto carbon 11° bars 126g •Hope stem 157g •ODI Rogue lock-on grips with Straightline End caps •Hope Mini brakes w/ power clamps, 165mm rotors, Dangerboy levers & KoolStop pads •Race Face Turbine LP isis cranks 175mm •Race Face Signiture XS bottom bracket •Spot 32t hard ano chainring & alloy chainring bolts •Spot bash guard & N-gear jump stop •Shimano XT cassette 11-34 •Shimano XT rear derailleur short cage, alloy lower pulley & bolts •Sram PC 89R hollow pin hollow link chain •Shimano XT shifter, no indicator, alloy bolt 93g •Selle San Marco Era Nitetrain saddle •Thomson seatpost w/ Salsa lip lock clamp •Nokon full length shift housing •Dark Cycles Arachnid pedals 415g •WTB Laser Disc 29" 32H rims laced to Hope Pro II hubs with DT Swiss SuperComp spokes and alloy nipples •Maxxis Ignitor 2.1 rear & Panaracer Rampage 2.35 front •Continental 26 tubes •••Total weight = 24.8 lbs

09-08-2007, 10:55 PM	#2
RD3 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: PA Posts: 107

10-07-2007, 02:00 AM	#8
RD3 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: PA Posts: 107	Thanks Darrell for the awesome custom Sinister head badge.

10-07-2007, 02:32 AM	#9
Forrestf Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seattle, in a cardboard box by the beach Posts: 3	I took mine on a good ride on some new (to me) trails today. Sorry for the lack of pictures. I'm really liking #1. I didn't get to play on any of those cool big-arse rocks you have there but I found plenty of muck and slick roots trying to throw me off line and into the weeds. The only problem I had was a blown chain and I can't blame that on the bike. One too many down-shifts under load was at fault there. Well, the folks on high-dollar dual suspension XC rigs kept getting in the way, but whatta ya gonna do? I may try a 30t chainring, and maybe a different front tire (the Bontrager AC-X isn't a great front mud tire) but the setup feels pretty damn good right now. I'm finding some of the same things to be true about this frame; climbing is better than expected, frame flex - both front and rear - is non-existent, especially compared to my last two 29ers, downhills I didn't think would be anything but smooth considering Frank's portfolio. Are there more of those bitchin' head-badges to be had? My head tube is looking kind of bare. I need to start carrying some business cards with me when I ride or something, nobody out here has heard of Sinister, but a fair number of people have heard of Frank the Welder.

10-07-2007, 10:09 AM	#10
joshG Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: VT Posts: 76	Thanks for the mini review RD3, sounds good. Where are your riding pictures? (general region is fine)

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