Tommy R

For those curious, I installed a +2 degree headset along with a 130mm Helm Mk II fork. Currently the bike's head tube sits at 64 degrees. Looking forward to getting back onto it this week. It's been quite awhile...

I found your frame on Marketplace. If you sold it for your asking price, for not much more I'd offer you my Banshee Paradox V3. It's a large, however, so likely wouldn't fit you. To be honest, I absolutely love that bike, but wanted to go with sliding dropouts for single-speeding. I'd even include a SS tensioner. 😉 But seriously, I bet you could get a good deal on a new Paradox frame on Pinkbike these days. It's aluminum, but is surprisingly comfortable and I felt it handled Austin terrain super well. It easily fit 29x2.6 on 35i rims, but I also fit 27.5x2.8s on 45i rims so plenty of cush if you're so inclined. Anyway, sorry the Marino didn't work out for you. I've been eyeing their full sus and thinking it'd be fun to build a super budget big travel enduro bike, but like you, I've already blown my bike budget for 2023. Oh, who am I kidding... My bike budget is like the national deficit. I'll just increase it when the time comes! LOL Best, Tommy

Thanks! I'm certainly not pleased about it, but fortunately the geo wont be altered in my case (other than the HTA itself) because it came with an external lower headset that is about the same stack as the angle set. Now with the 140 Pike on there it's sitting at 63.5*. With the +2 angle set it should be right where I want it. Now I just need to wait for the trails to dry out!

I thought I'd share an update on the Maniak. Turns out it's quite a bit slacker than expected.....by 1.5-2 degrees! With a 140mm fork it was just a bit over 62 degrees. 😬 Last weekend I installed a +1 angle set and with a 130mm fork it was about 64 degrees. The slight wandering and floopiness of the steering was pretty much all gone. Better for sure, but still slacker than I'd prefer for this bike. I now have a 2 degree angle set on order. This should let me run my preferred 130-140mm fork while keeping the geo close to ~64.5 degrees. I'll post up once I get it all installed. Barry, did you get yours built up? Curious if you noticed something similar? Also, here's a pic in single speed mode with a 130 fork, +1 angle set, and 29x2.8s.

Well, it's likely way later than the OP wanted a reply, but yes, someone in Austin has a Hugene. Mine is set up 150mm/140mm travel. I absolutely love this bike. I picked it up in August as a bare frame and built it up. It's surprisingly comfortable, quick, corners great, and handles rougher stuff quite nicely. And it comes in at what I think is a reasonable weight of 31.7 lbs. Best F/S bike I've owned and I'm happy to recommend it to others.

Fantastic! Can't wait to see it and hear your thoughts. I hit Walnut Creek today for a shakedown ride and absolutely loved it! I think I'll love it even more with a slightly shorter (130mm) fork. So much fun and the ride quality was amazing....although I attribute some of that to the big balloon tires. LOL

Hey there, I'm curious if anyone else here has purchased a Maniak from Binary Bicycles? Mine arrived yesterday and I built it up and will be heading for a ride today. For those unfamiliar, Steve who runs the youtube channel Hardtail Party partnered with Binary Bicycles in Arizona to build a custom-designed Ti hardtail frame to his specs. Primary intention is a do-it-all hardtail with clearance for 29+ tires. I love hardtails, but since I'm old I also love comfort. LOL So a big-tire Ti hardtail sounded great to me! I pre-ordered in early March and it just showed up and I can't wait to ride it! It's currently built with a 140mm Pike, 29x2.8 Rekons, and easily fit a 210mm dropper. Size is large and I'm 6'.