Rig

Just built up a 2007 Fisher Rig frame using the Comandante as a parts donor.

This project started with thinking a lot about what I like and don't like about the various hardtails I have tried. I had an near replica to this Rig previously and liked it except it felt a little difficult to handle...tended to wash out in the front. That frame was a large, and in retrospect, I realize the problem was the long nearly 25" ETT.

I serendipitously got the Comandante simply because I coudn't pass it up as it was a smoking deal. I thought it was too small for me, but in riding it, I discovered I love the smaller ETT. El Comandante is an incredible handler, stiff, light, and just rails the corners. I have found that it falls down a bit when I have to repetitively and quickly get the front up at high speed such as descending the water bars on 37 when you are almost back to the car, and usually tapped by the ride. Face it, the same longish stays that make it rail also make it truckish when I want nimble.

I also put some time on a nearly identical steel Zion 737 during the time. It has a very smooth, plush ride, generally I enjoyed it, but the front end flexed in stressful situations leading to unpredictable handling just when you need it to be predictable.

Thinking about it, I was planning a custom with a HTA in the 70-71 range, STA 73, ETT 23.8"ish, and CSL 17ish". This steel bike would be sort of like grafting the rear of the Zion on the the front of the Ventana with large diameter tubes for the TT and downtube to get the flex free handling I wanted along with shorter rear end. A custom bike is out of the question at this juncture, so I considered my options.

One day it dawned on me: Used Rig

They are cheap, readily available and satisfy my requirements: 17"CS, 24"ETT, Large diameter, gussetted tubes at the HT-TT and DT-TT intersection.

So it arrived this week and I built it up tonight as noted. Initial impressions from riding around the garage and the driveway are very favorable. I compared it back to back with the Zion and found it noticeably stiffer on the front end, noticeably easier to loft the front. The Zion is butter, and a beautiful white bike and will stay for sure. I will ride Rig and Zion back to back for an evaluation period. If they seem to fit the bill, the Comandante will sadly be on the chopping block. Sad because it is a gorgeous frame held back from greatness by unneccesarily long (by my standards) chainstays.