LOW standover 29er

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Earlier BikeRumor released some info. about upcoming Cannondale models, including the Tango--a 29er that may work really well for some of us shorter riders.

Tango is a new 29er hardtail with the stiffest front end of any of their bikes. It’s designed to have a really low stand over height and is positioned as an entry- to mid-level enthusiast mountain bike. It tops out at $1,550 with XT with an entry level model at $890.

I'm intrigued. I'll definitely want to try this and the Trail SL 29er in a size Small (which is as small as that model comes, for now, but it apparently has a pretty high standover, which would maybe not work for someone like me with only a 30" inseam). That Tango looks like it could weigh a ton, which may not work in its favor, for me. I have enough trouble keeping up with my beast of a husband and speedy friends, heh.

[ridebikeme]

The Tango does look like an interesting bike!

Like you, I've been looking for a 29er as well.... my inseam is 29" so like many, it's difficult. I have been looking at the TRail Series in a Small, and as you probably know the standover is 30.5 in the 29er and 29.3 in the 26" wheel. So time will tell.... Perhaps they'll come up with a 650.... I'll have to ask the rep the next time I speak with him.

Good luck in your search!

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The Tango does look like an interesting bike!

Like you, I've been looking for a 29er as well.... my inseam is 29" so like many, it's difficult. I have been looking at the TRail Series in a Small, and as you probably know the standover is 30.5 in the 29er and 29.3 in the 26" wheel. So time will tell.... Perhaps they'll come up with a 650.... I'll have to ask the rep the next time I speak with him.

Good luck in your search!

Oh...I never could find a geometry chart for the Trail SL size small. That pretty much rules it out, then, since my inseam is 30. I'd totally be straddling that puppy in a bad way.

Now I'm especially interested in the Tango!

[jessmarimba]

I didn't want to scare you off, but I suspected it would be too big for you. I'd probably fit it ok and I'm a few inches taller than you. For C'dale, seems like you need to size down one size to the 29er from what you'd ride in a 26.

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I didn't want to scare you off, but I suspected it would be too big for you. I'd probably fit it ok and I'm a few inches taller than you. For C'dale, seems like you need to size down one size to the 29er from what you'd ride in a 26.

Ahhh...I'm betting the new Tango will take care of that. I worry that sizing down will mean a really short cockpit, which is my primary issue on my F5. I feel way too upright, which makes me feel extra unstable and top-heavy.

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I found more images of the bike on another site...

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I didn't want to scare you off, but I suspected it would be too big for you. I'd probably fit it ok and I'm a few inches taller than you. For C'dale, seems like you need to size down one size to the 29er from what you'd ride in a 26.

Went to our LBS today. Played with a Trail SL in S. Standover was definitely a no-go. I could "stand over" it, but there was NO wiggle room at all. I think the reach would be good, but not the top tube. So the Tango is looking golden, right now!

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So, our LBS buddy is going to some bike trade show event in Utah this weekend. DH gave him explicit instructions to really check out the Tango 29er.

[ridebikeme]

According to my sales rep, the Tango is going to have the lowest standover height of any womens 29er for 2013. Of course, that could always change... I'll try and get some more info for you

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According to my sales rep, the Tango is going to have the lowest standover height of any womens 29er for 2013. Of course, that could always change... I'll try and get some more info for you

Oh, excellent! I'm really eager to try one! I'll really be interested to see geometry charts to see how it would compare to the Salsa 29ers, which would likely be the only other brand our LBS carries that would work for me at all.

[Becky]

For what it's worth, my 2009 Salsa El Mariachi in size small has a standover of ~30". It's a tall bike! But it looks like they've decreased that in in the current model, as well as offering an extra-small.

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For what it's worth, my 2009 Salsa El Mariachi in size small has a standover of ~30". It's a tall bike! But it looks like they've decreased that in in the current model, as well as offering an extra-small.

Yeah, it looks like the current El Mariachi (which is what I would be considering, in package level "3") is being billed as 28", which would likely be adequate for me.

I'm going to have to pick our LBS friend's brain on the two bikes, now that he's had a chance to check out the Tango. He's never steered me wrong, before.

[ridebikeme]

I just received the 2013 catalog today, so was interested in seeing hte color choices that one would have for the Tango. Ahhhh


Perhaps your LBS would give you credit for the stock wheels towards something else???

Aggie... that is a beautiful bike... GREAT colors!!!

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Still haven't pulled the trigger on anything and it will probably be closer to Fall before that would happen. But I wanted to point out one of the things that irritates me about Cannondale. They have long had a trend of making their top-of-the-line bikes in black or white. If one wants a bike with higher-end components they have to settle for a BORING color. That black Tango has Shimano XT. This is apparently what the entry-level version of the bike looks like:

It's called Tangerine Dream, according to our LBS buddy.

NOT FAIR! We'd most likely be looking at the black one. *yawn* I hope they might offer more than one color in each model, but I won't hold my breath. They don't do that with the current Women's 26" models (though they do with the men's...sexist! )

[Becky]

You can always ask about frame-only availability