650b.com took delivery of a new Ventana El Bastardo frame about a month ago.  With the help of Kirk Pacenti with the loan of a XFusion Velvet R fork I was able to build up this fine steed.

Frame : Ventana El Bastardo

Fork : XFusion Velvet R

Wheels : Velocity Blunt to Shimano XT

Cranks : Truvativ Stylo

Drivetrain : Sram X0

Tires : Pacenti NeoMoto

Saddle : WTB Deva

Bits : Thompson, Truvativ, Syncros

Sherwood and Teresa from Ventana sent an upgraded frame my way, with quad bearings and a Fox RP23.  The frame weighed in (with seat collar and derailleur hanger) at 6.4 lbs.  This is not a bad weight at all for a 5″ frame that is not out to save weight.

On to the ride report!
Originally I had a 80mm stem on the bike due to it being an “all mountain rig” with 5″ of suspension.  I normally like my cock pit very short for all mountain, platform pedals, quick release seat clamp and all those normal things.  I’m a rather large scaredy cat when it comes to the more technical riding so anything that gives me an advantage - I’ll take.  Due to the fork being more slack than the frame was designed, the short stem made for a very sloooooow handling ride.  Once I put a 100mm with less upward angle the bike handled like a dream.   After a few longer rides on the bike I can say that the 5″ with 650b is where 650b shines.  I really enjoy the wheel size for single speed, fully rigid.  But bombing down a hill side or trucking up the next one is a completely opposite feeling of anything I have felt before.  It floats over objects going down, but going up does not have any of the “lag” or slugness I feel in a 29er.

Maybe this type of full suspension ride will even convert G-Ted to say that 650b is not just a trendy niche?  I think this example of bike will get more people questioning the 29er for longer travel rides.

This August I have 3 different 5 hour + rides planned in the mountains of Western North Carolina & Maryland.  More photos and drilled in ride reports to come.