The Fairdale Elevator is a Mountain Bike for BMXers

[@99spokes]

Forgot to mention in the video; the size large we tested weighed just over 30 lbs (13.kgs) without pedals.

[@frog-spit-182]

Thank you KZbin algorithm. This is exactly the kind of hardtail I've been searching for.

[@99spokes]

Heck yeah, glad you found it!

[@joshdesj]

Great video Josh, super informative, as always. Love seeing rad steel hardtails!!

[@99spokes]

Thanks Josh, glad you enjoyed it! We just got a TransAM in for review that I’m stoked to throw a leg over!!

[@TuesdaysTurn]

Great review!!

[@PuffinPass]

Ironically I was just looking at this on their site then the YT algorithm sent you to me. Glad to see you again. Great overview of the bike. I also agree on the pricing situation, as a frame that is a great price but as a complete...not so much.

[@99spokes]

Hey, glad you found it! Yes, bummer on complete pricing. I can’t help but wonder if they’re getting a higher rate for OEM parts since they’re surely making smaller orders. But that’s just a thought on my end

[@cycling_plurality]

very cool paint job on this bike!

[@blakekennard7700]

Was looking at this bike to do a frame up build but ended up going with the transition trans am. The options to do different setups put it over the top for me. Currently have it set up as a full 29”X 2.6”, with a 140 fork so hta is around 64.5. The 2.6 still fits with the chainstays all the way forward! I think the frame is probably a little heavier than the elevator but I’m 5/11, 220 lbs. so the trans am is plenty compliant but still very precise and snappy. Hope this is helpful. From a humble trail ripper/builder, have fun out there

[@99spokes]

Nice! We actually have a TransAM review we just wrapped up that will be coming out later this fall, both are definitely rad bikes!

[@blakekennard7700]

Sweet! Can’t wait

[@dirtwolfmtb]

Cool bike, personally like the surly lowside. Definitely rides like a 27.5” bmx and is $1499 USD. And with rear dropouts can run SS or geared with the hanger.

[@99spokes]

Nice! I’ve always thought those look fun! It’s pretty similar to a bike Fairdale already makes, the Taj

[@psyde]

@@99spokes rides like a 27.5 meaning they come in 29s?

[@DicasdaNet]

This bike looks soo awesome! I would ride it on XC trails just to have fun!

[@99spokes]

Oh man it absolutely is! Makes boring trails fun again haha!

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

I'd have to sell the Honzo but the frame price is pretty darn interesting, anyway the Honzo is wonderful but tbh what I wanted from it was more dirt jumper dna...

[@dadventuretv2538]

When I bought my first mtb in 1990 I had to keep my Mongoose Californian for jumps and tricks. Fast forward to today- I take all of my full squish mtbs from everything like trails to DH lift assist parks to DJ parks and skateparks. Today’s mtbs are so good. Nice review. WAY too pricey for a hardtail. Frame only though is priced right. Surprised they didn’t at least go mullet even if not full 27.5.

[@dogmatika7]

Nice! I can recommend the Ghost Nirvana 4X as well.

[@Dagwagon-o7]

if it was a 26" i'd be in love.

[@c97dcreations96]

This seems like the perfect bike for rays imo

[@carterschichtel9678]

Too big of wheels. Other then that looks awesome

[@cory7328]

I love this drops in the middlechild's territory. I 'd love to own both.

[@99spokes]

For sure!!

[@mikej1348]

I was looking forward to this review. I wished they made a small wheeled version too. I’m surprised it’s stiff for steel. Do you have any bike or frame weights? Good work on the review and the comparison between the Elevator and your personal bike(which happens to be mine too)

[@99spokes]

Oh shoot, totally blew including that in the video! My size large weighed 30 lbs on the dot (13.6 kgs) without pedals. Not bad for a steel hardtail with mid-level spec! I bet you could get this under 28 lbs pretty easily

[@gregdevins9372]

Good Vid! Do you think a rider that is 5 foot ten with size 10 feet is going to have any issues with clipping the derailleuer?

[@99spokes]

You should be good! I ride left foot forward and wear size 11, and didn’t notice that issue. I think much bigger than mine I could see that happening though

[@Blackbone242]

It's beautiful 😍

[@jugaloo5873]

Surly k-monk mini mullet is the way.

[@LSD-420]

Looks nice.

[@mrbubbbl3s]

you should compare this to the Poseidon Norton. specially the frame only build

[@99spokes]

That would be an interesting one!

[@lamarwilliams185]

Can you do a video on how geometry of the bike can help people decide if they are looking for a trail, xc, down hill, cross country, down country, commuter, all a-rounder. Then add in the bike talk on what progressive is and aggressive, flowee , choppy, skips, bouncee , responsive and what ever else people may say to describe a bikes performance. I road bikes since I was a kid. 43 years old and it sounds like everybody is speaking a different language. I come from the red line, Diamond back and mongoose error of bmx.

[@99spokes]

We did haha! Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYepgquYZrqDjqssi=Vwd77AR4aiwITSER

[@lamarwilliams185]

@@99spokes thanks!!!!

[@eskimo4130]

The MTB world is just a giant cash grab dude. There's some good bikes out there, but damn they're expensive. A casual rider will never be that affected by small geometry changes, as long as the frame and wheel size are of a favourable size. Get down to your local good bike shop and ask questions and try some out! Or just pick up some second hand cheap bikes.

[@lamarwilliams185]

@@eskimo4130 I had picked up a second hand bike a year ago. Shwinn alu comp. Maybe because I’m older. Also heavier. LOL I feel as if I’m leaning on the handle bars. I don’t recall this feeling. Even with huffys. Small changes do make a change. I purchased a thudbuster and cloud 9 seat. Now I can ride for two hours. I lost on the investment. The gears make a loud grinding sound in every gear but one. So I stay in one gear all the time. It’s a decent gear for flat ground. No hills!!! LOL

[@syms85]

When you riding the new Stanton designed by hard tail party?

[@99spokes]

I would love to! The Sedona seems pretty similar to the elevator, at least geometry-wise. It’d be fun to ride them back to back

[@syms85]

@@99spokes have you not managed to swing a leg over the Stanton yet? I thought I saw a clip with you taking to hard tail party about it?

[@99spokes]

I own a Switchback, but never ridden the Sedona! I did get to chat with Steve about it at Sea Otter though, sounds like there’s not a ton of frames floating around yet

[@99jerseyboy]

They had me... until you said "$3,299" for a hard tail made from 100% chromoly with external cabling and a mediocre fork. HARD PASS on the complete build, but the $500 frame is a much better option for me too.

[@99spokes]

Yeah, frame only definitely seems the way to go here if you’re decent with a wrench

[@ROSE-by5su]

Nothing wrong with external cabling lmao such a noobie thing thinking Internal will make it much better. Also its chromoly lets make it Internal cabling to blast more water inside to build up rust. Yappin at the price signs you are a newbie this prices are pretty normal there are tons of companies out there putting unreasonable price at your product

[@zacknagel827]

I was about to say, we’re asking full suspension carbon 29er money.

[@Jean-jk4zv]

This

[@SixGunTodd]

​​@@ROSE-by5suin my mind a "noob" is someone willing to shoot down domeone else's valid concern with some oversimplified troll esque response. While this bike may appeal to a market willing to pay the afore mentioned price there already exists several other options much deeper into the appropriatly priced range (Marin San Quentin, Kona Honzo, Big Honzo, etc.) I'm not sure if you're aware....but the bike industry is currently experiencing some upheaval that's dramatically effecting prices, might want to have your finger on the pulse of things before you regrettably say something that can't be substantiated.

[@Naptime48]

My £$£$ is waiting for a mini mullet version! 29 is dead :'D

[@99spokes]

That’d be rad!!

[@garretteverett2613]

1:58 Brand new $3300 bike that already leaves scratches on the dropper tube? Oof. I'm not a princess about bikes but if I paid that much I'd be looking at the attention to detail on the rest of it.

[@5tereo1]

is this just a hardtail mtb or am i missing something?

[@mateusseer5353]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@99spokes]

Its geometry is unlike anything else on the market right now, pretty cool to see them carve their own path rather than making another Roscoe/Growler/San Quentin/ etc.

[@juaneer]

@@99spokes Is it not more like a dirt jumper with larger wheels?

[@NoBrakes23]

I hope my Karate Monkey doesn't see me eyeballing the Elevator

[@bikeczarmagicschool]

Any ETA for MD frame onlys?

[@99spokes]

I’d reach out to Fairdale on one of their social channels, their usually pretty responsive

[@urbanskate22]

What is your height and how did you like the large sizing?

[@99spokes]

This is a large and I’m 6’1 or 185 cm

[@eskimo4130]

The geo still looks far to laid back to be bmx influenced imo. This is more of an alternative to the current trends. 26" bikes and builds would be most beneficial to near everyone imo due to how varied and established they are, with prices that have dropped off a cliff, and then you're still not trying to lug around and trick a huge 29" bike. 32x spokes on a 29" supposed trick bike, yeah but no.

[@blakekennard7700]

Think bmx bike for aggressive trail riding.

[@gur262]

I wonder if that wouldn't just be any dirtjumper? A (very) few even come with gears. Gotta put on a front brake. That's it. Maybe even with a rigid fork on? Or that one swampmaster full suspension bmx.

[@99spokes]

Good questions! The geometry on this bike splits the difference between a dirt jumper and a trail bike, so it’ll perform trail rides quite a bit better than a dirt jumper with a derailleur would, and be more nimble/agile than the average trail bike

[@jeffreypinkleton8032]

Can you put a ridgid fork on this bike?

[@99spokes]

Yep! Just make sure you get something that's suspension corrected for the correct axle to crown length

[@JogieGlenMait16]

look at those short chainstays...

[@riftprime5725]

But wait is the weight? :O Frame or full build.....

[@99spokes]

The size large we tested weighed just over 30 lbs (13.kgs) without pedals

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

Oof the price. Steep steep. I'd probably be interested as a frameset only I don't like the components I'd go light and strong with boutique components on a frame like that.

[@truckinforjesus]

It seems as though this frame could accomidate 26, and 27.5 wheels and still be a great ride.

[@99spokes]

BB would be pretty low!

[@truckinforjesus]

@@99spokes Good point.

[@andrewsupernova]

Straight head tube? Why?

[@99spokes]

A lot of it comes down to looks to be honest! It still takes a standard tapered fork steerer tube, but you get that classic steel look

[@andrewsupernova]

@@99spokes fair one, just odd since it's getting harder to find straight steerer tube forks these days 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@psyde]

this is me.

[@juluisreyes9094]

No wonder the head tube is straight design..hehe

[@augmented2nd666]

What in the early 2000's external headset? also, 3300$ hardtail? My Devinci Kobain Hardtail seemed expensive at 2200 and has similar geometry to this, similar build although its Deore all around so more durable, and RS 35 silver fork is a bit beefier and more BMX oriented in that mine has almost no adjustments and just plain works, I dont even think it takes air, its spring instead. My bike rides like an enormous BMX too, but not as much as my Specialized P3 but thats an obvious one as thats a Dirt Jump MTB.. Cheers for the review, I didnt know Taj made fairdale and is tackling MTB.

[@99spokes]

Haha it’s still an integrated headset, just doesn’t have a tapered headtube; this is actually pretty common for steel/titanium frames

[@docmccoy9813]

Nah, buy an slopestyle bike with 26" wheels instead

[@99spokes]

Very different bikes haha, but both a ton of fun!

[@JoshWu]

looks like stanton sedona

[@99spokes]

Very similar, at least geometry wise!

[@wheelzandgillz]

When you buy this bike and the BMX'rs say " you shoulda just bought a BMX" and the hard tailers say " you shoulda just bought a MTB" and the rowdy roadies who ride fire roads see you on their turf will say "you shoulda just bought a gravel bike" 😂😂😂 God forbid we buy a bike today and ride it where ever the hell we want without it being called that for where it's being ridden 😂😂😂

[@99spokes]

Haha so true!

[@pedromedina1802]

Only Medium and Large sizes …😂 I was totally hooked until, that 😢

[@99spokes]

Ah, bummer!

[@pedromedina1802]

@@99spokes any plans for small size ? 585mm top tube please, that will be great 😊

[@keg2023]

Just build up a frame on a 140mm fork and it rips

[@99spokes]

Nice!!

[@SKIDSnSTUFF]

fark the mountain bike industry trying to take money outta BMX

[@99spokes]

Wouldn't this be an example of the BMX industry trying to tap into the MTB industry's money?

[@theshamanarchist5441]

MTB's are for posers.

[@nathanwilliams3839]

If it was me and at 600 frame only I think I’d call Rick and Jess from standard and just have them build me a frame

[@99spokes]

Sounds like quite the hook up haha!

[@nathanwilliams3839]

@99spokes I've came from a BMX background and growing up in davenport I just have a love for standard byke company lol. Price on that frame only really isn't all that bad considering what you get

[@flowstateofmind]

If they launch a 650b model I might switch my nukeproof scout for one of these

[@jcgarcia1931]

WTF 😒 5'4" and feeling left out and let down. I'd rock that in a smaller frame with 27.5 all around. Until then, I'll stick to my BMX for BMXey duties and my Transition and Santa Cruz for MTB. Make a small and take my money!

[@99spokes]

Yeah, but of a bummer! Hopefully that changes soon!

[@calvinkirchhoff971]

I think you got a brown bear in the background of some of your videos you gotta be careful!

[@99spokes]

Too true lol

[@unknownmusicman]

I'm not a fan of 29" wheels. They look goofy to me. I know it's just a superficial thing but I'll never buy one.

[@kornfieldking8479]

I'm right there with ya. 29ers are for XC and Roadies 😂

[@NoMoney001]

Kind of like a child, but not the oldest or youngest one.

[@99spokes]

Yes 😂😂 we compare it to that particular child at 8:15

[@NoMoney001]

@@99spokeswoops! Stopped watchin too early..lol. You seem to have some good BMX knowledge. I’m in the market for an intro BMX. I wish 99spoke included BMX info. The comparison function has been VERY helpful.

[@99spokes]

I wish we did too 😅 I’ll pass that word on up to the big boys!

[@smith7043]

They built a trek roscoe

[@99spokes]

Great bike, but a very different bike! Check out the comparison on 99spokes.com! 99spokes.com/compare?bikes=fairdale-elevator-29-hardtail-mtb-2024%2Ctrek-roscoe-9-2023

[@d0nik]

stem is awful. dropper is unnecessary. tyres must be universal. brakes bb7 is enough. if we talk about mtb for bmxers. otherwise its just some mtb. and the most important - frame must be with bent seattube to have the best way to make it shortest chainstays. and ofcourse tapered headtube for those who are younger than 40.

[@99spokes]

It's pretty refreshing isn't it!

[@precisionedge9259]

I can get a marin san quintin for way cheaper.

[@99spokes]

Great bike, but a very different bike! Check out the comparison on 99spokes.com! 99spokes.com/compare?bikes=fairdale-elevator-29-hardtail-mtb-2024%2Cmarin-san-quentin-29-3-2024

[@alessandrouk2]

Dont Have a Real BMX Cranks, (Primo, Demolition, Odyssey, Profile Racing etc). Only MTB Cranks “Gourmet”.

[@MMcG25]

Cool bike - overpriced as complete

[@kylesteck8470]

Alex rims on a bmx like xc bike. These are things that make you go to hell. What a joke. Why do bike manufacturers put garbage wheels on bikes ?

[@ZagelMedia]

$3,300 for a hardtail is absolutely insane. You could get a carbon frame YT Jeffsy Core 3 with great fox parts on it for the exact same price ($3,299). It's definitely a frame-only type of bike, seems like they just slapped random parts on it to sell for convenience to rich people who can't put a bike together for themselves. The only way this bike would make sense is if you bought only the frame. Otherwise you're better off buying a dirt jumper for $1,150 and a used dual suspension bike from 2017-2022 for $2,150 and just get two good bikes for the price of 1.

[@99spokes]

The Jeffsy is an awesome bike! But I don't think there will be much crossover between folks looking for a bike like the Elevator and the Jeffsy, two tools for two jobs

[@blackeagle5446]

😂$3000😂😂😂😂😂...fuuuuuuuk that!!!👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@SteveTheDiva]

For that price, it had better come with a motor.

[@patrickschwarzenecker670]

too expensive… and why 29“? and you should avoid mud with that mtb…. besides that, i hope they increased build quality..