I built this bike in 2009. It’s made from 4130 chromoly. It came about from riding the tandem home alone from the school after dropping off the kids and from riding an old heavy Chinese ‘workhorse’ bike I’ve had for an age – both are ‘long’ bikes and both very stable. The Long Ranger was built to test a few ideas. The method here is that to build the best bike you have to go past that point. It’s experimental and bold to go beyond perfect and come back to it rather than inch up to what might seem perfect but you won’t know unless you go too far.
This is a long bike with some careful thought given to fork rake and trail and such – I was looking to get the Jones handling ‘dialed-in’. It is very comfortable and surprisingly nimble. The traction is good. Excellent on steep descents and climbs. The ‘sweet spot’ (where you feel so balanced on the bike) is so much bigger on this bike than others. When I built it I was talking to tire makers about a 29×2.95 tire. Their minimum order quantities meant it was a non-starter for me but the frame was built with such tires in mind. Hence Surly’s (impressive) Knard fits in nicely (front and back).
The Long Ranger name defines its application; big rides, hours in the saddle, with (or without) bike-packing luggage. On both technical trails and dirt roads – paved roads too. It really delivers a smooth, lively ride. It rides nicely even fully-loaded. I’m very pleased with how it has turned out and I’ve learned a lot from it.
I’m hoping to organize a production run in 2014. As I said, it’s experimental and the concepts and characteristics might well be tweaked a little for production. And I have other bikes I’m testing too. It is all very exciting but tricky too for Sheila and I to combine all my ideas with the realities of the business. It’s going well and things are happening – we have plans. The good thing is Jones bicycles are getting made and being ridden. Happy customers loving their bikes (and telling me so) is what I want. The bikes I have available now are excellent.
Nice!
Wow, congratulations on pushing the envelope once again Jeff. I am still enjoying my Steel Spaceframe, more than any bike Ive ever owned! I am currently running a Knard as a front tire and I am very happy with the results!
What size rear tire is on this bike? Looking forward to getting my single speed up and running the frame arrived today, Love the steel space frame you built me a awhile back, been pulling my son a weehoo through some of our local trail with it, love to see a tandem offering in the future
thanks
Eric
Hi Eric,
In some of the pictures it has the 29×3″ Surly Knard and in others it has the 2.3″ Big Apple Road tires or the Geax tires. Good to hear you are enjoying your rides. I do love tandems.
Hi Jeff
Curious as to know what type of EDGE/Enve rims you’ve got in the shot of the Long Ranger with the Big Apples? They look wiiiiide. I also spy another set on one of the Ti Spaceframes in the group shot…the one with Weirwolfs…
They are the AM version and are about 28mm wide.
When is he ETA and do you care to say some geo numbers? ETT, CS length etc.
At 6’1-6’2, I’m sort of in the large end of your standard frame.
Thanks.
-White Mike
No ETA or geometry to share yet. Still working on things.
Jeff. I have nothing but great things to say about my Diamond frame w. Uni fork. Best handling/riding bike I’ve owned. I have used it on the road w. Super Motos and the bike really moves fast. Switch over to 3″ Knard front and a 2.4 rear and it’s a great MTN. bike. Very versatile! At times I wish the 3″ 29 Knard would fit the rear on my Diamond. Hopefully the Lone Ranger will happen. Although personally for what I would use it for I’d like to see the overall length/chain stays kept short. I know it’s still a work in progress. Keep us all posted. Fine bikes Jeff. Cheers Jimmy
I concur that hopefully a Long Ranger will happen.