Announcing the Jones Plus LWB Complete

Around this time last year, Jones announced a more wallet-friendly version of the 27.5+ Plus SWB which we’ve just reviewed. This summer, its big wheel sibling, the LWB (reviewed back in 2016, albeit under a different name) gets the same treatment. Previously, the only way of ordering the Jones Plus LWB was through a costly custom select program, based around a diamond frame and truss fork that alone cost upwards of $1350. In contrast, the Jones Plus LWB Complete will set you back $2050 for the whole bike.

Like the $1800 Jones SWB Plus Complete, it retains the exact same geometry as the orginal frameset and is also made in Taiwan, with a few changes to manufacturing to help cut costs. The two most notable differences to the frame itself are the use of a non-heat-treated, butted tubing and the loss of the eccentric bottom bracket, as seen on the custom spec version.

Frame details include provision for a rear rack and three water bottle mounting locations, two of which can accommodate triple-boss style. The fork can hold two more bottles for a total of five on the bike. Like the SWB, the complete bike comes with a unicrown fork—rather than Jones’s distinctive truss design—made from 4130 Chromoly steel, with a machined steerer tube and butted, tapered and oval legs. As usual to Jones, it features a thru-axle dropout with 15 x 150mm spacing. This means you’ll need a custom-made front wheel if you want to build a second wheelset. But, this also opens up possibilities for a ‘fat front’ too, due to the fork’s massive tire clearance.

Although not as distinctive in its looks, the unicrown is perhaps more versatile than the truss version, as there are eyelets on the fork for a low rider rack (like the Tubus Duo) or cargo cages/bags, or a clever combination of rack and water bottles. And, there’s more room for a handlebar roll bag, or even a basket if that takes your fancy, though there are no eyelets on the fork crown for the likes of a Surly 8-Pack rack.

There are three sizes available, which Jones recommends will fit the following rider proportions:

Small, for rider height 5′-5’8″, with a standover of 30.5″
Medium, for rider height 5’7″-6’2″, with a standover of 31.5″
Large, for rider height 6′-6’6″, with a standover of 33″

The Jones Plus LWB has always stood out for its versatility, and interestingly, with the new Complete, there are now two versions available: knobby and smooth. Simply put, this means you can choose between an out-of-the-box mountain bike or a gravel/commuting build, with appropriate tires. The gearing is the exact same though; it might have been nice to have seen a change in front chainring size to match their specific intentions.

According to the press release, you can choose between either “big and tall 29″ x 2.8″ / 700c x 70mm smooth tread tires or bigger 29″ x 3″ / 700c x 76mm knobby tubeless ready tires on 50mm wide rims, which allow you to run very low pressure for maximum suppleness, better traction, more flotation and comfort along with lower rolling resistance, less flats and more safety, on road and dirt!” Tires are also tubeless ready: either V Rubber’s T-Fatty 29 x 3.0″ knobby, or the Speedster 29 x 2.8″, which Jones reckons is the largest volume 29er slick tire on the market.

Parts are similar in quality to the SWB Complete—fairly basic for the most part—though we did immediately notice the upgraded drivetrain, as reflected by the increased price. Still, it’s definitely a worthy investment, as SRAM’s 12-speed Eagle NX offers a far wider range of gears, particularly at the low end, than the 10-speed 11-42T cassette found on the SWB Complete.

As seen from these images, the Jones Plus LWB Complete will be available in semi-matte black or high gloss red, with clear coat applied over the decals.

Here’s the spec list…

• Frame Jones Plus LWB, All 4130 chromoly steel with butted tubing
• Fork Jones LWB Unicrown fork, Thru axle dropouts with 150mm x 15mm spacing
• Headset Jones Sealed Cartridge H-Set
• Drivetrain 1X12 SRAM NX Eagle
• Crankset Truvativ Stylo
• Chainring SRAM X-Sync 2 Eagle Steel Direct Mount Chainring 30T Boost 3mm Offset
• Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB Bottom Bracket with sealed cartridge external bearings, English threaded
• Cassette SRAM NX Eagle 12 speed, 11-50t
• Rear Derailleur SRAM NX Eagle with clutch
• Shifter SRAM NX Eagle trigger
• Chain SRAM NX Eagle, 12 speed
• Front Hub Jones Spec. 150x15mm Thru-Axle hub with Sealed Cartridge Bearings
• Rear Hub Jones Spec. 32 hole, 148x12mm Boost hub with Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Shimano Driver
• Spokes 14 gauge stainless steel, black
• Spoke Nipples Chromed brass
• Rims Jones Spec. 50mm wide, double wall, eyeleted, tubeless ready
• Tires Vee Tire T-Fatty 29×3″ knobby or Speedster 29×2.8″
• Brake Calipers Tektro MD-M300
• Rotors Tektro 200mm front and 180mm rear, 6 bolt
• Brake Levers Tektro MT 2.1
• Brake Cables Jagwire Elite Ultra-Slick
• Brake Cable Housing Jagwire Pro Compressionless brake housing
• Shifter Cable Jagwire Elite Ultra-Slick
• Stem 31.8mm clamp. 60mm small, 80mm medium, and 90mm large, 17 degrees of rise
• Handlebar Jones SG Aluminum Loop H-Bar. 710mm, straight gauge
• Grips Jones H-Grip for 710mm H-Bars
• Bar Tape Jones H-Bar Tape on the rear crossbar
• Seatpost Jones Spec 400mm, 27.2mm
• Seatpost clamp Clamp Zoom Alloy Quick Release with Brass Bushing. 31.8mm
• Saddle Jones, black with black steel rails

You’ll need to factor in the shipping cost, which is a flat rate of $95 from Oregon. But don’t forget, you won’t pay any state tax on its $2050 price tag, so this actually translates into a small savings for most US residents.

Like the idea of a more affordable 29+ Jones? Have any experience on the original frameset? Let us know in the comments below!

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