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Does Size really matter
Over recent times there has been increased debate over size and in particular can an extra 3 inches really make a difference – I was curious and last night I lost my 29er virginity and here are my thoughts.
The Bike: Surly Karate Monkey (Chromo) with RST M29 forks (80mm), Single Speed running 32/20.
The Track: Terrey Hills - Perimeter /Long tracks (24k), muddy and at night.
This was my maiden voyage on a 29er, apart from laps of my driveway setting up the saddle.
Steering - I had done a fair bit of research, as well as spoken to converts and the first thing that struck me was the steering, it was so direct. I was expecting the bigger wheels to make it a less responsive, but the steep headset angle turns it into a very lively ride. I made a quick note to self not to underestimate the directness of the steering.
Momentum – Having come from a 26 inch bike the other noticeable difference is the kinetic energy of a 29er. In comparison to a 26er, once the 29er is moving it just keeps on rolling with less noticeable slowing. I noticed this on both dirt and black top, up and down hill.
The increased momentum is probably a combination of the bigger rolling circumference (some of you science experts might be able to confirm or refute this) and the way the larger wheels eat up the bumps, rocks and ruts on the fire trail.
Uphill – Gearing wise the ratios are very similar to my 26 inch SS which climbed like a mountain goat. The 29er was even better on rubble strewn fire trail. When you hit the hill with momentum and provided the incline was within my strength range you can carry the momentum all the way to the top. The propensity for the 29er to slow was less than on a 26 inch bike.
Downhill – The worst this trail has to offer is rubble strewn descents with off-camber turns, which I used to approach with mild caution. I found myself tackling these with added gusto because the 29er just rode over the rubble tracking straight and true.
Ride – The ride of the 29er was noticeably smoother than my 26 inch aluminium hard tail (hardly surprising) which I put down to the combination of chromo and larger wheels. It also wasn’t squirmish in the sand and mud, tracking directly – this surprised me. If I had been on my 26er I would have expected some fishtailing and sideways floating.
It’s a new bike and yes I am looking through rose coloured glasses, but I love it. After one ride I can't fault the 29er, but I’m still to test it on;
- Long rides,
- Very steep or technical climbs,
- Single track and
- Technical downhill.
Only time will tell whether it’s a fad or the future, but I recommend you try it.
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Nice write up Paul, and nice choice for a 29er. I notice that Surly has a bent seat tube to allow for shorter chainstays which is a great feature (one problem with 29'ers IMO is they conventially have longer chainstays, tho a lot of manufacturers have woken upto this fact). Surly have been doing 29's as long as anyone and really know how to get the geo right.
No surprise with the ride results. IMO the larger wheeled machines, especially when you keep-it-real and go steel, do make sense in a lot of situations. If i was to get a trail hardtail i would definitely consider one instead of instintively going 26", though for dual suspension bikes i still think 26 rules...tho those 9/6 machines are an interesting concept (29 front, 26 rear).
I will be interested to see your findings on more technically demanding trails in the future.
Cheers,
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my Intense 5.5 ~ my NS Suburban
I took the 29er SS to the Oaks last night to see what it was like on the climb up, the rocket down and the sniggle – here are the results.
T'was a little bit chilly setting off at 7.00pm from Glenbrook station but at least it wasn't raining. After descending to the gorge it started to drizzle, not hard but annoying. That was when I remembered I had left my rain jacket was in the car but there was no way I was going back up that hill just yet.
The climb out of the gorge on a SS certainly ensures your heart and legs are pumping and I was relieved when the road flattened out and I could settle down to a rhythm (about 90rpm). The drizzle was constant now and limiting my vision but everything was quiet and I just cranked away reaching the first gate at the 9k mark in 30 minutes (18kph average – happy with that). Given I had a long night I decide to slow the pace for the next leg. The climb up to the helipad seemed easier than last time I tried it with the inclines not as pronounced and the time quicker. The 29er certainly ate up the gentle inclines.
I reached the helipad (15k mark) at the hour mark relatively fresh but wet and giving off plenty of steam. The other guys still had 15 minutes on the train so I made a few phone calls, ate a banana and generally fluffed around for 15 minutes before I started to cool down too much.
I proceeded along the trail to meet the others but after 2.5k’s came to a hill I had to walk so I decide to ride back to the helipad, I did this loop 4 times till we finally met up, by this time I had racked up more than 30k’s in total but more importantly I was still warm. This 5k loop had a few little pinches, sandy corners, fast downhills and was generally a fun ride. The 29er was super fun and I was continually amazed how it smoothed out the trail.
Having met up with the others we continued down the trail together until we got to the helipad, I didn’t hear it but I could have sworn a gun went off and the race was on. It was dark, wet and in some places sketchy but when the gun goes off all this is forgotten. I reckon I hit the next section quicker than I do in daylight and it wasn’t long until I was on the fire trial loving the big wheels but cursing the SS. Having spun to my limit it was in a tuck and trying and stay in front of the lights behind. Every time the trail flattened I tried to spin some this was useless. I managed only 46kph down the fire trail, not too bad when you consider on the flat I can only spin the SS to 24kph, but I wished I had the big dog and the 11 tooth.
If you haven’t done it, the Oaks sniggle at night is a hoot. I was cranking at my max all the way through and the 29er wheels just soaked it up. There is just something about going flat out not knowing where the next turn was? In the end I only took one wrong turn and started my own personal offshoot. The 29er handled the sniggle with ease, turning was precise and lively. I would have loved to push it a bit harder but I had the SS maxed.
I was also surprise how cushiony steel and big wheels are, I usually run my Yeti’s suspension fairly hard (100mm) with pro-pedal and the 29ers has a similar ride feel.
The only test I had left was the climb out of the gorge, but I wasn’t looking forward to it. I lasted to the first switchback then gave up, it wasn’t worth blowing a knee over.
In the end, 50k’s for the night and a grin from ear to ear, I’ll definitely be taking the 29er back to the Oaks.
As an aside we finished close to 11.00pm after a chin wag before descending into the gorge and my 3hr AY-UP battery was still going strong after 4hrs. You have got to be happy with that
nice post mate. sounds like you had a blast.
on the battery thing. i was out for a road ride the other night and went way past the time of what i thought were the ayup battery limits but they stayed as good as when i set off. yet another good rap for the ayups!