Took my latest creation for a gentle pootle around the Surrey Hills today (btw thanks to Njee et al for setting it up 🙂 ), this being my nichetastic SS 69'er rigid jobbie… Worked out pretty well, bike handled fine with the 29" front, the SS ratio was good (32:16) and all in all an excellent day, around 27km or so of riding in the hot hot sun!

Felt pretty good after the ride, but now, a few hours later, I'm starting to feel it a little! Forearms are noticeably tight, hands are aching and my shoulders feel like they've taken a beating… this rigid malarkey is hard on the body isn't it?!

Fellow rigid riders, do you get used to the beatings? Does it make you a tougher rider? Or just a masochistic one? 🙂

Yes. Twice.

Been rigid SS for years now (stiff as my mates call it)and it beats you up when the grounds this dry but it makes you into a tougher rider and "A GOD" keep it up 8)

Your bike was sex.

cheers Pete, glad you approve 🙂 Twice I've met you on a ride now, but neither time have I introduced myself, rude of me innit? 😳 Shame ya'll headed off in a 'slow' group, I reckon we'd all have been fine riding together tbh, we took it rather easy and lots of rest stops 🙂

argh… even sorer this morning 🙁 the pads of my hands (bottom of my thumbs essentially) are particularily tender and 'weak' along with my shoulders… hmmmm, maybe suspension was invented for a reason eh? 😆

You could fit some gears and sensible forks 🙂

I'd recommend you try Ergon grips. You mates might laugh but you'll be much more comfortable. I use on Singular Swift rigid 29er.

You're right, we should meet properly 🙂

Let me know when you're next in the Hills and I'll come for a pootle with you fella!

Been rigid SS for years now (stiff as my mates call it)and it beats you up when the grounds this dry but it makes you into a tougher rider and "A GOD" keep it up

Same here, Just run my fat 2.4 Nobby Nics at a lower pressure on days like these. I find it takes the sting out. Also run a USE Sumo Suspension seat post, stops your arse and back from aching the next day.

I'd recommend you try Ergon grips

can't use on this bike, wouldn't work on the H-bars! I do use on another one though, they are quite comfortable aren't they 🙂

Let me know when you're next in the Hills and I'll come for a pootle with you fella!

Will take you up on that guv'ner, you based down that way are you?

Near enough. And I can get there at the drop of a hat, morning noon and night!

You could fit some gears and sensible forks

LOL!
😉

Well, the sensible forks bit might be a good idea with the trails being this rock hard! Not much damping in a set of steel rigids is there? 😆 Quite liked the SS bit though, shall stick with that for a while at least.