OK get a cuppa here comes the feedback on how it goes…
4hrs, 42K, approx 2100m of climbing.
Wet, overcast, 12 degrees, 30-60kmh winds. Just the usual Wellington summer then.
Previous and current bikes: Serotta TiMax 29er, RM Element Team 18", Kona Explosif 18" SS
The bike was ridden pretty much as I got it bar different tyres (WTB PRowler 29×2.1 on the front, Maxxis Crossmark 29×2.1 on the back) and ergon grips. Its got a Fox F29 100mm RLC on the front with the tapered steerer.
Hopping on it initially felt quite short in the TT which was interesting as the geo chart has it at 24" and I had originally ordered a medium but when the L came in they wanted me to ride it as they also felt it rode quite small.
The loop I did is a mix of long doubletrack 4wd track climbs, steep single track climbs, rooty descents and a couple of long ridgelines with rock steps and drops. Everything was super slick and wet due to 3 days of rain.
Initial impressions are this thing is awesome. Honestly, it climbs like nothing I have ever ridden and is way better balanced than my Serotta 29er, hard to explain but you feel like you are right in the middle of the bike, the front does not feel too high and it is just planted. Stuff that I would normally not get up due to steepness i just rode straight up now worries. Where it was was beautiful was anything vaguely undulating, the wheel size lets it roll and encourages you to pedal faster and faster. I'm not a Dh king but know my way round a bike so i was very keen to give it some beans on some technical downhills. Firstly the balance is right there again, the carbon frame also gives an almost silent ride, no chain slap, nothing – feels odd. The QR15 on the fork I think makes a huge difference in 29er wheels and would not go back now, normal 9mm QR's seem to let the wheel flex too much. All the downhills were a hoot though and the natural balance of the frame just encourages you to lean it over and let it carve. Technical tight stuff felt much the same as on other 29ers if a little easier for some reason.
All in all I would say the following:
Looks: Lovely, the black is nice and this orange is ORANGE !, call it a safety measure. Well finished as well.
Geometry: Rides short to me, this is a Large and has a 90mm stem on it, i'd consider a layback post perhaps for a little more room for adventure racing where i'll be sat down most of the time but would not want to have gone any shorter on the TT
Uphill: Climbs like a goat on red bull, honestly, just flies up stuff and suspension bob and feedback is nil, soaks up small stuttery bumps very well, big hits can stall the bigger wheels. Like all 29ers I think if you are not quite fit they punish you more than a 26er
Downhill: Solid and secure, rolls well and easy to manouvere in tight spots despite its bigger wheels, suspension even at 100mm soaked up big rocks, tree roots and drops brilliantly.
Its staying – I'm a bit fussy about bikes and i'd not normally take something totally new out on a 40ker like that but it just felt superb and I needed the training miles. The only changes I'd make would be possibly try a post with 10mm of layback and move the bars down 1 spacer. Other than that its brilliant.
