how did that bike handle the course / or you handle the 8hours on that bike?
Without letting the whole 29er debate spill over on to yet another thread…
My first ever 12 hour solo race was on a Chameleon at Ashton Court a couple of years ago and was the reason I bought a Blur. The constant jarring from the roots and rocks was more than I could take.
Two years on and I find a 29er hardtail just right for almost any course. It really does seem to roll over the bumps better.
Despite what other people claim, I don’t find it a hindrance on the single track either. There were some pretty tight twisty bits yesterday. I find that if I turn the ‘bars, the bike goes round the corner. I can’t see what the problem is supposed to be. 😛
I use a steep, short stem to lessen the weight on my hands and I find the Wingflex feature on a Fizik Gobi helps to absorb the odd unexpected seated big hit.