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The Brighton Big Dog is fast approaching and oddly, despite having a 29 race HT in the shed (which I usually race the Dog on), I keep thinking about racing my chubby Solaris. (which is 4lbs heavier!).
I'm not going to trouble the podium, but do obviously have an interest in being as quick around the circuit as possible. Certainly the Solaris is quicker on the singletrack, but know full well that most of my racing benefit comes from blasting the uphill fire road type sections.
Has anyone experience of racing on chubby wheels? Any real difference? Or will the main difference be the 4lbs of extra bike weight? I'm only in the pairs race, so means I'll get a break after every lap!
Got to be the 29er hardtail all the way. Most of your time in a mtb race is spent fighting gravity and doing quick accelerations out of corners (and I seem to remember the Big Dog has its fair share of those), so if you having an interest in being quick around the circuit (i.e. not just the single track) then 29er tyres will trump plus ones.
The chubby bike will likely be more fun though!
n.b. I race a 29er, have raced a fat bike, and own a plus bike as a training/winter/funbike
29er without a doubt. For the reasons stated by exated.
take both, do a lap on each and decide. You might (might) decide the solaris is quicker, or you might decide that you're there to have fun and the solaris is 100% funner. If you're in a pair, you won't be leaving the other one unattended, you can keep it locked in a car and swap while your team-mate's out.
According to Strava it makes no difference for me - I have a 'plus' bike with a spare set of 29er wheels and I get very similar times on climbs or technical trails regardless. I mean, logically the 29er must be quicker on the climbs (the wheels are at least a kilo lighter) and the plus should be quicker on the technical stuff but...
I think one lap on each is the only way really, although your 2nd lap will be slower anyway...
Alternate this year and know for next?
A plus tyre should give lower rolling resistance at a given pressure. And the lower pressure may help give a better "real world" rolling resistance.
Most of your time in a mtb race is spent fighting gravity and doing quick accelerations out of corners
Sounds like what what you need there then is some nice small and light 26in wheels 😉
I’d go with the 29er, but back-to-back testing would tell you for sure, and be funnerer!
My bikes, XC: the 29er hardtail is fastest.
"Fun" are my other bikes (also a 27.5+, but this plus bike is not fast at all when doing XC...)
Taking both may be a good shout!!
Usually my second lap is quicker than my first....especially if it is the opening lap of the race. I normally peak at laps 2/3 and then die a death in 4/5!!
Would say alternate too, both’ll be fun. Really hoping conditions stay halfway decent - it’s running so well at the moment.
Going the other way, 29+ and 29/2.6 on a really not very light Stooge...out of the corner acceleration ain’t gonna be sparkling but the inertia (of a small planet) might help on the fire road sections.
Looking forward to it 🙂