OK, so that should make it fun on the way down and “surprisingly good” on the way up, which sounds ideal. But it’s still heavy and [obvious_troll] built around a soon to be obsolete wheel size (if you believe the hype) [/obvious_troll]. So, can it really be that
I know you said it was an obvious troll but I think you’re asking a valid question on wheel size.
26″ wheels are as likely to become obsolete as hard tails and vinyl. Demand may reduce but people will always still ride them. I feel more than fast enough in a 26″ bike that going faster on a 29er just doesn’t hold any appeal, not least as I sit here and try typing with 1.5 arms nursing the umpteenth broken bone in six years. I need to be going slower not faster.
On the issue of weight I think it’s important and the Rocket is relatively heavy on like for like basis but so many people have pointed out that it doesn’t ride like a heavy bike. I ride a relatively heavy bike also, about the same weight as the rocket, but with strong stiff and light wheels even the heaviest lump can feel sprightly. Wheels make far more difference I think in terms of how weight can impact ride quality.
OP a few other suggestions. Don’t buy a fork just because it’s cheap. I think the advantages of going to a tapered steerer are worth spending a little more money on especially if you’re going for a 32mm chassis. Like Jon Edwards I found both the Revs and Fox 32mm forks too flexy. It’s worth spending a bit more to get the right fork for the future.
Wheels – think about getting high quality hand built units. There are a few very respected wheel building specialists out there like Strada (based bear Worthing) and Harry Rowland. They can build you bespoke; Strada recommend Sapim CX Ray spokes (equivalent to DT bladed) which shave valuable weight from the total build and this will make a difference.
Other than that have fun with it.
