I've seen the future....

and it's 29'er shaped

Yesterday I had a day off and I decided to find out for myself what this big wheeled commotion is about. Is it just a US-driven marketing ploy to make us buy (yet) another bike and create a further unwelcome niche in an already over-crowded marketplace? or does it actually represent real progress and a step-change in performance over the tried and tested 26 inch bikes we all ride.

I picked up the Trek Superfly 100 from Head for the Hills and headed up to Ranmore. Early impressions were positive, it climbs and rolls really well on what looked like mega skinny tyres - they are actually 2.1's so it must just be the ratio in comparison to the wheel diameter. I decided to test it on some technical stuff so I hit the log pile, rode Abba Zabba (badly) and then headed for Numberskull/Reformation.
The initial drop and double felt superb, probably the best jump I've ever hit off that one and the rest of the trail disappeared in a blur of big wheeled grins including the step down gap at the bottom.

I did a bit of imprecise timing but check this out - I was 30 seconds or roughly 20% quicker than when I rode it last friday on my 160mm Nicolai! OK the trail was slightly drier yesterday but bear in mind the Trek has 100mm of travel and I had been riding it for about 30 minutes and I think that says it all really.

Stoked from that trail I moved onto Holmbury, taking in Yoghurt Pots, Child's Play, part of Telegraph and some other fun trails I don't know the names of. What is striking is the way the bigger wheels use the energy of the trail so much better - on singletrack there's little doubt in my mind that a 29er is going to thrash a 26er speed-wise under the same rider.

I'd heard this before but I think what surprised me most is how much fun this bike is....it just begs to be popped off lips and punted into the air at every opportunity.
The only things I'd change about the spec of this one would be some slightly bigger tyres, 2.2 Rubber Queens or something of that ilk and a Reverb.
I'm going to try one of the Trek hardtails to see what that's like too but I stand before you converted to the cult of the 29'er.

If I was in the market for an XC trail bike I'd say it's not even a competition, the 29'er has the 26 beaten all ends up - don't take my word for it though, try one for yourself.

Nukeproof Mega..... Complete

She's finally finished and ready for her maiden voyage (weather permitting ;) )

Leith Hill Summit Team

Some (although notably not all) of the OTH team ventured out in minus 9 degrees on Saturday 12 Feb. 3-4 inches of snow, with a firm crust, made high speed-ascent unlikely, and high-speed descent unwise. Fingers and toes remained 'chilly' for much of the ride, Bish received some admiring comments from a couple of blokes for being 'nails' and exposing lower-leg skin, whilst Mark 2 was busy shedding unnecessary bike weight in the form of his back bolt, resulting in a foreshortened ride and an emergency pick-up from Juliet in the Seat.

A beautiful morning, though.

We hope Andy gets well soon..... Hopefully the bed rest has seen him recover from the quick-onset lurgy which hit him on Saturday morning!

The Mega Build - Stage 1

The first two photos from the Mega Build...

Isn't she a beauty?

More snow

....And it was snowy in Redhill with white out conditions at the top of Reigate Hill with the low cloud. Tip - if you want really clean tyres go for a spin in the snow!

Heavy Powder, Dude!

So finally we get some snow - just over 4" in South Nutfield. A quick spin around the village footpaths, and of course, the first snow pic on the blog this winter!

Dunnie