Smokey and The Bandit (29er)

It's here - the first OTH 29er! This photo isn't great but it's a really awesome looking frame, collected today from deepest Surrey.

130mm Kashima RP23, Tapered HT - 68.5 degrees, 142x12 rear axle, ISCG 05.

Awaiting lots of parts including the 140mm Fox 34's, Flow 29er rims, CK Headset and MRP chain device - it should keep me busy whilst I recover from pneumonia!

29er curious?

So having moved the Zesty on it's time to scratch that 29er itch!

I've done plenty of desk based research plus the demo I blogged previously. I guess my criteria came down to owning something which was more than an xc 29er as I think I would get bored of that soon enough, the issue being there aren't many longer travel rigs out there. There are a few though if you look for them and the one that consistently met my requirements of niche brand, frame only availability and great write ups is the Transition Bandit 29.

I've ordered the frame (in black, naturelment) and will be heading down to "tamed earth" to collect it next week.

In terms of components I've got plenty of stuff saved from previous builds, including a full XT 1 x 10 drivetrain and those super - wide Chromag bars.

The main issue is going to be the fork, I'd like the new Fox 34 140 which the bike was designed around but there may not be any in the country at the moment so I might have to wait to get the bike on the trails but as I'm recovering from pneumonia that's not too much of an issue right now!

Can't wait to christen the Bandit in the early summer, I'm so stoked to be on Transition again this season!

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

Pitch-ure diary

With a hazy dawn beckoning, the camera was packed for an early morning ride out on Pitch Hill with Rich and Andy. The climb up from CP3 ended in some atmospheric shots against the rising sun, before heading down the topmost "Rat-run" trail.

The going was surprisingly good - despite the mid-week downpour. Encouraged, it was backup to session the gully jumps that "Dave the spade" has been fettling over recent weeks. A few action shots, and a chance to revisit the jump where I smashed my bike up last week

- a quick look, nothing more!

Andy demonstrating Zen like poise, whilst Rich takes the opportunity to surreptitiously straighten up a wonky tree!

...just slightly more focussed than the camera. The landing was not as stylish.!

Rich checks out the launch pad....

...before take off through the trees.

After larking about for a bit, it was just a few short steps up from the gullies to the familiar "log jump" trail.

With the landing zones sorted (does this Dave character ever sleep..?) there's certainly plenty of fun to be had.

After our fill of jumping around, it was one more slog to the top and back down the last and most direct route - a root-fest that Rich has dubbed "the bridle path!"

The Pitch-to-Windmill trails now exhausted (not to mention me) we headed over to the other side of Pitch to a fantastic two-stager (ask Rich the name - "Smooth... something??").

The lower section had seen some recent rehab, (probably Dave again..?) including some fantastic kickers and berms - we had to go back for a second run.

Rich, with the afterburners on...

Getting some lean on for the camera...

Making mountains out of molehills... The 'Scrub' is still some way off!

"Look Ma...no gloves!" Rich getting back to basics.

Andy sends it down the trail.

Last stop was over to "Huggy Bear" for a final blast. Though with legs and brains a little tired the inevitable spill just had to happen.

Rich eventually doing the honors, and proving you do not need to fall far, to proper hurt yourself. Taking a gouge out of his shin and adding a final flourish of claret to the rusts and greens of the morning.

This shot really does NOT do justice to what was a nasty hole in the leg. Note to self - leave the blood running!

Hope it heals up quickly mate!

Until next time,

D.

Nukeproof Mega 2012

It's ordered!! Delivery estimate 26th January 2012!