Wednesday, August 1, 2007

So I got the frame on Tuesday and finally finished it tonight. Couldn't believe that, I figured I wouldn't get this thing setup until the SM-100.

I went with a black and gold thing. I kind of had my alma mater in mind, Michigan Tech, as I planned out the build. Black bikes are cool, you can do just about anything you want and it turns out nice.



















Comes in at 22.5 pounds

Thanks to the following

Vassago Cycles
WTB
White Brothers

Big thanks to Tom at The Bicycle Escape for letting me hangout yesterday to build it up.

I took it out for about an hour tonight down some dirt double track and I also climbed and descend some big dirt mounds (urban mountain biking at it's best). First impression is - wow fast bike. I think it has to do with the bigger wheels and the faster rolling tires. I was flying along the dirt and paved sections with ease.

It seems to climb as well as my 26" bike. I was riding it in this culvert that was made of concrete with big rocks embedded in it and it seemed like the big wheels rolled over stuff with less effort. Nice. This is a relief because I feel like one of my strengths is climbing hills. I was doing some sprints on it and it seems to accelerate very well up hills.

I'm still trying to make up my mind on the descending. I just don't have enough time on it yet. One of the things I was looking forward to on the 29er was a smoother descent. It seems like it's a little better over my 26" from what little I did. I won't know for sure until I get it out on some real trails. The White Brothers Fork seems to have more flex than my Pace and it seems a bit "springier". I do know that those big wheels seem to roll over everything.

No verdict on the tires yet other than they roll fast. It seemed like the rear was hooking up well on the dry, dusty dirt. I was climbing some crazy steep stuff and it didn't spin out on me. I need to play around with the tire pressure a bit I think.

I'm anxious to get it out on some real stuff tomorrow and then of course the Wilderness 101 will be the real test.

2 comments:

Namrita O'Dea said...

hey i'm from Michigan..but my colors are Maize & Blue.

good luck at w101 this weekend!

Kevin said...

Thanks, actually just got back. U of M eh? I guess that's ok ;)