Friday, November 21, 2008

// // 2 comments

29, Single, and Rigid

29, Single, and Rigid. No, this isn't about a single 29 year old porn star. It's about a bike. Not just any bike though. It's about a fully rigid single speed 29er, a Walt Works to be exact. Last night (20-Nov-09) was my first experience on one and I must say, I'm in love. After cracking my Paragon frame I've been in need of a loaner until the replacement frame comes in. I've been itching to take a single speed 29er for a spin and fortunately there are enough single speed 29er advocates out there that I was able to secure one for a ride.

The bike was custom made for a guy who is about the same height as me but weighs more than I. Needless to say there wasn't a lot of  shock absorption with my weight bearing down on the rigid fork. Also contributing to the ultra bumpy ride was the tire pressure. I didn't even think to check it until we were about half way though the ride. It was WAY to high for me. Yet another reminder that the bike belongs to someone a bit heavier than I am. It seemed to be a pretty slow turning bike too. I'm not sure if that's just they way it was designed or if it was just me getting used to a different geometry.

Despite the fact that the ride beat the crap out of me I had a great time. I'm definitely more interested in getting a single speed 29er. However, I have yet to decide weather to go fully rigid or not.  

(I have to give credit to treadlight for the title of this post. I stole it from his SWAMP forum signature. Sorry TL but it was so fitting!)
 

2 comments:

  1. no problem dude....it has been coined one way or another by everybody before me.

    I hope you will enjoy the ride. It will hurt the first month but after that your body adapt to the new load and changes. My first complain was the wrist and shoulder pains but after a couple of bike setup changes and a light dose of free weights with a little bit of changes in food intake, everything feels right.

    morisson

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  2. 29ers SUCK!
    Dood there is no way thats you in that picture you are not that old are you?

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