UK manufacturers to fork things up?
March 6th, 2006 by CloxxkiWhat Mountainbike magazine in the UK just published a multi-page 29″ piece in their latest (April) paper issue : http://www.on-one.co.uk/files/uplink/WMB55_29in.pdf
Both 26″ and a 29″ On-One Inbreds complete bikes were ridden extensively over weeks, to be able to rate the 29″er and learn about the pro’s and cons of larger wheels. The 26″ version already received honors in 2004, nine points for both performance and value. This time, the 29″er (complete singlespeed bike) gets 9 for performance, and perfect 10 for value. WMB : “Most fun you can have on a £500 bike”.
On the scales, the 29″ complete bike less pedals weight 10.9kg, only 250g/0.56lb heavier than the supplied otherwise identical Inbred 26″.
WMB appreciated the improved comfort and cornering from the 29″ wheels.
Also tested was a custom built Carver 96′er with Carbon Pace fork, receiving a 9/8 rating. Reviewers liked the bike’s handling, but comparing it to the fullbred On-One 29″er, they just wished it also had a 29″ rear wheel. The aluminum Carver was built with light parts and would still have been really light with a 29″ rear wheel.
Furthermore, a UK-based Ridgeback offering was reviewed, the middle in a line-up of three affordable 27-speed 29″ hardtails. The £550 Quest model got 7/8.
Now for the forks bit : What Mountainbike speaks of a 29″ carbon rigid fork to be in the On-One pipeline, and says to look out for a 29″ Pace suspension fork later this year. Oh, and U.S.E. now has a 29″ kit for their very special one-armed fork too it seems.
CAD renderings of the On-One carbon fork. In production the crown will be black.
It will have the same daring 468/47mm geometry of the praised steel Inbred29 fork, and promises to be a quick way to turn sluggish handling hardtails into agile XC racers.
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Wow! That is pretty cool, Tim! This magazines results are not unexpected, but I am surprised at how little weight difference that there is between the two Inbreds.
An Inbred Carbon Fork? I gotta have one!
Just got myself the Pace last weekend and deflowered it over the weekend. Very nice. Stiff ride with less sting than my KM fork. Gives my Curtlo SS 29er that “stealth” look. The weight difference surprises me a bit as well. I would’ve thought the tires alone would count for a fair bit of the weight, not to mention the extra grams from spokes and rims. Nice writeup!!!
The On-One Carbon fork might well become the stock fork of choice to be used with custom bikes, especially for those that want/require shorter top tubes.
Not only does the longer offset gives the toes some extra room (8mm over a 29″ suspension unit), but also it decreases fork trail bu such an amount that a slacker headtube angle suffices for pleasurable handling. As this puts the front wheel even further forward, a short toptube can be used without it developing toe overlap.
On top of all that, the steel Inbred29 fork to me feels a bit like front wheel drive. Seems like side knobs are biting better rather than the center knobs skidding in understeer.
That is forking sweet!! Does anyone know if they have “What Mountainbike” at Borders? I would love to get a copy of the rag!
The article can be downloaded here : http://www.on-one.co.uk/files/uplink/WMB55_29in.pdf
I can’t get the link to show in the newspost here yet
Bontrager Switchblade anyone?
After having problems with my Bontrager SS 29er wheels (hubs won’t stay adjusted, free hub is dying after 3 months), I’m not sure I’d trust a fork from them on the front of my 29er…..
The Bontrager Switch Blade, a fork that has been promised for well over a year, is delayed again. To make matters worse, it also conforms to the 26″ offset standard of 38mm. The On One fork, on the other hand, has more offset, making for snappier handling and less chance for toe overlap problems. If On One can get this fork into production and into consumers hands before the Switch Blade, there is a good chance that the only place you’ll see a Switch Blade is on the front of a Trek product!
The promised Switchblade, on top of that, would weigh over 2 pound, and cost $299. With an On-One on the market of any price and any weight…why bother?
Did you guys see the Titanium ones at sibexsports.com. they come in a lot of configurations. 600g uncut!