Intense Cycles, long a well respected gravity oriented company, has posted some pictures on the Intense Forum of MTBR.com. The thread, entitled “I did it because I could“, is basically an exercise by company founder Jeff Steber to see what riders will have to say about such a rig in real DH conditions.
Image from the post on Mountain Bike Review by Jeff Steber.
Based upon Intense’s 951 model, this prototype has been dubbed the “2951″. No more information about the bike or how it might ride is available at this time, but we’re keeping an eye on this one.
Haha! I knew it! Those guys on Pinkbike are going to cry. I called this on their forum back when the 29er Dorado was announced.
I’d be super pumped about all this 29er DH…. if I didn’t already have a perfect 26″ DH bike.
Hahaha that is so true. My DH bike rocks. BUT, if this gets MORE people into DH, then it’s a good thing…
? ???, ????????? ???????? ?? 29-?? ???????)) ???????? 360 ? ????? ???????))
And that, it is cool probably on 29-inch wheels)) Especially 360 with bunnyhop to twist))
I am all for innovation. my background was BMX then into DH and slopeside. dirt jumping etc. I am old and now a roadie and a SS 29 guy and have traded that stuff for a mortgage so.. but here are my thoughts
Personally i think this could be an option for straighter courses.
For me though the wheel base and rotational weight of a 29DH bike would make it hard to compete in any truny technical course in the circuit as we know it. It would roll over big drop stuff well enough but throwing that thing side to side at speed is something I would not look forward too. even on a shuttle run with the boys. It would take some man tools to table that thing in any transition as well. Can you imagine trying to manual through a rock garden. Manual at all with that rear wheel so far back. Perhaps with a 29 you dont need to manual. I cant manual my 29 HT worth a turd
This is just me the fat old retired DH BigHIt shuttle run guy who now focuses on going up hill so what do I know….with little skill as well.
not a knock on 29. Not a knock on the mfg and yes I understand the age old 26/29 debate.
I see no place for a 29 in DH Race and Slope Side circuit. Could you imagine having to run that Aussi course at worlds on one of these?
Maybe airing it out straight and speed the rotational weight with the gyro effect will help dudes pull off a double back flip or more front flips but anything with a twits in it forget it.
I am just speaking for me with my limited personal likes and dislikes on a bike in those conditions. It would not be my option in those conditions. There might be other conditions for burlier dudes etc.
mass start DH might be the appropriate condition and that is gaining popularity
In short I like options and I see a spot for these just not as I know it.
Innovation will however open up new ride style so bring it on.
Like fat skis in the World Cup Ski circuit did, perhaps course design will change with DH 29….
just a thought
thanks
The key is ‘course specific’ usage.
If a World class DH rider has this option (meaning that their sponsor brand has to create one for them) it will only be a matter of time before someone wins a World caliber event on one. Note that I didn’t say a World Cup necessarily or the World Champs. But someone will win a DH race with World class competition on a DH 29′er in the next 2 years. They’ll choose the place where it makes sense…where it makes them a faster rider.
I am saying it is course specific IMHO
BTW when are we going to start calling 29ers mountain bikes
@ BigChris – but they’re more than just mountain bikes, they’re God’s gift to mountain bikers!
cant wait for the future