Editor’s note: Our European contributor, “c_g”, has received a few new components and a frame set to review/test and will be sharing his findings with us here on Twenty Nine Inches. Here is his latest post…..
By “c_g”: ON TEST
Things are moving here in Europe and I am happy to announce the testing of the following 29er specific items:
MANITOU Minute 29er ´10: This fork has been under testing with GT in its Hex-Thru Axle version. I have opted for the QR version in a full 120 mm travel. Let´s see if it is stiff enough to track and steer through my favourite trails. I am not going to make it easy on the fork.
GEAX 29er SAGUARO 2.0 TUBULARS: Like I had announced in an earlier post – here it comes. Recently I received a set of these “racer´s dream” tires and will be riding them much this spring – and if I like them even longer. And since I am not a die hard racer; let´s see how they will perform epic trail riding and even at alpine touring.
If that were not enough – I will also receive a set of the long requested brand new SCHWALBE NOBBY NIC and ROCKET RON 29er tires (both in 2.25) very soon (see press release here). These tires will fill the gap between the dry condition high volume Racing Ralphs and the full tread but skinny Little Albert. These releases are anticipated to give a considerable push to the 29er movement in terms of recognition and visibility here in Europe. Let´s see how they will perform
These and some other goodies will all be going on a …
GAS29 STAMBEK Classic frame: When giving the option of reviewing a frame out of the GAS29 line-up it was a tough choice between their more classic steel frames and the new ultralight PLASTIC ONE (see post here). Somehow my playful epic riding nature won over the lap counting self and I took the chance to test the Touring / All Mountain version. (After all now is the time to train – later on in the season I might love to take a closer look at their more racy bikes).
All but the frame have already arrived here and are to be put into a fabulous ride which will be ridden most of the time this spring and find its reviewing finale in the 24H of FINALE Ligure endurance event (please forgive the word play) – a very technical race in Northwest Italy with lots if single trail, right next to the sea. I hope to bring you some good impressions of this event – where last year the NINER team riders have done really well.
Really looking forward to that on.
Stay tuned here for the build and riding impressions (and more pictures).
Oh la la! If you’re done testing the tubulars, here’s a former die-hard racer and former twentynineinches.com author, with some tubular road and CX-perience. I’d be willing to review them against the other stuf I’ve been racing.
Looking forward to your posts!
J
+1 – yeah I’m interested in your thoughts on the tubulars.
Interested in the Nobby Nic, available in the US? Where?
@maheoway: It isn’t available in the U.S……………….yet.
Watch for an announcement from Sea Otter. It won’t be out for awhile yet at any rate.
Schwalbe told me the Nobby Nic and Rocket Ron will be here (in the Netherlands that is) week 16.
@Cloxxki: the rims and tires should be out in the wild end of april. You can try my set if you want, but there is a weight limit for them
JJ
@Jelle, be careful. I suspect Cloxxki’s mountainbiker’s licence has expired, much like his bragging rights. He has to pass his mountainbiking exam again, before trying out new stuff, or else there is a significant risk he is only able to compare it to stuff he rode in the last century
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