Peter Vallance from Rocky Mountain Bikes shows us the Altitude 29, all new for 2010.

Highlights:

-120mm of travel
-straight up geometry featuring a 76 degree seat angle
-efficient pedaling
-short wheelbase for a 29er
-custom RaceFace cranks

more photos>>
Read the rest of this entry »

Here, Jeff shows us the all new Tracer 29!

Features of the Tracer 29 include:

-adjustable travel (5 to 5.5 inches)
-low standover height
-great, all-around trail bike

Jeff was even kind enough to coordinate his sweater to match the new Tracer 29!

Included below are pix of more from the 2010 Intense line-up:

more photos>>
Read the rest of this entry »

Jeff from Titus shows us the all brand new 29er from Titus…the Rockstar!

Highlights include:

-all carbon rear triangle
-true 4″ of rear travel
-tapered head tube
-approx. 5.5 lbs for the frame and shock

more photos>>
Read the rest of this entry »

Brent Foes shows us the first ever 29er from Foes…. the B-29! This bike was original shown as a prototype at Sea Otter, it’s now ready for production.

-head tube angle is adjustable +/- 1 degree
-tapered chain stays
-2:1 leverage ration Curnutt shock
-4″ rear travel

more photos>>
Read the rest of this entry »

Gary Fisher Rumblefish

by Brian Mullin aka Gram and MTBR.com Pastajet
http://www.gramslightbikes.com

Gary Fisher Rumblefish 29er
I was thinking of trying the new Gary Fisher Superfly 100 29er after hearing some really good things about it, but while I was looking at the display model, I saw the Gary Fisher Rumblefish sitting right next to it. It has 110 mm of travel in the rear and 120 mm in the front, and it is made to Rumble. Are You Ready To Rumble? So I got in the queue and took it out for a spin.

I demoed the top of the line Rumblefish II version, and it had a Fox F120 FIT RLC 29 fork with a 15mm axle, a Shimano drivetrain, Avid brakes and a custom Fox RP23 shock. Some of the special features of the Rumblefish are the 6011 hydroformed butted aluminum mainframe, a E2 tapered headtube, the BB95 bottom bracket, a direct mount front derailleur, the ABP (Active Braking Pivot) rear suspension and a DRCV (Direct Rate Control Valve) Fox RP23 rear shock.

DRCV Fox RP23

I was really impressed how well this bike handled. It still has the big 29er wheels that still take a bit of cranking to get their inertia going, but it sure felt more like a 26er when I was climbing. The bike has a very short wheelbase, cockpit and trail for a 29er. Those geometry characteristics really showed itself in its quick and nimble handling, and its neutral weighting while climbing. While railing and flying down the trail those big wheels were a treat, and the suspension did really well in g-outs. On spirited sprints while standing the rear suspension squatted just a tad, and I felt some flex in the Fox fork.

Overall I have to give the Rumblefish high marks for a successfully engineered long travel 29er. It climbs and handles well, and is a really nice rough terrain full suspension 29er. Let it eat some rocks!

I arrived in Boulder City, Nevada a day before the Interbike Outdoor Demo. I got a couple of short, hot rides in (temperatures hit 100 degrees in Las Vegas today) and checked in early with some of my friends in the bike industry. I also got an early start on the photos with pictures of the new Santa Cruz Tallboy 29er, some photos of the Specialized boys on the trail, and the Canfields riding their new Nimble 29er hardtail.

Read the rest of this entry »

See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Turner Here!
See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Pivot Cycles Here!
See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Niner Here!
See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Ellsworth Here!

I didn’t get to test every full suspension 29er (pretty close though) that was at the dirt demo, but I think I made a pretty decent stab at a bunch of different brands, different suspension systems and obviously some varying geometry designs. I tested the Turner Sultan, the Pivot Mach 429, the Niner RIP9, the Ellsworth Evolve, the Ventana El Rey and finally the Moots Mooto-XZ. I had even tried the Turner Sultan a second time to get some more seat time with the bike. My butt was sore and my legs were beat from all those rides in the hot sunny weather.

It was nice to be able to do so many bikes in a short period so the brain was fresh with each bike ride. Cross comparisons were much easier.

None of the bikes did it all. They all had their strengths and weaknesses, some more glaring than others. Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble but no bike will ever be perfect.

(continued…)

See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Salsa Cycles Here!
See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Niner Here!

Salsa Big Mamma

First bike of show and the first time in years I have ridden straight bars on dirt. In addition all of bikes have the brakes opposite of my personal bikes so I was I bit tentive on the trail.

First impression was it is a very easy pedaling bike (a trait all three shared). Nice action to the suspension in and out of the saddle. In the middle ring it does not mind at all to be treated like a singlespeed ok the climbs. Just stand and hammer (never used the inner ring). It does bob on the big ring when out of the saddle (not an issue for the intended use).

(continued…)

I have never ridden any of Ventana’s bikes, but I had always heard great things about them and their incredible craftsmanship. I got lucky when Gregg, and I got to talk shop and BS with the man himself Sherwood Gibson a.k.a. Mr Ventana.

(continued…)

See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Niner Bikes Here!

Niner bikes are obviously totally committed to building and designing 29er bikes. They make a whole slew of models from a single speeder to the demo 4.3 inch RIP9 that I tested. They were a super friendly staff who really went out of their way to make sure you tried any of their bikes you wanted and that the bike was set up properly for your demo.

(continued…)

See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Pivot Cycles Here!

I am a bit addicted to the wonders of the big wheeled 29ers and the DW Link suspension, so I was looking forward to trying out the Pivot 429. Last year at the dirt demo I felt that Pivot had some issues with their rear suspension, but I was told that their issues have since been resolved.

Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love

Geez, I have the Robert Palmer video stuck in my head now. The lipsticked women with the pale skin, heavy makeup, dark hair and seductive expression make me laugh. Yes they are playing the instruments, NOT. Anyway, I digress.

(continued…)

See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Niner Bikes Here!
See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Salsa Cycles Here!

Dirt Demo report for the 29er geeks.

First bike I grabbed this morning was a Niner JET9. While not entirely new, it is the first time at the dirt demo, so I had to ride it.

Impressions: Very well balanced, very smooth, and climbs without bob. Exactly what it was supposed to do. The bike felt very comfortable and worked well. It definitely does what it claims, and it would make a spectacular racing bike.

(continued…)

See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Turner Here!

Dave Turner teamed up with Dave Weagle of the DW Link fame and revamped his entire bike line for 2009 using the DW Link suspension system. I was very excited to try out this bike because I have been riding a DW Link Ibis Mojo for over 2 years I happen to think that the DW Link is one of the finest suspension systems currently on the market. The DW Link suspension has great anti-squat, little pedal feedback and exceptional traction. I love 29er’s and especially one with a DW Link suspension so it was time to demo the Turner Sultan.

And Harry doesn’t mind if he doesn’t make the scene
He’s got a daytime job he’s doing alright
He can play honky tonk just like anything
Saving it up for Friday night
With the Sultans with the Sultans of Swing

(continued…)