C) they will petition UCI to ban 29ers for DH racing because it doesn't make them look moto enough.On the WC circuit, 29 may be soon, but the pros will only run stuff A) the manufacturers think they can sell or B) will give them a significant edge over the competition....so I'm doubtful we'll see it any time soon.
Interesting to hear you of all people say that, having a lot of bikes with big hoops. I've noticed huge amounts of flex in most 650b wheelsets, and often I can watch them squirming around on the rider in front of me. Wider flange spacing while keeping zero-dish will help, but I have a pet hate for hubs that increase flange spacing while sacrificing the zero-dish, the latter is way more crucial to wheel longevity. Maybe the 7spd freehub will help sort it out without new frame standards.Regardless, even though I'm the biggest 29er fan on RM, 26 is the wheelsize for the 99% for DH. Robust, easy to find spares, you don't have to true every 5 minutes
Again, that's my opinion for the amateur. I think 29" can hold an edge at the highest level of competition under the right rider. Those tall guys like Minaar have a natural advantage, and can take easier advantage of longer chainstays, so why not get wheels that are less susceptible to getting hung up? I like to see 29ers being competed on, just because I love seeing the technology of the sport being pushed to the very limit.Interesting to hear you of all people say that, having a lot of bikes with big hoops. I've noticed huge amounts of flex in most 650b wheelsets, and often I can watch them squirming around on the rider in front of me. Wider flange spacing while keeping zero-dish will help, but I have a pet hate for hubs that increase flange spacing while sacrificing the zero-dish, the latter is way more crucial to wheel longevity. Maybe the 7spd freehub will help sort it out without new frame standards.
I'm an avid fan of the Alex Supra D in 26", and it took years to find a rim that was light, strong (dent and flatspot resistant), and held tyres well when out of shape (something the EX721 and some other mavics fail spectacularly at). Is there a genuinely comparable option in 650b yet? Stans Flow is not comparable in strength (nor does putting it on your DH bike make it a proper DH rim) so that's not the answer, but perhaps there is something else - DT? Spank?
Why did Santa Cruz specifically state on their website that they tried to keep the chainstay lengths as close to the 26" v-10 as possible when they went to bigger wheelsizes then? Especially knowing all their WC riders are like 7 feet tall?Those tall guys like Minaar have a natural advantage, and can take easier advantage of longer chainstays, so why not get wheels that are less susceptible to getting hung up?
http://ridemonkey.com/threads/29er-dh-bike-looks-like.273673/ 29'er trek DH bike.I am the anti 29'er, but I see Trek coming out with a 29'er DH in the future. Why? Well if we have 26, 26+, 27.5, 27.5+, 29, 29+ and some asshole bringing up the topic "Are there any 29'er DH bikes?" every 6 months, someone may as well make one to shut them up. As always, it gets people talking. With enduro becoming so popular, I think DH is kinda in a downfall. I can see the WC organizers putting in a smoother, more pedally course in the future to pull off some publicity stunt where the racers will want a 29" 5"travel bike. Picture the UCI telling the trail builder to make it that way. The teams see the pics and think it will be better on a pedal friendly bike. (wasn't there a course like this a couple years ago where they opted for an AM setup?) All of a sudden the Internet explodes with the whole "29'er wins the DH World Cup race!!!"... I see it in the future, but it won't be the end-all, be-all of bikes. 27.5 is what all the companies jumped on. If anyone will come out with a 29" DH bike, it will be Trek and Special-ed at the same time.
If anything, I think 26+ or 27.5+ would be something good to consider???
Can't find the actual story: http://theteamrobot.blogspot.com/2015/07/in-related-story.htmlWhy did Santa Cruz specifically state on their website that they tried to keep the chainstay lengths as close to the 26" v-10 as possible when they went to bigger wheelsizes then? Especially knowing all their WC riders are like 7 feet tall?
Just because the transition may be easier, doesn't mean it will be better.Can't find the actual story: http://theteamrobot.blogspot.com/2015/07/in-related-story.html
Minnaaarr rode a customized lower linkage because he's tall AF and can take advantage of the stability. Bigger wheels fit more easily in longer stayed bikes. Therefore the transition between mini wheels and dentist bike should be quite smooth with his height. Harder for somebody like Gwin.
All a brand manager really needs to say is "Short chainstays" and a million dentists flock to their black cards. It's not always about being short, but balanced. Norco does a good job with their size specific geometry, but that doesn't compensate for people's preferences as well. I know that I prefer a 17-17.2 chainstay, and that's in the wacky east coasty stuff we have here.
That is the basic misconception many have. We are the customers, so we have control. And as long as someone is buying it, someone else will offer it. Just put your money where your mouth is and don't buy overhyped gimmicks.At the end of the day I have no control over any of it, so I'll just take it as it comes.
You sure?That is the basic misconception many have. We are the customers, so we have control. And as long as someone is buying it, someone else will offer it. Just put your money where your mouth is and don't buy overhyped gimmicks.
I thought the dentists are now back to real men hobbies like hunting famous lions?All a brand manager really needs to say is "Short chainstays" and a million dentists flock to their black cards.
Come on dude...the number of people that still wanted carburetors when fuel injection was finally hashed out...the number of people that want a manual Suburban...really?Go buy a car (in the US) with a manual trans? Or maybe an SUV or fullsize truck with one....or how about one with out airbags, power windows, cruise control, etc.
Still want a carburated car because you know how to tune, troubleshoot, and repair one, go get a new one if that is what YOU want......
You can only put your money on the product that is offered, if the masses buy into the new shit, sooner or later you will also have to.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think him and a few other guys got beat pretty handily by 8" DH bikes at the U.S. Champs at Mammoth?
I know all sorts. Myself included. I've ordered nearly all of my "new" cars with a manual (except my silverado and tahoe since I couldn't get it)Come on dude...the number of people that still wanted carburetors when fuel injection was finally hashed out...the number of people that want a manual Suburban...really?
That is what I am doing ATM. If the industry is forcing me out of the first market I buy NOS or second hand. Geometries on the latest generation of 26" bikes were fairly dialed, so nothing to worry about here. Everybody that I know that was seriously into buying new stuff all the time has slowed down, either because they don't believe in the so-called innovations or because they are worried that the new bikes need a season or two to be dialed. Sure, Trek et al. don't care because the big bucks come from the dentists, however these dentists already get suspicious why all the "core" riders, bike mechanics etc. are riding totally outdated and unrideable bikes....and are fast on those.You sure?
Go buy a NEW downhill bike, how many 26" options do you have? How about a NEW trail bike? (yes, I know there are still some options, but not a ton of them)
Sure, I have the option of NOT buying a new bike, but.....
trafficIn my book, anyone who has driven a good car with a manual transmission knows it's much more fun to do so than riding a dumbed down automatic one...
Says the guy who is buying a bike that is primarily know for its short chainstays. Just saying.All a brand manager really needs to say is "Short chainstays" and a million dentists flock to their black cards.
here in the united derps there isn't much in the countryside in terms of employment. so for a lot of us that isn't an optionmeh, move to the countryside....
Step 1: Learn to administrate HP-UX, AIX, Linux, or other obscure enterprise OS.here in the united derps there isn't much in the countryside in terms of employment. so for a lot of us that isn't an option
we had to order our last car straight outta japan because though manual was an option, there were only 2 in the country at the time (and none with the options we were looking for). go outside canada/us and you can find all sorts of unlikely vehicles with standard trannies. slovenly bastards are we.I know all sorts. Myself included. I've ordered nearly all of my "new" cars with a manual (except my silverado and tahoe since I couldn't get it)
i rode my friends Session 9.9 650b this past weekend and the wheel flex was unbelievable around tight berms and fast techy sections. i will say though that the damn bike accelerates like nothing ive ever ridden before.Interesting to hear you of all people say that, having a lot of bikes with big hoops. I've noticed huge amounts of flex in most 650b wheelsets,
if you reduce it beyond lightweight carbon, excellent geometry, efficient pivot height, a decent rising rate leverage ratio, a nice shock, and exactly the right amount of travel, then yeah, I'm buying it because it has short chainstays.Says the guy who is buying a bike that is primarily know for its short chainstays. Just saying.
i agree, you certainly dont see many 'park bikes' these days.no but 7" travel bikes are