Here's the Raleigh XXIX I've been riding now for a week and a half. It's stock with the exception of a Salsa Shaft seat post at 410mm.
The fork on this bike is not suspension corrected at 430mm axle to crown height, so I thought perhaps it might be a little harsh up front. That hasn't really panned out because the whole frame seems to be forgiving to the point where front fork leg stiffness seems to be softened, at least in bump absorbing terms. It's interesting to see the difference between the XXIX and my Inbred 29"er, which has the steel suspension corrected fork from On One on it. The Inbred fork is noticeably flexing back and forth as I ride it while the Raleigh's fork seems to be very stable in comparison, yet the ride "feel" is very similar.
The XXIX fork is noticeably more laterally stiff. It tracks far more precisely and I was adjusting for that during my first few rides. This bike goes right where you point it quickly. Not a bike that you need to handle with a lot of input. A softer touch works better, in my opinion.
The bike tracks as well as any and for a single speed, it doesn't seem to "wind up" or twist when you torque the handle bars. It's bottom bracket and crankset seem plenty stiff, but I could see some side to side flex in the chainstays right behind the BB. This wasn't so bad that I could get the Exi Wolf tire to rub, but the newer generation of fatties might if you can really mash hard.
The downtube is ever so slightly ovalized in the vertical plane which isn't noticeable by looking at it, but you can feel it when you put your hand around it. This helps shed mud rather well! :biggrin:
So far, so good. I am planning on changing the rear tire to something a little faster than the Exi, which I find feels sluggish. (I've had one on the Inbred which felt the same way) Grips are retro-ish in that they are way thin, like old skool Tomac ODI's. I am going to end up with Ergon's there pretty quick. Other than that, I think I can live with this the way it is, even though it's a bit portly for a single speed at 27lbs. I'm betting a good portion of that weight is in the tires/wheels, saddle, handle bar, and stem. These are all good parts, just heavy. Of course, this is just a $750.00 bike, so what should you expect?
More to come as I get more dirt on it!
The fork on this bike is not suspension corrected at 430mm axle to crown height, so I thought perhaps it might be a little harsh up front. That hasn't really panned out because the whole frame seems to be forgiving to the point where front fork leg stiffness seems to be softened, at least in bump absorbing terms. It's interesting to see the difference between the XXIX and my Inbred 29"er, which has the steel suspension corrected fork from On One on it. The Inbred fork is noticeably flexing back and forth as I ride it while the Raleigh's fork seems to be very stable in comparison, yet the ride "feel" is very similar.
The XXIX fork is noticeably more laterally stiff. It tracks far more precisely and I was adjusting for that during my first few rides. This bike goes right where you point it quickly. Not a bike that you need to handle with a lot of input. A softer touch works better, in my opinion.
The bike tracks as well as any and for a single speed, it doesn't seem to "wind up" or twist when you torque the handle bars. It's bottom bracket and crankset seem plenty stiff, but I could see some side to side flex in the chainstays right behind the BB. This wasn't so bad that I could get the Exi Wolf tire to rub, but the newer generation of fatties might if you can really mash hard.
The downtube is ever so slightly ovalized in the vertical plane which isn't noticeable by looking at it, but you can feel it when you put your hand around it. This helps shed mud rather well! :biggrin:
So far, so good. I am planning on changing the rear tire to something a little faster than the Exi, which I find feels sluggish. (I've had one on the Inbred which felt the same way) Grips are retro-ish in that they are way thin, like old skool Tomac ODI's. I am going to end up with Ergon's there pretty quick. Other than that, I think I can live with this the way it is, even though it's a bit portly for a single speed at 27lbs. I'm betting a good portion of that weight is in the tires/wheels, saddle, handle bar, and stem. These are all good parts, just heavy. Of course, this is just a $750.00 bike, so what should you expect?
More to come as I get more dirt on it!
