So I put a leg over two 29's this weekend for test rides. I've not been on such a steed before and it was an interesting experience... and it was fun
I went to Cynergy (a Santa Monica bike shop) and checked out the Bianchi Rita in a 17" size.
Link
I also checked out a Niner S.I.R.9 in a medium size
Link
Both bikes were set up as single speeds. I saddled up each one for a ride around the block from the shop.
The Bianchi felt good. It felt like a natural transition from a 26 hardtail. The SIR9 felt good too. It was a bit odd for me with a narrower bar than I like, but it felt fun overall. I think if it had a wider bar I would have been sold (except for the retard-sized price tag of $2,300 for a rigid singlespeed).
On each bike, I felt comfortable and "in" the bike, not "on" it. On each bike, I also got my size 13 shoes buzzed by the front tire when turning. I'm guessing that I would be better suited a size up on each frame. Anyone with real-world advice to confirm or dispute this?
I also felt a bit upright, though comfortably so, on each ride. Again, I think a size up would put me in a more traditional "better" posture for riding. Anyone care to comment?
I'm loving the idea of a rigid steel single-speed 29. I figure if I'm gonna be an odd duck, I should be the oddest. Anyone care to comment on other bikes to consider, and/or how different those bikes handle from the ones I tried? (I'm interested in the Vassago Jabberwocky - the pix make me feel fuzzy)
I went to Cynergy (a Santa Monica bike shop) and checked out the Bianchi Rita in a 17" size.
Link
I also checked out a Niner S.I.R.9 in a medium size
Link
Both bikes were set up as single speeds. I saddled up each one for a ride around the block from the shop.
The Bianchi felt good. It felt like a natural transition from a 26 hardtail. The SIR9 felt good too. It was a bit odd for me with a narrower bar than I like, but it felt fun overall. I think if it had a wider bar I would have been sold (except for the retard-sized price tag of $2,300 for a rigid singlespeed).
On each bike, I felt comfortable and "in" the bike, not "on" it. On each bike, I also got my size 13 shoes buzzed by the front tire when turning. I'm guessing that I would be better suited a size up on each frame. Anyone with real-world advice to confirm or dispute this?
I also felt a bit upright, though comfortably so, on each ride. Again, I think a size up would put me in a more traditional "better" posture for riding. Anyone care to comment?
I'm loving the idea of a rigid steel single-speed 29. I figure if I'm gonna be an odd duck, I should be the oddest. Anyone care to comment on other bikes to consider, and/or how different those bikes handle from the ones I tried? (I'm interested in the Vassago Jabberwocky - the pix make me feel fuzzy)