96er

Ron and Dorothy Strasser

2006-01-16



I think you are right... smaller wheel more rear traction. The front end

handles as well or better than before. Actually it seems that way to me,

but I am riding with more intensity so would need to put the 29 back on for

awhile and then report. If the bottom bracket is lower, it has not been

noticed much, I do not seem to bottom out any more than normal. While

thinking about trying this set-up I also considered the front-end wanting to

lift off on steep climbs. This has not been the case. I am climbing the

same steep climbs as I do on my Fisher. I feel very secure riding this

set-up and I running the ridgid fork!

I agree with you about 29ers. I remember when I was looking into them

people mentioned the heavier wheels and not being able to navigate tight

corners. I have not had problems with either of these. The trails I ride

are the same ones others are riding on 26ers. There are folks out there

that might read this that raced against me this past season and know that

the 29er does work just fine. I just wish my motor would allow me to go

faster!

I wish more top riders would try them...really take them out and race them

for a season or two. Those guys and gals have such great handling skills

and strength that they could put them to a true test. Maybe some are doing

this as we seem to hearing about 29ers more in the cycling world. Thanks

for the response Tony.

----- Original Message -----

From: "Tony Pereira" <to-@pereiracycles.com>

To: <ron-@spiritone.com>; <ob-@topica.com>

Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 7:03 PM

Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] 96er





 Ron,



I would imagine that the very slack seat angle achieved by installing the

smaller rear wheel has given you greater traction by transferring your

weight a bit more over the rear wheel. My concern with this is the effect

on

the front end geometry and cornering performance. How does it corner? Is

the

front wheel hooking up when you push it hard into tight corners or does it

drift through them? Effective slackening of the head tube angle usually

results in vague steering feedback. You may be losing some BB height too.



Perhaps the KM just doesn't fit you all that well? OTOH, maybe you're on

to

something.



All I know is that I love 29ers.



Tony Pereira

Pereira Cycles

Portland, Oregon, USA

www.pereiracycles.com

801.209.9301









________________________________



From: ron strasser [mailto:ron-@spiritone.com]

Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 4:54 PM

To: ob-@topica.com

Subject: [OBRA Chat] 96er





For winter discussion by those interested in non motorized travels behind

the gated forest service and forest products access roads.



I have set up my Karate Monkey with a 29 front and 26 rear wheel. The

bike

that before was generally fun to ride(but usually felt heavy) has become

this deamon of a climber on muddy rooty singletrack. I swear it handles

better than with two 29" wheels. I read about the Carver 96er in DirtRag

several months ago and realized that even though the bike (KM) was not

designed for 29/26 that the Monkey was worth a shot. Has anyone out there

ridden a setup like I describe? If so what has your experience been.

Matt

Slaven said somone last name of Brown was doing this. This past summer I

raced a Fisher 29er and felt like I did well for my first year of MT bike

racing and was very comfortable rolling over lots of things that used to

flat out stop me. Not sure exactly what I might do this coming summer...

more expeimentation needed but would like any feedback folks have from

their

experiences on 26ers or 29ers or whatever. Winter riding sure is fun.

Some

winter mountain bike time trials would be a hoot. I do not ski!!!! I

grew

up with the snow of eastern oregon and have had enough of it. Thanks.

ron

To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.

To respond to the list manager send to cmur-@obra.org

To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com



To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.

To respond to the list manager send to cmur-@obra.org

To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com



Tony Pereira

2006-01-15



Ron,



I would imagine that the very slack seat angle achieved by installing the

smaller rear wheel has given you greater traction by transferring your

weight a bit more over the rear wheel. My concern with this is the effect on

the front end geometry and cornering performance. How does it corner? Is the

front wheel hooking up when you push it hard into tight corners or does it

drift through them? Effective slackening of the head tube angle usually

results in vague steering feedback. You may be losing some BB height too.



Perhaps the KM just doesn't fit you all that well? OTOH, maybe you're on to

something.



All I know is that I love 29ers.



Tony Pereira

Pereira Cycles

Portland, Oregon, USA

www.pereiracycles.com

801.209.9301









________________________________



From: ron strasser [mailto:ron-@spiritone.com]

Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 4:54 PM

To: ob-@topica.com

Subject: [OBRA Chat] 96er





For winter discussion by those interested in non motorized travels behind

the gated forest service and forest products access roads.



I have set up my Karate Monkey with a 29 front and 26 rear wheel. The bike

that before was generally fun to ride(but usually felt heavy) has become

this deamon of a climber on muddy rooty singletrack. I swear it handles

better than with two 29" wheels. I read about the Carver 96er in DirtRag

several months ago and realized that even though the bike (KM) was not

designed for 29/26 that the Monkey was worth a shot. Has anyone out there

ridden a setup like I describe? If so what has your experience been. Matt

Slaven said somone last name of Brown was doing this. This past summer I

raced a Fisher 29er and felt like I did well for my first year of MT bike

racing and was very comfortable rolling over lots of things that used to

flat out stop me. Not sure exactly what I might do this coming summer...

more expeimentation needed but would like any feedback folks have from their

experiences on 26ers or 29ers or whatever. Winter riding sure is fun. Some

winter mountain bike time trials would be a hoot. I do not ski!!!! I grew

up with the snow of eastern oregon and have had enough of it. Thanks.

ron

To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.

To respond to the list manager send to cmur-@obra.org

To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com



Ron and Dorothy Strasser

2006-01-15

For winter discussion by those interested in non motorized travels behind the gated forest service and forest products access roads.



I have set up my Karate Monkey with a 29 front and 26 rear wheel. The bike that before was generally fun to ride(but usually felt heavy) has become this deamon of a climber on muddy rooty singletrack. I swear it handles better than with two 29" wheels. I read about the Carver 96er in DirtRag several months ago and realized that even though the bike (KM) was not designed for 29/26 that the Monkey was worth a shot. Has anyone out there ridden a setup like I describe? If so what has your experience been. Matt Slaven said somone last name of Brown was doing this. This past summer I raced a Fisher 29er and felt like I did well for my first year of MT bike racing and was very comfortable rolling over lots of things that used to flat out stop me. Not sure exactly what I might do this coming summer... more expeimentation needed but would like any feedback folks have from their experiences on 26ers or 29ers or whatever. Winter riding sure is fun. Some winter mountain bike time trials would be a hoot. I do not ski!!!! I grew up with the snow of eastern oregon and have had enough of it. Thanks.

ron