Nino Shurter- testing the 26" + 29"

[Konaman]

Nino just posted this on Twitter about the 26" or 29" bikes he will be using at the Olympic games.. Is there anybody out there that understand his language.Please tell us what the results is.

http://www.videoportal.sf.tv/video?id=5cb07daf-5c5e-4334-a710-0faaa89855e1

[CAAD4]

No need for a translator. We all know that he said that the 29er smoked the 26er like "Donner und Blitzen" alles klaar. Vrohliche Weinacht!!

[kosmonooit]

After he got drilled in a sprint in one of the final World Cup events by Kulhavi on a 29'er, he needed to reassess I guess

[SwissVan]

Nino just posted this on Twitter about the 26" or 29" bikes he will be using at the Olympic games.. Is there anybody out there that understand his language.Please tell us what the results is.

http://www.videoportal.sf.tv/video?id=5cb07daf-5c5e-4334-a710-0faaa89855e1

 

They're talking in code because they dont want none swissies to fully undertsand the outcome.

 

Basicaly Nino said he felt happier with the 26er and it was a suprise result.

But the official data analysis will only be made known at the end of January.

 

Great initiative from Swiss cycling federation to allow the guys to record some decent data (power and hrm data)for analysis.

Edited December 26, 2011 by SwissVan

[Jaco-fiets]

And we all know Nino knows what he is talking about. I rate his opinion quit a bit higher than Burry's so that is case closed

[Konaman]

Thx SwissVan.

I think the issue here is Nino is a pure bred cross-country rider. Maybe the 26er suits his style of riding better. Kulhavi is i think 1.86m, and a bigger bike probably fits him like a glove. That is why he can handle it so well in XC.

At the end of the day, its the legs that count!

[SwissVan]

 

At the end of the day, its the legs that count!

 

 

Now thats the truth if i ever heard it.

 

I'm still a novice at the swiss code breaking so..... but i'm reasonably sure that right at the end of the video Nino said the result was a suprise and that he was happier on the 26er.

[Eldron]

Any self respecting pro should be trying all available technology.

 

I think Kulhavy's dominant 2011 on "the worst bike for XC" - a 29er duallie changed a lot of mindsets.

 

Hopefully Burry realises a 10kg reliable bike is worth more than a 8kg prototype wunderbike...

[SwissVan]

I still think its courses for horses...or something like that.

 

The dude on the video Herr National Trainer Beat Stirnemann mentioned all the obvious stuff like that 29er wheels are heavier, have better grip, go over small obstacles like roots better, 26ers handle tight climbing / decending stuff better....

 

The trick question is: just exactly how much difference does it really make?

 

Hopefully their detailed analysis will show not much.

[Squier]

Found a translation on mtbr.

 

Here's what they said:

 

Before the test:

 

Nino Schurter: Up to now I rode a 26" exclusively. As I am a rather small guy a 29" seems almost too large for me, as you need a special handlebar, a special stem... and I don't know if it really makes sense for me: such large wheels for such a short person.

 

Erwin Wildhaber (Mechanic):

For a small person it might not be ideal. You probably won't achieve the optimal frame geometry.

 

Florian Vogel: During the whole winter I was riding a 29". I rode it in South Africa and had very positive experiences.

 

Nino Schurter: Let's wait and see what comes out of the test; I will draw my conclusion afterwards.

 

After the test

 

Florian Vogel:

When taking a sharp turn with the 29" you'll realise that it's more difficult, you have to struggle more. If you steer as usual it will take you further out (on the curve's radius). It's interesting.

Q: And what about acceleration? Do you notice a difference there?

No, I really didn't notice anything. I generally had the feeling that the 26 was more agile while the 29 ran more smoothly.

 

Nino Schurter:

On the 29" you notice that the wheel is larger, it covers obstacles - rocks, roots, etc - very smoothly. The downside surely is the weight, especially of the wheels as a rotating mass. When increasing speed you have to accelerate this mass and need more strength. I think in cross country, 26" will still prevail because it's a very dynamic discipline, you have to accelerate frequently. In marathon, however, I think that the 29er will become more and more popular.

[SwissVan]

 

Found a translation on mtbr.

 

 

Got a link pse?

[Squier]

http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/26-vs-29-need-some-advices-693319.html

[SwissVan]

http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/26-vs-29-need-some-advices-693319.html

 

Thanks and interesting, but its not the same test that the OP posted. This one is early 2011, the OP's link was end of 2011.

 

Think the results still the same tho...

[29" MAN]

Nino's last words make the most sense where he states that a 26" is more ideal on a XC course where as a 29" is more ideal on a Marathon race, end of story

[Eldron]

Nino's last words make the most sense where he states that a 26" is more ideal on a XC course where as a 29" is more ideal on a Marathon race, end of story

 

I guess nobody told Jaroslav Kulhavy this?

 

Seriously - all stereotypes are a thing of the past. You ride the bike that makes sense to you regardless of XC, Marathon and I've said it before but it's only a matter of time before they penetrate Downhill.

[Konaman]

I see Mr Julien Absalon also prefer his 26er for XC

 

"Unlike many of his rivals, who are increasingly turning to 29ers, Absalon is still campaigning aboard a 26in hardtail and hasn’t shown any signs of making the switch just yet."

 

http://bikemagic.com/gear/first-looks/julien-absalon%E2%80%99s-orbea-alma-g-team-hardtail.html