Enduro/gravity bike suspension and geo

[Eddy Gordo]

I am sure I'd get used to and enjoy a 29er enduro bike, but this is coming from a guy who finds his 650B Enduro a monster truck and loves the nippy, quick steering and lively feel of his 26er HT from time to time.  I doubt that adding a 29er wheel to the Enduro would make it better except perhaps in the steepest high speed trail situations. Would not stop me trying it if money was no object of course. :-) 

Same here, tried some 29ers, and miss the pop lively feel of the smaller wheel. Even with 650b, I miss the lively pop and workout of a 26er when descending.

[Jewbacca]

I am sure I'd get used to and enjoy a 29er enduro bike, but this is coming from a guy who finds his 650B Enduro a monster truck and loves the nippy, quick steering and lively feel of his 26er HT from time to time.  I doubt that adding a 29er wheel to the Enduro would make it better except perhaps in the steepest high speed trail situations. Would not stop me trying it if money was no object of course. :-) 

The way they have done it would leave the bike geo almost exactly the same wouldn't it?

 

Swap a 140mm 650b fork and wheel with a 120mm 29er fork and wheel.

 

That way the geo changes by less than 5mm (taking in a sag %) which equates to less that 0.33 of a degree. (rough estimates, might be slightly more but not much).

 

I don't know.

 

29er Jeffsy is way more fun, poppy, nimble and active than 650b Giant reign. Wheel size is less and less influencial to feel over mating the geometry to the trails.

 

Our not steep trails don't mate well with 1.25m 29er long travel enduro bikes. They feel slow and rubbish and boaty. Put that same bike under you at Morzene and it's a different beast.

 

Low and slack only really works on the right trails, so ja, I think THEN wagon wheels will lose out to smaller wheels. But if you pick the right geo for the trails you ride the most, I don't think it matters.

 

As with most things, the further you step away from what something is made for, the more it's shortfalls will be amplified. 

 

It will take a fish years to climb a tree but only months to cross the ocean.... Play to a bikes strength and purpose and admit that most of the trails we ride are actually more fun on a steeper trail bike and not a massive Enduro rig.

 

The lines between 'trail' and 'Enduro' have been blurred here. Couple that with the FOMO that longer and slacker is creating and you have guys riding the greenbelts and Tokais chicken lines on massive Enduro bikes, which is silly as we spend 90% of our rides climbing here.....

 

Foot note: I am evidently getting carried away. Sorry 

[Chip]

Would love to convert my Banshee Spitfire to a mullet bike, thinking of a 130-140mm 29 fork...any suggestions or advice?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Would love to convert my Banshee Spitfire to a mullet bike, thinking of a 130-140mm 29 fork...any suggestions or advice?

Yeah, don't. A spitty with a 130mm fork!? No.

Edited July 24, 2019 by Captain Fatbastard Mayhem

[Hairy]

Yeah, don't. A spitty with a 130mm fork!? No.

a 29'er 140mm fork tchjina

[Duane_Bosch]

Still a *** idea.

[anybody seen george?]

Speak of the devil and

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/alchemy-bikes-launches-29275-mullet-bike.html

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

a 29'er 140mm fork tchjina

Still no. 130mm / 140mm fork is still 130/140mm regardless of wheel size.

Edited July 24, 2019 by Captain Fatbastard Mayhem

[Headshot]

Took my Aggressor F and R equipped bike for its first  proper ride at Tokai yesterday. No issues either with the casing out back or overall grip despite a bit of moisture about. The back tyre handled corners better than my prone to burping Butcher. I'm looking forward to getting some more trail time as summer kicks in...

[Jewbacca]

Took my Aggressor F and R equipped bike for its first  proper ride at Tokai yesterday. No issues either with the casing out back or overall grip despite a bit of moisture about. The back tyre handled corners better than my prone to burping Butcher. I'm looking forward to getting some more trail time as summer kicks in...

I've also been toying with the idea of throwing it on my front wheel.

 

My Trail Boss is tired and I don't 'shred the gnar' hard enough to warrant something with mahooosive side knobs.

 

It has been super radical as a rear tire. 

[Headshot]

I've also been toying with the idea of throwing it on my front wheel.

 

My Trail Boss is tired and I don't 'shred the gnar' hard enough to warrant something with mahooosive side knobs.

 

It has been super radical as a rear tire. 

 

You'll find the Aggressor lighter and faster rolling with enough side knobs for most conditions. I think its all you need for local conditions.

 

My theory on tyres like the MM are that they are excellent on the right bike eg a slack machine that sags a lot and leaves the front scrabbling for grip. It worked great on my old Enduro but was way too much on my HT. So, if your riding style and bike set up leans towards a more over the bars riding style, i.e weight on the front contact patch, fit a less aggro front tyre...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

You'll find the Aggressor lighter and faster rolling with enough side knobs for most conditions. I think its all you need for local conditions.

 

My theory on tyres like the MM are that they are excellent on the right bike eg a slack machine that sags a lot and leaves the front scrabbling for grip. It worked great on my old Enduro but was way too much on my HT. So, if your riding style and bike set up leans towards a more over the bars riding style, i.e weight on the front contact patch, fit a less aggro front tyre...

you running the 2.5 agg?

[Headshot]

you running the 2.5 agg?

Yep.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Yep.

It's a great looking tyre, much more aggressive lugs than the 2.3, so better suited as a front tyre than the 2.3 IMO. 

[Bos]

It's a great looking tyre, much more aggressive lugs than the 2.3, so better suited as a front tyre than the 2.3 IMO. 

 

Someone on here said they didn't get a lot of life out of a Razor Rock.. So my cornering knobs are starting to tear off. I'm leaning towards a Aggressor as well, Then next month get a DHF or DHR front. I know there are other exciting options out there, but I Trust Maxxis' wear and the knobs wont start tearing off. 

 

You running EXO at the back @Headshot? 

[Headshot]

Someone on here said they didn't get a lot of life out of a Razor Rock.. So my cornering knobs are starting to tear off. I'm leaning towards a Aggressor as well, Then next month get a DHF or DHR front. I know there are other exciting options out there, but I Trust Maxxis' wear and the knobs wont start tearing off. 

 

You running EXO at the back @Headshot? 

I am, but I think its too soon to tell if it will hold up well.