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Having ridden 26 / 27.5 hardtails for the last 20 years, I'll be riding my new build FS 29er tomorrow, what can I expect? Will the trails come alive or wither and fade away?
Going from a 27.5" 120mm HT to a 100/120mm 29er FS.
Can't wait, but rear squish might be a bit weird.
I shall be taking my new 29er FS out for the first time tomorrow too (134/140 for me) and I am expecting some wasted precious elevation bedding the brakes in, a load of repeated trails getting the suspension sorted (you will notice you now have twice as many knobs to twiddle) and, I hope, a load of fun.
What have you got? Early 29er’s didn’t really grab me, just a big floppy wheel in front of me that I didn’t really like, but they’ve got better and now I have a couple and have to begrudgingly admit they probably are faster. FS, if you like comfort and a load more grip I think you are going to be happy.
What have you got?
A Carbonda FM936 🇨🇳 so essentially a Vitus Rapide FS.
You may find the first few downhill corners take you by surprise but then you’ll get used to it.
It'll be great but i might ruin some local riding as it'll be too easy to straight line stuff. Things that were a little challenge can now just be ridden at and rolled over. You just need to go looking for new challenges.
I still remember my first proper ride with suspension forks many years ago after riding rigid. I thought it hadn't really improved things as I was bouncing around all over the place. Then I realised I was going substantially faster and it was just the back end struggling to keep up.
Weirdly it might feel slower on the rougher, undulating stuff, but if you’re strava-ing you’ll see you’re quicker.
First time I rode a 29 FS I missed corner mid points or, if I nailed that, then I missed the exit as the bike kept turning. 😆
+1 on the geometry messing up your cornering more than the FS element being an issue.
You will be faffing with shock settings - I find there can be a Goldilocks moment with FS. Enough to work really well, not too much so it doesn't wallow.
My first impression was that I had a soft tyre, after that all good. Enjoy the new bike 🙂
You'll wonder what the hell you've done when you are slogging uphill.
“ You’ll wonder what the hell you’ve done when you are slogging uphill.”
Yes, that’s why most XC races are now won on ~100mm full-sus 29ers…
A Carbonda FM936 🇨🇳 so essentially a Vitus Rapide FS.
Had to google as I hadn’t heard of either. Looks very XC, is it fast Mr? And has that first ride left you brimming with enthusiasm or in the depths of regret? I’m betting 20p you are liking a bit of squish in the rear
So, in one word: "traction".
I loved it, loads of traction up, down, off camber, braking & corners. Did 1250 meters and didn't feel the need for a lockout.
See more here: https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/anyone-got-a-2021-vitus-rapide-fs-cr-or-crx/page/2/#post-12112207