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I've been away from full suspension for a while now and in April I rode the WHW (West Highland Way) over 2 days on my Voodoo Bizango 29er hardtail.
Next year I would like to challenge myself and have a go at the WHW in one day. So basically I'm looking for a full suss bike that will be comfortable on both steep rocky trails (eg Devils Staircase) and cross country sections (eg long fire road climbs?.
Now I realise that there are hundreds of bikes out there that would tick the box but I'm really drooling over Santa Cruz's at the moment. The 5010 but will it have enough travel or maybe a Nomad?
I'm a bit out of touch so any suggestions would be great. I like the idea of a 27.5 wheel because I've enjoyed the 29er but the smaller wheels might be stronger and better handling. I'm 6ft 2 long limbs.
There are no steep or big rocky descents on the WHW, nothing that a decent hardtail can't handle. I'd take a FS for comforts sake though. I certainly wouldn't be spending Santa Cruz type money on the WHW.
I'd take a light, short travel FS 29er if I was going to do it again. 100-120mm travel, and something relatively easy to shoulder for hours on end...
OK thanks. The 29er handled it fine but I would want more comfort to do it in one day. I'm thinking about my other riding too though. I had a Giant Trance in 2008 which never felt quite up to the job so wondering if getting another 5 inch travel bike might not be a great idea.
Haha yea minti! The Voodoo weighed a ton along the lochside!
Obviously if it were a 29er I wouldn't need as much travel.
My other riding is stuff like Ben Lomond so I suppose if you had to pigeon hole it would be 'all mountain'. So I'm looking for something light enough for an epic but strong and fun enough for some fairly serious adventurous riding.
I did it on my SC blur tr (a 5010 with smaller wheels I guess you could call it). Light enough and comfy enough for WHW and most Scottish trail riding.
Rigid singlespeed 29er. You'll have a fun time whatever.
"Run wot u brung"
If you want to use the WHW to justify a purchase - power to you!
The 29er handled it fine but I would want more comfort to do it in one day.
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