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Hi all
I recently returned to riding in the last couple of months. I was riding a 2004 giant NRS size medium and just replaced it with a 2018 orange P7 29er Size large. It’s maiden voyage is this Sunday so thought I’d just play around in the garden on it for 10 mins.
Immediately it’s obvious quite how much has changed in 16 years. It feels soooo long and the bars feel huge (800). It’s easier to track stand, but the front wheel is miles in the air for wheelies and looping out is hard work - it’s a long way up. Bunny hops from a very slow roll need every motion slowed down; the pull up, lean back, thrust forwards is like it’s in slow mo.
Before I hit the trails, are there any pointers you guys can share relating to changing geometry? Just from the wheelie/bunny hop exercise it feels like using my body weight is more important now than on a old medium, xc 26er. I guess the simple answer is “if I’m doubt, hang off the back”, and ride comfortably within my limits - no flat out chaos until I’ve had a few good rides.
So...what should I definitely do differently and what things should I avoid doing?
Cheers all
Don’t overthink it.
Avoid trees. They hurt.
I asked something similar recently:
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/old-school-rider-v-new-school-geometry-advice/
Just ride it. You’ll get the hang of it pretty quick.
Jambo, fence post was my nemesis on my last ride (25mph to 0 almost entirely with my mouth - 13 stitches to put it back together). Haven’t been out since and now have a totally different bike, hence nervousness/compulsion to think things through. You’re probably spot on though with don’t over think it - I do that with pretty much everything.
NormalMan - thanks for that. Pretty much the opposite of what I was thinking! Really useful.
‘Just ride it and you’ll work it out’ is right. Don’t just hang off the back - modern geo will have your front wheel unweighted and washing out if you go too far back
Old school arse off the back, new school elbows out and chin on the steerer. I too went modern from a Rocky mountain ETSX and its definatly different. Plus that 29 front just rolls over most but not every obstical.
Thanks for the above advice guys. Took it out for its first ride today. You were totally right, once out on the trails don’t think about it and just ride. A bike is a bike.
And what a bike it is! Rolls over roots and rocks with the big wheels, fox 34s just suck up anything big, massive traction climbing with the big wheels and 2.3 tyres, bloody awesome bit of kit.
I guess the only insights/reflection I can add for anyone else with the same question is really as above; don’t think too much and just feel where you need to be on the bike (middle/front/back). I completely understand now about how modern bikes like this encourage a chin-on-stem, wide elbow approach. It just feels like that’s where you should be. Heels down, push into pedals and plough the way down.
Love it. Bikes are fun
My first 29er was in 2012 just have to get use to setting the bike up slightly earlier in tight corners as you say bike is longer you soon get use to it just makes 26" very out dated and on open going the 29er flies along enjoy.
New responds really well to counter-steering in my experience. Really lean on that inside bar....
Thanks guys (Runs off to google counter steering)...
I rode my wife's 26er / 71 degree Head angled Cube hardtail from the storage unit it was kept in to our garage the other day. I definitely don't miss old 26ers.
(Runs off to google counter steering)…
Next time you corner, push down hard with your inside hand on the bars.