[Closed] Trek Session 29er proto revealed

I can't think of anyone I know that actually has a 650b DH bike, they're all still on 26....

I have but only because my 26inch Demo was stolen.

That weight is pretty impressive but surely that can't be a full dual ply?

mindmap3 - Member

That weight is pretty impressive but surely that can't be a full dual ply?

TBH I'm not sure. It's folding rather than wire, and it doesn't say dualply on the casing, just "dh casing" but te website suggests it's a dualply. It doesn't feel quite as heavy duty as my old 26er dualplies, doesn't have that cardboard feeling... But it's hard to know how much of that is from the generally stiffer feeling you get with a wire bead vs folding. (it does definitely feel more solid than the old folding bead UST downhill maxxi) And o'course the 26er is an ancient design now so it's an unfair comparison no matter what.

I'm not bothered whether it's dualply or not tbh, that really doesn't matter as long as it does the job the same. But thing is, I don't know if it does do the job the same. I'm not that hard on tyres so I've always been happy to use SX specializeds, supergravity skwabblies and maxxis dh ust as downhill tyres, as well as 2 and 4plys... So I can't judge really, and certainly not on how it works for a pro, assuming that they're using the off the peg tyre...

Guess we'll just have to wait and see!

It's still early days for 29-inch wheels in downhill and there will always be "horses for courses." At the end of the day, we want to win races. So if any of our riders feel more comfortable in particular conditions or on certain courses with 27.5" wheels that's what they'll ride.

I've been thinking about this and I'm not convinced, pro's don't normally alter their setup much during the season. Maybe tyre pressure a few psi here and there, maybe shock setup a little bit but switching to a whole different bike with a different rear end and wheel size would be a massive change, even if it's going back to one they've previously ridden. So I reckon Lourdes will be the proving ground, after that 29'ers are either on, or not. No switching about depending on the course.
Also how would marketing work on that? Uh yeah guys so now you're going to need to buy 2 DH bikes?
No way. It'll be one or t'other, the only possible reasons for suggesting that riders might switch are to give them an 'out' if they turn out to suck in competition (unlikely given the testing) and to keep the existing bikes viable until they produce enough 29'er behemoths to sell to the masses even though bikes developed for maximum speed and stability as world cup level might not be entirely suitable for that 30 second DH behind the nationwide in Swindon.

Also how would marketing work on that? Uh yeah guys so now you're going to need to buy 2 DH bikes?

As marketing goes that's pretty genius actually. 'You wouldn't compromise with mud tyres in the dry, why compromise with 650b on a flat-out track'

I've been thinking about this and I'm not convinced, pro's don't normally alter their setup much during the season. Maybe tyre pressure a few psi here and there, maybe shock setup a little bit but switching to a whole different bike with a different rear end and wheel size would be a massive change,

Happens in enduro. The comments from the syndicate was it felt just like the 650 in many ways so they will probably be happy swapping

Stevet1 - Member

Also how would marketing work on that?

"They're both great, look, Greg likes them both. Get the one you want".

Or you could do the Specialized Awesome 29er vs 650b Chat. "We made the 29er Enduro and it's the best enduro we can make. But youse idiots demanded a 650b one, so here it is. It's he best 650b enduro we can make, so it's still really good, it's just less good than the 29er. Buy it if you must, dicks"

Dirt live on FB now, looks like Trek might have something up their sleeve after all?

29er front for roll-over ability and a 650 rear for easier geometry, better clearances and quicker acceleration.

best of both worlds.

I'd say Trek will be revealing their 29 race bike any time soon. The bigger wheels makes sense for taller riders and I think Gee is around 6ft so it wouldn't surprise me if he is on one this season.
There are a lot of haters but it's gonna make for an interesting race season and all the research and technology always trickles down to us mortals so it's a good thing in my opinion

Love Dan from Trek's response in that Dirt interview, just total stonewall. AND he talked about tyres, he's a man after my own heart.

sq225917 - Member

29er front for roll-over ability and a 650 rear for easier geometry, better clearances and quicker acceleration.

best of both worlds.

But looks too stupid. That's where the image part really kicks in, 69ers have always made a lot of sense but urgh.

Probs as likely as a 46er comeback

Current rules say you can't use two different size wheels so we won't be seeing 69ers.

[img] [/img]

Helloooo

What am I missing here? Just seeing a 27.5" in standard DH size?

On the supposedly 29er Trek Team Race Bike

so they are running 650b?

That bike is

Did anyone actually say they were going 29" for this race? Didn't see/hear whatever happened on Dirt earlier

[img] [/img]

Staged pic?

Did anyone actually say they were going 29" for this race? Didn't see/hear whatever happened on Dirt earlier

Team manager wouldn't let Dirt in the tent, saying there was something they couldn't see. But then appeared to suggest they were still on 650b due to tyre availability.

However Gee then emerged, being all chirpy and looking like he'd been up to something.

Hope that helps!

😀

On the Wyn TV Track walk, Rachel said 29er front wheel. 650b back.
I couldn't quite tell if she was teasing though.

Commencal have broken cover at the Fort Bill BDS with their 29er DH bike (using Boxxers)...
[img] [/img]

And Danny's Mondraker Summum...
[img] [/img]

weird perpective on that

[quote=AlexSimon ]On the Wyn TV Track walk, Rachel said 29er front wheel. 650b back.
I couldn't quite tell if she was teasing though.

guess so.

[quote=shaggy ]Current rules say you can't use two different size wheels so we won't be seeing 69ers.

They're actually 24" wheels....it's just that Danny is tiny wee.
Rockshox Boxxer 29......it's a done deal now.

Commencal have broken cover at the Fort Bill BDS with their 29er DH bike

About time too. The Meta AM v3 29er was ahead of the game, be interesting to see an updated version of it.

Is there anywhere online to watch this race? Will be interesting ahead of the DH world cup next month.

What is interesting is how uninterested Danny is in the hype around 29”. I asked him what he thinks about the fuss they’re creating … his answer? “Get a life, get off the internet and go ride your bike!”

- [url= https://www.wideopenmountainbike.com/2017/05/danny-harts-mondarker-summum-29er-gee-athertons-trek-session-29er-fort-william-british-downhill-series ]article[/url]

Danny is the man.

Soo... Danny won aboard the 29'er Mondraker. Probably he would have won anyway?
Can't wait to see what Minnaar can do onbaord the 29'er V10 next month, he was the rider who impressed me the most at the rain soaked Lourdes round and potentially has the best build to make the most out of a 29'er (I know that sounds like bolx but it just seems to me that it would suit his height and riding style more than others).

But the big wheels tried to kill Gee....

On a serious note, I guess thsi goes some way to show that big wheels are not only for really tall riders because Danny isn't the biggest bloke on the circuit. I'd have expected him to be quick anyway given the amount of time hes spent at Fort Bill.

Guessing that it'll send a lot of people into tail spin regarding 29ers gaining popularity with DH riders.

From Trek on FB...

Injury update: Yesterday's massive OTB at Fort William BDS has left Gee Atherton with a dislocated hip. News in from the medics is that it's now back in place and he's undergoing some scans to check for further damage. More news as we hear. Heal up soon George!

Healing vibes.

Danny looks very confident, and is obviously going fast. Hopefully this is his year for the WC overall.

Ahh that sucks, I was hoping Gee would be up there this season, is his accident related to Rachel not racing in the womens too?

This is a good read...
https://dirtmountainbike.com/features/interviews/definitely-not-going-take-backwards-step-ucis-take-29ers-downhill.html

I didn't realise odd-size wheels weren't allowed, good to see the UCI is open to changing that for MTB.