30/01/07 Gary Fisher Paragon 29er.
Ok I admit it I rode a 29er and I liked it! The other Tuesday as
already noted I got to ride a Fisher Paragon 29er. This bike is unusual
because it has the 29 inch wheels, quite a bit bigger than your regular
mtb's 2 inch wheels. So why would they do this?
Well according to the Fisher website "It's all about momentum" (www.fisherbikes.com). Bigger wheels once they start rolling are going to be able to carry a larger rolling speed making it easier for them to roll over things in the trail. Also, it means that there will be a bigger contact area of the tyre on the floor (the footprint), meaning more grip when descending and climbing. However, with the wheels being bigger the wheelbase will be slightly longer, which will slow down the bikes abilities in the really tight stuff. But enough of the technical stuff what does it all mean to ride?
Being 6ft tall I was riding a large bike and the bigger wheels did seem to make everything fit in proportion (bigger wheels on a bigger bike). The bike did accelerate very well when you put the power down, just as on a road bike because of the bigger wheels and ratios etc.. it also meant as I was meandering around Swinley Forrest if I found debris in the trail after all the high winds I wasn't too worried about riding straight over it, metaphorically speaking if felt like riding The Big Foot truck of the bike world! This bike to me seems to be perfect if you want to go out and get some real distance done at a good speed, not amazingly technical stuff but if you have a lengthy off-road commute to work or are just taller than most and want all your bike in proportion. We might be getting a demo one of these closer to summer so let me us know if you'd be interested in trying it.
Got any comments? email shop@head-for-the-hills.co.uk
Oli