my 29er experience so far

Her name is Big Wheel Battie and she is a Trek X-Caliber with 29" wheels.  She is my first 29er and the frame is also a size bigger than my old 26er.  Since I brought her home, I have been struggling with the fit with the handlebar.  She came with a set of 690mm Bontrager riser.  I like the width, but not the rise. I have ridden her with a set of Ritchey Flat bar for the last 6 months, but I wished the bar was wider.  I tired the riser again but I felt like that I was steering a truck.  I couldn't figure out why I prefer the flat and I thought that I was a retro grouch.

I posted something on a mountain biking forum and one person replied that he wish that he was short enough to use a flat bar.  because of this guy's comment, I finally know why I prefer flat.  I am short and the bike is tall.  The riser will make the bike even taller.  It is also not just the rise, the up sweep also part of the equation.

Being the birth place of freeriding and North Shore experience, bike shops in Vancouver don't normally stock flat bars for xc hardtails.  By chance, I found a set of Raceface Turbine Flat bar at a bike shop and they only want 29 bucks for it!! Scored!!

The initial ride down the road was positive.  I will have to try it out at the trail this weekend.  With the 720mm width, I may be able to add more leverage to the climb.  I don't know yet. and I may have to trim it down to more manageable 700mm.

This bar may also help me to transition her to a single speed.  I don't know yet.  as much as I enjoy racing my single speed in the local cross races, I still like a to have versatile bike!

to be continued!

#trekbikes #29er #xchardtail #flatbar #mountainbiking