Oct 08
22
Big Wheels Here I Come
Looks like this weekend I’ll finally get myself out on a set of big wheels and see what all the fuss is about first hand. After a couple hours in the home shop my most recent bike project, a Niner EMD is nearly finished. After several delays I finally managed to move the drive train from the Blur over the to the Niner Frame. Pete was kind enough to loan me some wheels until I have the time and cash to build up my own. I already have one Stans Flow rim on hand and a rear hope pro II on hand so I think I will build up a set on the cheap soon.
So after watching many of my riding buddies jump on the 29″ bandwagon I will finally get to give it a go for myself. I have really been enjoying my steel IF hardtail so just having another hardtail to ride gets me excited. I somewhar suspect the 29″ wheels may make it even more enjoyable. If the weather cooperates I’m going to ride Fri, Sat & Sun. I plan to do all this weekends riding on the new ride to get a good feel for it. I’m eager to see how it stacks up to the other rides in my stable. I’m very curious as to how the bike is going to handle. I like a fast handling bike so I am somewhat worried the big wheels won’t facilitate that feeling. I hope to be pleasantly suprised.
I’m pretty sure this thing is going to climb great, I was really amazed at how light this bike built up. I think it actually may be as light if not a hair lighter than my IF. Being that the drive train is coming from my Blur it’s a XT setup with dual control levers. Dual control levers are no longer my favorite but they always served me well until I discoverd the joy of Sram X9/X0. They will definatelty let me get a sense of how I like rolling the big wheels. If I end up loving the bike I will upgrade her to X9 this whinter like I did for my trust 5.5.
Not quit sure what to expect out of the new ride overall but I am excited to give it a go and ride something new. I hope to like it but not go head over heals for it as I can’t afford to repalce all my 26″ rides. 
