Like proud mary, I rolled some big wheels today. Steve at Saucon Valley Bikes was kind enough to let me take a demo today on a Titus Racer-X 29’er. I met Mike Faust at Roaring Creek which is a part of Wieser State Forest. There was about an inch of snow on the ground, and the sky was clearing. I swung a leg over the big bike, clipped in, and we headed up the long fire road leading to the entrance to the first climb. From the bottom, we soon gained about 900 vertical feet. Im not the greatest climber, but with the stability of this bike, along with the huge wheels clad with 2.35 Nevegal tires I learned to chock back my pride, clicked into granny gear and crawled up the snowy slope to the top. Clean. No spin outs, no fumbles, just a slow, steady climb to the top. Very cool.

We rolled on, dipping in and out of smaller ups and down for the next 20 miles or so. The ride was great, the terrain was fun and varied, and I really did enjoy the ride. Once the wheels were rolling, they rolled well and held their lines tenaciously. These characteristics did come at a price, however. The price for the wheels that keep rolling? They didn’t want to spin up quickly so starts were tougher than with a 26’er, and bringing them to a halt took more time as well. Maybe larger rotors would help that part out since these were standard 6-inch XT units. The price for the stability? I had a really hard time lofting the front wheel when I wanted to, so I hit some rocks and logs much more squarely than I do on a smaller wheel.

I gotta say Im mixed. It was a great bike, and if I was trail riding all day I think it would be a great ride. On the other hand I feel the qualities of a 29er seem to fit best on a singlespeed. Having demoed some SS 29’ers, that’s where I am feeling the benefits of the wheel size really lie- great traction to stand and mash up hills. Smooth rolling to keep momentum going. That, to me, is singlespeed heaven. But with the choice of gears, I really like the snap of my 26 inch wheels under me, so I think that is how I will do it. A 29er singlespeed, and my 26 inch FS sports car. Good day, good ride, good learning. I love this stuff.