29er trail test: Super speed runs, drops, cable cam and more...

[MuniAddict]

I'm in AWE of my new kh 29er! While a bit more work climbing up the steeps compared to my 24 (which is 2 lbs heavier!), this 29er is nimble, light and quick, and extremely maneuverable on pretty much everything I tried.

A huge improvement for the 2010 model is the new kh hub (minus those "kh" cutouts!) and the 48mm rim, which is 9mm wider than the previous year, and the same width that comes on the 24 MUni.

And "fast" is an understatement! Watch the difference between the 150 & 125 crank hole speed runs...both are fast, but oh, what a difference 25mm makes!!! It scares me to think the blistering speed potential with a geared hub! This is so fast as it is now, in 1:1, I wouldn't be able to run out a upd...not even close! But I felt pretty comfortable at higher speeds. It's a smooth as silk!

Anyway, this was just my very first ride with it, so I hope to improve as I ride it more. I would love to get your feedback on this video, and, if you've ridden a 29er offroad, let me know how you like yours for MUni, or what type of riding you use it for most.

YouTube- 29er trail test: speed runs, drops,...

[Tucson Uni]

Nice riding Terry. I know you are going to have fun with the big wheel! I'd like to try your favorite drop there. All my drops at that height have sketchy run ups (big boulders) that cause me to chicken out. Plus I am typically a long way from the car by myself.

[deadbeatpope]

Really cool vid! Never a let down. Awesome drops and fast fast fast!

[mbalmer]

Nice video. I think I will put the knobby back on my 29er. It does make climbing more of a challenge. No kitty at the end of the video .

[Iain]

Love the speed! The maneuverability of the KH29 is fantastic. I also have the 125/150 cranks and the difference between the two lengths is immense. I think i'll upgrade my rim to the 2010 model so I can ride some more technical terrain. Also, i'm starting to dream about having a geared hub on it, could be dangerous though.

Looking forward to see more 29er vids from you.

[muniing sam]

Yea Metallica! Nice one, you were going fast!!!! I knew I wanted a 26'' or a 29'' next, im even less sure about what to get now

[siafirede]

Originally Posted by MuniAddict

and the 48mm rim, which is 9mm wider than the previous year, and the same width that comes on the 24 MUni.

It scares me to think the blistering speed potential with a geared hub! This is so fast as it is now, in 1:1, I wouldn't be able to run out a upd...not even close!

I predict this will become your muni of choice.

I kept the older more narrow rim with no cutouts for my geared 29, I think I prefer it more than the newer rim because on the road that wider rim is going to be slower. I am sure the wider rim is better for technical stuff though.

You need a geared hub, those sections of trail where you did the speed run are perfect for the 29er in high gear. When I used an ungeared 29er for XC I always hated those type of sections, they were the more boring bits in between the fun single track. The geared hub lets me have more fun on those sections now. Also, you can be surprised at what you can run out of, even going 18mph I can mostly run out of stuff, if all else fails I take a few fast steps and then tumble.

Have you ever tried a geared 29?

[daretodream]

wow love how fast youve got your 29 going. i panick a bit when i get going fast because i do worry how im going to run out of it. But with all your 36 riding the 29 must surely seem easier to run out of?

i have a 29kh which ive been muniing with. i like it a lot on the flatter sections cos i get around faster but on a really steep section i panick cos it seems harder to keep the bigger wheel under control. I still have the scars from a decent stack i had the other week on a steep rough gravelly bit. Didnt listen to my friend who said i needed to always be in control and do it slow. Thought id let the wheel go faster but the 29 picks up speed really quickly on a steep section. next thing i knew i was grating the skin off my elbow.lol. ouch!

your drops on the 29 are awe inspiring. id love to be able to learn to do drops like that.

i think the 29kh is an awsome muni machine. put an awsome rider like you on an awsome machine and you get MEGA AWSOME!!

[tr4nspo]

Cooool Terry!
Realy loved the end...... that's exactly the 'terrytory' of the UCC !!!!
I've been riding the 29 quite a while and prefer the speed and manouverability over the 24! (sounds weird but it's "MY" truth)
Looking forward to "GeezerPower" ........

[From the Woods]

Cool video, Terry. Currently I am thinking about getting a KH29 to use it with the Schlumpf hub instead of the KH26. I would use it with 165/137 because I want to do lots of long climbs. With my increased fitness level the 165 seem to be too for most of my riding, so I think that would be the perfect length for the 29er.

Recently I did a max speed test with my geared 26er (2.5 tire) and thats the outcome:

165 cranks, 1:1 -> ca. 20km/h (12.5mph)
137 cranks, 1:1 -> ca. 24km/h (15mph)
165 cranks, 1:1,5 -> ca. 28km/h (17.5mph)
137 cranks, 1:1,5 -> ca. 30km/h (18.75mph)

So I think with your setup you could have reached up to 19mph (or even faster). I know how you feel about UPDs at this speeds

[vookash]

Yeah, that's what I was waiting for... I have N29 and don't know how the rims compare but I really like it offroad, but now looking at you I see how much still I must learn.

And I agree, for me the change from 125 to 150 and back seems to make a totally different uni.

[SEoF]

This video makes me want to start riding my 29er off-road, instead of just onroad. Now to find the local routes.

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by Tucson Uni

Nice riding Terry. I know you are going to have fun with the big wheel! I'd like to try your favorite drop there. All my drops at that height have sketchy run ups (big boulders) that cause me to chicken out. Plus I am typically a long way from the car by myself.

Thanks, I hope to come out to AZ soon so we can ride...I love those trails, but not the heat, lol!

Originally Posted by deadbeatpope

Really cool vid! Never a let down. Awesome drops and fast fast fast!

Thanks, yeah I feel I can almost ride the 29er faster than my 36er offroad!

Originally Posted by mbalmer

Nice video. I think I will put the knobby back on my 29er. It does make climbing more of a challenge. No kitty at the end of the video .

Haha, yeah Morty was a bit mad at me for not including him. Next time.

**I'm out for another 29er adventure now, and will reply to the rest of the comments when I get back. Thanks all and have a great weekend!!!

[Tucson Uni]

Originally Posted by MuniAddict

Thanks, I hope to come out to AZ soon so we can ride...I love those trails, but not the heat, lol!

Don't come in the summer. Winter and early spring are great. I'd love to share my trails with others.

Originally Posted by MuniAddict

Thanks, yeah I feel I can almost ride the 29er faster than my 36er offroad!

I've tried 36 muni, and I a most definitely way faster on the 29er. The 36 is a beast for maneuvering and hard to mount in rough terrain. Plus, I feel way more comfortable going fast on the 29.

[Michaelgoround]

Nice Terry! you have got me wanting the 29er even more! I think it will be great for keeping up with my slow biking friends. I'll often times get my speed and cadence way up in be up in the top of third gear around here. It's nearly all flat so it is not to hard to keep a constant speed.

How does the 29er compare to the 36 on and off-road? For XC which would you rather use? Most of my stuff is XC which is why I ask. I'm thinking the single track about an hour away from my house is gonna be great fun on it! I'm thinking of makinf a pair of 137/100's right now for Florida conditions.