I got the Big Roller last week, and installed it yesterday afternoon. Today at lunch was the first test ride with it. I took it to a nearby trail that I ride regularly, so I can hopefully make a good comparison. My observations:
Size: the 3" Duro measures 2.7". The 2.8" Big Roller measures 2.7". So it’s pretty similar in size to the Duro. The tread pattern is similar to the Duro, but the knobs aren’t as big. I suspect it would not do as well in mud, but here in So Cal that’s not a concern of mine.
Weight: I don’t have an accurate scale to compare, but I will say the weight difference is very apparent. You can definitely feel the difference on long uphill grades.
Riding characteristics: Handling is VERY responsive. I hesitate to use the word “squirrelly,” but compared to the Duro, it definitely moves around easier. I’ve been riding the Duro at 15lbs, and I’m pretty used to it. Since this has obviously lighter sidewalls, I started out with 20lbs. The weight and stiffness of the Duro tends to carry it through a lot of surface variations. Not so much with the BR. I tended to over-correct a lot, and had to do a lot of “micro” corrections along the way. It has a slightly rounder profile than the Duro, so that probably makes it a little more responsive as well. (Riding surface – very dry hard-packed dirt and rocky single track and fire road. Very typical of So Cal trails.) So you have to pay a little more attention to your line. It tends to follow the path of least resistance a little more than the Duro. I made a couple of adjustments to the air pressure along the way, and ended up with 16lbs. I may go a little lower. I don’t do big drops, so I’m not expecting pinch flats. I’m going to do a specific “hop and drop” practice session tomorrow at lunch, so I’ll see how it compares in that area.
Conclusion: like everything else unicycle-related, it will take some getting used to. If I was doing mainly gnarly downhill runs, I don’t think I’d change from the Duro. But for the riding I do, so far I like it.
(My opinions only, YMMV.)
