29″ vs. 26″ wheels - does three inches make a difference?

Alright. I’m getting really tired of this. I am spending my days surfing the net, meticulously comparing every available piece of information, scouring web site, blog, pdf catalog, and mtbr review attempting to construct my next bicycle. I have been on scouring through information from 650bpalace.blogspot.com , twentynineinches.com , Indy Fab , Smoke Bikes (go local!) , Kevin Pancetti’s Custom Steel Bikes , Bianchi , Moots Bikes , Sram / Avid , Fox Forks , Shimano , GT Bikes , Thomson , ridemonkey.com , Niner, Cannondale Bikes, Easton , Gary Fisher bikes , Scott Bikes , Ellsworth , Industry9 Wheels , Salsa Cycles , and barelylegalasianteen3000.com just to name a few.

And that just makes up the ones I can remember. I have scoured the thoughts and opinions of all those that either 1- work in the bike industry 2- spend enough time writing about their time riding bikes to feel their opinion important 3- ride bikes a long way in Asheville, NC and ride at a pace close enough to mine to talk about my equivocating thoughts.

I mean, the bicycle I want has probably changed 3 times today alone. So here are my latest, narrowed down thoughts. And you know what? I would love to hear what YOU got to add to this conversation. I really just want to ride a bike that doesn’t squeak, creak, and give you the sneaking suspicion that the three solid years of unrelenting abuse combined with the less-than-timely maintenance schedule have created a situation where your bike will suddenly morph into a 7075 flailing jagged metal projectile.

1- Salsa Dos-Niner

While not a standard retail bike from Biowheels, its a QBP brand at therefore open to pretty much anyone who wants it. As Brad Kee, winner and only finisher of The Most Horrible Thing Ever has demonstrated this bike can pretty much hold up to whatever you throw at it. 29 inch wheels, Scandium tubing (light!), three in the front and one in the rear (take that however you want) to make a low suspension X-Country capable set up with the added comfort of a little softtail bounce for your ounce. Could probably drop this frame out around 27 pounds even with the big wheels and tires - very respectable, and it gives me just enough travel to not worry about comfort but not so much I’ll worry about bobbing around on the saddle

2- GT Marathon 9er

Moving up for a little more comfort; 100mm /80 mm travel with the GT I-Drive (modified, of course) set up. It has a 23″ top tube on the medium size, which is the shortest I have seen and I like that - I have long legs and arms with a very short torso. This would let me sit more over the suspension instead of behind it as I do on my current bike thanks to the 71 degree head tube and 74 degree seat tube. The bike has an LX build, but could easily rectify that with some nice upgrades to a SRAM grip-shiftin’ drive train (1:1 Rules!), Avid 7 brakes, and some Easton/ Thomson bling, which Matt has said is definitely do-able as the LX components are really moving up in the world (have you checked out the new SLX componentry? You should!). This would require me to toss the stock wheels as they are center-lock rotor set up, just another inconvenience. Basically, i’m buying the stinking frame and shelving everything except maybe the tires. Ah well. Gripes? Maybe too much plush with the 29″ tires and 7″ of suspension? That could be a lot of flex in the corners. Also, not a water bottle boss on the whole damn bike. Not one. Seriously, GT, you even list it under Cross Country. Did I mention I am 5′10″ and weight 195 pounds? I am not going to be nice to my equipment.

3- IF custom 27.5 (650b) Steel Deluxe

It would be a step into a new world on many levels, but the cost of the frame, the hard-to-find wheel goods, and the fact that I traded in my last hardtail because beat me up after long rides makes me a little wary. I am a much better rider now, but it still makes me a little nervy to get rid of all the butt-side bounce if it is going to hurt the day after. I like instant gratification when it comes to pain.

4- Ellsworth Truth / Scott Spark 20

Two fantastical magical mountain machines, both capable of climbing like goats and look almost as pretty as they ride. But the Scott requires pivot overhauls every 6 months by the shop to stay in warranty (3 years) and the ellsworth frames are notoriously dent-able due to the same thing that makes them so great to ride, really thin tubing. I like to dent things. I mean, you should see my current bike. They both are really made for someone who buys XL shorts because he’s 6′5″, not because riding your bike has given you thighs nearly as big as your waist. These make the list because I am still a little leery about giving up the granny gear, quick acceleration, and torsional stiffness a 26″ wheel definitely offers over a 29 or 650b wheel. I also like tubeless. And yes, crossmax and stans are tubeless now at 29″, but I’ve seen a particular rider peel his front tire off his rim right in front of me too frequently to make that option feel really good at this point. And I will NOT run a Hutchinson Python UST in Pisgah National Forest. No No No.

So here’s your challenge: What do I do? Help me choose! I will weigh all opinions given, and if there is yet another bike Biowheels can offer me that would help me 1- maximize my love of the trail, and 2- give me the tools to finish some 6+ hour MTB races without stopping to sob halfway up Curtis Creek Rd (in that order!). Oh, and 3- look attractive to members of the opposite sex when the bike is sitting on top of me after a crash. Let’s put that as priority #2.

So as I said, give me your input, your two cents, your ever so well informed and constructed opinion and see what I end up with!

Wesley Miller

The Philosophical Underpinnings of BioWheels Group Rides

Riding a bicycle, regardless of whether you’re a serious road cyclist, commuter, trail rider, or weekend athlete, is done mainly for the FUN of riding. With this in mind, we would like to take this one step further and put purpose behind our riding. Along with the FUN why don’t we have an impact on the world that we live in? How do we do this? Let us explain…

The bicycle, believe it or not, has historically been the vehicle of not only people trying to get from one place to another, but also one of societal change. With the advent of the mass production of the bicycle, individuals have enjoyed for years the same freedoms we feel today on two wheels. Cyclists championed the development of our original roadway system. The emancipation of women concurred with their use of the bicycle to empower their organization of protest. Professional sports was first challenged by the racially oppressed in 1862 with Marshall “Major” Taylor causing the greatest equality argument of his time, this was a first step toward the Civil rights movement. Today the world over the bicycle continues to shape our planet by empowering people of developing nations to travel without the need for expensive oil-based fuel. You get the idea. Now how do YOU fit into the grand scheme of societal change?

Riding a bike:
· Is physically healthy and sets an example of health for others in our society
· Is good for the local and international environment by reducing the impact of carbon based fuel use
· Reduces automobile traffic and congestion
· Brings people together for common happiness and enjoyment

It is this final point that we can personally use to affect our world on the local level.

To expand on the significance of common happiness and enjoyment while riding, we at BIOWHEELS propose the following riding philosophy to spread happiness and enjoyment while riding a bicycle (these are adapted from the teachings of a guy some called the Buddha):

WHILE RIDING A BICYCLE…

• LOVE:  An intention and capacity to offer joy and happiness, while riding a bicycle. We LOVE our bikes. We LOVE each other. We LOVE our planet! Smile. Share your joy and happiness and just be… here… now… while riding a bicycle!
• COMPASSION: The intention and capacity to relieve and transform suffering and to lighten sorrows, while riding a bicycle. You are transforming your personal suffering by relieving your stress and being good to your body.  At the same time you are relieving the stress on the planet. How noble an act! Lighten the sorrows of those we share the road with, namely automobile drivers by being COMPASSIONATE to the fellow human beings behind the wheel of that car trying to pass you as you ride. This applies to other riders and users of the outdoors. If you were them, how would you feel? What would the right thing to do be in that situation? Just try to identify with the human-ness of each other, respectfully, while riding a bicycle.
• JOY: True love, while riding a bicycle always brings joy to us and to those we love. Wave to the motorist with a smile in your heart as they pass you. Say a kind word as you ride with each other, or pass another rider or hiker on the trail, or someone walking along the roadside. This joy that you have is infectious and will encourage others to be kind to you, while riding a bicycle.
• EQUANIMITY: The wisdom of equality. Nonattachment, nondiscrimination, even-mindedness and “letting go” while riding a bicycle. This is the toughest one of all for us in our country. Our society has emphasized individuality to the point of isolation and arrogance. Your “right” to be where you are on your bike is actually EQUAL, yes, EQUAL to the person in the car on the road or sharing the trail with you while riding a bicycle. There is, in actuality, an enormous world with enough space for all of us. We get in to trouble when we try to “claim” that space and time as “ours” and “not theirs” at certain moments in time. Sometimes we feel certain rules of the road and the trail, brought into effect by our elected government for the safety of ALL people, do not apply to us while riding a bicycle. Mutual compassion and respect can then disappear. Be aware. This division is where a good bit of mutual frustration develops. Try to keep this EQUANIMITY in mind when you go out for your ride. Dissolve the division on your end. Let go of your assumptions of superiority and self-importance. We are all interconnected, do not discriminate yourself from other two-wheeled brethren, those in cars or those on foot.  Be an example while riding a bicycle. Obey the law; share the road and trail, and BE NICE while riding a bicycle.

If we all can just try to remember some of these points while riding a bicycle, we can earn the respect of our non-riding peers instead of demanding it. We will make our area a better place to live through an example of what health and happiness can accomplish. We can make our planet breath a little easier by reducing pollution and making more people smile. We can share our knowledge with those new to riding in a respectful, open, atmosphere of improvement and encouragement. With these goals in mind, all rules of our group rides will be based in this riding philosophy.

Chad Schoenauer BIOWHEELS ride leader

ENJOY YOUR RIDE!

BioWheels’ featured 2008 Cannondale Mtb’s

Cannondale has once again stepped up it’s offerings with the 2008 line. They have challenged the rest of the industry to keep up with them, and few companies can. First and foremost Cannondale is STILL producing the Rush frames in the US, and they are hand made one at a time.

BioWheels-Asheville has been a Cannondale dealer for just over a year, but it only took us a few months to realize what Cannondale has in the Rush. What they have is the only widely available all mountain bike built in this country. The also have a part spec that’s hard to beat!

We will be stocking and recommending two of the Rush models for 2008.

First we’ll introduce the 2008 Cannondale Rush5z. With this model you get the hand made frame paired with a fork from THE name is suspension, Fox Racing Shox. The Fox F120 RL is the perfect match for this rig. You also score a Fox RP2 rear shock. All this with Shimano/WTB wheels, SRAM shifting, and Avid Juicy hydraulic brakes! Come in and take a look today.

We will also feature the Rush 6z for those looking for the same frame, ride qualities, and Made in the USA quality at a more affordable price. The Rush 6z gets you a rock solid Rock Shox Recon fork, Manitou shock, Shimano/WTB wheels, and SRAM shifting. Don’t miss this value!