The Gary Fisher X-Caliber was just such a bike. It was about 3 years ago that I owned it and it was my first 29er bike. The X-Cal was an aluminum hardtail with SRAM x-9 level components and an 80mm Rock Shox Reba fork. At the time I also owned a Titus Racer-X 4 inch travel full suspension bike. I still remember when I discovered the wonder of the big wheels. It was on a ride at Flight Line in Carlsbad (which is now closed those bastards). There was one particular rocky down hill section that I had ridden once before on my Titus, but it was quite difficult and scarey enough that I was hesitant to ride it again. I decided to try it on the X-Cal and to my suprise I found it easier. At first it didn't make sense, the Titus was a 4 inch travel bike front and rear and had a better fork, brakes, wheels and everything else. But what the Titus didn't have was 29" wheels. Thats right the 29" wheels made all the difference through the technical rock garden. I have since sold the Titus and the X-Cal, but I am sold on the 29" wheels. I will talk more about my current rides in another post.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
29ER lore @ ECBS - Where did it all start?
Wow how lucky were we to have a garage full of 29er demo bikes for the month of January. If you have not had a chance to do a real off road ride on a "big wheel" mountain bike than now is your chance. This whole demo thing has got me thinking about 29ers and my own experience with them. Those who know me know I go through a lot of bikes. I do that for two reasons first because I can, and second because I enjoy experimenting. Every now and then I sell a bike only to realize months later that I really miss it.
The Gary Fisher X-Caliber was just such a bike. It was about 3 years ago that I owned it and it was my first 29er bike. The X-Cal was an aluminum hardtail with SRAM x-9 level components and an 80mm Rock Shox Reba fork. At the time I also owned a Titus Racer-X 4 inch travel full suspension bike. I still remember when I discovered the wonder of the big wheels. It was on a ride at Flight Line in Carlsbad (which is now closed those bastards). There was one particular rocky down hill section that I had ridden once before on my Titus, but it was quite difficult and scarey enough that I was hesitant to ride it again. I decided to try it on the X-Cal and to my suprise I found it easier. At first it didn't make sense, the Titus was a 4 inch travel bike front and rear and had a better fork, brakes, wheels and everything else. But what the Titus didn't have was 29" wheels. Thats right the 29" wheels made all the difference through the technical rock garden. I have since sold the Titus and the X-Cal, but I am sold on the 29" wheels. I will talk more about my current rides in another post.
The Gary Fisher X-Caliber was just such a bike. It was about 3 years ago that I owned it and it was my first 29er bike. The X-Cal was an aluminum hardtail with SRAM x-9 level components and an 80mm Rock Shox Reba fork. At the time I also owned a Titus Racer-X 4 inch travel full suspension bike. I still remember when I discovered the wonder of the big wheels. It was on a ride at Flight Line in Carlsbad (which is now closed those bastards). There was one particular rocky down hill section that I had ridden once before on my Titus, but it was quite difficult and scarey enough that I was hesitant to ride it again. I decided to try it on the X-Cal and to my suprise I found it easier. At first it didn't make sense, the Titus was a 4 inch travel bike front and rear and had a better fork, brakes, wheels and everything else. But what the Titus didn't have was 29" wheels. Thats right the 29" wheels made all the difference through the technical rock garden. I have since sold the Titus and the X-Cal, but I am sold on the 29" wheels. I will talk more about my current rides in another post.
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1 comment:
Here I have riding with you all this time and did not know the story of your 29er origins - Thanks for blogging
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