Thread: Cannondale MTB - What Model???

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

All road so far but I was looking at a bit of a go into mountain biking. I've got a really good bike shop that is a giant dealer so I was going to get one of these puppies.


That particular bike seems to be getting pretty good reviews and is good value for money.

A good mate of mine recently got onto an Anthem 29r after his Santa Cruz Blur cracked and the warranty turned to dust.

Loves the 29er, he is a roadie who does a couple of mtb events each year, mostly 24 hr style events and he loves the Anthem, seems like a very popular choice, enjoy.

George

Originally Posted by rainman

Oh no. The 29er enters......

29ers are momentum machines. Because of the larger rotating mass they are better for long distance/firetrail type rides. Also, the slightly higher centre of gravity and gyroscopic momentum means that they don't change direction as well so if you're planning of smashing single tracks a 26 inch would be better.

Still, 29ers are all the rage at the moment. It's going to be interesting to see if the popularity remains, or if they overtake 26ers.


James.

That's interesting mate.. it appears to be a topic of fierce debate amongst the MTB crew.

It seems to be a swings and roundabout sort of thing? We were test riding them... I could probably ride an xl but the shop reckons to stick with large to keep it more manoeuvrable. The 29er surfed over huge washouts which impressed me (roadie).

I take on board the bigger heavier wheel thing, but they would also loose less momentum in each pothole which is not something roadies have to deal with. We would probably tubeless the bike as it's all tubeless ready and that should shed a quite a bit of weight just there.

It's a bit hard to get specifics on the weights of the wheels but it would appear the 29er tyres are 40 grams heavier than their 26" equivalent. The bike we're looking at is about 11.2kg which is apparently quite light for a dual suspension alloy bike. Are you saying that's a heavy bike? How much lighter would the equivalent 26er be?

I have a 29er Anthem x, and a 26er Reign 0, the Anthem is lighter, both are standard trim ex Giant, by around 150gm's...not much when i weigh 120kg's!!

I ride Manly Dam 3-4 times a week, it's line ball between 29 & 26" as for time on track, they are both different, the 26" changes direction quicker, the 29" rolls over rocks, tree roots etc better, the 26" loves getting air, the 29" dose'nt, horses for courses really.

Just last weekend, i rode around with a mate on a SC Blur, we decided on doing a 'hot' lap before the rain, i was on the Anthem, it's every bit as quick around the dam as the Blur ( I'm a big boy but i race quick )...nothing in it.

29er's will take over from 26er's, go to any MTB XC race and you'll see that, certainly not for DH and Freeride though i think...but the bike company's are working on it.

Ray

Originally Posted by Rayngie

I ride Manly Dam 3-4 times a week, it's line ball between 29 & 26" as for time on track, they are both different, the 26" changes direction quicker, the 29" rolls over rocks, tree roots etc better, the 26" loves getting air, the 29" dose'nt, horses for courses really.

a mate of mine rides manly dam regularly........havent done a loop yet, maybe next time i visit.....

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

It's a bit hard to get specifics on the weights of the wheels but it would appear the 29er tyres are 40 grams heavier than their 26" equivalent. The bike we're looking at is about 11.2kg which is apparently quite light for a dual suspension alloy bike. Are you saying that's a heavy bike? How much lighter would the equivalent 26er be?

It's really hard to give exact figures because we have to compare equivalent level components and purposes. Comparing an Anthem X 29er to a Reign 0 26er isn't going to work because the Anthem is a cross country bike and the Reign, all mountain.

If we take just a Mavic rim - the 26" XM719 is 50 grams lighter than the equivalent TN719. Add that to your slightly higher tyre weight, bigger tubes (or more latex if you're tubeless), longer spokes, multiple that lot by two (for the two wheels), and then longer fork legs, etc, etc I guess you could be around half a kilogram give or take. It's not a lot, but we're talking rotating and unsprung mass so the effect of the weight on handling is amplified.

As Rayngie says, the large wheels are better at rolling and maintaining momentum over small obstacles and divots/ruts/etc (one of the reasons behind running 33s or 35s on your Land Rover), and also maintaining momentum in general. It's the same concept as a flywheel.

As you say - it's swings and roundabouts, personal preference and riding style. I don't have a 29er but I occasionally take my 20 inch BMX out on the trail just to remind myself of the differences and make myself appreciate suspension .


James.

OK guys... thanks for your help! Swings and roundabouts.

If Santa loves me we will see what's under the tree on the 25th.

I'll keep you posted.

So I have not built up the Santa Cruz yet, that will be next Christmas I think.

But I did just buy this





I believe the specs are as follows;

Frame: Full carbon
Fork: Lefty carbon XLR 100mm travel
Rims: DT Swiss XCR 1.5
Crank: SRAM BB30
Groupset: Shimano XTR
Brake: Avid Elixir XO Carbon
Weight: 9kg as shown, I weighed it at the shop.

That's very nice....

I'm riding a Rocky Mountain Vertex Carbon hardtail off road at present. It's been superseded by a 29er version this year - I love my RM's for the way they change direction on the twisty stuff so I'd be interested to see if RM have managed to keep that element of the way they rdie with the switch to bigger wheels.