I’m no expert on gears at all, so I’m not really sure what’s good and what’s not. I’ll head into Cheeky when I’m free and see what they can do. I like the idea of 29", especially since I won’t be in countries that haven’t got it readily available. Will hopefully be able to try out a few sizes before I commit to anything. Cheers for all the help, will post back here when I’ve tried some out.
This thing rocks!
Yeah the new tread pattern is completely different, it also seems to be a softer compound than the old style I’ve got. The ones I have have a solid centreline, meaning they roll really well. The only issue is they’re heavy and the hard compound can feel a bit skittish if you inflate them up hard.
For a 29er tourer you want as many gears as possible! It’s hard enough getting up hills fully loaded on a 26" with MTB gearing, the extra 3" wheel diameter just makes those gears even harder.
^ yes and no. Obviously you would want to run a cassette which has the broad spread of gears. MTB cassettes are now available with 36T sprockets - these were designed specifically for 29ers. But not all long cage derailleurs can handle these without some modification. 22-36, or even 22-34, is some pretty low gearing.
But I would still keep with 9-speed rather than 10-speed as they are both more durable and commonplace. Blakey runs an 8 speed cassette on his Rawland rSogn - I’m assuming because of reasons of reliability and durability.
Actually it’s 8 of 9 on a 7 speed freehub. :-/.
But yeah, if you have to get a fully loaded bike up a hill, especially a loose surface, you’ll be reaching for the 22-32. Or you can pack less. Or you can walk.
really… no shit i has this argument the other day. that makes 29 a marketing term?good to know though
yeah Marketing only. Supposedly MTB riders don’t want to be seen to be riding a ‘Hybrid’. ETRTO sizing is the only one that really matters ETRTO 622-(x) = 700c = 29".
29" refers to an approximate wheel diameter with tyres fitted.
I was reduced to that a couple of times doing this earlier this month:
22-30 with 700x38c wasn’t low enough for me on gravel and at that point traction became as much as issue as gearing/fitness/tiredness.
yeah great photo Mik, hope no one thought I had anything to do with it beside being in it.
Some updates.
Firstly, my Salsa Casseroll, now with a new wheelset and rear Ti tubus rack. I wouldn’t normally go a Ti rack, it just worked out that way.
…and secondly, my Pomp which has been a SS roadie/SSCX and now is used as a commuter. New Porteur rack to carry stuff.
Very nice rides
Yeah love the salsa +1!
Titanium rack is a bit of porn eh?
Yeah I bought the VO rack from someone who had the Ti rack for sale as well. Oh and the rack is now level.
She was happy to see them gone and it was so very beautiful and light.
I guess there will be no road side welding repairs.
A bit of an update on my Salsa. Went with a couple of mates to Peak’s Crossing to follow a recent Audax course.
A beautiful cool day with some mizzle (mist/drizzle - copyright Jim Maxwell).
Quiet country roads with some excellent dirt roads and a 800m stretch of black soil. Evil stuff.
There were signs.
Anyway that was all fun and then we hit the black soil. Waist high grass and deep ruts. you could make adobe bricks from the mud and straw.
…and then this happened.
Quick roadside repair and a wash down at the local dump got me back to the car.
Wrecked derailleur, dropout and hanger. I may need to visit Joe for repairs, still bloody fun day.
Wha’happen?
That looks nasty. How did that happen?
Those tyres looks the bomb.
Trying to make our way through the sticky black soil and grass on an unmaintained road. We had been warned this section could be tricky.
As soon as we hit the black crap we were covered in flies. It took us 45 mins to cover 800 mtrs. We walked some and rode other bits.
With about a 100 mtrs to go and in sight of the maintained gravel road, I got major chain suck. It pulled the mech into the back wheel and stopped. Derailleur, hanger and dropout all twisted.
Once back on the road, I broke the chain and removed the derailleur, rejoined the chain as a singlespeed and limped back to Peak’s Crossing.
Now chasing some advice on frame repair or replacement.
… oh and the tyres are 35mm Panaracer Pasela.
Beautiful tyres, great on gravel roads.
Just started my first confused rando/rourer/drop bar 29er/do it all-most rig…
