29ers

74 Main Street Middlebury Vermont (802) 388-6666

Suspension Questions and Suspension Service

Our head mechanic, Kelly Chamberlain, is our go-to guy for tech questions on suspension, and for sales on full suspension. Kelly is a wizard with a wrench, and he's a certified suspension mechanic and a certified wheel builder. Take advantage of his expertise!

The 29er

After being a niche market for years, the 29er has become a serious part of many top lines, both hardtail and full suspension.

The January 2011 issue of Velonews has this to say about the current 29ers: " . . . by 2010, improved engineering and refined carbon fiber manufacturing had shrunk the difference in frame and fork weights between 26- and 29" wheeled bikes to just a few grams. Frame designs have evolved to preserve the agility and quickness that racers demand, even with the larger wheels . . . Racers at all levels now recognize the lower rolling resistance and greater momentum of 29ers as an advantage that outweighs any downside . . ."

Willow Koerber finished second overall in the Women's World Cup on her Gary Fisher Superfly. Todd Wells won the U.S. men's cross-country nationals and short track nationals on his Specialized Epic 29er. While it's still easier to build a 26er for a smaller person, note that Koerber is 5'2".

We have a good selection of 29ers to try out.

10-Speed

The 10 speed mountain bike drive train was pioneered by SRAM's innovative (and expensive) XX system. 10 speeds are catching on, now that both SRAM and Shimano are making much more affordable 10 speed drive trains. In '11, you will find 10 speed drive trains on bikes selling for well under $2000.

Rear cogs as big as 36 teeth are now readily available, making the double chainring crank a more practical option for performance-oriented riders.

Specialized

We added Specialized to our lines in September 2010.

Gary Fisher

The Gary Fisher line has been integrated into the Trek line, so we are now a Trek/Gary Fisher dealer.

Hardtail

This is where it all started more than thirty years ago. Still simple and functional, economical at the low end, and super-light at the high end.

Full Suspension -- 80mm to 110mm Travel -- Competition

Just enough travel to smooth out the descents on a World Cup cross country course. Almost as light as a hardtail.

Full Suspension -- 120 to 140 mm Travel -- All Day Trail

An all-day woods bike, or a competition machine for the Ascutney 50 Miler or your favorite 24-hour race. This range of travel still allows for a pretty light frame. Ideal for trail riding in the northeastern U.S.

Full Suspension -- 140mm to 160mm Travel -- All Mountain

For the rider who likes to go over the 6-foot drop, instead of around it. There's some weight penalty for the extra suspension, so not as nimble on technical wooded trails. On the treeless single track out west, however, all mountain rules.

Full Suspension -- 170mm to 190mm Travel -- Freeride

Plan it -- speed, trajectory, take-off, time in the air, and landing. This is your kind of bike.

Full Suspension -- 200mm Travel and over -- Downhill Competition

From start gate to finish -- pick your line, practice, and then just do it!