Big Wheel keep on Rollin....

I got to practice on the new Trek Top Fuel 69er the other night on my favorite trail, Mohican. I was rushed for time, so I knew I had to keep it to an 8 mile ride at most. Lately, we've had a good amount of rain for a few days straight, so I knew most trails would be wet and possibly closed but I had a good idea that Mohican would be fairly dry (this trail soaks up the water real well). Let's talk big wheel. The Fuel 69er of course has a 29" front wheel which I immediately thought "where have you been". I've been a Fisher 29er rider the past couple years and now remember just what difference having that larger front wheel makes.

If you are on the fence or have never ridden a 29" wheeled bike, you owe it to yourself to get on one and experience it for yourself. What I like about this Top Fuel is the traditionally 26" wheelbase (short and easy to maneuver), but quick acceleration (if you can call how I ride at times quick), the awesome ability to just roll over log piles and rocks, but above all the great contact with the trail on descents and ramming it into a tight bend.

Travis Brown (prior Trek legend of the cross country racing scene, but most recently product test wizard) is a big fan of the Bontrager "Big Sweep" flat handlebar. There's a lot of "east coast" & vicinity riders that see this bar on bikes and balk at it, but I must say give it a chance and ride it. I ordered in a 40mm rise bar and have it onhand, but after my initial ride I must say I was quite pleased with my hand position and feel of this bar.

I'm a torn man. I really like the longer suspension travel and cockpit feel of the 26" Fuel EX, but truly see the benefit and ride of the Fuel 69er and the 29er front wheel (maybe a Fuel EX 69er for 2009?).

I spoke earlier of the Mohican trail soaking up the water. Above are pictures of my 69er at the start of my ride and then at the finish. As you see, not much mud at all. The wetness was all at the end of the trail with the water draining from the ridge.

Bob

Comments

[Whitney]

Hey Bob, I saw you out there. I was riding into the first "real" rock garden and I saw a guy with black shades and a white helmet sitting to upright for my tastes and then pinched my tire on a rock (21 psi is to low I guess). I got it fixed but you took you turn off on another trail and I never got to catch you.