Check out this video of the two top finishers in the Men's Pro cat on a practice run for the Downieville (Ca) Classic. The guy in the lead (Carl Decker) is riding Giant's new 29er full suspension rig (29" wheels as opposed to the 'normal' 26" wheels on most mountain bikes). On race day, he rode the 27 mile course in one hour and 50 minutes.

http://broadbandsports.com/node/35671

This is what I live to do on the weekends, only not quite so fast and smooth.

Giant put on a show of force at the July 10-11 Downieville Classic, a popular mountain bike festival in California featuring the unofficial “All Mountain World Championship,” a two-day stage race combining a grueling 27-mile cross-country and a 17-mile downhill race.

Factory Off-Road Team riders Carl Decker and Kelli Emmett each walked away with the top prize, the All-Mountain World Championship title. Adding to the success, Rabobank-Giant rider Adam Craig finished second overall to Decker, proving his form has returned after missing the early part of the season with a knee injury.

Downieville’s All Mountain competition is seen as the ultimate measuring stick for off-road racers and their equipment. Riders must choose one bike for both events. With more than 4000 feet of climbing on day one and nearly 5500 feet of rough, technical descending on day two, success requires a truly capable all-around trail bike.

As usual, Downieville sold out its entries, and more than 600 racers lined up for Saturday’s 27-mile cross-country race. Decker, who chose the 2011 Anthem X 29er—the all-new Maestro full-suspension XC bike with 29-inch wheels—attacked early and rode off the front the entire way to set a new course record.

“I pre-rode the course and I was pretty certain I’d have a trick up my sleeve with the Anthem X 29er,” Decker said. “It’s an old-school course with one big climb for about an hour and then a rowdy descent. I was feeling good so I went hard from the start—I figured I’d need at least a three-minute advantage over Adam at the top; he was riding the Trance X Advanced SL with more travel so I knew he’d be flying on the descent.”

Decker powered to the top alone and held on to win the XC by nearly six minutes. Craig, the defending All Mountain World Champion, finished second to his Giant teammate on day one.

Carrying a comfortable lead into Sunday’s 17-mile downhill, Decker knew the riders who chose bigger bikes with more suspension would have an advantage, but he said the Anthem X 29er’s larger wheels and stable ride characteristics gave him confidence in the rough, rocky, high-speed descent. “It carves through high-speed turns better than any bike I’ve ever ridden,” he said.

Despite crashing once, Decker finished well within his margin and took the overall victory. Craig put in the third-best DH time on his Trance X Advanced SL, which put him second overall in the All-Mountain competition.

Emmett also chose the Trance X Advanced SL for the women’s All Mountain competition. Like Decker, she built up a lead with a dominant victory in the XC event, and then held her advantage in the downhill. In the end, Emmett edged out downhill stage winner Katerina Nash by 24 seconds overall.

Decker, Craig and Emmett now turn their attention to the U.S. National Mountain Bike Championships, which take place July 16-18 in Colorado.


Another cool writeup: http://www.dirtragmag.com/blogarific/80 ... -not-suck/

Pretty impressive. I'm still on the fence though about 29ers.

I can't believe Giant is still making serious bikes. I guess knowing they're owned by Pacific makes me associate them with $125 Wal Mart specials.

I dunno, that trail just doesn't resonate on the thrill-o-meter.

Giant is highly respected among the pros and gearheads (at least for off road bikes). I mean, they have a bike that retails for around 8 grand. Granted, it's their end all be all but that gives you an idea of where they are working.

Jesus. I'm so out of it. I know Pacific from Madison - they're right on the beltline highway - and I know their godawful bikes from every rusty chainlink fence and dumping ground in the country, but I didn't know they still had a toe in the High End waters.

I have a fairly low-end Giant Transend for my beater/about-town commuter bike. It wasn't expensive, but considering I only ride it to/from work and maybe the gym, I don't need anything higher-end. It does what I need it to.

Giant is still major a player in mountain and cross-racing. And for what it's worth, Team Rabobank are riding Giants in the Tour. Just the frame for this bike is $4k.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bik ... 288/38939/

I bought a Giant road bike a few months back (2009 Giant Defy) and I love the thing. I thought it had a better feel than the comparable Cannondales and Specializeds that I test rode.

There are tons of bike makers that create low-end bike frames/components, but also have high-end for yr LBS.

Coming to my mind is Mongoose, Huffy, and Diamondback.

Its sad to see certain brands fall though as well. Schwinn used to be an amazing brand and made quality bikes. I have a mid-90s Schwinn Moab hardtail that is bombproof. Could huck that thing off a mtn and it'd still be in perfect condition (and trust me, I've done it).

ah, shoulda never opened the bike thread...

Been eyeballing this one on sale for $1500.
http://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?layou ... 57&pid=405

Not a Giant, but I feel like.... upgrading. Also have a friend that works at biketiresdirect.com, and they can custom-build bikes too. Been eyeballing the Focus series.
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/search/f ... -and-forks

Here's downhill champ Greg Minnaar doing the World Cup course at Fort William, Scotland. Cool video, he's going pretty fast on that last section.

Yeah, me too. I just got a Specialized Rockhopper 29er singlespeed, and it's taking a bit of getting used to. I love how it motors over rocks, but I'm having a hard time dealing with the handling in the corners. Been advised on how to deal with it, just takes time & lots of body english, from what I hear. *shrug*



That Minnaar video is pretty insane. LOTS of rocks that he just motors over. Or flies over.

You need to get you a mountain bike!

Someone in my building is selling a 2009 Fisher somethin or other - I'd get it multiple choice, like Vanilla Float or some such - with 100 miles on it for $900, originally $2k I think. At first I was like "oh hell yeah that's a good deal" and then I realized that:

1. I don't ride off road anymore, ever, and
2. I am riding ON road on a fisher Supercaliber, which is a nicer bike than the one being sold

I was never an adrenaline-junkie to begin with, so you'd never catch me doing single-track. I've considered getting a mtn. bike for rides up into Forest Park (used to have one, but it was a hand-me-down from the ex, so I didn't take it with me-- plus it was too big for me anyway). I've got a friend here that works at a cycle shop that specializes in mtn. bikes, both new and used. I'm sure he'd set me up if I wanted. Believe me, it's crossed my mind. However, if I move forward with a new road bike and then get a mtn. bike, my total bike number will then equal FOUR.

But like fashion, you need to have a bike for every occasion, methinks.

Would have never thought I'd come to Obner, look at a bike thread, and feel better about not springing for a 29er. Last July, I spent a pretty penny on a new FS 26". The brand I went with – Santa Cruz – was releasing a new 29er in the winter, and I really wanted a new bike for a summer and fall trip I had planned. Seeing all the reviews of SC's Tallboy made me regret going with my bike, but I wouldn't want to give up lack of handling to motor over rocks. Thanks for making me feel OK with my purchase. Although, my current bike has been nothing less than amazing in the many states I've hucked it around.

I'd love a dedicated SS MTB. Where you riding that thing?

No, don't feel bad. I have a 26" ss that I enjoy the hell out of, and so far, I think it handles better than the 29er, at least when it comes to railing turns. The only reason I got the Special-ed is because I have a buddy at a bike shop, and I got it at cost. They (29ers) sure are popular and getting raves, so what do I know? The 29er forum over at MTBR.com is one of the more popular forums there.

I live in NorCal, so Napa & Auburn are the usual stomping grounds. Right now, it's getting too hot, so it's up to Lake Tahoe and that frickin' oxygen-impaired altitude.

What about you- where do you live/ride? And howzabout a pic of your bike? Santa Cruz makes sweet rides.

I'm in the front range of Colorado, but get out to the western slope as much as possible. Fruita, CO is the best trail system I've experienced. I'm originally from the Midwest and have taken my SC to some of the better trails there too. Moab was fine and good, but I never need to return there. Give me dirt!

For how proud I am of that bike, I don't have too many pictures.

Why mess with perfection? Those SC FS 26"ers are amazing. Great bikes. This whole 29 thing, I feel like it should've died out long ago. I'm actually surprised its survived this long. I remember Gary Fisher was one of the first companies really hawking them. It seemed like it was meant for west coast riders. I bought a Cake 4 DLX around the same time, and I remember the sales guy trying to push me there. They were horrible models. The geometry was off, etc.

I just don't know that the positives (which is always "it rides over rocks better") is better than traction issues, or the (sometimes) weaker rim/spoke issues.

Its different for everyone though. Just like each manufacturer is different for everyone's tastes. Ride what feels the best--this is why I'm a big proponent of shopping at a LBS rather than online. Might be cheaper to buy a bike online, but what happens if it rides like a dud?

i have this. it's decent though i don't ride it enough.

When it comes to bikes, I have a keeping up with the Jones type affliction. I need to get over it. No, SC makes incredible bikes. And realistically, I would have had to spend a lot more and acquire some trick-ass components to make a 29" comparable weight to my XC FS. Being in a mountainous area, weight and having a bike great for climbing is key.