Update 1.

Several days of 29-er with 150's have passed and I'm still feeling that
this is the ideal combination for the area of Sheffield I'm in.

Though on a couple of occasions I've had a mild hankering for some of
the characteristics I remember of the 125's, it's more than made up for
by the fact that I feel much more in control.

It's amazing how fast the 29-er goes with 150's especially on steep
stuff and rough ground. I think that this is due to a combination of
being happy to be at max speed as the extra length of cranks provide a
'safety net', and also the phenomenon I've mentioned before of the
contrast between 'acual speed' and 'illusory speed'.

ie as someone who lacks a cycle computer I find it difficult to judge
actual speed, but often I've found that spinning fast on a muni gives an
impression of greater speed than the 'actual' higher speed of a big
wheel combination.

Anyway, the 29-er with 150 cranks seems to provide a little extra of
both actual and illusory speed! and the extra leverage/control gives a
nice feeling of security if anything goes wrong.

The rides have been very high energy, with access to the monster road
hills that previously were only feasable on the muni, I've found myself
climbing like a maniac and arriving home never less than fully drenched
in sweat

Interestingly, even the steepest of the uphills seem easier than on the
muni, the bigger wheeler and slightly higher gear meaning that progress
up them is faster.

Though the downhills are all very do-able, I'm feeling that 29/150 is
stressing the joints more than the muni would.

Off road, things got even better, the trail that I often ride muni on
was gone in a flash on the 29-er.

None of the inclines, declines, rough spots or small drops were any
trouble at all- almost as smooth as on the muni, but much faster. Having
said that, I can feel the wheel flex on some small drops, but I'm sure
that that's partly due to my rim being the stock Nimbus 700c of two
years ago.

I'm inclined to say that the 29-er with 150's is surely a prime
contender for the title of- 'ultimate speed orientated XC muni'
machine.

Next week I'm going to be spending several days in Milton Keynes with my
brother and his family; I'll be taking the 29-er and looking forward to
some distance rides on the much flatter terrain, I'll be taking a set of
125's and it'll be intersting to see if I switch over to them.


--
onewheeldave - Semi Skilled Unicyclist

"He's also been known to indulge in a spot of flame juggling - but it's
the Muni that really fires him up."

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