It's a 69'er!

OK. So, it's not been the best kept secret. Not really a secret at all. But it was worth keeping quiet while the 'What Bike Should I Use?' poll was running.

Not surprisingly, the poll favoured 29'ers. That makes sense since 29'ers have been at the front of the field at the Great Divide Race every year. The bigger wheels roll easier over the rough stuff. So, 'Why a 69'er?' you ask.

First up, I have a great relationship with Cycletech, the company that imports Giant Bicycles into New Zealand. They have a very nice 700c commuting machine (with flat bars, V-brakes, rack mounts, etc) but the tyre clearance is too tight for something big and soft (a must if you want to avoid nerve damage in your hands at the GDR).
They also make a lovely XC fully in the Anthem - that would be the ultimate in comfort, but rear shocks & pivots usually need servicing after a couple of thousand kilometres. To the best of my knowledge, no full suspension bike has made it to the GDR finish line yet. In fact, if the weather is nasty, front suspension malfunctions seem fairly likely too.

The next logical bike to consider was the XTC hardtail - reliable, light, affordable. Cycletech had a 2007 carbon model in my size at a price I couldn't say no too. It's a 26 inch wheeled bike.

29 inch wheels make sense for gravel road racing (the jury is out as far as single track is concerned). They roll better over bumps, hold better in turns, and may be a bit better at dampening road shock. But they are heavier, harder to get tyres for, and require a slightly heavier frame and fork. Seems to me like you can get most of the benefits (up front, where they count most) and few of the disadvantages by going to a 69er format (26" rear/29" front). I could do this, and maintain the XTC's frame geometry by replacing the suspension fork with a Ritchey rigid MTB fork (designed for a 26" wheel).

The result is a very light and reliable bike that should blaze the road sections of the GDR route. No doubt I'll suffer a bit more on the really rough stuff, but that's part of the game one way or the other. Fortunately I'm old and crusty enough to have learned to ride off road in the pre-suspension era, so it's no big deal.

Time to take it for a test ride. I'm suspecting it's going to ride beautifully. If I pedal hard enough, it's bound to go fast, too.

Thanks heaps to the businesses who came to the party with the sweetest gear I could hope for - Cycletech (Giant), Worralls (Sram, Ritchey, Cane Creek, Truvative, Ergon, Easton, Avid), Stans NoTubes wheels - and Oli at Roadworks for burning the midnight oil building her up (with last-minute support from Revolution Bicycles). You guys rock!