Well, Zaf has set the bar high for PYR threads in recent times, so I apologise in advance for a quick and dirty version of my own new 'long & slack' attempt.
Also no DSLR, just the trusty phone for photos, best I can offer.
This journey started with an XL Banshee, then a L Mondraker Foxy to test out this different approach to MTB geometry, after reading Chris Porter's musings on the subject.
Fair to say it was working for me so some correspondence with Paul at Geometron enquiring after a G15, resulted in a phone call to Chris where by he politely stopped me 30 seconds into the call and summed up what I was after and convinced me the G16 was the better choice, albeit running it with 29 up front and 27.5 rear to avoid the more cumbersome handling a rear 29 wheel would offer in tight and technical riding.
I will look into a spare 29 rear for longer/less technical riding, after getting some time on the bike.
Size wise I was thinking a Longest, however Chris also convinced me an Extra Longest would be the better choice for riding ergonomics and stability, and to be honest from the brief driveway test, he is right.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to head out for a ride yet.
Kit choice was driven by what I already had and liked/could afford, with Mojo helping out with the cranks, fork and shock as a package.
Think it has come up nicely, don't be deceived by the photos, the axle to axle is 1350mm, with wheelbase at around 1400mm.
Some quick numbers: HA is 62.5 degrees, seat tube is 77 degrees, reach is 535mm.
Frame - Geometron G16 Extra Long 155mm/175mm
Rear shock - EXT Storia Lok 155mm
Front shock/fork - RS Lyrik RC2 29" 160mm (42mm offset)
Handlebars - Deity Black Label 25mm rise
Stem - Renthal Apex 31mm
Headset - Hope
Grips - Renthal
Saddle - WTB
Seatpost - Bikeyoke Revive
Front brake - Hope E4
Rear brake - Hope E4
Cranks - Hope Boost with 32T
Chainguide - MRP
Chain - KMC
Pedals - Crank Bros Mallet DH
Rear derailleur - XT 11sp
Rear shifter - XTR
Cassette - XT 11-42T
Front Wheel - DT Swiss E1700 Spline 2 25mm int
Rear Wheel - DT Swiss E1700 Spline 2 25mm int
Spokes - DT Swiss
Tyres - F: Conti Trail King 29x2.4, R: Maxxis Aggressor 27.5x2.3
Tubes - Nein...
Total weight - 14.92kg on the trusty Aldi luggage scales
Some gratuitous pics, the attention to detail is impressive, although wouldn't expect anything less from Nicolai!
Cheers
First 'ride'
With the shoulder recovery coming along, and the virus shook, decided to go for a sedate spin around the local reserve tracks, Nothing special but enough rough, mediocre descending and climbing to get a feel for the bike.
Riding position: it is different to all other bike before it...you don;t feel 'in' or 'on' the bike, rather 'with' the bike (lame I know).
Up: Took the bike on some sustained climbing, up over roots, through sandy soil and sandstone ledges with a couple of rough pinches. On sustained climbs it is a sit and grind bike, but the position my body is in is not hunched, rather feel like I am in a position which allows me to breath, and almost like standing on the pedals, while sitting! I feel the bar height is just about right, and the saddle could possibly come forward a touch, but on the pinch climbs it was calm and balanced, not trying to lift the front wheel, or spinning the rear. The rear didn't get hung up over roots either, and just kept moving forward/up. I knew this bike was not a climbing machine (nor am I for that matter!), however the initial feeling is it will be more than capable of getting to the party...
Down: Balanced, plush, quick! I was trying hard to be conscious of how the rear end felt, but it was very hard as it was so composed and dealt with the fast and slow hits that I was more distracted with the forks, which felt like it was struggling (more setup time required, to get it right) with the fast hits. Was confidence inspiring to say the least, more time is required to report with any more detail.
Best I can provide at this stage, I am hoping to get up to Maydena soon, to get in some longer and more challenging descents to set up the suspension and get a better feel for the whole package.
Safe to say I am already impressed.
Cheers
Also no DSLR, just the trusty phone for photos, best I can offer.
This journey started with an XL Banshee, then a L Mondraker Foxy to test out this different approach to MTB geometry, after reading Chris Porter's musings on the subject.
Fair to say it was working for me so some correspondence with Paul at Geometron enquiring after a G15, resulted in a phone call to Chris where by he politely stopped me 30 seconds into the call and summed up what I was after and convinced me the G16 was the better choice, albeit running it with 29 up front and 27.5 rear to avoid the more cumbersome handling a rear 29 wheel would offer in tight and technical riding.
I will look into a spare 29 rear for longer/less technical riding, after getting some time on the bike.
Size wise I was thinking a Longest, however Chris also convinced me an Extra Longest would be the better choice for riding ergonomics and stability, and to be honest from the brief driveway test, he is right.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to head out for a ride yet.
Kit choice was driven by what I already had and liked/could afford, with Mojo helping out with the cranks, fork and shock as a package.
Think it has come up nicely, don't be deceived by the photos, the axle to axle is 1350mm, with wheelbase at around 1400mm.
Some quick numbers: HA is 62.5 degrees, seat tube is 77 degrees, reach is 535mm.
Frame - Geometron G16 Extra Long 155mm/175mm
Rear shock - EXT Storia Lok 155mm
Front shock/fork - RS Lyrik RC2 29" 160mm (42mm offset)
Handlebars - Deity Black Label 25mm rise
Stem - Renthal Apex 31mm
Headset - Hope
Grips - Renthal
Saddle - WTB
Seatpost - Bikeyoke Revive
Front brake - Hope E4
Rear brake - Hope E4
Cranks - Hope Boost with 32T
Chainguide - MRP
Chain - KMC
Pedals - Crank Bros Mallet DH
Rear derailleur - XT 11sp
Rear shifter - XTR
Cassette - XT 11-42T
Front Wheel - DT Swiss E1700 Spline 2 25mm int
Rear Wheel - DT Swiss E1700 Spline 2 25mm int
Spokes - DT Swiss
Tyres - F: Conti Trail King 29x2.4, R: Maxxis Aggressor 27.5x2.3
Tubes - Nein...
Total weight - 14.92kg on the trusty Aldi luggage scales
Some gratuitous pics, the attention to detail is impressive, although wouldn't expect anything less from Nicolai!
Cheers
First 'ride'
With the shoulder recovery coming along, and the virus shook, decided to go for a sedate spin around the local reserve tracks, Nothing special but enough rough, mediocre descending and climbing to get a feel for the bike.
Riding position: it is different to all other bike before it...you don;t feel 'in' or 'on' the bike, rather 'with' the bike (lame I know).
Up: Took the bike on some sustained climbing, up over roots, through sandy soil and sandstone ledges with a couple of rough pinches. On sustained climbs it is a sit and grind bike, but the position my body is in is not hunched, rather feel like I am in a position which allows me to breath, and almost like standing on the pedals, while sitting! I feel the bar height is just about right, and the saddle could possibly come forward a touch, but on the pinch climbs it was calm and balanced, not trying to lift the front wheel, or spinning the rear. The rear didn't get hung up over roots either, and just kept moving forward/up. I knew this bike was not a climbing machine (nor am I for that matter!), however the initial feeling is it will be more than capable of getting to the party...
Down: Balanced, plush, quick! I was trying hard to be conscious of how the rear end felt, but it was very hard as it was so composed and dealt with the fast and slow hits that I was more distracted with the forks, which felt like it was struggling (more setup time required, to get it right) with the fast hits. Was confidence inspiring to say the least, more time is required to report with any more detail.
Best I can provide at this stage, I am hoping to get up to Maydena soon, to get in some longer and more challenging descents to set up the suspension and get a better feel for the whole package.
Safe to say I am already impressed.
Cheers
Attachments
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Those cable guides are proper.
