long travel wagon wheelers

Posted by: craw

So the biggest bike on the shore is officially here. XL Pole Evolink 158. Reach: 535, Stack: 652, ESTA: 78, HTA: 64, WB: 1353, CS: 455. 34.5lbs as pictured, which isn't bad considering how much metal is there. So far I love the geo. It's definitely long but not at all hard to ride; it's affecting my timing and balance point a bit for manuals but nothing I won't adapt to. It feels like the right length for my center of gravity. I can get it around the Kirkford corners without issue.

Should've run a Purple Formula Selva up front for even more jokes about your big black Pole. 🙄

I had been wanting a 29er for a few years. I demo'd a bunch of bikes and remained intrigued, but never managed to settle on a wagon wheeler that checked all my boxes. So I bought a couple 275ers and rode those. Fast forward 5yrs and I stumbled across Guerrilla Gravity bikes. They look great. Have all the features I wanted and my 29er stoke was high so I pulled the trigger.

A couple blog posts about the build and why I picked the Smash:

https://vikapprovedblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/05/guerilla-gravity-smash-29er/

https://vikapprovedblog.wordpress.com/2018/02/09/guerrilla-gravity-smash-build/

3 months in I'm really happy I made the choice. This bike was fun from the first pedal stroke [unlike my 29er demos] and has exceeded all my expectations. I knew it would be a great a descender, but the climbing capabilities of the Smash are a nice surprise. I'm glad I took a chance on GG and finally got a big wheeler. It's been a blast to ride.

I'm working on a review, but I have been feeling lazy. I'll post a link here when I get 'er done. :)

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vikapproved/sets/72157691878835305

I have a Kona Process 29 AL/DL. It climbs well and has good trail manners for such a capable bike. I use it at the bike park, and for rocky technical trail riding. It’s a bit more work than my Tallboy3 when climbing, but still very manageable. 

I think the geo and suspension kinematics are really key to how well it performs. I find that steep SA paired with short chainstays and long-ish reach really work for me. It’s also very quiet and composed on rough dh sections. It’s a bike that loves to go fast.

Posted by: vincentaedwards

I have a Kona Process 29 AL/DL. It climbs well and has good trail manners for such a capable bike. I use it at the bike park, and for rocky technical trail riding. It’s a bit more work than my Tallboy3 when climbing, but still very manageable. 

I think the geo and suspension kinematics are really key to how well it performs. I find that steep SA paired with short chainstays and long-ish reach really work for me. It’s also very quiet and composed on rough dh sections. It’s a bike that loves to go fast.

Go any pics?

https://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb16214319/p5pb16214319.jpg

this looks killer , love the build

It looks better than the Troy which isn't that hard to accomplish

Posted by: DemonMike

https://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb16214319/p5pb16214319.jpg

this looks killer , love the build

They have a Spartan 29 on the floor at Lynn Valley Bikes per their Instagram post from yesterday.

Posted by: rnayel

They have a Spartan 29 on the floor at Lynn Valley Bikes per their Instagram post from yesterday.

image I saw was of the new Troy , it,s a 29er as well.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/fezzari-launches-la-sal-peak-a-long-travel-29er-for-the-downs-and-ups.html

The La Sal Peak sounds promising, Fezarri is learning.

Posted by: JBV

i thought these bikes were measurably faster and set to dominate the world of racing. seems that DH and EWS are still dominated on the podium by small wheels.

More to do with height of fastest riders than with wheelsize magic, willing to bet.

If everyone was 6' 3"+ (Minaar) maybe we'd see more 29 domination. As it is, the top of the heap is covered with average height riders.

Posted by: DemonMike

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/fezzari-launches-la-sal-peak-a-long-travel-29er-for-the-downs-and-ups.html