New posts

Comfortably Number - which bike 29 or 26?

May 28, 2014, 2:21 p.m.
Posts: 0
Joined: March 30, 2010

Riding Comfortably Numb this weekend for the first time. Believe we're going up Yummy then down Comfortably Numb, if that makes sense. Not sure whether to bring the 26 or 29er. Both have same suspsension. I'm an experienced rider. Not sure how technical the ride is and which bike would give me the best ride.

Any thoughts appreciated.

May 28, 2014, 3 p.m.
Posts: 5740
Joined: May 28, 2005

i haven't ridden one on uncomfortable bum, but its the kind of trail i would imagine a 29er would prove far superior on

"Nobody really gives a shit that you don't like the thing that you have no firsthand experience with." Dave

May 28, 2014, 3:07 p.m.
Posts: 166
Joined: Nov. 19, 2002

up, YN, then down Foreplay? or down CN like, CN backwards? regardless, pretty technical.

May 28, 2014, 3:20 p.m.
Posts: 1027
Joined: June 26, 2012

YN/Foreplay felt like it was uphill both ways. It was a lot of short, steep downs followed by punchy climbs. I did it on my 26 AM bike but it would be fine on a smaller travel bike for sure. Very hard to flow.

I haven't done the full CN but if I did I'd probably pick the bike that's less work to pedal.

May 28, 2014, 3:33 p.m.
Posts: 166
Joined: Nov. 19, 2002

I haven't done a full pull CN in a long time, but I actually like the ride up YN then go backwards on CN at the golden door cutout, down to jeff's trail, then back to lost lake on the sea to sky trail

May 28, 2014, 3:36 p.m.
Posts: 8935
Joined: Dec. 23, 2005

CN the only trail that felt like you climbed the so called downhill section.

Take the 29'er as it will roll smother over what I remember to be lots of energy sapping little roots on the climb.

May 28, 2014, 3:45 p.m.
Posts: 1579
Joined: Sept. 30, 2006

Nicknamed Uncomfortable Bum for a reason. I have never ridden a trail that has so little reward for all the effort put in. We started at the wedgemount pullout and ended at lost lake. I imagine the other direction would be just as little fun.

May 28, 2014, 3:54 p.m.
Posts: 1095
Joined: Jan. 31, 2005

These comments sum up my experience on those trails. Don't forget the endless doubling back where you're just a few metres away from where you were 20 minutes before.

There's nothing better than an Orangina after cheating death with Digger.

May 28, 2014, 3:58 p.m.
Posts: 19053
Joined: Oct. 28, 2003

but wouldn't a 29'er be 10% less efficient on the doubling back switchbacks? oh, the dilemna!

May 28, 2014, 4:55 p.m.
Posts: 509
Joined: April 11, 2011

up, YN, then down Foreplay?

This is what it sounds like from the description. That’s a great ride, but it’s not at all like riding the full CN. I’ve only ridden those routes on big wheels, but I’m sure it’ll be fun on either. The Foreplay descent is really cool.

I don't understand the CN distaste. It’s a little meandering but it’s got some beautiful scenery. Paired with Kill Me Thrill Me and some Lost Lake to finish, it's a classic.

May 28, 2014, 5:15 p.m.
Posts: 144
Joined: June 22, 2010

Your all just high on E-nduro. I classify CN in my mind as a techincal XC trail. I really don't think either wheel size will effect the outcome of the ride. I haven't done a full CN in a few years either.

I vote 29 though because thats what I have and therefore must defend its honour.

May 28, 2014, 8:31 p.m.
Posts: 1150
Joined: Oct. 31, 2006

I read it as the OP planning on riding up Yummy and down the downhill part of CN back to Lost Lake/Zappa Trails. This is quite a short ride that is just another way of adding fun mileage to the Zappa network and by no means an epic. I'd guess the climb is a stiff(ish) 1.5km climb and then down CN maybe 2km of moderately technical terrain.

I think wheelsize is irrelevant. I'd take whatever of those two bikes is more "all mountain" and you are comfortable climbing and descending with. It's a really great combo that I believe was designed for people that don't want the gruel of CN, but want the best part of the DH, but also more than just the Zappa trails for a couple hour ride.

I agree that the reward for effort of CN is pretty low as a complete ride and prefer doing KMTM to first 1/4 of CN, then down YL and then Sea2Sky to Zappa trails. Actually would be good to then climb YN and then descent the downhill piece of CN. Now you've got me wanting to put that together…

That all said, why would you still be riding 26"? (wait… I still have one too…). Although my 29er all mountain bike excels in much of what Whistler has to offer outside the park.

May 28, 2014, 9:15 p.m.
Posts: 1133
Joined: Nov. 21, 2002

CN is awesome if you have the engine and the skills. Biking isn't about getting somewhere quickly unless you are commuting or racing. It's about challenging yourself and having fun. If you have a weak engine then yes, CN will suck. If you are only good at climbing grunt climbs then CN will suck. If you only like the descents on trails then CN will suck. I have yet to clean it but come close - always something makes me dab a couple of times. Guess I'm one of the few who loves the technical climbing challenges it offers.

May 28, 2014, 9:35 p.m.
Posts: 751
Joined: Aug. 14, 2003

Having done it on both, I say 29 all the way.
Yes it has some switchbacks and "technical sections", but not exactly the degree of technical riding where I believe a 26 actually provides an advantage. However, it does have a lot of rooty and rocky stuff, where the big wheels will help you keep the roll on. Just my two bits. Great trail though. I prefer it in all its glory, warming up with the ride out to Wedgemont, and then finishing at the Lost Lake area. I agree starting with KMTM on the way out as a warm up is a nice add-on.
The ride is paired best with an All You Can Eat dinner somewhere afterwards.

May 30, 2014, 8:25 a.m.
Posts: 0
Joined: March 30, 2010

Thanks everyone. Glad to see from the discussion that I wasn't way off the mark asking the question.

I think I'll go with …… the 29er.

Forum jump: