OK, so not bike lust as such, but there’s something rather nice about this picture!
Apr
02
Mar
31
Niner Air 9 Carbon
I’ve been waiting for a chance to ride the Air 9 Carbon since I first saw the green one at Mountain Mayhem a few years back. It’s a striking looking bike, and when it has the matching carbon fork fitted I think it looks stunning. Not a reason to get one in itself, but I think it’s one nicest looking bikes out there.
Many people wouldn’t go for a rigid bike these days and for a 29′er running rigid it is not as harsh as you would think. After all if you’ve been riding for any length of time you would know what it’s like to have no suspension, the carbon forks on this have a surprising amount of spring and are more forgiving than the rigid forks of old.
It’s a bit of a departure for me riding singlespeed (you can spec it with gears), but when the whole bike only weighs 18lbs it’s really not too much of an effort to get it uphill. The only downside with this demo bike is I think it is geared to flatter people a bit. It goes up hill easily, but on the flat or on a downhill the gear isn’t really high enough to be able to spin it up and go quickly. For me personally geared would be a better option.
On singletrack it feels great and light weight makes it just want to fly. On the downhills it feels pretty sure footed, despite the light weight, so it would make a great all rounder for anyone despite it’s clearly racy potential.
Would I get one? Well, for my ‘style’ of riding I want to attack the downhills, with the rigid fork I think that would be too limiting. Obviously you can just whack in a suspension fork, but for me the appeal of this bike lies in the frame+fork styling and looks. So no, it’s not for me, I’m still taken with the Scott Spark 29′er and I feel that’s ‘the one’ at the moment.
It’s light!!
Mar
30
Friday Bike Lust – Niner Air 9 Carbon
Niner air 9 carbon
I’m riding this bad boy tomorrow, review to follow!
Mar
22
Mar
17
Quest Adventure Demo Day – 31st March 2012
Yes folks it’s that time of year again to go sample some new lushness. As usual there are an array of bikes for you to try, you just need to call the shop first to get your name down and book your ride. Unfortunately I’m still not in a fit state to do the guiding, but I do fancy a spin on a carbon Niner, so ‘m sure I’ll see you there 
Jimbo
Here’s the list of bikes available for demo on Saturday 31st March.
You are advised to book your rides by calling the shop as soon as possible 0n 01903 573700.
You will need to register before riding. Registration is on the Green, not the shop.
There will be rides leaving at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 & 16:00hrs. Each ride will last approximately 40mins. You will need a helmet. Pedals (flats or spd) will be provided but you can always bring your own. Allow time to get your bike set up for you. Have a good ride!
| Bikes | Sizes |
| Marin Nail Trail 29er | 17, 19, 22 |
| Marin Rift Zone 29er (not yet in the UK) | M, L |
| Marin Mount Vision (not yet in the UK) | M, L |
| Scott Scale 20 | M, L |
| Scott Scale 29er Pro | M |
| Scott Scale 29er Expert | L |
| Scott Spark 20 Med & Lge | M, L |
| Scott Spark 29er Pro Lge | L |
| Scott Spark 29er Expert Lge | L |
| Genius 20 Med & Lge | M, L |
| Whyte 146s | S, M, L |
| Whyte 146X | M |
| Whyte T120s | S, M, L |
| Whyte 829 | 18.5, 20 |
| Whyte 29CS (not yet in the UK) | M |
| Niner EMD | L |
| Niner Sir 9 | L |
| Niner Air 9 Carbon | L |
| Niner Air 9 Alloy | M |
Hot News Tomac should be coming to the demo day!
Mar
09
Mar
09
Mar
06
Scott Spark 29 Expert Review
I’ve been waiting to get my mitts on this bike for a long time, not to mention waiting to get out on a bike for a long time! I’m a big fan of certain Scott bikes, although others I must admit I’ve not got on with at all. Last year I rode the 26″ wheeled Scott Spark a lot, I used it out on the trail and I even raced on it too. It’s a light weight, well mannered bike, and although it’s thought of primarily as a race machine it makes a great all rounder too. The Scott Scale 29′er also made a big impression on me too. I rode it loads, nicking it out the shop whenever possible, it’s such a fun bike to ride and when out on a long ride the equivalent of having a few extra gears!
So would this be the best of both worlds? I was certainly hoping so……
It will come as no surprise to any of my mates that I was sold on the red and black colour scheme that did such a good job complementing the new Sussex-MTB shirt too I love the look of the design, it just looks like a fast, purposeful bike.
As with the 26″ Spark it was fitted with the handlebar mounted lockout, that will simultaneously lock out the forks and the rear shock. This is handy for flat trails and fire road sections and also smooth climbs. However the suspension is pretty well mannered and I felt it was great left open. It doesn’t offer that kind of super active plush feel like a four bar design, or a longer travel frame. But in essence this lets you stay in touch with the trail and really makes it an engaging fun bike to ride.
Coupled with the bigger wheel diameter it felt really stable and capable through the singletrack and once I had tweaked the tyre pressures a bit I was really at home on it.
So if you want to try something new pop along to Quest Adventure and take it out for a spin, you won’t be disappointed. That is if I haven’t wrestled it out the shop myself while JP isn’t looking! I plan on getting to know it well…
Jimbo
Partners
|
|
|
|
|
Sussex Network
|
|
