Yesterday I test rode a Trek (Gary Fisher) X-Caliber HT 29er.

I decided to take the first ride on a classic Xcountry trail. Nothing too technical, just miles and miles of single-track. There are some rooty sections and being in West Michigan, you can bank on sand pits.

I realized quickly the 29er is indeed a fun ride. Here are the advantages I noticed immediately:

1) Larger Contact Surface
This came in handy in a couple of places. We had a lot of rain over the weekend which meant the trail, especially the hills, were covered with leaves that had been washed out during the storms. Traditionally, on my 26" bike, I would do a delicate dance: applying just the right amount of torque to power up the climb while adjusting weight placement in order to keep my rear tire from spinning out on the leaves.

On the 29er, I was surprised that this was a near non-issue. The larger contact surface provided fierce traction to motor up and over the trouble sections. The second the back tire started to spin out, it would find a sticky surface, grab it and propel the bike forward.

The larger contact surface proved to be equally beneficial in climbs riddled with tree roots and in sandy sections. This feature allows a 29er more line options when climbing which gives it an obvious advantage in races where the ideal route is often jammed with traffic.

2) Faster rotation = maintaining momentum
I've ridden this trail many times. So many times that I know just about every incline, hairpin turn, and tree root. It was a surprise to me when riding a long that I felt my quads and glutes automatically (and unnecessarily) twitch and engage. Why was this? I wondered.

I had hit sections of rolling hills. On my 26" bike I would have to switch from spinning to applying power to maintain speed and momentum. But with the 29er, the momentum was maintained without having to add power. Imagine the silly grin on my face when I accelerated and flew through those sections!

3) Faster rotation = gunning it!
Apply some torque to those cranks and you may just get a sling-shot sensation when you are propelled forward! After slowing down to maneuver a hairpin turn or narrow, technical section the 29er would take-off the instant I applied power to the pedals. I felt like Speed Racer coming out of the turns!

What I didn't like:
1) The handle bars: Bontrager Race Big Sweep, 15 degree sweep
They seemed wide and are swept back toward the rider. It forced my arms out and back in a way that was uncomfortable to me. I prefer to be a little stretched out as opposed to bunched up.

2) Sitting straight up. I guess this is the new "it" position for mountain biking. But to me it didn't feel aggressive. I want to be down, not sitting up.

3) SRAM components. It actually shifted great (its a new bike, so it should) but I missed the gear indicators. For mountain biking, I like to have it. My eyes need to be on the trail, not on my cassette. This isn't so much an issue for casual riding, but in racing its a big deal to me. I found myself riding an entire section before realizing I was still in the granny gear! No wonder it felt "easy." I want to know what gear I'm in at all times during a race.

Fortunately those things can be changed.

Riding the 29er was fun and fast. A friend of mine said that she felt the difference in the 29er wasn't so much that it was faster but that it took less effort. After trying it for myself, I understand exactly what she was saying.

You can let the increased traction and momentum do some of the work and you'll have be able to maintain a good pace with less fatigue and what will feel like an easier ride. However, if you apply the aggression needed to maintain that momentum on a 26" and combine it with the advantages of the 29er--you'll see a definite increase in you mph averages.

I loved the 29er for all the reasons I mentioned above and will now be spending my days trying to conjure up ways to squeeze coins out of our budget so I can buy one of my very own.