Yup, biege color on the ECR. Would not have ordered it if all I could get was the other option, the black. Yuk! Just something about some colors on bikes that turn me off. I am very color sensitive about things. Enough so that color is an important buying decision for me. I'm sure some of you would understand.

Also, medium and stayed with the 29+, just like my Krampus. Thought about trying another wheel size, such as the 27.5+, but could really see no performance advantage for me. A 29+wheel/tire diameter is very similar to a 26x4 fat bike wheel/tire diameter and I ride both all the time. I am totally comfortable on the 29+, now. I have the physical leg length for it (important if you want to go 29+) and, more importantly, I now have the leg strength to get that size up the steepest hills (talking trails, here, not roads). Be a different story if I was shorter in height or a bit weaker in the legs.

Yes, I did struggle a bit climbing some of the worst steeps with the 29+ and fat bikes when I got back into trail riding. A 26" or 27.5 is easier for climbing, but I'm glad I stuck it out with the 29+ because it has so many advantages for trail riding that I can't get with smaller wheels. The larger wheels are also best for eating up those long miles out on the road.

Speaking of trails, we got home too late in the day, yesterday, to head out on the road for a long ride, so Star and I decided to take our chances on our icy trail.

Hit my worst steep and, yup, got half way up and the studded tires on the fat bike spun out on the ice. Uh, oh! There I was, half way up an icy climb that was even too dangerous to walk. Couldn't even dismount, safely. Had to slide the bike back down the hill in reverse, doing my best to stay upright, keeping my balance by dragging my feet and using the brakes when I could. Meanwhile, Star knew I was in trouble, so she started barking to warn everyone to stay away. I made it, though.

Actually, it would have been hilarious to watch, though, of course, I was not having fun.