I tried a few searches and didn't see a thread on this but in general, do you guys think there is a fastest/best wheel size for most races at the Whitewater Center?   

Does everyone lean 29 for the likes of Toilet Bowl, Goat Hill, Weigh Station, etc...?

FredRubble wrote on 05/25/16 at 12:52am:


Well put.

I'd say 29 is the wheel of choice around here, that being said it doesn't really matter just go ride and have fun.

I ride the WWC a good bit...Have a Turner CZAR (29r) and Turner FLUX (27.5). I'm measurably faster on the 29r at the WWC especially on the climbs with no issues on the switchbacks.  WWC is not technical enough to demand a long travel/enduro bike.  SRAM 1X11 on both.  CZAR is a 30t and FLUX is a 32T.  For me  I Climb better with the 30t since I can use more range on the cassette (my riding buddy crushed me last night on a 30t 27.5)...on the 32t I need to stay in the smallest cog up goat hill and a few climbs on East Main.......I'm not strong enough to generate enough power with the 32t (can't use the smaller cogs except the smallest).  It's not just wheel size that matters.   FLUX has more travel and fun to ride but a short travel 29r at the WWC should be faster???  But I agree.....if your good/strong enough to win you could win on a 26 (if you can find one!!).

BudLeach wrote on 05/25/16 at 2:17pm:


7 revolutions per minute cranking out 900w of power....

Should B Faster wrote on 05/25/16 at 12:47pm:


Thanks guys, this is the kind of info I was looking for and more.   

I guess I should have said, "what's the most popular" or something similar.  I am riding a 2015 Fuel EX 7 27.5 right now.  I added a rockshox dropper post, shorter stem, some bars, etc, its nice, been enjoying it for the last year as i have gotten back into the sport.  I feel like it's a little too "spongy" at times, even though its been dialed in based on my weight a couple of times, etc, etc. 

Also, maybe it's a geometry thing as well.   

Thought i might buy another bike just for the fun of it.  Maybe a super lightweight Trek Superfly hardtail 29er...or something similar for the summer as I try to increase my endurance on climbs and longer rides which is really sad right now.   

When I went into the bike store to buy the TREK, the guys said "where are you going to be riding?"  "what kind or riding are you doing?" 

Maybe if I had said "Toilet Bowl and Goat Hill at WWC" i would have ended up with another bike.  I think i said " i want to try a nice full suspension bike or I want to jump stuff, etc..." since i was riding a beat up, clanking $300 Diamond Back HT at the time. BTW, i love riding Slalom at WWC on the TREK Fuel EX.   

Hopefully I can keep riding and the climbing will get easier, and to say it again,  i am definitely not blaming the bike, or weight, or wheel size.  I would still be lame on an 18 pound carbon HT 29er...

BTW, What is a podium? 

Thanks again.

MX Mac wrote on 05/26/16 at 2:05am:


If you just down right WANT a new bike and have the means to afford it then go for it...  Everyone loves a new ride.

That said, a LOT can be done just by adjusting your setup and utilizing the current options already on your bike.  You have a great "do it all" bike and honestly I would work on the "engine" way before I shelled out the $$$ for a dedicated XC racer, but again...  I work on a tight budget. lol  You can send your fork/shock off to a suspension company (like Push) and have your suspension setup with a firmer platform so you dont have as much "bob" when you're cranking hard on the pedals.  But, even before that have you tried playing with your adjustments on your suspension now?  You can make a big change in the rigidity of the bike just by utilizing the lock-out on your fork/shock.  If your specific model doesn't have the on the bar lock-out lever perhaps that could be something to look into.  It'd be a lot less expensive.

Judging by your name (MX) and the fact you are talking about racing I'm going to assume you are being facetious about the podium... but if not its a top 3 finish.

I would say if you're not too heavy (over 200lb), I would go for the vorsprung air sleeve.  If you are over 200lbs (like me) I would upgrade to a better shock (The ReAktiv is pretty good if you dont wanna mess with kits to make regular shock work); there are kits out there to mount a regular shock to the proprietary trek mount.  I wouldn't necessarily buy another bike for recreational riding (unless you just want to have a 2nd bike or go as fast as possible), around here the fuel is perfect.  

I had a 27.5 Remedy; and thought I was going to buy a 29er b/c all the people who swear by them (I had a 29er hard tail as my first real bike).  Demo'd several bikes and ended back on a 27.5 as I was most comfortable on it and for around here I was faster on it.  If we were somewhere that was more wide open I could see a 29er having an advantage; however most of our trails are squeezed into limited acres.  I cornered and accelerated a ton better and that's where speed is needed around here IMO.  There is the argument that it rolls faster; with that I counter with the fact that 29ers are usually running smaller width tires than 27.5 and we all know its been proven wider tires roll faster/better (to a point).  To me the difference is negligible with climbing, decents, etc; but the 27.5 difference in acceleration is very noticable.  After watching some test videos (not someone who is promoting 29ers but regular bikers), and my personal testing I decided to buy another 27.5.  I'm 6ft 1 so a "29er is perfect for me"; however I'm glad I tested before jumping on the bandwagon.

This is my own personal opinion and I'm in no way an expert.  I'm also no where near as fast as some of these guys; but some of these guys are no where near as heavy as me lol.   

As far as the climbing goes; even at 215lbs on a remedy (which the fuel technically should climb better) I climb pretty decently.  What pushed me was going to a 1x10; you will be surprised at how well you can climb by not gearing down, and how fast it gets to be "easy".