In part one of this series, I ran through the specifications on my new EWR OWB29er test bike, and posted a gallery with pictures of this unique-looking bike. At that point I hadn’t had a chance to throw a leg over my new steed, but since then, I’ve busted out a handful of solid rides atop the OWB29er.

I’ve learned quite a few lessons in my 15 years of bike testing. One of them is that it may take a while for my mind an body to adapt to the handling and personal characteristics of any new bike. Adaptation was less of an issue back in the mid- to late-90s, when I consumed a steady diet of the cookie-cutter “NORBA standard geometry” hardtails that ruled the day. At the present time, however, one has available a mind-boggling array of choices in bike design. Heck, 15 years ago I was not sold on the concept of full-suspension, and now dual-boing is my preferred mode of off-road conveyance. And, back in the day, nobody was marketing a 29er MTB.

Which brings me to the “adaptation” theme of this post: I am coming off a several-year-long string of riding 26″ full-suspension test bikes, and now I’ve got a hardtail 29er between my legs. It’s adaptation time, folks.

For the past year, my main ride has been a Trek Fuel EX, a 26″ bike with 120mm of travel. That’s the platform that my mind and body had adapted to, before I started riding the EWR OWB29er.

One of the first lessons that I re-learned was that hardtails will kick your skinny butt, if you keep it planted in the saddle. While it is true that 29″ wheels are more efficient at smoothing out the rough spots, I still have to ride this hardtail bike “like a hardtail.” That means occasionally un-weighting my butt from the saddle, transferring weight to my legs, and letting my legs act as shock absorbers, in lieu of rear suspension.

Don’t get me wrong, the 29″ wheels do offer a noticable advantage in rolling over rocky and/or rooty trails with more momentum and control than 26″ wheels. Case in point: my second ride on the OWB29er was on the 7 Spring, PA race course and its infamous “rock garden” section. It turns out that a week earlier I had ridden the same route on the Trek Fuel EX. Cleaning the rock garden felt “less challenging” on the OWB29er. The big wheels opened up more “rideable” lines, making navigation a less daunting chore—just point, pedal and proceed as planned. With my butt out of the saddle, when required.

My personal technique for pedaling uphill on a full-suspension bike on uneven terrain is like stoking a tandem: head down, butt planted, digging deep, crushing the pedals and letting the suspension worry about the terrain. Riding a hartdtail uphill requires a bit more finesse in the form of subtle fore-to-aft weight shifts over obstacles, and knowing when to get out of the saddle altogether. Basic techniques learned long ago, ignored for a while, and now re-learned.

The third ride was the charm—that’s when the OWB29er “disappeared beneath me” and I stopped thinking about the bike and started riding the bike. My first two rides had been solo excursions, and perhaps that made it too easy for me to over-analyze every little nuance of my new bike. Ride three was with the Dirt Rag crew, on the familiar trails out the backdoor of the office. I was sucked into playful competition, trying to keep up with Moe, atop his SC Nomand, while traveling at warp speed down the “Lost at Night” trail. Nothing to do but let ‘er rip. No time to think about the bike, just point, shoot and trust. Brrrrrrup over the twisted root garden at the drop-in. Swoosh through the tree-lined slalom section near the bottom. Splash through the creek crossing at the end. I even scored an unsolicited comment from Justin, who followed me down, and mentioned that I looked rather comfortable while ripping it up on the EWR. Yeah, thanks, I guess I did.

Riding the with the gang, I had  similar feelings of confidence while jumping the EWR over downed logs taller than the bottom bracket, and snapping through twisty singletrack at speed. It’s early in the bike-testing game, but so far, daddy likes. Stay tuned to this Bat Channel for more reports, as the testing miles accumulate. And by all means, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to type your feedback in the “Leave a Reply” box at the bottom of this post. Let’s make this journey of discovery an interactive one.

I’ll see you on the trails.

[Ed note: Eastern Woods Research is online at www.ewrbikes.com.  ]

The 19th annual Dirt Rag Punk Bike Enduro is scheduled for December 14th, 2008 in Dorseyville, PA. What’s a Punk Bike Enduro? Maurice already addressed that very question in a previous article, where he wrote:

There was an article in an old copy of Fat Tire Flyer that told of an event called the Punk Bike Enduro. A bunch of friends gathered for a ride/race/party somewhere in Northern California circa 1980-something. It sounded like fun, so we put one together ourselves.

Those interested in conducting additional research, may wish to check out the reports from the 2006 and 2007 Punk Bikes. Those ready to mark up their calendars, read on:

PUNK Bike Enduro 12-14-08
OUTLAWS
COME TO THE
19TH ANNUAL
PUNK BIKE ENDURO
SUNDAY DECEMBER 14th, 2008
THAT’S RIGHT THE 14TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AWEEK LATER THAN USUAL
11 AM SHARP
DORSEYVILLE FIRE HALL
1OO CHARLES ST.
BLAWNOX PA 15238
A STAGE STAGE RACE FOR FUN AND POINTS
MOST POINTS WINS
NO FEES, NO NORBA, NO RULES
EATS & PARTY AFTER IT’S OVER
WE’LL BUY SOME BEER
YOU BRING THE REST (OR GO HUNGRY)
KITCHEN AVAILABLE
COURSE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
DRESS FOR COLD, WET WEATHER
YOU MIGHT WEAR A HELMET AS THERE IS NO INSURANCE
SUNDAY DECEMBER 7TH
SATURDAY DECEMBER 13TH
TRAIL MAINTENANCE PRE-RIDES
CALL MOE’S CELL 412.302.9070
BE READY FOR ANYTHING

AGAIN! this years PUNK will be self-supported. NO MOTORS! No support vans, no dirt bikes, just bikes, so you better be ready. In fact we’ve brought back the old PPG loop so the course will be longer and harder. Of course we will do our best to provide some beverages on trail but you’d be wise to bring something like a backpack with a mug in it, plenty of liquids, some warm clothing and FOOD. Just like the old days.

Last weekend’s competition at Banner Elk, NC for the 2008 USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships came down to the wire, with Fort Lewis College narrowly beating host Lees-McRae College to win the Division I team omnium competition by 20 points, 698 to 678. The Division II battle was even closer, as Division II champions Appalachian State University edged out last year’s champion the Colorado School of Mines by a score of 585 to 575.

“We had a lot of great individual performances with some tragedies and some victories we didn’t expect,” said Lees-McRae head coach Brian Sheedy. “I am very proud of the whole team. Not only was our overall performance better than we’ve ever had in the past against perhaps the strongest team Fort Lewis has ever had, but the team rooted, cheered and supported each other throughout the entire three-day event. Although the weather could have been better, it was workable. In fact, especially with the talented and skilled riders competing, the mud added some excitement to the short track races. On Sunday, the Dual Slalom course recovered well, allowing for a fantastic day of competition, capping off a successful three days of championship events.”

Collegiate mountain bikers who competed in both an endurance and gravity event battled for individual omnium crowns. Eli Krahenbuhl of the University of Wyoming took home the men’s individual omnium crown in DI with strong finishes in all four of the weekend’s races. Carla Stewart took home a pair of national titles and parlayed consistent finishes into the women’s DI omnium crown. Zach Winn of Union College won the DII the men’s omnium title, after past national title near misses. The DII women’s race was the closest of the day, with officials forced to exercise five tie-breakers before Johanna Tuttle (Brevard College) was awarded the title over Rebecca Tomaszewski (Appalachian State University).

For complete results click here. To view images visit the USA Cycling Photo Gallery here.

Division I Team Omnium Standings

1. Fort Lewis College 698

2. Lees-McRae College 678

3. University of Colorado-Boulder 572

4. Lindsey Wilson College 371

5. University of Vermont 336

Division II Team Omnium Final Results

1. Appalachian State Uninversity 585

2. Colorado School of Mines 575

3. Warren Wilson College 533

4. Brevard College 532

5. Union College 490

DI Men’s Individual Omnium Final Results

1. Eli Krahenbuhl (University of Wyoming) 272

2. Scott Stewart (Lees-McRae College) 262

3. Aaron Bradford (Lees-McRae College) 216

4. Jean-Nicolas Enjalbert (Colorado State University) 205

5. Bryan Alders (University of Colorado-Boulder) 174

DI Women’s Individual Omnium Final Results

1. Carla Swart (Lees-McRae College) 494

2. Eszter Horanyi (University of Colorado-Boulder) 422

3. Sage Wilderman (Fort Lewis College) 380

4. Jamie Dinkins (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga) 374

5. Sabina Kraushaar (Fort Lewis College) 275

DII Men’s Individual Omnium Final Results

1. Zach Winn (Union College) 392

2. Matthew Williams (Warren Wilson College) 301

3. Greg Gibson (Union College) 292

4. Daniel Ennis (Brevard College) 239

5. Alex Hannah (Appalachian State University) 207

DII Women’s Individual Omnium Final Results

1. Johanna Tuttle (Brevard College) 500

2. Rebecca Tomaszewski (Appalachian State University) 500

3. Melissa Marts (Colorado School of Mines) 389

4. Rachel Millsop (Union College) 347

5. Julia Tellman (Brevard College) 330

Division I Men’s Short Track

1. Benjamin Sonntag (Fort Lewis College)

2. Brad Perley (Lees-McRae College)

3. Rotem Ishay (Fort Lewis College)

4. Martin Kell (Penn State University)

5. Scott Stewart (Lees-McRae College)

Division I Women’s Short Track

1. Carla Swart (Lees-McRae College)

2. Amanda Miller (Colorado State University)

3. Eszter Horanyi (University of Colorado-Boulder)

4. Niki Dallaire (Lees-McRae College)

5. Jamie Dinkins (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga)

Division II Men’s Short Track

1. Tristan Cowie (Brevard College)

2. Zach Winn (Union College)

3. Greg Gibson (Union College)

4. Logan Wetzel (Western Washington University)

5. Matthew Williams (Warren Wilson College)

Division II Women’s Short Track

1. Katherine Harris (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

2. Rebecca Tomaszewski (Appalachian State University)

3. Kay Sherwood (Colorado College)

4. Melissa Marts (Colorado School of Mines)

5. Julia Tellman (Brevard College)

Division I Men’s Cross Country

1. Benjamin Sonntag (Fort Lewis College)

2. Scott Stewart (Lees-McRae College)

3. Brad Perley (Lees-McRae College)

4. Rotem Ishay (Fort Lewis College)

5. Justin Finn (University of Oregon)

Division II Men’s Cross Country

1. Tristan Cowie (Brevard College)

2. Zach Winn (Union College)

3. Logan Wetzel (Western Washington University)

4. Matthew Williams (Warren Wilson College)

5. Alex Hannah (Appalachian State University)

Division I Women’s Cross Country

1. Carla Swart (Lees-McRae College)

2. Jamie Dinkins (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga)

3. Eszter Horanyi (University of Colorado-Boulder)

4. Teal Stetson-Lee (Fort Lewis College)

5. Sage Wilderman (Fort Lewis College)

Division II Women’s Cross Country

1. Rebecca Tomascewski (Appalachian State University)

2. Melissa Marts (Colorado School of Mines)

3. Katherine Harris (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

4. Rachel Millshop (Union College)

5. Joanna Tuttle (Brevard College)

Division I Men’s Downhill

1. Joey Schusler (University of Colorado-Boulder) 3:35:43

2. Brian Buell (University of Colorado-Boulder) 3:42.89

3. Adam Morse (University of Vermont) 3:47.11

4. Chris Scannel (University of Vermont) 3:50.18

5. Erik Nelson (University of Northern Arizona) 3:51.27

Division I Women’s Downhill

1. Emma Millar (Fort Lewis College) 5:10.41

2. Sage Wilderman (Fort Lewis College) 5:16.10

3. Alisha Gibson (Fort Lewis College) 5:59.67

4. Hannah Trimble (Lees-McRae College) 6:14.37

5. Soraya Khalje (University of Colorado-Boulder) 6:30.98

Division II Men’s Downhill

1. Michael Thomas (Appalachian State University) 3:49.47

2. Steve Trottier (Appalachian State University) 4:00,65

3. Michael Carpentier (Wentworth Institute) 4:06.02

4. Peter Schulz (Mesa State University) 4:11.07

5. Kevin Green (Colby College) 4:12.61

Division II Women’s Downhill

1. Robyn Embrey (Sierra Nevada College) 5:09.37

2. Johanna Tuttle (Brevard College) 6:05.57

3. Christen Boyer (Colorado School of Mines) 6:08.86

4. Jamie Bourgo (Michigan Tech Copper County) 6:47.93

5. Rebecca Tomszewski (Appalachian State University) 8:21.90

Division I Men’s Dual Slalom

1. Weston Pope (Lindsey Wilson College) 32.83

2. Erik Nelson (University of Northern Arizona) 32.24

3. Arthur Daley (Fort Lewis College) 31.21

4. Ben Hulse (Lees-McRae College) 32.83

5. Chris Scannel (University of Vermont) 33.03

Division I Women’s Dual Slalom

1. Chloe Jackson (Lees-McRae College) 40.36

2. Emma Millar (Fort Lewis College) 40.42

3. Sage Wilderman (Fort Lewis College) 41.64

4. Neven Steinmetz (University of Colorado-Boulder) 41.89

5. Alisha Gibson (Fort Lewis College) 39.58

Division II Men’s Dual Slalom

1. Deider Barrick (Colorado School of Mines) 33.98

2. Geoff Fryer (East Tennessee State University) 33.34

3. Daniel Ennis (Brevard College) 34.59

4. Andrew Mueller (Appalachian State University) 37.02

5. Michael Thomas (Appalachian State University) 34.27

Division II Women’s Dual Slalom

1. Johanna Tuttle (Brevard College) 38.46

2. Robyn Embrey (Sierra Nevada College) 43.64

3. Jamie Bourgo (Michigan Tech Copper County) 40.11

4. Christen Boyer (Colorado School of Mines) 41.32

5. Rachel Millsop (Union College) 40.45

Shimano and five top-notch frame builders have produced five custom bicycles that are being auctioned to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. The Shimano Alfine Pink Ribbon Auction runs through October 30th, 2008 and 100% of the proceeds support the Young Survival Coalition, devoted to improving the quality of life for young women affected by breast cancer.

Each handcrafted bicycle is unique—with custom paint and graphics, and unique accessories like custom leather bags and real wood fenders—and reflects each individual builder’s sense of style. The custom frame builders: Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles, Rock Lobster Bicycles, Sycip Designs, Torelli Bicycle Company and Vicious Cycles.

To view detailed descriptions and photographs, and to bid on these spectacular  bikes, click on the links and/or thumbs below.

Sycip Java Girl cruiser

Ellsworth “one of a kind” Roxy

Torelli custom Dutch commuter style

Viscious Casual Agent custom touring bike

Rock Lobster custom “Alfie” model

“Freezing Rain” by Dan Lawlis became the cover of Dirt Rag issue #137. Look like a comic book drawing to you? Well, Dan worked for Marvel and DC Comics, then began mountain biking and applied his experience on the bike with that of the pencil. This 18″ x 24″ poster is suitable for framing and printed on glossy 80# cover stock. $6 per copy. Order here….

Do you own a 26-inch wheeled mountain bike that you ride more on the road than on the trails?  Have you ever wanted to make that slow mountain bike faster on the street?  Have you tried skinny tires, but people on their road bikes are still whizzing past you? By losing the small, sluggish 26 inch-wheels and installing a pair of light, nimble 700c wheels, you will be able to turn your mountain bike into a road-worthy machine.

It’s an easy job when you have a frame with disc brakes.  All you need to do is pull out the old wheels, slide in those thin, fast 700’s, and your ready to roll. But what if your bike doesn’t have disc brake tabs, are you out of luck? No, that’s where Mavic’s caliper adjusters come to the rescue.

When you try to install 700c wheels in a 26 inch-wheeled mountain bike frame, the brake pads don’t line up with the rim, they hit just below it. The brake pads need to be a little higher in order for them to line up with the braking surface.  This is where Mavic’s caliper adjusters will come in handy.

The caliper adjusters remind me of the old school brake boosters that were popular back in the nineties, but with a set of brake bosses welded to the adjusters to allow you to mount your brakes higher on the frame. This will bridge the gap and perfectly line up your brake pads with your new 700c wheels.

Installation is simple, just remove the brakes and bolt the caliper adjusters to the brake bosses on the frame using the supplied stainless hardware.  Then bolt your brakes to the caliper adjusters.  The next step is to install the new wheels.

Pay close attention here to avoid purchasing a wheelset that will not fit your bike.  Essentially, don’t simply purchase a standard 700c road wheelset.  Here is why. When it comes to buying a set of wheels, you need to be sure to get a pair of wheels that match the spacing of your frame.  Mountain bikes have 100mm front-wheel spacing and 135mm rear-wheel spacing.  Road bikes have 100mm front-wheel spacing and 130mm rear-wheel spacing.  As you can see, the front wheel has the same spacing, but the road bike’s back wheel is 5mm narrower.  So be sure to get a 135mm-spaced 700c back wheel.

Hybrid bikes as well as some touring and cross bikes use 135 mm spacing, so it won’t be hard to find a new 700c wheel.  You may also pick up Mavic’s Speedcity wheelset, made specifically for this purpose. Once again, Mavic has another easy solution.

The last part to sort out is the tire size.  If you plan on sporting your super tight Lycra to dominate the roads, you can put on the smallest tire your rim will allow.  If you still crave a little dirt and prefer a little cyclocross action, you can fit a 32mm tire onto your sweet new rims.  However, when you take the tire size up to 35 mm, you tend to pick up a few noisemakers (i.e. leaves, sticks, and stones) in the gap between the adjusters and your tire.  Once you’ve slapped on your new tires and your cassette, go ahead and put your new wheels onto your old mountain bike frame.  All thats left is a quick brake adjustment and you’re ready to roll.

I used to race my old, rigid mountain bike at cyclocross races, and after I switched to the larger wheels, I could really feel a big difference.  I was glad I made the switch to 700’s.  The caliper adjusters were a great way to transform my ride into a completely different machine.   Whether it’s a great commuter or cyclocross bike you’re looking for, there are many options for that old 26 inch-wheeled mountain bike.