Current Projects chat and miscellany

I was actually thinking the opposite (that they would speed you up).

Interested because....

A) I have a utility bike (based on CycloX frame) with massive rear panniers, and find long climbs annoying because i have to lean forward more than I'd like. To better seat the front wheel. I was curious to the effect of 1.5 Kg or so on the front, as I may invest in some front panniers, simply to better balance the weight.

B) I'm putting together a 29er with a bloody light carbon fork, and again am carefully considering front end lift on technical climbs. I have chosen a frame with relatively long chainstays to compensate, so it works in my head (ahem). TBH I was amazed at the number of big name manufacturers making 29er frames with uber short chain stays, so they could market them as *'handling like a 26er'. *

a) Most people seem to prefer smaller front and rear pannier combo to get a better balance for touring for this exact reason. The more balanced the bike is the better really.

b) I wouldn't worry about it so much on a mountain bike, my 29er (Scandal) has long chainstays and light carbon fork and climbs wonderfully well. The bikes with short rear ends (Karate Monkey springs to mind) also climb very well, but like most moutain bike riding it requires a bit more body input to get the balance right. Short chain stays seem to be a West Coast thing, trying to deal with very twisty trails, but I don't think I've read anyone claiming to make a 29er handle like a 26" bike.