Â
Here it is my first Redline 29er experience. My riding of any 29er before this totaled less than 100 yards. A bike is a bike right, well not exactly. I have become a believer in the 29er setup read below.
Â
I grabbed the family and drove out to Hurkey Creek in the mountains of Idylwild. This is great place to visit, many trails, excellent camping and a place that I raced in the past.
 
 I set out on my first ride on the Redline Monocog 29er. I followed the 24 Hour race course, I soon realized the benefits of the big wheels on the first dip the bike just seemed to roll in and out of the dip very smoothly. The climbing begins, the stock gearing is 32×20 which is very similar to 32×18 on 26″ wheels. It was fast up hill, the bigger wheels take a little more effort to push uphill, but the results are worth it. I made every switchback and transition on the technical uphills this was a first for me at Hurky Creek.
 
 Let the downhill adventure begin, one word WOW! It took me a few days to figure what was so different and why it was such a pleasure to charge downhill hill. Most importantly I never got the sensation I was going to get tossed over the handle bars when rolling over large rocks in middle of the trail or dropping large steps, the 29er created a lower center of gravity I felt. Second I was able to pick some unreal lines between ruts and stay out of them. One last thing about my downhill experience on this Rigid Redline 29er bike was the ability to shake off the speed bumps when flying downhill, the bumps that usually tear me up on 26″ wheels were not there I simply rolled over them.
Â
 I was looking forward to the boulder in the middle of the trail in the back of the course. I have only made it over this monster rock once on 26″ wheels, today was different I attacked the boulder and drove over it without any hesitations from me or the bike.
Â
Anyone looking into Single Speeding that wants to keep some green in your wallet should seriously consider the Redline Monocog 29er, I can honestly say I am a Big Fan…
Â
{ Future reports to include minor tweaks, and improvement’s kept on the cheap }
Animal
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Show CommentsAnimal: in the first picture, the Redline looks proportional to you. I never got that feeling when I saw you on 26″ bikes. I’m glad you’re catching the 29er fever. I knew they’d be perfect for you.
Beautiful bike, so simple and clean with the v-brakes. Redline makes GREAT steel 29ers at a GREAT price.
Yes I caught the 29er fever. I rode my other bike[26″] up the side of Saddleback this weekend, I felt like a kid on a BMX bike.
I agree with Jeremy–you do look better riding a 29er. Even though I havent seen you in person, the 26er does small on you.
I have Redline MC29er too but I dont think rigid is for me; I’ll be swapping for a suspension fork soon.
Looking forward for more articles about your new big wheeled ride!
I own the model you are testing. I have put a fair amount of miles on the bike since I got it in the fall of 2006. Lots of gravel roads, single track and urban commuting/riding.
The bike is heavy, but impossible to break. The wheels are tough and very heavy as well. At one time I had weighed the bike with add ons at 36lbs complete. I may have had a water bottle in the cage too, but I don’t remember. I am not a weight weenie. My most recent incarnation of the bike includes a WTB Pure V saddle, Titec J-bars, BB7 mech disk brakes, and a new front wheel (XT hub laced to a Salsa Semi rim).
The full rigid thing works here in the plains states (Ne), but I am not sure I would want to run full rigid in a mountainous area like Co or Ca. Running the Salsa Semi rim with a 2.3″ Rampage at 22psi does soften things up a bit, but my next 29er will most likely be a HT with gears. I love riding SS for its simplicity, but at 33.5 years my knees are not what they used to be so getting some gears will be good for my body in the long run. I am currenty running a 34×16.
Have fun with the MC29er!! It is a great simple bike.
CJ, I by no means am a weight weeie, but I have not weighed the bike yet either- it feels and carries itself very nicely.
I have had my original Redline Monocog with 26″ wheels forever it seems. Lots of miles and mostly stock, still rigid, I did however replace the crankset after I snapped the right crank in half, and I relaced the rims with brass nipples, I kept popping the the alloy nipples. Love the SS and Hardtails…
Thanks for the pics and review. I have a 2008 model and it’s a blast. I upped the front chainring to 33T (running 33×20 currently). I get surprised looks from lots of bikers, and double takes at the single speed and no suspension. I have some maintenance to do, like swapping out the headset, and probably the bottom bracket. My next upgrade is BB7’s and then a decent wheelset (may build my own).
BTW, I weighed my stock bike at 27lbs.
@ CJ – I live in the rockies and I’m doing just fine on the rigid. There is definitely a benefit to a suspension fork, but I actually prefer the rigid for the better response, weight, and no maintenance. I am currently hunting for a nice carbon fork (thinking of eXotic for quality and price) and some bigger tires (Racing Ralph 2.4).
So is it worth way more money to get a Karate Monkey? Which is faster? and I know its not the bike its the rider.