Giant XTC 1 29er

Allright I have had this bike for a while now here is what I think.


Onya bike belco were awesome, and although they did not have the bike built I had a ride on the 2010 model, before I put my name on the 2011 model waiting to be built. Onya built it up the next day with a few spec changes mainly pedals, seat, and my powertap hub to be built up with a 29 rim. Onya belco did a top class job everything running smooth as silk, when it counts it is worth the extra travel from my side of town to go to the shop I perfer and I was not dissapointed.

Why the 29er, I knew all the hype etc, but I had been keen to get back on a hardtail, plus I had been doing alot of fireroad riding, I can commute through some steep hills and it just made sense for a training bike. I also like the thought of some longish offroad touring type riding where this would make a great mile eating machine.

So the bike, it has a pretty basic spec that I won't go into, but the frame and forks was were it counted for me, everything else all I wanted was reliable, and that is what you get. It took me a while before I got it out the door, I got the frameskin kit from Al (more on that later), and then the setup. I sit very forward on the bike and my first issue was that I could not quite get the seat forward enough without a 0 offset post. I had installed a straight post on my Athem so I stole it and I was ready to go. The bike is great Giant has got the geometry, spot on the the same as the Anthem only the wheelbase is slightly longer which is to be expected. The only (small) issue I have is I wish it had 2 bottle mounts. The paint is a matt black, with some different shaped tubing and has a good compromise between weight and strength. Forks are Fox nuff said, and I am impressed with the 30 speed shifting so far, and works great for the large span going to 36T.

The ride is very different to my 26 duallies and it does take some time to get use to on the single track. I did the 7 hour at stromlo single track mind race on it, before the race I had only done firetrails, but it took me about 4 hours to adapt. Going between bikes on singletrack does take some time to adapt to the other wheels but for my intended use I'm not planning on making that switch too often. But the 29er is fantastic, it really meet all my expectaions for the open tracks once you get up to speed it holds it higher without the extra effort that you need to put in for the 26er. It rolls soooo well. Steep acsents and decents it is great, on the climbs the higher hubs makes the front end stay on the ground, the rear does not want to slip with the larger tire contact patch. I was in the bike more than on it. The wheels rolled over the rocks and the wheels did not fall into the holes as much, you could almost ride the bike over anything without putting much work in. Now this all sounds great and it is in the right application.

Every positive has it's negitives when you compare a 26er and 29er. Yes the wheels roll at higher speed but it takes longer or more effort to accelerate.The wheels seem to smooth out the trail more, but they are slightly slower to react in corners and you can't pump the bike as much on dips and humps. You sit in the bike and it's great on climbs but it is not as playful on corners, and can't be thrown around as much.

In my opinion each bike has it's application, and sometimes it will be hard to draw the line and say this bike would suit this course better. Alot depends on the rider, how they ride, and size, I think it does suit the taller riders better. So in a comparison I hope I have pointed out the main differences.

All in all I'm really happy with the purchace, and the bike will fill it's role nicely. It would be a weapon with slicks on and commuting through the city on some of the tarred/conctrete path's ;).

BTW soon my Anthem will be up for sale so if you are keen give me a yell, k76wells@gmail.com

CORC/ONYA Civic/Belco Crits round 1

Motivation has been lacking a bit for the last 1.5 weeks and it has been a great little break. All I needed was a little temptation to get me back out there and this was it.


I was a bit un-easy going into a crit with very little efforts since the big one, so I decided I'd head out for a bit of a spin before work. I headed up towards the Rob Roy range, on a little tarred road this is one of the steepest climbs around and before it was tarred it was pretty much un-ride able. So I pushed the granny as my HR went sky rocketing and the bike un-controllable snaked it's way up to the top where the skydivers do there thing. It was a good little effort and within 1/2 an hour I was back home getting ready for work.

A, B, A, B was my thoughts of the day confused with which grade I should go for. A's I knew I would be lacking the pace but being able to sit back go hard within my boundary's without the tussle seemed like a good idea. B's can be full on with a solid battle jostling for positions I do find it hard to get into my own rhythm. A choice I decided I'd make when I get there.

It was great to see such a good turn out to crits on the first round. I love the atmosphere of the crits, it just seems to create this fun and exciting vibe. So I put my name down for B's, as crits is all about the close battle's and really it is not a race without it. We jumped on the line I was in second row, and we were off, I had a great clip in and jumped in behind Franky into the ST. Usually in the ST I lack a little pace, but was happy that I kept up with the front runners. The course was fireroad up and tight twisty ST back down with the only passing available really on the fireroad. With 4 laps and only 4 sections to overtake those were some solid efforts. In the end I held my own in the ST, but lacked some pace on the fireroads where I dropped back 3-4 place's. I was happy with that, last year it was reversed I sucked in the ST but smashed the roads. Hopefully I'll get some of my top end back and slowly build up and get these legs going again.

So my lungs seem like they were still burning this morning, it definitely blew out some cobwebs. I was surprised with so many riders who were backing up for 2 or even 3 grades....maybe next week my lungs will be able to pull through both B's and A's.

Here is an extra picture from Worlds, Thanks to Jason Heddle for it, it was early on Sunday morning with a few laps to go.

World Solo 24 hour

This was the big one for the year and it did not disappoint. There were rumours flying, the track was going to be a tough one and I just got into the right frame of mind to just nail it and accept whatever happens.


But first of all I got to say a huge thanks to Russ, Stuart, CORC, and all the volunteers. It was really a great race with little issues in the end.

Well done to all that pushed through the suffering, and everyone did suffer. No cruising or half breaks on this track, just work work and work. So many people with stomach issues including me, it just seemed with all the core working on the up's and then the rough pork barrel the stomach's were just not playing the game with anyone.

It has been a huge few years, and I seem to have been doing allot of building towards the next solo 24. So for now I’m really happy to just enjoy the result. Kendra has been so great, putting my training first. We have missed out on quite a bit in this lead up, and the family and friends have all made sacrifices for the one race. It can never be underestimated how much work really goes into these events.

Pre race was all the little things, sunscreen; do I wear my compression top on a hot day? Have I got everything out ready to go, glasses clean, tyre pressures, now where did I put my gloves? But we needed to be ready early, and wait for the elites to have the head start. Listening to the speeches, watching the elites was a great atmosphere and set the mood. It was good to see them head off, and I was keen to just get out there.

Before I knew it we were heading on the start line waiting for the gun, we were off, and a very easy run that went without a hitch, and I was feeling right at home on the bike. That was really when my race became a bit of a blur; I really got into my own head space and did not think about the hurt. My first 4 laps all was great, riding well and happy with how it was turning over. Then the stomach issues started and it was very early on. I felt like I was having too many liquid carbs so it was onto water. When I came good I’d try another type and liquid carb but it seemed nothing was going to make my stomach feel right. My race really flowed by how I felt and that was how I remember it. Solids seemed to work so I was eating when I could and the odd up & go, and coke was thrown in.....somehow it got me through. Every lap all I wanted to do was blast through the pork barrel with the thought of less time in there the better, and nailing the skyline and luge each time was awesome. Riding the 2 descents at night I could tell I had the advantage my 2 radical lights just made it day, and I can happily say no one caught me on either of these descents at night, so a huge thanks go's to the Rad man. The climbing seemed to never end with not much flat, and quick descents it was all push push push. I don't really or truly know where the night went but it just seemed really quick, when Kendra said this will be your last battery change I was excited I knew it was time to lift the game and set a new goal to the finish.

The sun came up and the new goal in mind, I did some dodgy calculations in my head and with a plan of trying to make an extra 19th lap, I had a mission. No I was not chasing positions, I had what I could achieve in my own head and I wanted to finish it off with what I had left. After 3 strong (for that time) laps, and then really feeling it, I had figured I had stuffed it and could not quite make it.....Until my support had the confidence in me. I still did not have much left, feeling very wasted and out of energy and finishing off my lap I rode past the pit's on my way down to the line, where I heard Grantley going off. I got to the line with 3min and 5 sec to spare, I knew I was up for one last lap. Usually an easy glory lap but nah I wanted to finish it off and I felt OK considering but on a little high knowing I had meet that little goal. So the crew stocked up on some food I hit it up for one last time, as fast as possible.

My support was awesome.

Kendra has been there for the long haul through all the training, making sacrifices, and giving up so many little things. She really knows how to run the support for me, and I can’t do it without her. She was doing everything to work out my stomach issue, and kept it all smooth and almost all non-stop. She knows me so well that only a small conversation is all that is needed for her to know exactly what is needed and what is going on.

Scott and Karl never missed a beat. Every bike change I had a clean new bike ready to ride. Both gave up there weekends, both missed time with their family, and it meant allot to me to have you guys there. You kept it all running so smooth.

But it was not just those 3 it seemed a crew of good mates was there at Stromlo helping each other in every possible way, just making the hard yards that little easier.

My nephew and niece (Ethan and Giann) passing me a drink bottle, and a big cheer spurred me up for another lap. It was so good to have the friends that come out, and really made the race what it was and all worth it. So thanks again to all who came out and the messages were also great.

Club Lime really did make my upper body ready for the rough and demanding course, a combination for boxfit classes, weight training, and various other little things all contributed to having very little soreness.

FTP training did a great job as always and really well prepared me for the efforts, Mark even sorted my saddle issue. FTP really offer a complete package and in my view are leading the way in coaching.



The cool stats

Number of laps: 19

Finished: 7th in Cat

Number of hours on the bike: roughly 24 hours and fifty something minutes

Vertical meters climbed: 9500

Number of times to the top of Stromlo: 38

Distance: I think it was 18K's a lap, so 342k's.

Stacks: 0 although at one stage I was on my front wheel for way too long.

Radical Light lumens: 2518.




Sorry not done yet :)



All in all I'm pretty happy usually there are bigger issues to solve and it is great to have a nice what felt like a clean run. Next up the 100mile escape cobra mountain, looking forward to that. But at the moment I feel it is time to re-asses where I am at and where I'm going. I love 24 hour racing but feel I am lacking something and feel the urge for something different. No I'm not out of 24 hour racing it just means I might not specifically train for one, I think I have been doing way too much of that ;). Plus I hope I have the time to do some renovations and generally clean up the house a little.

Linky's for Worlds

Here are the links for the World solo Champs:

http://www.castech.com.au/Results/Comp/WSC24

http://www.corc24hour.com.au/index.asp?IntCatId=14

And look out for number 264 ;).