Here I am, suddenly associated with the Great Bicycle Making Company (a nod to the snob). I’m pretty stoked. Thank you whomever said yes.
I’ll admit that I’m an unlikely candidate to be set on the big wheel mission. All of my skills come from growing up riding TWISTY flatland trails, a four year (college length) diversion from mountain bikes riding BMX street, followed by my years at the helm of EndlessBikeCo. exclusively on a 26/24 mtb dirt jumper of my own design. So, small wheels have made up the first twenty years of my bike riding experiance My first big wheel ride was some six years ago when I stuck a 29″ front wheel and a short rigid fork on the front of my old Spooky Pit Boss. And so, I’ve been riding 26/29 since. However, very soon I’ll take receipt of this new fangled full carbon single speed Superfly thing that is certain to be messy with drool marks before too long.

To be quite honest; I’ve always associated dual 29 with LONG chainstays, HIGH handlebars, and generally slow, boring handling. Now, I’ve seen that Fisher has done some pretty nifty stuff to remedy these initial detractors. For instance, I see the clever use of the internal headset standard…something that I’ve always liked for the increased bearing surface…but implemented here also in order to decrease stack height. The bars are no higher than a 26″ of traditional fabrication. Good job! I run considerably more handlebar drop than Andy Pruit would ever allow; so this was necessary for me to climb aboard. The next is that while most 29er’s out there have chainstay lengths rivaling those of the slowest handling touring bikes ever….numbers so big I just shake my head in confusion, the Fisher is only about a half inch longer than standard 26″ race geometry. That’s pretty good considering the 3″ taller wheel. I might just be able to manual this thing! Sweet.

Okay. That’s all for now!
Below is my proudest race achievment: 6th at SSWC07 in Aviemore Scotland.
This year is all about the Tattoo.

-Marshall

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