29er

My stateside ride was a Gary Fisher X-caliber. Bought 2nd hand from Craigslist in Pittsburgh, it was a cream-coloured Gary Fisher 29er.  It lived for much of its time with me, propped up on its rear wheel in a cupboard in the laundry of Claire's Shadyside appartment, but was pimped up lovingly with various "white goods" (brakes, hoses, grips, saddle) for a rather gleaming effect.

Sadly, it went missing in the now infamous shed-heist of 2010, but thanks to the wonders of me remembering to keep the insurance premiums paid up, it will shortly be replaced with a shiny new 2010 GF X-cal. Yippee!.. and in good time for the 2011 attempt on the 200 mile Coast and Castles route.

The 29er I went for in the end with my insurance cash was a 2010 GF X-cal rather than the newer 2011 Gary Fisher by Trek one. The older one gave me lifetime frame warranty and came with a better shock and brakes.  Claire tells me its a much nicer colour than the last one: black with green detailing.  More importantly the ride seems better to me, not as rangey, though it might just be that the last one had xc race bars on it and this one has risers with some sweep!  Its coped admirably with its intended purpose: the long-distance yomp.  The Coast and Castles, and Lochs and Glens rides, both 200 milers were dealt with easily, and its even been a comfortable ride on a longer day out on much more technical trails in the Cheviots.