I just took out the Mary Shop Demo today.
First off this bike rides more like a $2500 bike than a $850 bike.
The tires roll nice and fast yet they grip like a super knobby 26". I made a muddy climb that I often slip out on with my ss 26" bike. I would like to try the Hutchinson 29" Python when they are ready. That should be a super setup.
The wheels felt solid and light enough.
I didn't love the bars. I think they are cool but I prefer the Eason Monkey lite carbon paired with the Magnesium Ergon Grips/Barends. I missed this combo for certain.
The cranks fel very solid. The gearing was a mystery. At times I felt that it was too easy and at times it was too hard. I guess it was just different than the 33x18 that I run on my 26".
The fork was OK. I missed the Headshock that I have on my seven. The steering was good but since it has been forever since I rode a ridgid fork.. well it was ridgid. I started with 40 PSI in both tires. By the end of the ride I was more like 30 or less in the front. I didn't dare let any out of the rear. This is the first NON tubeless bike I have ridden in a long time. I think that UST for 29" is sorely needed!
The bb clearance was great. That is certainly due to the 29" setup. I had the bb in the lower of the 2 possible positions. It would be too high in the higher position.. I think.
I liked the WTB saddle but I still prefer the Fizik Alliante.
The one hill (sort of) that i rode down, I was really in awe of how fast it seemed to roll. This has been my experice on all 29ers. The just go downhill better.. I can imagine that a 29" DH bike would rip??
Overall: Great way to test 29" and SS. Really a steal at this price. MUCH better bike than the 29" Moncog and maybe better than the Karate Monkey. (for my taste).
I wonder what it would ride like with a Pace Carbon Ridgid fork?? Anyone tried??
I think that if I was going to make this bike my own I would do the following:
Easton 31.8 Carbon Monkeylit bars
EC70 Carbon Stem
Ergon Mag Grips/Bar ends
Ec70 Carbon Post
King HS
Perhaps a 19t rear cog.
Fizik Alliante Saddle
Fork?? Something else.. Not sure what. I thought suspension for sure for the 1st 1/2 of the ride but by the end it was the bars that I wanted to change the most.
All that being said I might as well buy a frame and start from scratch??
First off this bike rides more like a $2500 bike than a $850 bike.
The tires roll nice and fast yet they grip like a super knobby 26". I made a muddy climb that I often slip out on with my ss 26" bike. I would like to try the Hutchinson 29" Python when they are ready. That should be a super setup.
The wheels felt solid and light enough.
I didn't love the bars. I think they are cool but I prefer the Eason Monkey lite carbon paired with the Magnesium Ergon Grips/Barends. I missed this combo for certain.
The cranks fel very solid. The gearing was a mystery. At times I felt that it was too easy and at times it was too hard. I guess it was just different than the 33x18 that I run on my 26".
The fork was OK. I missed the Headshock that I have on my seven. The steering was good but since it has been forever since I rode a ridgid fork.. well it was ridgid. I started with 40 PSI in both tires. By the end of the ride I was more like 30 or less in the front. I didn't dare let any out of the rear. This is the first NON tubeless bike I have ridden in a long time. I think that UST for 29" is sorely needed!
The bb clearance was great. That is certainly due to the 29" setup. I had the bb in the lower of the 2 possible positions. It would be too high in the higher position.. I think.
I liked the WTB saddle but I still prefer the Fizik Alliante.
The one hill (sort of) that i rode down, I was really in awe of how fast it seemed to roll. This has been my experice on all 29ers. The just go downhill better.. I can imagine that a 29" DH bike would rip??
Overall: Great way to test 29" and SS. Really a steal at this price. MUCH better bike than the 29" Moncog and maybe better than the Karate Monkey. (for my taste).
I wonder what it would ride like with a Pace Carbon Ridgid fork?? Anyone tried??
I think that if I was going to make this bike my own I would do the following:
Easton 31.8 Carbon Monkeylit bars
EC70 Carbon Stem
Ergon Mag Grips/Bar ends
Ec70 Carbon Post
King HS
Perhaps a 19t rear cog.
Fizik Alliante Saddle
Fork?? Something else.. Not sure what. I thought suspension for sure for the 1st 1/2 of the ride but by the end it was the bars that I wanted to change the most.
All that being said I might as well buy a frame and start from scratch??