The Session is lively and its simply great everywhere. A true race machine of which there are few. Jose Gonzalez is head of the LA based R&D unit and has a very specific idea on damping/suspension. “Mid stroke support and control is critical. Mid stroke characteristics defines the ride dynamics and dynamic geometry the most. It influences stability, control, cornering and it’s critical to good deep stroke control while maintaining good push thru for consistent use of travel.

Additionally, balancing the mechanical system (kinematics) with the shock and vice versa is very important for a balanced performance. I’ve never understood how some designers can claim that you don’t need compression damping if you have a certain mechanical system.  Dampers are transient devices where a mechanical system is not, meaning that a mechanical system operates the same regardless of type of input/bump whereas a damper is very sensitive to the type of bump.”

It was with Jose and his right hand man Jason Lindenberg that I met to ride this prototype bike. The Session 29 after all lives with these guys, it’s with them that the different challenges of balancing a bike that’s going considerably faster are trusted to. “The main thing we’ve found is that you’re able to carry more speed on the 29” wheel and you’re a bit more stable due to the greater self-correcting nature of the bigger wheels, so you can drive in more “monster truck” like. Also, the bump frequency changes a bit when compared to going through the same section on 27.5” wheels. Fast cornering also becomes calmer on the 29” wheel which influences things as well.”

SESSION 29 – ON TRACK

The meeting place was set for a mountain pass in the hills that flank the madness that is Los Angeles. It was an early start, and even with clear blue skies the air was still crisp as the Peterbilt’s charged into and out of this great metropolis. Moving up into the snow covered San Gabriel mountains we tracked the Union Pacific as dirty air became clean, railroad turning to dirt track.

It didn’t take long to get rolling, the raw aluminium bikes looked stunning, having just had a refreshing run out with Gee Atherton only days previously. I was fully aware that my first run would be nothing less than a bracing encounter.

Out of the blocks the pace of the bike is frighteningly apparent, and exiting the first corner the need to be vigilant was gripping my senses as much as the amount of rubber was tearing into the turf. This was all about being wide awake. It only took a matter of corners to realise I was totally out of my depth on the Session recognising very quickly the potential of the bike. It wasn’t just about speed on the straights, it was the potential EVERYWHERE.

The bike is very much a Session in its ride character, easy to understand, supple, supportive, and even though the bike had slightly less travel than the current production downhill bike you just knew that the bike would get your back if things got slightly out of shape.

Wheels and tyres have clearly been the sticking point with long travel 29” wheel bikes until now but they are very much here and this Session was never underpowered in that respect. The bike had been ridden that’s for definite but still I look forward to exploring some different wheel and tyre combinations on the big travel bikes.

The comparison with 27.5” wheels is interesting. Even though a 27.5” wheel bike feels more lively, it’s simply a feeling, we’ve known this for many years. You feel fast because the bike is moving around a lot more. However……the big wheels, with a BIG fork mean even more composure which in turn mean even more speed. There is certainly some mileage in the fact that 29” wheels can feel dull, that many riders cannot interact with the terrain like a 27.5” wheeler. This is simply because we as humans (most of us at least) have yet to have the capability to push them hard enough.

Adding more travel and more stability to big wheels takes the game to a whole new level, one which I believe will take some time to adjust to. Having top racers on these wheels laying to waste technical terrain is a scary prospect. Yes the possibilities are truly frightening.

Clearly there’s only so much we can say on this prototype bike which might or might not ever reach production, however having ridden this bike I can see why some racers fear 29” wheels coming to downhill. Because riding a bike like this is pretty intimidating.