THE RIDE

The most refreshing part of riding 29” has been the ability to work the set–ups largely on feeling without being affected by a bank of knowledge–base that comes from riding 26 for so long. I don’t actually know in any great detail the geometries for 29ers, only what it takes to get the wheel weightings correct. What I have learned is that the shorter stems, wider bars and narrower tyres get the best out of the good ones and that so far 50mm stems are almost too long.

For all of Sedona’s brilliant dirt singletrack it was the high–speed rockery that really interested me most about this bike’s abilities. In such terrain the smaller tougher 26” wheel and larger 36mm fork still offers an edge in terms of muscle. I say this for two reasons. First in view of the stupid sweeping comments of another publication that “people don’t need 26” 160mm (26×160) bikes any longer but 29” 140mm.” The bottom line is that the LTc isn’t too bad when you “run hard into the big ugly stuff”, but many riders will feel a hell of a lot more comfort on a 26×160 bike. And so the second reason, it is the bike’s frame of mind – there’s no denying that the LTc offers significantly more composure and stability than 26” due to the longer wheelbase, but it brings this downhill mindset and speed to the party without really having the biff when you really get into the hard stuff. Not the bikes fault, for its still a nipper at 135mm.

More than this, whilst it has the stability of a slack 160mm the LTc comes without the climb–inhibited geometry that many 26×160 suffer from. It gets up in the manner of all 29’s with a chilled body English (Welsh/French/Italian) – when the Tallboy gets rolling it really does tramp on, shameless in its desire to generate speed. It also has impressive power transfer that is clearly aided by the VPP suspension design. The boys in the engineering dept point out that the rate is falling to begin and rising at the end. On the trail I found the transition smooth and understandable.

This biggest draw of the Tallboy LTc is indeed its all round ability. It drops in, has a low standover for technical descents (although it would be good to see an inch off the seat tower) and a carving poise in the turns. With full Shimano XTR build coming in at 29lb with pedals it’s a purpose built UK trail weapon with a high–end component set to match its class construction. Yes it needs more width on the bar and ring protection but overall it so solid.

With just about enough capability for enduro racing or Alpine riding the Tallboy’s heart is ultimately all about trail riding, for in this environment the LTc is a stirring speed machine. Slightly hard, a shade more flex in the system would dampen the ride yet for pick–up and drive it’s fully direct. The tempo is constant, feet are on the pedals longer, and there’s more time in the slide. Cornering, balance, poise, all without fault. The nature of the bike was pretty much wrapped up in the surrounding which we found ourselves – a mix of up down along and across. It’s neither a cross–country whippet or a full on enduro machine, but it’s fast, and it’s fun and it’s bang in the middle ground of mountainbiking.

The biggest challenge facing Tallboy LT riders will, as mentioned, be tempering that enthusiasm particularly once up to speed and scorching downhill. Carrying more rolling speed than a 26” bike it is easy to get really carried away on this bike, but without having the damping inches or heavy–weight wheels fitted to you simply cannot expect to hit the rougher parts in the same way – it’s still a short travel bike with the limitations expected, it’s just the stability fools you a touch. The Nomad would no doubt win an arm wrestle but for out and out speed the TBoy LTc is armed for instant pick–up and rapid exits making it one of the fastest trail bikes currently available on these shores.