| Richards Rumblefish 29×120 | Cooksley Carbine 26×150 | |
| Run 1 | 2:39.30 | 2:29.26 |
| Split 1 | 1:38.31 | 1:30.25 |
| Split 2 | 1:00.98 | 59.01 |
| Run 2 | 2:36.46 | 2:29.15 |
| Split 1 | 1:36.19 | 1:31.27 |
| Split 2 | 1:00.27 | 57.87 |
| Run 3 | 2:33.46 | 2:28.19 |
| Split 1 | 1:35.88 | 1:31.38 |
| Split 2 | 57.65 | 56.89 |
| Run 4 | 2:32.82 | 2:23.64 |
| Split 1 | 1:34.85 | 1:27.62 |
| Split 2 | 57.97 | 56.02 |
| Run 5 | 2:35.19 | 2:22.73 |
| Split 1 | 1:37.50 | 1:28.61 |
| Split 2 | 57.69 | 54.11 |
| Richards Slash 26×160 | Cooksley Tracer 29×140 | |
| Run 6 | 2:32.10 | 2:20.96 |
| Split 1 | 1:35.23 | 1:25.96 |
| Split 2 | 56.87 | 55 |
| Run 7 | 2:30.16 | 2:20.31 |
| Split 1 | 1:34.49 | 1:26.18 |
| Split 2 | 55.67 | 54.12 |
| Run 8 | 2:29.00 | 2:17.08 |
| Split 1 | 1:33.74 | 1:24.32 |
| Split 2 | 55.26 | 52.75 |
| Run 9 | 2:28.11 | 2:17.80 |
| Split 1 | 1:33.74 | 1:24.42 |
| Split 2 | 54.37 | 52.38 |
Richards Rumblefish fastest overall = 2:32.82
Richards Slash fastest overall = 2:28.11
Slash beats Rumblefish by 4.71 seconds
Upper sector fastest: Rumble 1:34.85 Slash 1:33.74 = 1.11 seconds
Lower sector fastest: Rumble 57.69 Slash 54.37 = 3.32 seconds
Box Carbine fastest overall = 2:22.73
Box Tracer fastest overall = 2:17.08
Tracer beats Carbine by 5.65 seconds
Upper sector fastest: Carbine 1:27.62 Tracer 1:24.32 = 3.30 seconds
Lower sector fastest: Carbine 54.11 Tracer 52.38 = 1.73 seconds
The results show that for Richards a dedicated 26×160 enduro weapon will beat a skinny cross–country bike. But by less of a margin than expected, the skinny Rumbler was only a second slower on the top sector over the bigger bike’s fastest time, whilst on the deeper battlefields of the lower sector James put 3 seconds on the 120mm travel bike. In previous tests on 26×120 vs. 26×160 the margins were far larger.
In comparison Cooksley smoked the burly 26” bike with an overall time more than five and a half seconds quicker on the Tracer. Unlike the marked travel difference of Richards’ Slash and Rumbler the Tracer took apart the Carbine in both the upper, and surprisingly lower downhill sections.
Given the big drive for enduro competitions at the moment the importance of this test is obvious. 29×140 climbs better and offers improved stability over a 26×160. Combined with more grip and speed over root you could be looking at the ultimate enduro weapon. The problem lies in availability, plus there are many people in the industry that think that all 29” bikes are of equal ability…which of course is bollocks.
