Another
ride and another experience? Well not quite. As the title says, this riding
experience was a little difference than your usual for me.
Recently
I was able to experience a different type of riding than what we are use to
back home. A new bike and a new track in a foreign land.
To
put it into perspective, I have been travelling overseas and was given the
opportunity for a bike ride in Holland. The first thing I can tell you is that
even though Holland is so-called "flat", it isn't and the second
thing is the guys here ride fast, and you better keep up.
So
where do I begin? The review of the track or the review of the bike? These are
both brand new to my experience. Let's Start with Part 1 - The Bike
The
main tech specs:
· Frame - Numinis 29er,
AL6066 butted, federweg 100mm
· Fork - Fox 32 Float 29 Fit
RL, 120mm, lockout
· Rear Shock - DT Swiss M210,
Lockout
· Derailleur Front - Shimano
XT
· Derailleur Rear - Shimano
XT Shadow
· Shifters - Shimano - XT
10-s
· Brakes - Magura MT-4,
180/180mm
· Tire - Schwalbe
Racing Ralph Evo, 57-622 Kevlar
Onto
the review:
The
bike overall is amazing and seriously the ride is something completely different
to a 26er. First...
The
Size - The size of the Centurion 29er is comparable to most 29er's in the
market. The bike has a very solid feel. It felt strong and not over sized. I
have read reviews on 29ers where riders have said it is very difficult to throw
a 29er around on a course, especially single track. I can imagine this as it is
simply bigger however, on this bike I did not feel it at all. On the track,
which was mainly single track, I felt you could still have fun with it in and
out of corners as it is always a nice feeling not to hit a tree full on.
Granted, a 26er is more of a whipper-snapper bike when it comes to this kind of
riding, but the 29 inch wheels definately stood up to the task and asked for
more.
The
Suspension - The Centurion Numinis is equipped with the Fox 32 Float with a
120mm lockout option. What does this mean exactly? The Fox Float is a very nice
front fork, it has a weight of 1.6Kg, 120mm travel, Air suspension. The fork is
mainly intended for XC and trail, and it withstands it perfectly. It really is
a nice smooth ride. I have always been a fan of Fox and believe they make solid
and tough forks and shocks. There is a down side with Fox forks and rear shocks
and that would be the price. This pretty little thing which makes the ride
sweeter will set you back about R8,700 (approx. 870 EURO) if you wanted to
fitted. The rear Shock - DT Swiss M210, also with lockout is a very good
addition to the bike and certainly makes the ride easier and smoother. It has
an Air, elastomer negative spring with Oil dampening and remote lockout. I was
hesitant on how it would affect the climbing and soft sand elements, as a rear
shock can kill the momentum and use more effort but no problems there either.
Overall a very decent shock, it can take a fair amount of beating and is good
value for money. The full suspension experience on the bike is great and allows
for fun, tough riding.
The
Weight - The bike is not really a heavy bike and there are way heavier ones out
there which have similar specs. The bike feels light enough that allows you to
perform the ever life saving bunny hop but as well as solid and heavy enough to
let you stay grounded and perform stand up peddling, for that extra little bit
of gas you want to add.
The
Components - The Centurion Numinis Float 3.29 is pretty much spec'd out
completely with Shimano gear. It is running a front derailleur XT and rear
derailleur XT shadow, which is just under the XTR, but still extremly good and
durable.The shifter is the Shimano XT 10-s, which is also a very nice shifting
package. Overall the shifting on the bike is very good and the up and down
changing was very smooth and quick during the middle changing, however, there
was a little chain grinding on the rear when in full 30 speed, but then again
you are not riding the full 30 speed often, so it is something that could be
overlooked.
The
Tires - Tires are always a factor to take into account when riding a good
bike and the Schwalbe Racing Ralph Evo, 57-622 Kevlar, do not disappoint. The
grip on these tires were great, and there was no real sensation of ever
actually slipping out of the corner or going in, and when landing or pushing
hard the grip and stick was definitely there as well. Having the
Kevlar for puncture resistance, also gave a good re-assurance during the ride.
Even with all this grip, the Tire still allows for speed and that was
one of the main points that stood out for me.
The
Price - The part of the review that is probably the main part. Well needless to
say that the bike ranges from R25,000 - R30,000 (2,500-3,000 EURO) depending
from where you buy. It is a little pricey, but saying this, for this type of
spec'd bike and ride you'll get out of it, it is definitely worth this
investment. The bike suits intermediate riders who are familiar with a 29er full
suspension. Beginners could enjoy it, but starting on a full suspension 29er
bike is not really recommended, especially when it comes to more technical and
tighter tracks. The price is high for a person who is looking at getting into
mountain biking. The biggest mistake in my view these days, is that people who
want to ride, see the best and newest shiny toy in the shop and buy it, without
considering how much they will ride or where they will like to take their
riding. It is a mistake that happens too often, unfortunately, and in my
opinion should be prevented.
So
to summarize the Centurion Numinis Float 3.29. It is a great bike and even
though not on the cheaper side of bikes like this, it is well priced. The bike
rides very smooth and moves with ease, once you get use to the 29" part
that is. It winds around corners, climbs with ease and shoots down like a
rocket. It is such a fun bike, and I think that is the best way to describe it
- FUN.
Still
to come - Part 2 - Foreign Tracks
Stay
Dirty,
DC
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