Sanderson Life 69er

Chinley Churner

... bit of a story behind this build.

I got the frame a couple of years ago and had it built up as a regular 26" SS winter bike with a bombproof Marzocchi lo-pro fork. Loved riding it so much that I decided to build it up geared for racing (XC and off-road duathlons). Couldn't afford a decent lightweight fork, had test ridden and reviewed a few 29ers so decided to try a rigid 69er set-up. Drive train and shifters came over from a Gary Fisher Carbon Hi-Fi I had on long term test and the nice people at Trek were kind enough to sell to me at a very reasonable price when the frame went back. I love the Rotor Q rings (two ring set-up) and have been using them for a while now.

It's fantastic!!! Weighs in just over 10kg and is fast, forgiving and fun. Great on local Dark Peak trails and won the Llandegla off-road duathlon on it.

Pretty sure I won't see another bike like it on the trails.

Sodfoster

Love the colour of the frame gun metal grey looks great against the gold touches.

armymankin

nice one man. i always wonder how does a 69er behave? does it have significant advantage over sus-fork with a 26" wheel up front?

i notice you modified the chainring on the slx, may i know how?
i am currently running the slx double, 36/22, but i wish to swith to maybe 39/26 but not buting a whole new crank...

thanks

Chinley Churner

As I said it was a bit of a compromise/experiment... I wanted as light a build as possible but couldn't afford a really good lightweight sus fork. I'd test ridden a few 29'ers including an On-One inbred that has the rigid front end and loved them so that go me thinking.

A few sums checking how much it'd change the geometry and, by running On-One's 26" fork, it only jacked up the front by about 8mm and slackened the head angle by less than 0.5 degrees... so no big deal.

As an experiment it's been a complete 100% success, no bike I've ridden has put such a massive grin on my face. It climbs really well and, although you have to pick a good line and ride with a bit more finesse, inspires a load of confidence on the downs too. Because there's no compression the geometry always remains the same and the bike is 100% predictable. It's also amazing how much the 29" front wheel soaks up. I've ridden it at Coed Y Brenin, Llandegla, Whinlatter and my local Dark Peak trails and I'm definitely no slower on it... I'd even say overall I'm a tad quicker.

Chainrings are Rotor Q rings.. no big deal, just unbolted the old ones and bolted the new ones on.

Chinley Churner

..... my double set-up is 40/27 so, if they're the same cranks, you should be ok.