After a long search for a 29 hardtail I built up a Pipedream Moxie. I had not heard of Pipedream until a few months ago and was originally looking at the NS Eccentric and the Chromag Rootdown. After driving myself slightly more crazy going over geometry I ordered a long Moxie Moxie Enduro Hardtail | 27.5/27.5+/29er Compatible . I just completed the 4th ride on it, and have given it a go on a few different types of trail. Enough that I have some solid first impressions.
I'm 5'9", older, but a pretty solid handler. No KOMs but top 3rd to 10% on a lot of segments. I am definitely a better descender than climber these days, but still hold my own going up. The Moxie is setup 29 with WT DHR/DHF tires, Fox 150mm 34 (10mm longer than the geometry chart), 30mm stem, and a 770mm bar. The bar is higher than the saddle, but is as low as it can go without my shifter hitting the top tube. I could angle it up more but I like my paddles pointed quite far down.
On the flats this bike pedals and handles very normally. The seat tube is steep but I have always favoured it that way. It's a hardtail so it accelerates quite well.
Tight and twisty. I thought that a bike this long would have one weakness here so I purposely hit up a couple of our more noodley trails. 180° turns while climbing or descending. Not normally my cup of tea, but still a bit of fun. I got through just as well as with my medium Knolly Endorphin, which is a lot shorter. I made all the corners, enjoyed it, and was surprised and impressed.
Climbing. The front end stays down easily and does not wander. I don't have to get on the nose as much as I'm used to. The frame is about 6 pounds so it's not ever going to be a weight weanie wonder.
Descending is about what I was expecting, which is great. Slack HTA, short stem, wide bars, and Minions = ripping. No surprises here. The frame seems pretty forgiving, and on quite a few sections I'm not missing the rear suspension.
Cornering. If this bike has a strong suit, it is cornering. I have never been on a 29er before so there is a bit of wheel size influencing this. I have lots of experience with these tires in 650b though. First I tried to keep my position neutral and not get my weight to far back. That said, this is the best cornering bike I've ever been on. Bear in mind today was only the 4th time out on the Moxie, but I was railing the corners from the get go. I kept up with a better rider quite easily, and I was no where near the bike's limits.
Early days, but an impressive frame from a smaller UK maker. For me this forward, or modern geometry just does not have any drawbacks. Well, I haven't tried to put it on my Kuat rack yet, and I think it may be a bit long for it.
I'm 5'9", older, but a pretty solid handler. No KOMs but top 3rd to 10% on a lot of segments. I am definitely a better descender than climber these days, but still hold my own going up. The Moxie is setup 29 with WT DHR/DHF tires, Fox 150mm 34 (10mm longer than the geometry chart), 30mm stem, and a 770mm bar. The bar is higher than the saddle, but is as low as it can go without my shifter hitting the top tube. I could angle it up more but I like my paddles pointed quite far down.
On the flats this bike pedals and handles very normally. The seat tube is steep but I have always favoured it that way. It's a hardtail so it accelerates quite well.
Tight and twisty. I thought that a bike this long would have one weakness here so I purposely hit up a couple of our more noodley trails. 180° turns while climbing or descending. Not normally my cup of tea, but still a bit of fun. I got through just as well as with my medium Knolly Endorphin, which is a lot shorter. I made all the corners, enjoyed it, and was surprised and impressed.
Climbing. The front end stays down easily and does not wander. I don't have to get on the nose as much as I'm used to. The frame is about 6 pounds so it's not ever going to be a weight weanie wonder.
Descending is about what I was expecting, which is great. Slack HTA, short stem, wide bars, and Minions = ripping. No surprises here. The frame seems pretty forgiving, and on quite a few sections I'm not missing the rear suspension.
Cornering. If this bike has a strong suit, it is cornering. I have never been on a 29er before so there is a bit of wheel size influencing this. I have lots of experience with these tires in 650b though. First I tried to keep my position neutral and not get my weight to far back. That said, this is the best cornering bike I've ever been on. Bear in mind today was only the 4th time out on the Moxie, but I was railing the corners from the get go. I kept up with a better rider quite easily, and I was no where near the bike's limits.
Early days, but an impressive frame from a smaller UK maker. For me this forward, or modern geometry just does not have any drawbacks. Well, I haven't tried to put it on my Kuat rack yet, and I think it may be a bit long for it.
