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Rollin' on twenty-nines

By James Huang

published 16 August 2007

Twenty-four-hour endurance racing is a burgeoning segment of the competitive mountain bike scene on...

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Twenty-four hour solo racing specialist Nat Ross(Image credit: James Huang)

A dramatically dropped top tube(Image credit: James Huang)

The beefy head tube area imparts front-end strength(Image credit: James Huang)

It looks like a standard Rock Shox Reba SL 29(Image credit: James Huang)

Ross' cockpit is rife with carbon fiber bits(Image credit: James Huang)

The main pivot on the Gary Fisher HiFi(Image credit: James Huang)

SRAM also provides its PG-990 cassette.(Image credit: James Huang)

…and dropout pivots.(Image credit: James Huang)

Nat Ross' bike was spotted with a Fox Racing Shox RP23 rear shock(Image credit: James Huang)

Subaru-Gary Fisher endurance racer Nat Ross' Gary Fisher HiFi 29.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

A dramatically dropped top tube rises up to meet the tall 29" fork and also provides plenty of standover clearance.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The beefy head tube area imparts front-end strength which is supplemented by the smoothed lower weld.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

It looks like a standard Rock Shox Reba SL 29 from afar…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

…but a closer look reveals the 'Handling by Bontrager' and 'G2' (Genesis 2) decals, signifying a crown with increased offset for better 29"-specific handling.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The main pivot on the Gary Fisher HiFi uses widely-set cartridge bearings to aid lateral stability.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Asymetric chain stays are stiffer and lighter.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Bearings are also used in the suspension linkage…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

…and dropout pivots.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Nat Ross' bike was spotted with a Fox Racing Shox RP23 rear shock covered with Rock Shox decals. Apparently Ross will race on a new Rock Shox Monarch once the proper size is available.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Nat Ross' name is on the top tube of his bike, but as far as he knows, his is the only fully-built one around for the time being.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Team mechanic Matt Opperman built Ross' bike just up the road in Boulder, CO.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Ross' cockpit is rife with carbon fiber bits, including the Avid Juicy Ultimate lever blades and Bontrager carbon bar ends.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Ross prefers cork tape double-wrapped over a standard Bontrager grip, in contrast to the small-diameter models more commonly favored. Ross says the larger diameter aids in hand fatigue over the long haul.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

A new PushLoc lever controls the lockout function on Ross' Motion Control-equipped Rock Shox Reba SL 29.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

SRAM's proven X.0 BlackBox rear derailleur handles rear shifting duties.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

SRAM also provides its PG-990 cassette. Hubs are made for Bontrager by DT Swiss.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

SRAM handles front shifting duties as well with its X-Gen front derailleur. Check out the anodized aluminum cable end cap.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

One-piece Juicy Ultimate caliper bodies are found front and rear, along with heavier rotors borrowed from the Avid BB5 mechanical disc brake.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Crank Brothers Candy 4Ti pedals are lightweight but offer a little more of a platform to prevent hot spots over a 24-hour period.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Ross supplements his standard Bontrager Race X Lite crankset with stainless steel guards borrowed from the Race XXX Lite model.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Bontrager's new Dry X tires are said to stick like glue in its intended environment.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

A 100% carbon fiber Bontrager Race XXX Lite stem is found up front.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Cane Creek offers up its Zero Stack 2 internal headset.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Ross prefers the Bontrager Race Pro TT saddle for its heavily-padded nose.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

An unusual choice for an off-road saddle, perhaps, but Ross says the extra padding makes all the difference as the clock approaches noon the next day.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

In contrast to minimalist XC racers, Ross prefers to be prepared in the event of a breakdown out on the course.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Twenty-four hour solo racing specialist Nat Ross poses with his machine of choice, the Gary Fisher HiFi 29.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Pro bikes, August 16, 2007