Features Road 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... Image 1 of 37Twenty-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, 2007Nat Ross' Subaru-Gary Fisher Gary Fisher HiFi 29Get The Leadout NewsletterThe latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*Join now for unlimited accessEnjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1 Join now Already have an account ? Sign in here *Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resetsAfter your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59 Join now for unlimited accessTry your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1 Join now Already have an account ? Sign in here James HuangSocial Links Navigation LatestTim Merlier prepares for big-name Giro d'Italia sprint showdownTour of Turkey: Frank van den Broek takes Queen stage and overall leadRemco Evenepoel's Tour de France ambitions back on track after high-speed Itzulia crashSee more latest ► Most PopularCustom Ti, one-off parts, and diamond coated cranks: Sea Otter 2024 tech roundupArdennes Classics confirm that Demi Vollering and SD Worx are now beatable - AnalysisThe Monuments - Longo Borghini, Kopecky in contention to claim all three at Liège-Bastogne-LiègeWhat is the Cima Coppi? The story of the Giro d'Italia's highest climbUnfinished business and a shot at history – Pogacar and Van der Poel face off at Liège-Bastogne-Liège'The goal is to win the Tour de France' - Jai Hindley and new role with Primoz RoglicFrom track spikes to bikes - Inside Jamaica's first-ever UCI cycling road raceArdennes Classics - Could SD Worx's distraction over Demi Vollering's future prevent a triple crown repeat?Ashlin Barry pursues family racing tradition, 2028 Olympics already a goalNothing to lose: What can Mathieu van der Poel achieve in the Ardennes Classics?'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix