Yesterday, I went out and made another test run on the Hunqa 29er at the Al Sabo preserve. It was a pleasant experience. Most of my childish apprehension has begun to go away. I feel comfortable maneuvering around and into crevices, roots and tree limbs while climbing or descending, I completed the 7 mile course twice without major incident.
The only thing that going to be necessary will be the addition of some cross interrupter levers and, if I am really, crazy serious, some thumb shifters on the top bar. Since the Hunqa is set up similar to a cross bike, I polled a forum about the favorite shifters among the serious cross racers. The few who replied were in support of brifters, but I can't see it for my use. I'm not a racer, don't intend to be, so split second gear changing to optimize my performance isn't necessary. I like the simplicity of friction shifting and the thumbies will be almost as useful touring as the bar-end. I've had trouble bumping the bar-end shifters when I'm out of the saddle both in the woods and on the road, so I don't think they are the right fit for me. A new cockpit for the Hunq will be on the winter project list for this year.
We have a holiday weekend and I will be going out to the Yankee Springs trails on Sunday. I know they will be busy with some "real" mountain bikers, so I just hope not to get in the way.
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