LOCAL IS LEKKER
The AL329 has been a stalwart in the Momsen range since the first model rolled out of Port Elizabeth in 2011. It’s an uncomplicated 29er with a strong alloy frame and midrange components, and over the years it’s always managed to strike the right balance between price and performance. Ride a trail on any given Sunday, and you’ll bump into at least one 329.
The 2019 model has kept up with the times. The frame has a swanky green-and-orange colour scheme, the geometry has been lengthened and slackened for better handling, there’s an air shock upfront, and the bulletproof 2x11 Shimano SLX drivetrain will give you all the gears you’ll need.
The awkward, kinked top tube of previous models has been ditched, and the cable routing has been neatened up. It’s as if the 329 spent last year at the gym, and it’s come back leaner and meaner than ever.
The RockShox XC30 Silver Air is similar to the one you’ll find on the Signal Elite. You can adjust the air pressure for your weight and tweak
the rebound, and there’s a redesigned lockout remote on the bar that works much better than the Poplocs of old.
Now for the bad news: the standard Vee Tire Co. Mission tyres are tubeless-ready, and they have a fast-rolling, low-profile tread. But why so narrow? The only place you should find a 2.1-inch tyre is on a gravel bike, or in a mountain-bike museum. On a modern 29er, you want at least 2.25-inch rubber. Wider tyres offer better traction and ride comfort. It’s a no-brainer – especially considering that all of Momsen’s competitors are doing it. Tyres are easily replaced, of course, but it would be an unnecessary extra expense on a brand-new bike. While you’re at it, Mr Momsen, please also give us routing for a dropper post…
But those are the only niggles; everything else is rock solid. There are four frame sizes, from S to XL, and the SLX drivetrain with clutch derailleur is reliable, smooth and silent. It’s a great upgrade from a supermarket bike, or a good first-time bike if you want to do non-technical riding on a variety of surfaces.