First Impression: Lenz Sport Behemoth 29plus

Bigger is always better, right? YUUUUGE is the name of the game this year, so why not embrace it?

The latest bike from Colorado framebuilder Devin Lenz is a behemoth. Actually it’s the Behemoth, a 5-inch travel trail bike built for 29plus wheels. Lenz said he was skeptical about the plus wheels at first but after trying it and realizing how hard he could ride them without flatting, he was hooked. He redesigned his 1x specific rear suspension design and dubbed it the FatAss.

To make room for the massive wheels, the rear hub gets a big “boost” out to a 157×12 axle, normally found on downhill bikes. It still pairs with a traditional, 73 mm threaded bottom bracket though, so you don’t need to worry about the Q factor. Being a small, flexible operation, Lenz is even capable of offering some alternative rocker links for different suspension tunes and even a 27plus version for smaller riders.

The Behemoth is deceiving in its stature. The front center isn’t as long as some of the more progressive bikes on the cutting edge of geometry these days, and I actually had to put a longer stem on it when it arrived. That doesn’t happen often. The wheelbase remains under check as well, and it doesn’t have the cruise-liner feel that I thought it might. While the rider position is up high, the huge top tube clearance leaves plenty of room for the little guys.

All of Devin Lenz’s bikes are built from aluminum by him alone in his workshop in Fort Lupton, Colorado. He keeps a few common sizes on hand but they are largely built one at a time. There are some stock build kits available but this particular bike was assembled with a collection of parts Lenz wanted to test out. It’s also available as a frame/shock combo for $2,375.

Want to read my full, long-term review? You’ll have to order up a subscription to Dirt Rag and keep an eye out for the next issue. If you’re ready to order a Lenz, get in touch with Devin directly, a service you can’t quite expect from most brands.