Discussion
sorely tempted with a 29 incher at the moment, just to fill the void of a rapid xc bike in my garage! anyone got one or ridden one, i know the range is pretty limited at the moment but i'd love to know an honest opinion of how one rides, what routes/terrain it would be suited to and if you would recommend one?
neil_bolton said:
Can anyone actually give any valid reason for owning one?
You are enormous.Really, that is the ONLY reason to get one. Having built up a 29'er for a near 7ft tall customer, it was the only way for him to get a proper fit.
Anything approaching normal height (under 6 2 or so) then your far better off with a regular bike.
neil_bolton said:
29ers?
What is the point. Can anyone actually give any valid reason for owning one?
probably not but thats not the point, if i questionned everything i wanted in terms of needing a valid reason for buying it i wouldnt own half the things i do own! sure if you spend most of your time on a dh bike then xc wont appeal as much to some as it does to others, i dont understand why people go "mountain biking" only to spend most of the day waiting for a lift back to the top of a downhill course in a van What is the point. Can anyone actually give any valid reason for owning one?
neil_bolton said:
Singlespeed I understand, but 29ers, nope.
Even MBR backs that thought up this month...
i trust most of the mountain bike press as far as i could throw the magazine their "reviews" are printed in. i have never seen any mtb magazine award a product less than 8/10 or 3/5 such is the nature of the job but they have to kiss corporate ass to some degree to get the new kit. i dont discredit them for doing it but it screws wwith their reviews too much.Even MBR backs that thought up this month...
neil_bolton said:
You're restricted on kit choice, tyre choice, and people will point and laugh at you.
for now, maybe.... but every revolution needs a spark... 
people laugh at me now anyway, a little more wont hurt!...the advantages that are well known (better efficency, better traction and greater clearance) are countered by the weight and the difficulty of manouevering in tight spots but as i dont like the really technical singletrack (and have a bike better suited for that sort of thing anyway) i figure it would be a good toy for the day long xc trails. a custom build reynolds 853 bike to my geometry built by a craftsman and not a taiwanese barrel welder is very appealing!
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 10th February 15:43
I've a 29er, KHS Tucson, chromo frame, and I'm only 5'8"
Its a pretty good bike, masses of grip, rides over stuff realy nice, its solid and great to ride.
Its heavier than my ally 26" and isnt as nimble but can definatly hold a line on a corner better etc.
Its harder work uphill at times due to the extra weight but then the extra grip makes up for a lot of that too.
Its a pretty good bike, masses of grip, rides over stuff realy nice, its solid and great to ride.
Its heavier than my ally 26" and isnt as nimble but can definatly hold a line on a corner better etc.
Its harder work uphill at times due to the extra weight but then the extra grip makes up for a lot of that too.
I've not ridden a 29er personally but I have built a 700c hybrid specifically for bridleways and forest trails.
For this type of use the large wheels, short wheelbase and narrower tyres make it very fast and responsive.
Obviously you wouldn't use it for full on hardcore mountainbiking (then again neither are plenty of mountainbikes!) but it covers the ground quickly (like a cross bike) and is engaging to ride.
I used an old Specialized Sirrus frame, carbon cross forks, my old 700c MA40/Ultegra racing wheels, Single 38t 105 chainset, Deore r/mech, XT 11-34 cassette, Avid 7 V brakes, 32c cyclocross tyres - which are surprisingly grippy (with clearance for 40c tyres), flat bars etc.
It weighs around 19lb, cost around £350 to build and is great fun. Perhaps this set up could be worth thinking about as it provides some of the advantages of 29er / Singlespeed without some of the drawbacks.
]
For this type of use the large wheels, short wheelbase and narrower tyres make it very fast and responsive.
Obviously you wouldn't use it for full on hardcore mountainbiking (then again neither are plenty of mountainbikes!) but it covers the ground quickly (like a cross bike) and is engaging to ride.
I used an old Specialized Sirrus frame, carbon cross forks, my old 700c MA40/Ultegra racing wheels, Single 38t 105 chainset, Deore r/mech, XT 11-34 cassette, Avid 7 V brakes, 32c cyclocross tyres - which are surprisingly grippy (with clearance for 40c tyres), flat bars etc.
It weighs around 19lb, cost around £350 to build and is great fun. Perhaps this set up could be worth thinking about as it provides some of the advantages of 29er / Singlespeed without some of the drawbacks.
]
Edited by Roman on Wednesday 11th February 11:16
pablo said:
cheers rob, what sort of riding do you do? is it really hard work on singletrack and technical stuff? do you notice the height difference when you are riding?
I ride it plenty on the port hills, tight rocky singletrack with plenty of verticle.I do prefer the 26 when its tight & twisty & more technical but then its lighter and has a shorter steering stem etc, the tucson is quite a stable solid beast.
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