Who's ridden a 29er and didn't like it?
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We_are_Stevo
Old School Grand Master
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I've never ridden one but I think they 'look' great; that Surly is a really nice bike, and I love the Kona 
Being, as I am, something of a geriatric I started my riding on 26" wheels when they were considered 'small' and graduated to 'grown-up' 27 x 1 1/4 as soon as I was big enough. My road bike has 700C wheels and I've a 5-speed SA hubbed 'Fixie' style McCleans in the pipeline with 27's and I'm always surprised to be reminded how much quicker rolling they seem to be than my 26" MTB's...
...therefore I see no reason why I wouldn't like a 29'er
Being, as I am, something of a geriatric I started my riding on 26" wheels when they were considered 'small' and graduated to 'grown-up' 27 x 1 1/4 as soon as I was big enough. My road bike has 700C wheels and I've a 5-speed SA hubbed 'Fixie' style McCleans in the pipeline with 27's and I'm always surprised to be reminded how much quicker rolling they seem to be than my 26" MTB's...
...therefore I see no reason why I wouldn't like a 29'er
29er
I have only dabbled in one and once moving felt like a Panzer tank (this in a local park!).
If you are into motorcycles then the 29er is like a gs 1150, the 26 more like a Triumph. Street triple.
I suspect that for my commute along a canal path, some of it very muddy and uneven its ideal. I dare not try on though!
I am looking forward to what Geneasw do with them especially in steel frame.
I have only dabbled in one and once moving felt like a Panzer tank (this in a local park!).
If you are into motorcycles then the 29er is like a gs 1150, the 26 more like a Triumph. Street triple.
I suspect that for my commute along a canal path, some of it very muddy and uneven its ideal. I dare not try on though!
I am looking forward to what Geneasw do with them especially in steel frame.
Neil G
Old School Grand Master
13":3na9i3gj said:
That's a good, well rounded comment based on riding quite a few 29ers...it does make me feel better about staying in the 26 camp!
I commuted on a 29er for about 2 years (canal towpath) so never really got a full idea of what they are like offroad but I just think the power required to turn the bigger wheels made me feel quite tired at the end of each ride. Could juet be me but it's funny how I'm now back on a 26 bike singlespeeded and fully loaded up with rear panniers and it's far less tiring to ride!
Lenni
Devout Dirtbag
neebsta":34srrira said:Neil G":34srrira said:
Yeah, what the heck, what do the professional MTB riders know eh???
:idea: :roll:
They know how to pedal hard. They ride their sponsors bikes,it doesnt matter to me.
I`ve ridden 29ers,(quick test)and dont have that WOW! feeling..
Neil G
Old School Grand Master
Lenni":31swiody said:neebsta":31swiody said:Neil G":31swiody said:
Yeah, what the heck, what do the professional MTB riders know eh???
:idea: :roll:
They know how to pedal hard. They ride their sponsors bikes,it doesnt matter to me.
I`ve ridden 29ers,(quick test)and dont have that WOW! feeling..
Yep, they get given superlight bikes to ride and train all the time so suits them fine.
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Let's not forget that professional's bikes get a complete overhaul every week, whereas we expect our bikes to last a little longer.
To them it doesn't matter if the wheels are out of true at the end of a downhill, they hae mechanics to sort that stuff out.
I had a go on a 29er a while back, and am convinced now that it's not my cup of tea.
Firstly, I'm only 5'9-ish, so the wheels felt truly enormous. To get a 29er down to a wheelbase that suits my length (or lack of it) and riding style, it'd have to be so short that the front wheel and pedals can touch eachother.
Secondly, I prefer street or real technical tracks with lots of short corners, 2 situations where any mediocre 26 will pummel even the best 29 money can buy.
So for me it's simple. There's no substitute for 26 inches.
To them it doesn't matter if the wheels are out of true at the end of a downhill, they hae mechanics to sort that stuff out.
I had a go on a 29er a while back, and am convinced now that it's not my cup of tea.
Firstly, I'm only 5'9-ish, so the wheels felt truly enormous. To get a 29er down to a wheelbase that suits my length (or lack of it) and riding style, it'd have to be so short that the front wheel and pedals can touch eachother.
Secondly, I prefer street or real technical tracks with lots of short corners, 2 situations where any mediocre 26 will pummel even the best 29 money can buy.
So for me it's simple. There's no substitute for 26 inches.
i'd like a go on one, just so i have.
i wont be replacing my 26 bikes any time soon though. i think marketing is the reason for 29 bikes. there is so much choice for everything else that something completely different had to be thought up. that creates a need for new componants so fox/ rockshox will be happy. mavic wont be complaining either.
i wont be replacing my 26 bikes any time soon though. i think marketing is the reason for 29 bikes. there is so much choice for everything else that something completely different had to be thought up. that creates a need for new componants so fox/ rockshox will be happy. mavic wont be complaining either.
I commuted on a 29er for about 2 years (canal towpath) so never really got a full idea of what they are like offroad but I just think the power required to turn the bigger wheels made me feel quite tired at the end of each ride. Could juet be me but it's funny how I'm now back on a 26 bike singlespeeded and fully loaded up with rear panniers and it's far less tiring to ride![/quote]
Was it just the weight of them or something else? I am curious because I would have thought that a 29er would have been easier on a row path
Was it just the weight of them or something else? I am curious because I would have thought that a 29er would have been easier on a row path
