1) Not going from, but I have ridden 29ers. Even better rolling over stuff, and as the volume in a 3″ tyre is much bigger you get a more ‘cushioned’ ride.

2) Limited options in stock bikes – Surly Krampus, Genesis Longitude, and the new Trek Stache. Lots more options if you go custom.
Tyres are still a little thin on the ground – The Knard does the job well, but isn’t perfect in muddy conditions. The Chronicle is grippier, but slower rolling and seems to be out of stock a lot. There is a new Vee tyre out, and maybe the Chucacabra coming soonish.

I ride mine in all conditions and over all terrains. It’s great for long XC rides, but is also a hoot on technical singletrack. My full-sus hardly gets a look-in these days.

It doesn’t fit in the blue Swift fork (same as I have), but I had a carbon Niner fork on it. Probably selling the both now (and putting the Swift back to its original set-up as I have the Krampus) but I think a friend has bagsied the wheel as he saw me having too much fun so wants it.

The grip (of which there is a lot) makes it so much fun.

You can get a knard on a stans flow in the older swift fork, I did it with mine. Its not a permanent solution but there is a couple of mm clearance on each side as a test and I rode it reasonably hard like that for a short period, albeit not in the mud. Secondly, unless you have some bonkers narrow rims you’ll be able to get a 29+ tyre to blow up fine for a test ride. If you like it then buy the rest of the kit, if not then flog the tyre on here. There is a difference when they’re seated on a decent size rim but it’s not mind bogglingly different.

And why buy a piece of surly iron when Sam is offering the new, wider, Swift fork in blue?

They are 1 1/8″ straight. I will have to check how many blue ones I have left… I definitely have a fair few cream ones…

In other news the 29+ specific Rooster should finally be here later this month…

1/ Anyone go from normal 29er to 29+ and if so what was the noticeable difference?

Yep! I’m in the fortunate position to have ridden 2 very similar bikes, one 29 (Surly Karate Monkey (with 2.4 tyres) – built January 2014) and 29+ (Surly Krampus built this January). I have also tried a “normal” 2.4 Ardent on the back of the Krampus.

Thoughts/Observations:
1) The amount of grip you get from a 29x3in tyre at low pressures is phenomenal! Loads more than a 29er!
2) The cush you get makes a difference, more than you’d think. You can let the tyres deal with the little 1-2″ inch bumps and use your arms and legs for the bigger stuff.
3) Inertia – once you get them rolling they don’t stop but they do take more effort to get going. Because physics.
4) I didn’t really like the 29+ Front and 29 Rear set up, felt a bit odd, that MIGHT have been down to the mismtached tread patterns, the shoulder lugs on the Ardent felt very different to the shallower lugs on the Maxxis Chronicle.
That being said A Surly Dirt Wizard 29×3 on the front with the Maxxis Minion 29×2.5 on the rear might be awesome in the slop!

I plan to keep both bikes but the Krampus is defo my main bike and the Karate Monkey will likely be losing all but 1 of it’s gears.

In summary: 29+ is more funnerer.

2/ What options are out there for 29+ as I’ve been out of the loop for a little while now?
Krampus, Krampus OPS, Jones Plus, Carver Gnarvester, Trek Stashe… Has to be said even without suspension in the mix, 29+ is not a cheap option.

29+ on the Swift works well

so well I’m wondering if there are any spare Roosters in the shipment 😯