Viewing 28 posts - 1 through 28 (of 28 total)
  • 29er MTB advice please
  • GiantJaunt
    Free Member

    Hi folks

    I’ve been away from cycling for a while now for various reasons but have started getting back into it. I’m tall and lanky and heard that a 29er could be a good option for someone of my build. I tried a friends 19″ Cube AIM which felt so much more comfortable than any 26er I’ve ridden but I think I need something in a bigger frame size. I’m a bit out of touch with things so looking for some up to date advice.

    I’m 6ft 2 and long in the limb. I’ve usually gone for steel bikes (Have an Inbred 26er and a Blue Pig 26er) but I’m open to suggestions on frame material and any tips on frame size please. £500 to £800 budget.

    It’ll get used for longer mixed terrain rides mainly but want something that will be fun and reasonably plush on descents. I’ll keep the Pig for the really techy stuff.

    The Charge Cooker 3 is one that’s caught my eye so far if anyone can let me know what they think of it?

    Thanks.

    mikewsmith
    Free Member

    Just looking at Hard Tails?
    Is the 500-800 for a frame or full build?

    Simple facts is you want something that fits, tough answer but you need to work out what reach you need vs leg length. Best way to do that is to sit on some bikes. Where have you seen the cooker?

    GiantJaunt
    Free Member

    Full build. I saw the cooker on a few sites. I like steel but not sure if it’s so important with a 29er due to the bigger wheels. I see a few aluminium bikes getting good reviews but I get sore wrists and fingers from the vibration if the surface is rough. I’ll test ride some more bikes but a few pointers would be appreciated.

    Yep just hardtails.

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    danti
    Full Member

    On One Parkwood get good reviews, I’d definitely think of carbon bars and fat grips to give better cushioning.

    ampthill
    Full Member

    Carbon bars on an £800 build hmm I shop in the wrong places. Plus I think the fork will make more difference surely

    £800 isn’t a huge budget new look at own brand like Evans or an online supplier like On One

    Or could you buy a frame, fork and wheels and move bits from the Inbred?

    TimCotic
    Free Member

    5’10” and a total 29er convert. 🙂

    Painey
    Free Member

    I’m same height, same body shape by the sounds of it and love the 29er HT I’ve been riding since Autumn. Just seems a much more enjoyable bike to ride for the majority of my riding (South Downs).

    alandavidpetrie79
    Free Member

    This would be a great buy:

    http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/cotic-solaris-l-last-chance-before-ebay

    I know coz I had one & loved it!

    pnik
    Full Member

    Similar to painey, I’ve a 29 inbred built last year, transfered almost everything from from 26 version, just bought frame, forks and wheels, really like it, it’s fun on the tech stuff too. I’m 6 2 and use it on the south downs mainly. used it for l2b off road worked well. Probably not the lightest so it matches me well!

    Shopped around got a deal on rebas from merlin and some fulcrum wheels courtesy of lbs, probably 600-700 quid by time it was done, minus what I got back for the old bits.

    digga
    Free Member

    I’m bang on 6’and became a 29er hardtail convert a few years back.

    Having owned an Orange Clockwork 29er (alu) and now a Curtis steel frame, I can safely say the steel is appreciably plusher and, for long days, probably the way to go.

    NormalMan
    Full Member

    alandavidpetrie79 – Member
    This would be a great buy:
    http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/cotic-solaris-l-last-chance-before-ebay

    +1

    jaymoid
    Full Member

    I’ve got a 2012 cooker hi, which is similiar spec to the new cooker 3, but mine has straight steerer. They still have the same fork which is really crappy (heavy, stiff, hard to dial in), and I got rid of it and replaced with a rigid fork. The X5 stuff has been faultless. I’m 5’10, have a medium and I think there’s a chance I could have got a small (so try before if you can). Other than that it’s a great bike. People complain that they have high bottom bracket which apaprently makes them a bit flip floppy in corners (I’ve not noticed). You could find something with better value and lighter for the money, but it has a fair bit of character and looks cool (if you like retro steel bikes)..

    However ^ that solaris looks like a better package.

    dangeourbrain
    Free Member

    One thing I would say is not to believe the 29ers for taller folks thing so often spouted without riding a few. What you like is down to you and how you ride – I know a few tall bmx-ers who love their bikes regardless of tiny child size wheels (the good ones also out-ride [mediocre-at-best on a mountain bike] me on them on a lot of stuff)

    I’m 6’3″ to 6’4″ and have ridden a few 29ers and am yet to find one I would consider a fun bike, (niner, giant, specialised and ventana among others) not to say they were bad bikes just IME (and very personal opinion) 29ers are dull. Coming from what you’re used to you may find the same you may not.

    For what is worth mind most of my riding buddies around the 5’10” to 6′ mark (not exactly taller in my book) love 29ers, have subsequently divested themselves of ‘small’ wheels and use that horrible cliché the that they “feel more in the bike”

    The above Solaris is a good call though if it’s the way you want to go.

    dangeourbrain
    Free Member

    As for the sore wrists etc you mention this sounds more likely a sizing/riding position issue (too much weight on your hands) rather than anything to do with frame material or forks if they’re all in gwo. Again I could be (probably am) wrong

    Yetiman
    Free Member

    That Solaris looks nice. My Ragley Big Wig was built for around £800 using existing parts and stuff from the classifieds but if you’re going for new how about the Voodoo Bizango? By all accounts a very nice riding bike and it’s at the lower end of your budget.

    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-mountain-bike-20

    GiantJaunt
    Free Member

    Thanks for the feedback guys. What I would be really interested to hear is what size frame have other people of my height and build opted for? The 19″ Cube felt a little small and I suspect the 19″ Solaris may be too. I went and measured up a Voodoo Bizango 20″ frame today which is 2cm longer in the top tube than the Cube but struggling to find any info on the geometry.

    I don’t have my heart set on steel but I definitely want a 29er

    alandavidpetrie79
    Free Member

    I’m 6’3″ to 6’4″ and have ridden a few 29ers and am yet to find one I would consider a fun bike

    You are the same size as me, u tried one of these?

    Sorry, couldn’t resist posting more pics….

    😀

    NormalMan
    Full Member

    Cotic would put you on a large. More info on size can be found here Solaris

    GiantJaunt
    Free Member

    What is that bike alandavidpetrie79?

    dangeourbrain
    Free Member

    Nice looking bike Alan, indeed the same size as you – in fact it’s your old giant frame that I’m currently commuting on I believe. (its not one of the afore mentioned dull 29ers though)

    ampthill
    Full Member

    I’m 6 foot 4 and I’m sure Cotic only briefly made a bike big enough for me (XL)

    I need about 21ish inches and a 330 post or 20 ish inches and a 400mm post. I do have the seat high but I’m on the limit

    MY FS has a 25 inch top tube and that feels correct

    z1ppy
    Full Member

    Alan’s bike is a 2souls quarterhorse, very nice.

    For the money & yes I know you said you prefer a steel frame, you can’t go too wrong with the Bizango,it’s been well rated. Also there’s Haldords “Web exclusive offer – valid from 12 – 2PM Thursday 05.02.15” 10% off everything online (held reasonably regularly) so at the lower end of your budget & leaving you cash to upgrade as want/need.

    Ps. I’m you height and am happy on most large framed 29er

    yetidave
    Free Member

    Im 6ft4 with a XL swift, and love it. riding a 26″ wheel just feels wrong after being on a 29er.

    alandavidpetrie79
    Free Member

    What is that bike alandavidpetrie79?

    Yes, as mentioned it is indeed a 2Souls Quarterhorse.

    Nice looking bike Alan, indeed the same size as you – in fact it’s your old giant frame that I’m currently commuting on I believe.

    Cheers. Ah! – My trusty old Giant Seek – How is it going?

    boxelder
    Full Member

    Buy that Solaris. Had one for a while now and as a steel HT fan, it’s the best I’ve had. Gets more use than the carbon FS.

    jimw
    Free Member

    I am 6’2″ and have a large Cotic 29 er/Solaris
    It fits me very well with a 70mm stem, HiLo seatpost (no layback) and Haven bars -711mm version

    neil853
    Free Member

    I’m 6ft on a 18″ Titus Fireline, the bike that the on one parkwood was modeled on. I agree with some of the points above, 29ers are not just for tall people, the first time I rode mine I loved it, it just felt right. The head angle is reasonably slack and the chain stays short, some of the key things I look for. Some 29ers can be awful, like any other bike but I’ve found peoples opinions and reviews are pretty close. The on one parkwood comes with sensible stuff like a reverb, whether it fits you is another matter

    GiantJaunt
    Free Member

    Thanks folks. It’s interesting to hear about the sizing because it has concerned me. Technically I should be on a slightly larger frame but the Bizango I tried felt good despite the swept back bars (It’s an inch longer in the TT than other 20″ inch bikes I’ve owned too). I suppose I can always swap the bars tweak the stem length and move the seat back on it’s rails a bit.

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