I was sceptical but prepared to try it, had a Scott Scale pro 29er on loan for 3 weeks now and I like it… So far I’ve raced it at the Gorrick Enduro, taken it round Cannock, done the beast and climax trails and then weds I took it to the peaks.
This nonsense that they don’t do corners and get wedged in stuff is completely wrong, well at least for this bike with a reasonably competent pilot anyway…. I find singletrack on in is great, so much grip it really can be thrashed through it. It seems more planted and stable on decents and smooths rocky climbs really well.
The downsides…..
Extra weight, mine is 1lb heavier than the same spec in a 26″ this is all in the wheels, although having said that the extra rolling speed seems to make up for the lack of acceleration.
The front end is harder to lift so manuals and wheelies are harder, this was noticeable in the peaks trying to negotiate the peat bogs as I couldn’t sometimes get the front wheel as high as I’d like to clear them.
Lack of tyre selection, I like 2.25 Tyres as a rule and the rocket rons that come on the Scott are ace but I’d like narrower options for racing/mud, I’ve had to got to maxxis for some 2.1 aspens and to bontrager for mud x to get a set up for every occasion.
Wheel flex, obviously there’s more leverage force going through the rear wheel and longer spokes etc. so I’ve noticed the rear wheel flexing slightly under hard accelerations and twisting corners. Although this is using no tubes crest rims which are not exactly known for their stiffness even in 26″.
Having said all that, for me the benefits outweight the negatives so I’ve ordered one as my race bike for the year, it won’t be my only bike as it won’t replace my meta 4 for rocky trail centre duties but it is certainly more than just a fad, it has obvious advantages.