Taken from…. http://blistergearreview.com/recommended/the-29er-debate
The problem really comes from two very different sets of riders trying to pull one type of bike into two different genres. All discussion of these bikes—for or against—should hinge on (1) what you’re riding and (2) how you want to ride it.
But this is changing. Companies like Canfield Brothers are designing 29ers (like the Nimble 9) with aggressive geometry for the skeptical downhillers. What Lance and Chris Canfield (owners and both downhill racers) did was design 29ers the way they wanted them to feel: fast and, well, nimble. The brothers spent 12 years dissecting chain lengths, geometry, and turning ability to get their bikes where they are.
“Geometry is all we’ve ever focused on,” Chris said. “The first 29er I ever got on turned like a semi-truck because it was so long. The head-angle was like a road bike. We wanted our 29ers to feel responsive like a 26, with a short chainstay, so we could wheelie and bunny hop. That’s the type of guys we are.”
The Canfields are convinced. They’ve done their damndest to marry the benefits of the 29er (fast-rolling, good grip on all parts of the trail, and excellent roll-over) to the benefits of the 26er. Soon, we’re going to see if we are, too, by testing either the Nimble 9 or the Yelli Screamy and finding out what BLISTER reviewers think.
And look at. http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/29er-hardtail/canfield-brothers/nimble-9/prd_449236_1548crx.aspx
