If you've been riding at say Bonty 12/24 or this weekend's SITS you'll know that without a doubt that 29ers are invading & doing really well at the events.
If you doubt it, check out the stats.
Plus they look so right on the trails - some riders on 26ers just look like their riding their son's 24er now you have the 29ers to compare them to!
I bought an OnOne Ti29er after trying them out in a 2x part MBR bike magazine article a year ago.
I rode my 26er this w/end at SITS, and wished I had the 29er, I really did.
There are so many rides that I enjoy now where as before I would simply ride.
It's a little difficult to explain, but out on the SITS trails on Sunday, I did what I do on the 29er, get on the gas, get her up to speed (read: momentum), snick her down another cog & pick out the next rider to overhaul. The problem was this did not happen. As soon as I was at speed nothing more happened! Really odd - it was like the Turner and I no longer speak the same language.
I predicted a while ago on another forum that 29ers would make up the majority of sales within 5 years. My timings will be out, but I see no reason to revise this statement.
Of course such derision and malace was heaped upon me, but that's ignorance for you!
Witness the number of main-stream manufacturers now embracing the 29er way of doing things. Check out Spec' 2010 line up - and of course Fisher's Superfly must surely be on every bikers' Wish-list.
If you have never tried one, you're in for a very pleasant surprise, you really are, but THE best thing is that every ride is such a blast; and you don't need to be tall to benefit from this "revloution" in mountain biking.
ps - just read the bit about MBR doing a review but I don't need to read it to know so many journos have still found it difficult to "get" the 29er experience. Try "What MB" for a refreshing change of heart by some journos who are more than happy to admit they were completely wrong about 29ers.
If you are in any way curious, go and try one, don't let others tell you what you should be thinking of the 29er revolution (says he telling you to test ride said bikes!).
Would I now sell the £3.2K XTR Turner Flux for another 29er?
Yes, I probably would!