I bought a base-model M109 a few weeks ago
Just wanted a cheap 29er to try… I wasn’t sure I really wanted a different wheel size bike. It was a bit of an impulse buy, if i’m being honest.
So far I’m loving it – it rides superbly, seems much less effort riding it compared to my previous and current bikes (all 26ers). I wasn’t sure about going for a 100mm bike from my usual 140/150mm travel but no regrets so far. It climbs brilliantly, lots of traction over roots and rocks – and not too much flex when you’re out of the saddle hoofing it uphill (the 142x12mm hub no doubt helps). It feels really planted and stable on descents too.
I’ve swapped out the drive train to a 1×10 and put on my Hope brakes (it came with a Deore/SLX mix) , added a dropper, and my favourite bars and seat. And it feels just right now.
The only negative so far is the mud clearance down near the bottom bracket/lower pivot. I’m running Purgatory 2.2 tubeless – not a huge tyre by any stretch – and i’ve had to stop and clear out the mud from that area a few times already. It is really bloody muddy at the mo but even so, the design does lend it self to a build-up of mud and gunk. I think it’d been designed to have a shortish rear end so the rear wheel is tucked in a bit – so a slightly smaller tyre would easily fix the problem. Or some dry weather!
I had a look at the S too – the carbon wheels looked nice but I couldn’t justify spending another grand no a whim.