Right about 29er's.... « Singletrack Forum

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Right about 29er's....

39 posts & 26 voices | Started 4 months ago by tetsujin | Latest reply from johnnystorm

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tetsujin - Member

Ive been looking at upgrading to a new bike for a bit now.

I can never make my mind up between full suspension or longer travel HT but when I mention my size 6'2 people always say '29er'!

Normally I ignore that option but I have been looking more into it and for me maybe its a better bike for my body as I do feel like 26 bikes are a bit 'small' as in I feel like I am riding on top rather that as one with the bike.

I did test ride a 2012 20' Orange 5 and it felt great but decided that the FS bike its a bit over kill for my riding.

Been looking at a Giant XTC 29er and also taking my current frame and getting a CHina carbon 29er frame and bulding one up.

Any suggestions/options on decent sub £1500 29er's or general ideas on 29er's and taller riders?

My riding is mainly trail centres.

Posted 4 months ago #
collie - Member

I'm the same height as you and found that 29ers just feel right - for me. I'm sure taller guys are quite happy on 26ers and 29ers will be right for some smaller riders - horses for courses. I bought an Inbred 29er frame to build as a rigid single speed hack, its now my bike of choice, usually in a 3x9 100mm set up.
To underline the point I liked it so much that I sold a very nice 26'' 120mm trail bike as it was getting no use, I was always out on the inbred.
Try to get a demo on a wagon wheeler - you might just like it.

Posted 4 months ago #
Singlespeed_Shep - Member

Giant XTC is very good for the money, the new genesis 29ers also look very good, But just try them.

I only ride a 29er now nad have done for a while and doubt i'll go back.

But I wouldn't buy a similar 26" bike to mine in the same ways i wouldn't buy a Dh bike or a folder. They aren't what i want.

29" wheels aren't the be all and end all they are an option.

Posted 4 months ago #
hock - Member

a 29er thread without much reason for arguing I guess:
everything you write tetsujin sounds as if 29er could be just the right thing for you!
So give it a (test) go!

Posted 4 months ago #
monkeyboyjc - Member

if your interested in one of the carbon 29ers that are on eBay then take a look at http://www.e-hongfu-bikes.com/ its the online shop for one of the main ebay retailers - it has alot more info on geometry etc. as well as providing stock listingas and the full finish choice.

Posted 4 months ago #
tetsujin - Member

Yeah, I think just having a go is the only way to know for sure.

There is no 'if you over X height then its a 29er for you' rule.

Like I said I sent £60 testing a brand new Orange Five before Xmas and its a great bije but that 'test' made me realise that a 140mm FS bike is not for me even though it was a fun bike to ride.

Whats peoples thoughts though on a new Giant XTC or a China special frame using all my parts from my current hardtail? I think the second option is better for my wallet and it wont leave me with having to try and sell something and losing (as much) cash.

Posted 4 months ago #
tetsujin - Member

Hi monkeyboyjc

I have been in touch with LTBike about the LTK023 carbon frame as the HongFu seems to have a few issues with tyre clearance and also alignment.

Posted 4 months ago #
Sancho - Member

I'm very anti-29er, however looking at a Scott Scale 29er last week, well I couldnt help but like it.

Dosent mean Im going to buy one, but it did look very well proportioned and potentially very fast.

Posted 4 months ago #
jimcollins67 - Member

Cube 29er's are very nice looking for the price. Don't know how much size comes into it, I'm just over 5' 9" and love riding my ridgid GF rig. I am waiting on my cube AMS 29er arriving too, I have sold all my 26" wheeled bikes as I just prefer riding 29".

Posted 4 months ago #
redfordrider - Member

On-one Scandal 29er X9 with the optional 100mm Reba fork will leave some change in your pocket. I reckon the taller/bigger you are the less the weight of the bike matters. The fit becomes more important to ensure comfort and to avoid back problems later on. You've nothing to lose going the down the 29er route. Shorter riders may feel disadvantaged by the extra weight and toe overlap issues.

Posted 4 months ago #
fenred - Member

I've just done similar to collie and redfordrider except inbred 29er, 100mm Reba and £80 cheapy wheelset (from Merlin) to get you going.

Cant see me going back to 26 inch wheels TBH...Not in HT flavour anyway.

Enjoy!

Posted 4 months ago #
benslow - Member

Theres a demo day near Rutland in feb thats dedicated to 29ers ....

Herey ....

Posted 4 months ago #
tetsujin - Member

Yeah my only problem with a 29er frame would be the forks and wheels/tyres.

Everything else I would have which is a shame as I recently bought a set of Hope Pro 2 hubs and Mavic 717 rims

Rutland is a bit far for me for a demo day, but thanks for telling me

Posted 4 months ago #
perthmtb - Member

I've been considering similar - buying a new XTC 29er, or just getting a 29 frame and trying to re-use the parts from my current 26" XTC.

When you look into the detail it gets expensive upgrading - its not just the forks and wheels you need to buy, but you'll need different gearing on the 29er, different stem & bars, change all cables and hoses cos of the different size frame - and that's even assuming you can re-use things like headset, bottom bracket, seat post etc. (which is unlikely!)

Decided it would be cheaper to just buy a new 29er XTC and sell the 26er...

Posted 4 months ago #
tetsujin - Member

yeah, I really wanted a Giant XTC but the 2011 spec but cant find a large/20

Also liked the look of the Canyon and Cube 29er in the £1-1200 mark.

If I did get a new bike I would also need to get it on credit as I dont wana sell my bike and then buy a 29er and then find I hate it! haha

Posted 4 months ago #
Sam - Member

Demo day at Head for the Hills in Dorking in early March which will have a lot of 29ers if that's any easier.

Posted 4 months ago #
MrTall - Member

Swapping bits over from your existing bike is also not as cheap as you may think as the most expensive bits are generally the wheels and forks which will need changing. Plus a decent set of 29er tyres will now cost you at least £50.

Full bikes tend to offer better value for money (usually) so i'd sit down and work out what it would cost for a new full bike against swapping over useable bits. You can also factor in any profits made from old 26" kit that you can sell.

Places like Rose Bikes and Canyon seem to offer fully specced bikes at the cost of frame and forks of most other well known bigger brands.

Posted 4 months ago #
tetsujin - Member

I should of said sorry, I am in the north west near Delamere Forest.

Posted 4 months ago #
tetsujin - Member

Yeah I like the look of the...

Canyon AL 8.9

Giant XTC

Wouldnt mind these but with a slightly better spec (looking more at the Giant seeing as its a £1400 bike).

Also, I am nort sure if I would be a fan of press fit BB. Its something that puts me off!

Posted 4 months ago #
tetsujin - Member

Also, does anyone know of anywhere that is still selling 2011 Giant XTC in a Large/20 inch?

Posted 4 months ago #
MrTall - Member

My LBS has a Large Ex Demo (very light use) Trek Paragon for £1,100 if that's of any interest?

Tapered Fox Fork and 10sp drivetrain.

Posted 4 months ago #
tetsujin - Member

Nah not for me that one.

It's a toss up between a frame set or the giant xtc and canyon al 8.9

Posted 4 months ago #
CheesybeanZ - Member

Shorter riders may feel disadvantaged by the extra weight and toe overlap issues

this one does'nt

Posted 4 months ago #
Dr_Bakes - Member

I've got a 2011 XTC 29er in large that I bought shortly before Christmas but am having a hard time justifying, especially now I'm building up a DH bike for the summer.

I might be persuaded to part with it if you want to email me for details. I could sort out some pictures tomorrow. I've converted it to 1x10 and put some old LX brakes on (as I had spare pads for them anyway) but can easily convert it back to it was when I bought it, in fact I'd want the brakes back anyway. I've ridden it several times but it's in almost new condition.

For me it's a great fit (6'2") but I always find myself reaching for my full suss and I just don't think it'll get enough use to warrant the space it takes up. Anyway email me (in profile) if you're interested?

Posted 4 months ago #
tetsujin - Member

I have emailed you

Posted 4 months ago #
weeksy - Member

Where you based mate ? I'm at Swinley forest tomorrow and Sunday with an XTC29er if you want to have a blast around ?

Posted 4 months ago #
rOcKeTdOg - Member

Try before you buy they're not for everyone (i i've got 2 1/2 )

Posted 4 months ago #
bowglie - Member

I added a 2011 XTC 29er to my bike stable just after Xmas and I'm very pleased with it. I'm 6' and went for a medium, as I prefer smaller frames. I also have a Giant Anthem X 26er, and although the 29er is obviously different, it does have a similar racey character - although like the Anthem X, it never really feels nervous or twitchy at speed (& I've had it up to 50mph off-road - bike wasn't twitching, but part of me was!), and is perfectly useable on most UK terrain.

Although I didn't buy the XTC29er with the intention of using it on local dark Peak trails (have got FS bike for that), I've taken it up & down some real techy stuff just to see what it can do - obviously, it reminds you that you're on a hardtail, but I've been very surprised at how it deals with more challenging terrain, and it's a lot more comfortable than most 26" hardtails I've ridden (including nice 'steelies'). If you like your trail centres, you'll love it on fast & flowy singletrack - you can really get a wiggle on in places like Dalby and Glentress

FWIW, I demo'd a few other 29er HT's and the only one that I felt was close to the XTC29er for 26er type feel was the Pace RC129 (which is available as frame only). The Pace is another superb ride - and they've got demo bikes at Dalby if that's any good for you.

HTH

Posted 4 months ago #
tetsujin - Member

Thanks for the comments guys. Yeah I defo need to atleast sit on one to be sure it's for me!

Also thanks for the offer of a ride but I'm up near Manchester so bit far for me

Posted 4 months ago #
mikemph - Member

Ive just had my 3rd ride on my charge cooker hi 29er in medium.
really, really pleased, I bought it on pre-order on a whim and rides great. Charge reckon it rides like a 26er with advantages of 29er, and so far have to agree.
I did plan to upgrade forks and tyres and eventually wheels but bike is well thought out and will leave as is, everything works great, tyres not as good as my ardent mud x combi on my bluepig 26er but good enough.
In time will put up a full overview (I am no expert in any area of mtb) but think if after 29er HT then brilliant.
As for size I am 5.10 and medium looks big with the big wheels as you would expect (compared to the 18" blupig) but fits great.
mike

Posted 4 months ago #
Coasting - Member

Maybe a steel frame like a Singular would be worth a look just for a slightly more forgiving ride.I found the Giant just a little harsh.Still better that the equivalent 26er but u did know u were riding a hardtail on the longer rides.The Singular just seems to take the edge off things

Posted 4 months ago #
singlespeedstu - Member

WTF has happend to STW.

A 29er thread and no haterz?

Posted 4 months ago #
mulacs - Member

lol @ Ssstu... yeah wtf??! SHEEP!!

Posted 4 months ago #
mikemph - Member

The charge cooker is steel.

Posted 4 months ago #
brakes - Member

don't forget that you'll need a pair of these

Posted 4 months ago #