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Thinking of getting a new hardtail bike (Lynskey, Seven, etc) and thinking of going the 29" wheel route.
I remember reading that 292 wheels are more suited to taller people. Is this true? Im 5'7" and will get a 17" frame so can i expect any problems from the larger wheels ?
Ta
My advice would be try one / some. I'm 5' 7" and sold my 29er as the whole thing just felt too big. However I know a few folk who are shorter and they don't seem to have a problem ... so there's every chance it's just me. In the end I built a Carver 69er which I really like, it feels like I've got the best of both worlds but again that might just be me.
If I were going to have another dabble I'd go for a 16" frame too.
Not much use to you but it's something 😉
I personally think you'd be nuts to spend that much cash on a frame without knowing if it would work for you. The recent 29er thread had a few people your/my height saying it was fine though. Why not try a cheap one first?
I'd say it depends on where you ride. If you spend a lot of time on tight wooded trails dodging the trees then you'l find a 29er cumbersome. If you ride mainly open moorland trails you'll be more likely to see the advantages of big wheels.
I've not owned a 29er myself so I am just guessing.
I've not owned a 29er myself so I am just guessing.
How very STW. 😀
Mmmmmm some interesting replies.
I did spend most of my time in the Dales, Peaks, and Lakes with a trip to the Alps every other year. However, i now find myself in the MTB Mecca known as Reading and have not checked out any of the local rides or routes yet. The 29" thing is just a thought as many of the manufacturers seem to be going down that route.
Maybe worth getting a demo for a weekend and checking things out.
I ride a Trek 69er SS (17inch) I'm slightly taller than you 5,9ish with 32inch inner.....There was a period where it fell a little jacket up at the front but after dropping the bars and a few rides to get used to it, the ride feels spot on!
ive had four 29ers one felt too big tho measurement wise it should have fit on paper and three have been great im five ten so a little bigger . My current bike is a 16 surly karate monkey and i wouldnt want bigger but size is very personal so try get a spin on a couple if you can 🙂
Wife is 5'6" and will never go back to 26" wheels as she finds them very unstable, slippy and endo-prone 🙂
SSP
swisstontswiss - Have a chat with the guys at Mountain Trax in Wokingham as they do Santa Cruz so may be able to get a Niner in on Demo for you to try at Swinley (same importer for both brands).
I've used my 29er at Swinley a few times and loved it compared to my BlurLT there.
It's rubbish to generalise and say its slower in tight singletrack as its all down to rider preference. So those who make sweeping statements like the one above (without trying a 29er) really do make invaild posts 🙄
I ride an old Gary Fisher Rig, and I'm 6'2" and ride their 17" frame and love it. I'm sure its as mick says different frames have different geometry and measurements, my old Surly was a 20"
Cheers bigsi, i didn't even know there was a bike shop in Wokingham.
I'll call in and see what they have got.
Looking on the Niner web site they reckon the smallest Carbon Air will be ok for 5'3" upwards! Gives me hope.
Its on the outskirts IIRC but if you google them that will tell ya.
Don't know what they will have in stock but have a chat with them as they have always been helpful whenever I've been in there
Cheers bigsi, i will have a look. Just looked at the Swinley Forrest web site you suggested. Looks good and didn't realise there was somewhere like that so close to Reading. Must admit i am missing West Yorkshire 🙁
Swisstonyswiss PM me if you want to try a 29er local to Reading