WAs bored and passing time and thought "wonder what....." and found myself looking at this
https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/19403/2022-stumpjumper-evo-comp/
Problem is, i can't get a demo these days... i've not ridden a FS 29er since owning a Commencal Meta AM29 which was a 2013... I'm guessing things have moved on.
I still have the inate impression they're lardy, bulbous and heavy/slow to turn, making them trickier in some terrain rather than helping... but that make all be complete rubbish based upon old 29ers...
So educate me on the newer generation of 29ers.
Other bike manufacturers are available
All have different takes on geometry, suspension etc
One bike isn't the same as another
What's wrong with your current bike?
I would say wheel size is only a small factor in how the bike will ride, overall geometry, components and setup will make more difference. I don't find my 29er any more difficult to ride than my 650b bike but my 29er is almost 20mm shorter in reach and has lighter wheels (though I couldn't say that those factors are why it rides similarly).
You could ask for a quick ride on someone's bike when you're out riding, they might let you have a spin.
One like that, but the version with the motor !
Probably not the answer you want to hear but it really depends on the bike model / geo / manufacturer / intended usage.
For example, my Transition Spur (66 degree head angle / 44mm offset) feels just as nimble and quick to turn as my previous 27.5 short travel XC / trail bike.
My mate's HB130 (also 66 degree head angle but more travel) also feels surprisingly agile.
The bike shop where I bought my Spur let me demo a Transition Sentinel (63.6 degree head angle) and that felt really slow to manoeuvre on flatter ground, but made absolute sense on steep stuff.
If you are coming from a 26er then yes, a 29er will feel somewhat larger. 27.5 ---> 29 then there's not that much of a difference IMHO.
£4400 would get you a Deore build Cotic Jeht with Pike Ultimate and they do a money back guarantee so if you don’t like it you can send it back.
As a still happy owner of a 2013 Meta Am 29, I’d say current 29ers (and most bikes!) are finally coming back to where they should have been if we hadn’t had the 650b diversion- not chasing the shortest chain stays possible in all cases, ‘enough’ travel. 2deg slackset as I’ve got used to slacker head angles and it’s still great. I just wish it was a bit longer in the top tube.
‘Lardy and slow to turn’ is pretty much where all bikes have been going *compared to* all those ‘short and twitchy’ 2013 bikes- if you try a similar bike again, with 8 years of getting used to different geo, you might be pleasantly surprised!
A mate has one of those but finds it too much bike for a lot of local riding. Usually takes his hardtail (kingdom vendetta)
The stumpy gets used on trips to the lakes, wales etc.
Its not to do with wheel size though, more weight and geometry.
He’s got a spur on order.
I should add- that wasn’t intended to come across as ‘you’re wrong’, more ‘ everything is relative to what you’re used to’. The Meta did feel like an absolute tank at the time compared to others, but after getting used to it, everything else until the last 3 or 4 years felt flighty. I’m sure I’d have got used to them again if I’d ridden them for a while too.
Where do you live? You're welcome to try my Starling.
As above, there are many other factors to account for. What are your typical trails like?
Short answer though, is that you can definitely get a nimble and sharp handling 29er.
Its hard to generalise , but I'm going to anyway .
I guess all bikes must be different, and I know I havent ridden all 29er's or all 650bs that exist, but I've ridden quite a few 29er's and quite a few 650b's (all of the same style of bike - enduro 160mm+ travel), and I just prefer the way 650b feels - cant describe why, but I prefer it. I think the 29ers are faster in most situations, but I still prefer the way a 650b rides - maybe I like going more slowly!
I even bought a 29er as I figured that maybe 29ers didnt feel right to me because I hadnt spent enough time on them (because surely everyone on the internet cant be wrong ;-)) - nope, I still prefer 650b - to the extent that my next bike will be 650b - If I can still buy the style of bike I want with 650b wheels.
29er's I have tried:
2018 spesh enduro
2018 ibis ripmo
2020 Orbea wild fs - I own this one
2022 specialized turbo levo
2022 specialized levo sl
2022 orbea rise
650b's
2013 orbea rallon (own this one)
2013 santa cruz bronson
2019 YT capra (own this one)
2018 mondraker dune
2020 santa cruz heckler
To the op - you really need to try a few 29ers and see if you prefer them - I suspect if you're racing then you may well go (slightly) faster on a 29er.
Aren't you planning on doing a heap of racing with your son. Assuming you don't have infinite money it's a difficult choice between a new boke for racing, or having enough spare money to do more racing, get some coaching etc.
29er = Top 10 in the local Enduro race. Obvs 😀
Whether a bike is unwieldy or not is subjective obviously, but get that bike and you can buy some more bits to turn it into a mullet later - if you want it to be more slashy.
I've just got the alloy stumpy Evo, first ride was yesterday, it's great, don't get the carbon one, the downtube is literally egg shell thin and it cracks at the first sight of a rock.
The comp wheels are heavy, rear was 3181, changing to a GX cassette, XD freehub and tubeless saved me 373g, rear is now 2818 even with a standard rimpact installed.
You will be very lucky to get a demo on any 29er at this time.
We lent out couple of 29ers last year to friends who were curious on moving up from 650b. Both bought 29ers after the loans.
None of us had a problem moving up and it made sense when Abigale did to compete.
I'm the only one now running 650b+ on my Levo but have the wheels ready to swap if needed.
I wouldn't have problem buying that Stumpy without a demo, I would want to sit on one to make sure the S3 size would by right. I'm sure you have put the figures in to compare against yours and the Enduro
https://geometrygeeks.bike/bike/specialized-stumpjumper-evo-2022/
I also wouldn't have a problem buying a Specialized carbon frame.
I tried the first Gen Stumpy Evo, and it was a hoot, it's a laugh out loud fun bike I wouldn't hesitate to buy the 2nd Gen version. I'd also take with a pinch of salt the comments about the CF used in the down tube, you should see my Enduro...Zero worries about it though
Thanks all. Interesting discussion. I'd deffo like to try some though.
The only worry on CF version is the bank account
Think of it as an investment for the future. Its more than adequate for racing enduro.😉
What’s wrong with your current bike?
Absolutely nothing at all. It flatters and astounds me every time I ride it that it somehow gets me to the bottom of trails without my lying on the floor. In truth I think it's gets me down more stuff than I do.
But that doesn't mean I can't be curious.
Today at Rogate I'm convinced it saved me more than a few times lol
A good set of lightweight (carbon) wheels makes a big difference to handling and will make a 29er much nimbler and more agile.
Hi Weeksy - I was totally 650b all the way and then my fork expired. Decided to get a 29er one and try mullet or get an Aether 9 or NP Reactor to replace the A7. Neither were in stock and I impulse bought a Transition Sentinal alloy - it was in stock and it looks pretty.
2 proper rides in and I think I’m going to love this bike.
It’s the same reach as the aether and I’m running a 210mm dropper. 150mm fork is shorter than the standard 160mm one so it’s a little steeper HT but it started at 63.6 so it’s still plenty steep.
It’s a revelation. Manuals easily, pedals alright (a touch worse than the aether possibly), still corners well a d just instantly felt comfortable. Already got some pbs on trails I know and rode hard in the dry earlier this year. A d that’s riding the sentinel in slop. It’s going to be a missile in the dry - but it’s still fun.
My mate has a carbon stumpie evo - the frame is nice but the components are a bit underwhelming for the price. I’d go alloy and get better suspension and wheels.
Edit - you’re welcome to have a go on it at FOD next time I’m there.
SWore I was 27.5 for life. Got a Trek Slash in April - never looking back at little wheels now!
Does 95% things better.
Faster Rolling/carrys momentum/ less pedalling
Get away with more mistakes/ more settled
Get onto lines that are impossible on 27.5
better in the steeps.
on real tight twisty Surrey stuff does feel a touch more cumbersome. that is probably the length of a modern bike though
I am running DT Swiss carbon wheels to keep the weight down - this must help the "Flickability" I would think
Get onto lines that are impossible on 27.5
How's that work then?
Get onto lines that are impossible on 27.5
How’s that work then?
What happens if I try to ride one of those lines on my mullet bike?!
Get yourself to the YT Mill in Guildford, weeksy.
Book online/ call them. Take a Jeffsy or a Capra to Rogate for the morning.
Get yourself to the YT Mill in Guildford, weeksy.
Book online/ call them. Take a Jeffsy or a Capra to Rogate for the morning.
Not aware of what that is, but sounds ideal so will get Google on the case yeah.
Thank you
What’s wrong with your current bike?
Is that the one he's got this week? 😉
tuboflard
Full Member
Get onto lines that are impossible on 27.5
How’s that work then?What happens if I try to ride one of those lines on my mullet bike?!
Schrodinger's bike?
How’s that work then?
Trails that don’t need bringing to life?
I've booked 2 demo bikes for 15th Jan to play in Surrey Hills if anyone fancies a bit of a pedal round?
I think we're all moving to 29, i've got the worst of both world's with my current ebike, it's the giant ereign, so has a long chainstay and wheelbase, with 27.5" wheels, so all the negatives of 29, but with 27.5.
Have tried 29ers and not really noticed much in it now, so sold my patrol last month and looking to go into the world of 29 as well, doing the same stuff as you mostly (FoD/417/BPW/etc) i'm pretty much sold on it being pretty much no real negatives, i prefer flow style stuff as well, so again, should be good for that.
I think 29ers are ruddy fab..
I was an early adopter with a scandal 29er.. It was light, flickable, and rapid.
I've had 29er hardtails - all a hoot
29er Rigid SS - the big wheels are fast and light, and honestly I coulnd't see a benefit in a smaller wheel.
Funny..I sold my hardcore HT and bought a 29er stumpy! Not the Evo, but the normal one. Carbon frame, fox 36ers (160mm) and stuck a cascade link in the rear so 148mm travel there.
Again, it's fast, light, nimble... great on tech and such.
IF we can organise a meetup (Rogate one day?) you're welcome to have a spin on it.
TBH, i'd just say "go for teh stumpy"..you won't regret it.
I've given up test riding bikes nowadays... they're all great if you are of normal proportions and aren't after some uber weird long geomotron type bike!
DrP
Get onto lines that are impossible on 27.5
How’s that work then?
DrP
Surrey Hills on 15th?
got my kiddies that weekend... I might be able to bring my son on the Ebike for a ride around... nowt too teckers for him though... but it's a slim chance...
I'll ping you my phone number in the messages...
DrP
Ok boss. I can bring a medium eeeb or a large FS or even a medium Sworks too if it helps.
I have a mate who knows the trails and can point easy and tech out, I want to mimic Southern stuff if possible for at least part of the ride. But happy with whatever.
Option B is something like 417 and we pay for your uplift and ride 50-50 on the Spec and G170? (Not on same date)
I'd say it's very hard to generalise as there are so many variables, but 29ers will tend to be a bit better at ploughing through really rough stuff, and 27.5ers will be a touch more playful / fun if you're a more active (body position wise) rider and/or on less severe trails.
But there are plenty of exceptions to this made up 'rule'!
And of course there's mullet options now (I'm confused why it's called a mullet though, with the bigger wheel out front, surely it would be some kind of big fringed hair cut!)
If it feels good, ride it!
The front will stick, the rear will leap off the line immediately 🤣
I tested one of them against my segment.
A rocket when pointing downwards, made everything effortless/comfortable and was a bit faster than the segment.
The segment destroyed it everywhere else.