Bumped into a guy in Chapel Stile in Cumbria at the weekend. He was tall like me and was enthusing about his 29" wheeled full sus Rocky Mountain (nice).
As i'm over 6ft tall and big, this looked like a good option for me. A bike built for someone of my size!
What are the advantages/disadvantages of a bike this big?
little bit slower to set off, but that is the only disadvantage.
lot smoother over the rocky stuff.
and you can build the as burly as you like.
IMO 29er's are of benefit to everyone regardless of height. i'm 5'8 and a bit and i'm far faster on a 29er than a standard mtb. As Ton mentioned far smoother over rocky stuff, rolls better, etc. Go for it, you wont be dissapointed!
kids have small wheels, normal folk have 26", so us tall fellows should go larger. I have bigger shoes, a longer bed, and bigger surfboards... its damned logical really.
Not only do they roll real well, but they also fit very well.
I stopped using 26ers several years ago, for my size they have no place in my bike quiver... unless you backflip and huck you will be fine on a 29er*
* biased view of a 29er monger / salesman.... www.charliethebikemonger.com [url=www.charliethebikemonger.com]www.charliethebikemonger.com[/url]
contact bonesetter of this forum.
he is a big fella (tall and physically fit)
he has pretty much sold all his 26"'s for 29'ers now being a total convert of 29 for anyone plus 6 ft..
I am 6"5' and discovered 29ers about 18 months ago. If you're tall/big, this really is the bike for you with everything in proper proportion.
If you're tall/big, this really is the bike for you with everything in proper proportion.
Not necessarily...
My views here for balance: [url] http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/all-you-29er-riders#post-499960 [/url]
Love my hardtail 29er and a weekend in the welsh mountains last week made me realise i also want to trade my 26" full suss for a 29er version (just feel way too perched on it on the downhills) but i need it VERY big (hardtail is 23") so am currently seeing what's out there that can be seen and ridden before parting with cash. If you are tall you won't go back after riding 29ers.
Stoner (of this parish) is also a big fella (6'4" I think) and watching him crouched over a regular bike was like watching an adult riding a child's bike. He's now riding a 29er and it now he actually fits! he rides it way better too.
If you are tall you won't go back after riding 29ers.
Am I considered tall enough at 6'5" to make that statement inaccurate? 🙂
I thought the main disadvantage was the limited choice of frames/forks/rims/tyres ?
that's getting to be less of an issue now, Mark
I've had a Salsa Dos Niner for two years now.Best bike ever,at six foot four it's the first bike in twenty years that feels the right size for me.Would'nt go back to a twenty six. A year ago there was hardly a post a week about 29ers,now ther're daily ,I don,t feel so alone.Look at twentynine inch.com for news.
Buy one now, you won't regret it!
Biased 29er salesman, 6'4" 29er rider!
Matthew
6'5" 29er convert here *waves to all the other freaky wheeled bike owners* 😀
It's not for everyone i will admit but I'm currently in the process of selling my only remaining 26" wheeled bike so i can buy a 2nd 29er. I feel i can do anything on a 29er, and a bit more given the extra confidence it gives me, that i could do on a 26" wheeled bike including small jumps and drops (I'm never going to go off the big stuff tbh no matter what bike i ride)
If you don't try it then you will never know if its for you or not but i have to say that i feel its the way to go for [u]alot[/u] of taller (and some not so tall) riders.
[i]IMO 29er's are of benefit to everyone regardless of height. [/i]
not so sure about that... I'm 5'4" and when I stood next to one the front wheel was nearly up to my shoulder. 🙂
Kev
Maybe i need to pop down to visit Chevin and have a look/test ride to see what all the fuss is about.
Been riding 29er hard tail for a couple of years now and won't go back. Just sold my good 26er to help fund the purchase of a Turner Sultan which is a lot of pennies but is a lot of bike.
They have got better as the manufacturers have played with the geometry - you'd not go wrong on gurt big wheels.
Thanks guys! I'll be seeking out one of these as soon as funds permit.
Doa any shops in the north have an XL 29er to test?


