I'm thinking of scratching a full sus itch I have, it will be used so I don't need suggestions really I suppose
I like 29ers and have done for years, when I got rid of my anthem 26er, first batch that was 80mm travel iirc I got a 29er it almost felt like a short travel bike even though it was fully rigid
I then later picked up a Turner five spot with 140mm and 26 wheels that was great and felt completely different from anything I'd had before
So I guess I'm wondering what difference the 27.5 and 29er feels like, and does a short travel 29 feel more like a long travel 27.5 or are the wheel sizes less noticeable
I tend to ride local trails and the Yorkshire dales not trail centers so I'd been looking around a 100-120mm 29er but would a newer 140mm 27.5 be overkill
the newer geometry bikes are more similar to my current bike and they seem to be more of the 27.5 wheel size
Apologies for rambling 🙂
What's your current bike?
fun-overkill:
slack and long well balanced bike.
27.5 inch
140 mm front and 130 mm rear
(max 140 front and rear)
2.25 ... 2.3 inch tires, max 2.4
weight range max 14.5 kg or so
Personally I'am done with the 29 inch full suspension bikes with 100 ... 120 mm travel.
But that's personal taste and depends onto the trails you ride.
I've currently got a ramin plus which is rigid with 3.0 plus 27.5 wheels and reach if 432 with a 60 stem and it feels fine.
And a Jones with a 29er 2.3 rear wheel and a 26 3.8 front so thats no help haha
No
Yes
Maybe
Apology accepted
I think I may have a trip out to look at a whyte t130sr
I'd say have a go on a Bird Aeris 120 - short(er) travel 650B but with the longer/slacker geo.
Short answer - it's very hard to say.
I've two mid travel full suss bikes, a 29er and a 27.5 with 140mm travel and 150mm forks. But they do feel quite different to one another. The 27.5" bike is quite close in feel to my old 26" Spesh Camber, it's a riot on twisty singletrack in a way that my 29er isn't, but my 29er is superbly balanced and a hoot to ride quickly.
If you like 29in then you'll prefer a full-sus 29er. I know I did.
Especially if your priority is covering ground.
agree with chakaping - 29er sounds like a win. I have a T129RS which is poppy, a hoot to ride and much better then me going downhill - geometry is all. Worth a look at Cotic Flare - have a look at the website and then see when Sam is in your area for a demo ride. They do loads and it will give you a better idea.
I've gone full-sus only, Bird Aeris 120 with 120mm reba, (which Bird OK'd) BB is low, but it's not rocky where I generally ride. Feels good so far, under 30lb (with pedals) with a reasonably burly 1x10 build.
Length/reach feels good to me, I've felt every mountain bike I've had has been too short, even with long (by modern standards) stems. So it's nice to have one that doesn't feel cramped with a 40mm. 6ft tall on a large. Picked the frame up second hand, barely ridden for 1/2 new price.
Well I had a sit on a t130s lovely bike sat on med and large med felt good. Couldn't ride as my finger is still in a splint. But the wheels looked like kids ones 🙂 (even tho I'm only 5'9) will still keep looking and thinking while I heal up
Forget overkill, get a 160mm 29er 😀
I think geometry is perhaps more important than wheel size.
I've not tried a full suss 29er but I didn't particularly like the hardtail 28er I tried. However that wasn't an expensive bike or one with new style geometry so perhaps I need to try something more modern before judging.
When Inseapped from 26 to 27.5 wheels I noticed a difference in smoothness / rolling ability but also found the bike felt higher off the ground / I'm less comfortable on steep and tight corners. Despite a few different 27.5" bikes I've still got that feeling a bit. For that reason I'm imagining 29ers will feel even worse for me. Maybe I just need some coaching!
In terms of your requirement to buy secondhand I'd think a T130 could be a good option. I see a lot of hem about, they pedal ok and are meant to be fairly long but so very well on downhills - better than the amount of travel suggests.
Can't help with 29er suggestions.
I'm firmly in the bike and geometry is what to look at first. Wheel size is only important when you need to get tyres and tubes 😉
mikewsmith - Member
I'm firmly in the bike and geometry is what to look at first. Wheel size is only important when you need to get tyres and tubes
While you're probably right I just couldn't bring myself to look at 29ers for my new bike, I've never even ridden one. I just expect them to feel unwieldy, and can't get past it.
My 27.5 T130 is fun, nippy and nimble (cringed a bit reading that back).
I have to agree with the sentiment that geometry is more important than wheel size.
I find that my 29er is faster than it feels, but the rising position and balance is perfect for me.
I have a 140mm ht 650b and 120/110mm fs 29er, both with modern geometry.
I love them both but do debate with myself whether i’d be better with 650b fs and 29er ht as I tend to use the smaller wheels for arsing about on and chucking down tricky trails and the 29er for longer rides. Saying that I usually decide i’ve Got it the right way round and have two bikes I use as much as each other. Reckon if it was the other way round i’d use the fs most of the time.
Along with the trail centres I also ride the dales and would defo recommend a 29er full suss for that. If you ride more than you arse about it’s the right way to go imo. I have a Orange Segment and think it’s ace.
I had kind of upped the budget in my head yesterday looking at 2/2.5k but in hindsight I think I'm possibly looking for a new bike as I'm going stir crazy as I've been splinted up for the last 8 weeks and getting itchy for a ride. And it's getting nearer and nearer
I think I'll drop the budget back down to a sensible level and keep an eye open for a bargain but get myself out on what I have for a few months and see how I get on again. Thanks all for the input
Great plan!
Bike-buying is fun ...
Whyte T130SR: has a great, great Fox fork.
Guy Kesteven reviews this fork here:
(Santa Cruz Chameleon with Fox Rhythm 34, 130 mm travel fork)
Between 1 and 2.3 k...:
around 2.3 k right now:
Meta trail V4.2
https://www.commencal-store.co.uk/meta-trail-v42-origin-650b-black-2018-c2x22592789
around 2.2 k:
Whyte T130SR, with Fox Rhythm 34:
https://www.whyte.bike/t130sr
below 1 k:
Bossnut V2
http://www.calibre-bikes.com/
The ride of the Bossnut V2 is great as well. But the price difference might be hidden in pre-assembly quality and long term durability?
Have fun! Numerous great other bikes around...
