Really keen on getting a longer travel 29er for some hot Enduro action. Anyone got any experience with a Shinobi or a Tracer 29er?
I've read about the WFO and the Lenzs but thet look a bit industrial.
Any other suggestions for less-racy 29ers?
Turner Sultan isn't exactly a whippet machine - although it is quick over the ground. A 29er 5 Spot sort of bike.
Will the Sultan handle drops? Was thinking I'd need something with a tad more travel than 120 mm to compensate for my lack of ability...
I run a Ventana El Cap (120mm), and it is very good as a sort of all mountain machine. The roll of the tires is good, rooty sections that claim others are dispatched easily. but... Big wheels don't compensate for less travel when the hits get bigger. Deffo not as manoeuvrable also.
I would love to try a T29, but think that that is pushing the usefulness for the 29er, if you need more travel, maybe a 'bigger' 26er might be better?
Kev
New Trek rumblefish,Specialized stuntjumper,immiment arrival of the longtravel Ibis 29er.
Fair point, but 26ers just feel wrong now I've seen the Big Wheeler light. Just doesn't seem be any Enduro 29 options, only XC and 'Freeride' options, with nothing in between.
IBIS 29er!?!?!?!?
Ventana has new 29er FS frames for 2012 well worth a look.
i agree with Kev. the el capitan is a fantastic bike for most riding, but is not suitable for drops and proper gravity assisted riding.
i built mine up as robust as possible to try and achieve a dh sort of 29r.
and to be honest it spoilt the ride. big heavy rims and big heavy tyres make the slower take off of a 29r far far too sluggish and hard to steer at slow speed.
i would stick to a long travel 26'' bike for dh type duties and build a 29r up as a light nimble mile muncher.