[Closed] Please talk me out of getting a 29+ hardtail, especially as my only bike!

It'll take forever to pump your tyre up when you get a flat!? 😉

I rode the Stache and was very underwhelmed, I like the concept and wanted to like it but it was like a 29er with slightly bigger but very heavy tyres and not helped by the fork which was absolute bobbins. Going up I could feel the extra traction, on the flat it was alright if it was rolling and downhill it was a bit cack as it took effort to get it to move about. If you were OK to just roll in a straight line monster truck style it's fine but it wasn't nimble.

And it weighed shit loads. It was markedly heavier than my spectral. Run tubeless with rigid forks it might be better but it's starting from a low base for me.

Very meh.

You are wrong. The sensible approach should be to go for a 29+. They are fantastic bikes. The Krampus is like a two wheeled monster truck. Never had as much fun on a bike as I have had on this. It goes up and over everything. Use it as an everyday trail bike (I rarely bother with my full sus anymore) and also great for bikepacking duties.

Never tried the Trek, but it looks a great option also and I would be considering one now if I didn't already have the Krampus. In fact to be honest I have looked at them a couple times and thought about getting one also. So taken by the 29+ wheels that I am, and as you say they are both different bikes!

Just get one. I've got a Krampus and love it. Was looking at a 27.5+ wheel tyre combo yesterday and was surprised by how small it looked.

Good point Andy!
Mr Hoppy - I'd reserved some judgement on the Stache's weight and fork because I'd be going tubeless and the fork wasn't set up for me. Maybe I just liked it because it was a novelty? I haven't ridden a normal-wheeled hardtail in ages either. Thanks for your insight, it's helped cast some doubts (which I'm pleased about).

It's the Krampus I'd decided on, especially as I definitely wanted a double chainset. I was told that because of my short'ish legs that I might not be able to fit a saddlebag to any 29+ bike though. I've been and tried mine today and there's plenty of room - if it hadn't have, I would definitely have ruled 29+ out. I was put off that I was recommended the medium frame (17.5") even though I'm over 6'. Turns out the large Trek has the same effective toptube length, so nothing to worry about.

I felt that I'd get as good a ride from a 'good' 29er with the geometry I want running decent wheels and a decent set of larger (2.4 ish) standard tyres. And the Stache is stupidly expensive and uses boost.

Don't get me wrong, I can see the fun of riding along with monster truck tyres in view but it'd wear off too soon for me.

I have a yeti big top (100mm 29er hardtail) & a yeti sb66c (160mm full sus).... & for 95% of my riding it's the hardtail that is THE best bike.... But then I go and do something gnarly on my sb and all is forgiven.... What a confusing time.

If I absolutely HAD to get rid of one bike, I think it'd be the sb66c.... I think... Erm, would it? Yes.... Maybe.

In summary: pass

I think my problem is it's a while since I've had a hardtail, and they were always set up with poor Dual-control brakes and skinny tyres!
Regarding the Stache though, I was put off by not being able to mount a front mech and of course, the boost hubs, mainly because I can't just pop a standard wheelset on, plus I'd been thinking of a dynamo front hub.

If you get one then you'll die a horrible death, the like of which no-one should be subjected to.

Any good ?

I would double check the sizes. I think the Med Trek and Med Krampus have both effective top tube lengths of 609mm.

EDIT: Maybe not. I was assuming the Trek range goes from XS-S-M-L-XL and not S-M-L-XL-XXL.

Rob - I'm the same myself! I know I'll regret selling my current bike (mojo hd), but I'm just not using it as I'm not prepared to drive everywhere to ride anymore. I do live in the Lakes though, so know I'll really miss a full-sus on the descents!

Allthepies - you could be wrong, it would at least end the misery of reading up on all these different bike specs and new standards like I have been all week!

Rene - I'm confused as to where Trek take their measurements... I actually measured the 19.5 eff-toptube to be 24" C2C, but also measured the same on the 20.5 which is supposed to be nearly an inch bigger. I couldn't measure the med Krampus, as that the size they didn't have. I was caught out by their sizes though, as the 20 (actually 20.7) is the XL! I'd been confusing the med with the small before I went in the shop.

I thought you had wee legs? B+ would make a lot more sense.

Confirmed my thoughts, was sure you lived in the lakes, no way I'd go hardtail only in the lakes.

Scotroutes - not as wee as I thought! There was plenty of room for my saddlebag, plus more importantly, the eff-toptube will be slightly longer than my current bike, even with a 17" seat-tube.

Nobeers - I'm actually more concerned about the tyres holding up than I am about lack of suspension. I'm wanting a bike to do bigger distances on, with a view to going travelling for a few months next year. What will shock you more is that the bike would be rigid for a bit while I decide/find a suspension fork. Anyway, if I don't get on with it, it can soon be sold. My current bike has 26" wheels, so I'll get next to nothing for it, but that will go in my favour if I need to buy something similar back.

You won't need a suspension fork. Get the stooge.

I got rid of my full suss bike to get a 29er hardtail. I've not regretted it until last week when I was in Scotland, when I did, quite a bit.

If you can afford/have room for both, I'd do that. A 29er ht is a great option, but can get uncomfortable if it's rocky

I'd be waiting and trying some of the B+ bikes coming out. While the Stache felt loads of fun when I had a go, the wheels did feel huge and as you know I'm a very tall long time 29er fan. I've gone B+ on the Solaris. Tyre life remains to be seen.
Have you considered a Genesis Longitude? Getting some gripes from some quarters but lots of sense here - [url= http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/07/07/15/2016-longitude ]Longitude[/url]
Bikepacking, 29er, B+, rigid/sus fork, 2/3x10, decent price etc

Surely not worth selling a 26" Mojo anyway is it?

[i]Rene - I'm confused as to where Trek take their measurements... I actually measured the 19.5 eff-toptube to be 24" C2C, but also measured the same on the 20.5 which is supposed to be nearly an inch bigger. I couldn't measure the med Krampus, as that the size they didn't have. I was caught out by their sizes though, as the 20 (actually 20.7) is the XL! I'd been confusing the med with the small before I went in the shop. [/i]

It measures what it measures.

If you are looking for something for next year, ride your 26" FS until then, then buy something when you want/need something else.

You won't need a suspension fork. Get the stooge.

This.

If you intend to do more bikepacking I think the Surly with a double and more mounts is a better option, although having seen the Trek it does look like fun!

I've considered a full suss B+ that can take normal 29er wheels and I think that would make a good all rounder. Let's see what will come to market in the next year or so.

Regarding 29+ and monster trucks, I normally ride my Stooge around Thetford or on bridal paths but decided to bring it to the Peaks instead of my 140mm 29er. While it was certainly rattly and I wish I had suspension on the roughest bits I kept up with all the 6" on the decents but out climbed everyone on the loose rocky bits doing Jacobs Ladder, it's an amazing bike. With a double and a fatter rear tire I think you could climb a wall. (Almost).

I picked up a Krampus yesterday and did 143 miles on it. Great bit of kit but the Knards are rubbish in mud!

Aye - tyre choice is another consideration in the wheelsize debate. I think there are already more B+ tyre options than there are 29+

Stooge only comes in one size though, so if you're 6'+, it's compromised. Chap in 4Play has one - sure he'd give you a shot (if you've not already)

Jones Plus

I'm still not sure what to do. I think some demo riding is in order, otherwise I'm never going to make my mind up or might make a decision I regret. I'm even starting to consider an all-mountain hardtail with a travel-adjustable fork!

I definitely know rigid won't be for me longterm though, and a second bike is out of the question.

Thanks everyone for your input, it's brought me to my senses. It's a good job I didn't take any forms of payment with me yesterday!

Edit - Boxelder - MrVear up there is the man you mention! 😆

Rode a Stache the other week and would get one straight away if I didn't already have a fatbike and a hardtail 29er. But as it fits in between the 2 it would be a bit of an extravagant purchase. Plus the wife would kill me*

If I had to have just one mountain bike 27+ or 29+ would be it though.

*and then she'd go on to sell my bikes for what I told her they cost.

I've got a Krampus, as an only bike, nah

Drofluf - it was a Stache 7 I had a go on because that's what my budget would have allowed. I called in at another shop on my way home and they had the top model, which had been the owner's own, with £800 off. It's a good job it was a size too big!

Don't go adjustable forks - 120mm and a dropper much more sense. With B+ tyres, you'll conquer all before and below you.

Ha ha, I take it you must be liking your new wheels Boxelder?! I was told to ask you about your Solaris, but thought you must have the Mk.1? Unless that's B+ compatible also?

I'm 6"3 and am very happy on my stooge. It's an amazing bike and I'm enjoying raging it around the lakes.

Well the Krampus was my only bike and few weeks ago, but now it's been joined by a Gnarvester, so two 29+ and no other bikes. For me 29+ just felt right straight away having always been a fan of the largest 29er tyres previously. If you are currently on 26 the jump will be huge and perhaps you would be better on the b+. The Krampus is set up single speed and rigid now, while the Gnarvester is geared, suspension and dropper. There is not much that bike will not barrel though and I've never felt out of my depth on the same trails I used to ride full suss on.

Scrufftv get some photos up of your Gnarvester, best bike name ever?

As much as I've moaned about it, boxelder is right, the 2016 Longitude sounds perfect for you. Never thought I'd ever recommend it, but the fact you can put a sus fork on it without causing geometry issues may be a winner. Although, having said that, it has stupid hub spacings...
Sod it, get a krampus...

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Stupid stupid bikes...

Here you go 1 shed. Gnarvester and the Krampus...

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Very nice scrufftv, I think I would enjoy harvesting the gnar.

Thanks, well chuffed with it. They do an aluminium model as well which is lighter than the Krampus. It has a lower bottom bracket than the Krampus and handles the tall suspension fork much better. In fact the Krampus bottom bracket is high enough to run normal 29er tyres, or even the true 3" + B+ tyres if the OP wanted to cover all their options.

I don't know if this is any help but (after waiting for ages for them to come in stock) I recently bought a pair of Trailblazer B+ tyres, which I intended to try on my Mk1 Solaris. However, I'm now having second thoughts.

I was out on my Five the other night and coming down a set of rocky steps the bike felt terrible. I thought the rear shock had failed, but on getting to the bottom I realised that I'd lost a load of air from the rear tyre and was running around 15psi. If that's what low pressure feels like (bouncy and hard to control) I'm not sure I'm going to like it much.

They do an aluminium model as well which is lighter than the Krampus.

do they? its not on the site

them nextie rims look awesome compared to the RH's as well 8)

My Krampus in it's natural habitat, love it to bits...

[IMG] [/IMG]

http://carverbikes.com/frames/aluminum-gnarvester/ that frame and their carbon fork looks a winner.