Comments on: Are 29ers for the shorter people among us? http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/ 29er Bike Reviews, Rumors and News Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:20:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: mahcus http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-2356 mahcus Thu, 29 Jun 2006 04:44:27 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-2356 I've got a 30" inseam, and stand at 5'5" and enjoy riding a 15.5" x-caliber without an iota of concern towards bike fit, as it feels and rides perfect!. My prior ride for 5 years was a 14" Devinci Phantom, I used to miss it alot, NOT ANYMORE and am glad it got stolen, the worst I can wish for the thief is that he never gets to ride a 29er. LOL. The opinions here are rather humorous. take a ride. I’ve got a 30″ inseam, and stand at 5′5″ and enjoy riding a 15.5″ x-caliber without an iota of concern towards bike fit, as it feels and rides perfect!. My prior ride for 5 years was a 14″ Devinci Phantom, I used to miss it alot, NOT ANYMORE and am glad it got stolen, the worst I can wish for the thief is that he never gets to ride a 29er. LOL.

The opinions here are rather humorous. take a ride.

]]> By: RAMROD http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-1954 RAMROD Tue, 06 Jun 2006 00:12:02 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-1954 with all respect to Missy Giove ................... i dont think she is that concerned about hitting her b--ls on the top tube , as i am . with all respect to Missy Giove ………………. i dont think she is that concerned about hitting her b–ls on the top tube , as i am .

]]> By: eric http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-1949 eric Mon, 05 Jun 2006 21:34:13 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-1949 As I was once 5'4", and now shrinking with age to more like 5' 3", I've always had it with the market telling ME what to ride, wear, etc. but ultimately BUY. Sure, logically, maybe 29" wheels roll over medium size holes and rocks more easily than smaller wheels; SO WHAT! Missy Giove on a Stingray will kick your sorry ass downhill, dude, get over it. I will bet money YOUR tricked out 29" ride will be made obsolete in As I was once 5′4″, and now shrinking with age to more like 5′ 3″, I’ve always had it with the market telling ME what to ride, wear, etc. but ultimately BUY. Sure, logically, maybe 29″ wheels roll over medium size holes and rocks more easily than smaller wheels; SO WHAT! Missy Giove on a Stingray will kick your sorry ass downhill, dude, get over it.
I will bet money YOUR tricked out 29″ ride will be made obsolete in

]]> By: Thylacine http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-638 Thylacine Mon, 08 May 2006 00:54:03 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-638 I'm really concerned that companies are selling ill-fitting bikes just so they can ride the cash wave of people buying into 29ers. There's no question in my mind 29ers are a viable option for some people, but our general opinion over here is that shorter people are better off on 26" wheels. That doesn't mean that if you are 5ft 4ins and currently ride a 29er that it will seem okay to you, but I think it's up to companies to raise the bar and do their homework in regards to the physical restraints 29ers put on fit and handling and not compromise quality of design just to make a buck. These factors are real - they're not some attempt to 'quell the movement' or any such nonsense - they're real world factors that we believe should not be ignored in the quest to design the perfect bike for the perfect application that suits the physiology fo the customer in the best possible way. You'll see most companies now offering their smallest models with top tubes around 23" - that's something we've always offered and represents what we think is the smallest top tube dimension that will work with the 29er platform, and that means riders under about 5ft8-9 should probably stick to 26" wheels. Sure, there are custom companies out there that will build you whatever you want, but if more and more companies are begining to realise that 23" is pretty much the bottom figure for whats viable, you have to start asking yourself if there probably isn't something to that conclusion. I’m really concerned that companies are selling ill-fitting bikes just so they can ride the cash wave of people buying into 29ers. There’s no question in my mind 29ers are a viable option for some people, but our general opinion over here is that shorter people are better off on 26″ wheels. That doesn’t mean that if you are 5ft 4ins and currently ride a 29er that it will seem okay to you, but I think it’s up to companies to raise the bar and do their homework in regards to the physical restraints 29ers put on fit and handling and not compromise quality of design just to make a buck. These factors are real - they’re not some attempt to ‘quell the movement’ or any such nonsense - they’re real world factors that we believe should not be ignored in the quest to design the perfect bike for the perfect application that suits the physiology fo the customer in the best possible way.

You’ll see most companies now offering their smallest models with top tubes around 23″ - that’s something we’ve always offered and represents what we think is the smallest top tube dimension that will work with the 29er platform, and that means riders under about 5ft8-9 should probably stick to 26″ wheels.

Sure, there are custom companies out there that will build you whatever you want, but if more and more companies are begining to realise that 23″ is pretty much the bottom figure for whats viable, you have to start asking yourself if there probably isn’t something to that conclusion.

]]> By: NGeorgiaTR http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-522 NGeorgiaTR Wed, 03 May 2006 19:37:04 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-522 I ride a 2006 fisher paragon 2-9 'er and am 5' 6". It is a perfect fit. I had '99 Paragon as well which also fit perfectly even though the riding position is a bit different. The Genesis geometry is the primary reason I ride GF. I ride a 2006 fisher paragon 2-9 ‘er and am 5′ 6″. It is a perfect fit. I had ‘99 Paragon as well which also fit perfectly even though the riding position is a bit different. The Genesis geometry is the primary reason I ride GF.

]]> By: David Conrad http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-388 David Conrad Mon, 03 Apr 2006 00:31:30 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-388 I couldn't help respond to the comment that the fisher 292 is no longer available. I am a trek/fisher dealer, and although it is true that this bike was left out of the '06 catalog, it, along with the 293, is back for 2006 and is in stock and orderable thru your friendly fisher dealer. You can see it online at fisherbikes.com. True, the genesis geometry's longer toptube isn't great for shorter riders, but the 16" size 292/293 should have plenty of standover clearance (26.9"). I couldn’t help respond to the comment that the fisher 292 is no longer available. I am a trek/fisher dealer, and although it is true that this bike was left out of the ‘06 catalog, it, along with the 293, is back for 2006 and is in stock and orderable thru your friendly fisher dealer. You can see it online at fisherbikes.com. True, the genesis geometry’s longer toptube isn’t great for shorter riders, but the 16″ size 292/293 should have plenty of standover clearance (26.9″).

]]> By: monk3y mike http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-352 monk3y mike Thu, 16 Mar 2006 20:51:09 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-352 I'm a little to no suspension guy myself. Not passing judgment, just adding fat to chew on. : ) I’m a little to no suspension guy myself. Not passing judgment, just adding fat to chew on.

: )

]]> By: superdosser http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-351 superdosser Thu, 16 Mar 2006 17:52:55 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-351 Zealot "A fanatically committed person" Not always bad. I'm a zealot about no-suspension. I'm I right/wrong? Who knows or cares -- but I know I'm a little wacky from main stream on some issues..... Zealot “A fanatically committed person”
Not always bad. I’m a zealot about no-suspension. I’m I right/wrong? Who knows or cares — but I know I’m a little wacky from main stream on some issues…..

]]> By: Al http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-350 Al Thu, 16 Mar 2006 17:44:57 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-350 i have a Soma Juice in 16" which has a curved top tube. Standover is 27" which will fit a lot of short legs. Price was 370. Sizing for small riders is really not much of an issue. i have a Soma Juice in 16″ which has a curved top tube.
Standover is 27″ which will fit a lot of short legs.
Price was 370.

Sizing for small riders is really not much of an issue.

]]> By: monk3y mike http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-349 monk3y mike Thu, 16 Mar 2006 15:15:13 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/03/14/are-29ers-for-the-shorter-people-among-us/#comment-349 Ted, I think the term "zealot" is meant to apply to people that take up a banner and wave it just to do it. And I do understand the notion. I have friends that have one of each major archetype of bike. One friend just got a ($2000) 29er frame custom built after never having ridden one. People like that who buy into certain things because of the buzz way be proscribed the label "zealot". Personally, I could really care less. Get out and ride! Ted, I think the term “zealot” is meant to apply to people that take up a banner and wave it just to do it. And I do understand the notion. I have friends that have one of each major archetype of bike. One friend just got a ($2000) 29er frame custom built after never having ridden one. People like that who buy into certain things because of the buzz way be proscribed the label “zealot”.

Personally, I could really care less. Get out and ride!

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