The “Year of the Full Suspension 29″er”
March 29th, 2007 by Guitar TedI made a prediction a few weeks ago that this year would be most remembered as the year all the full suspension 29″ers got introduced for the 2008 model year. I still stand behind that prediction, and today I want to explore what this could mean for the 29″er market segment.
I think the obvious first thought is that it will mean that more companies will be driving the market to produce more 29″er specific product, as in wheels, forks, and tires. The full suspension 29″er is going to tax the limits of what is currently available. Also, what is out there is limited, and companies differentiate themselves as much by what they spec their bikes with as they do design. I look for an expanded range of choices coming out of this year due to the full suspension 29″ers introductions.
The second, and perhaps less obvious thing I think we will notice is that a growing number of folks will take 29″ers seriously for the first time because of the full suspension designs. We are already seeing this phenomenon to a degree with the “boutique” builders full suspension bikes. Companies like Turner, Ventana, and Ellsworth have gotten alot of folks to think seriously about 29″ers since they started selling their 29″er full suspension bikes. Now with the advent of the “big”, first tier bike companies full suspension 29″ers, I think we are poised to see even larger numbers of folks turning their heads to check out these new bikes.
Remember that for alot of younger mountain bike riders, hardtails are “dead”, old news, and antique. The mountain bike world is full suspension, and usually long travel suspension at that. While I don’t see too many long travel 29″er bikes being developed just yet, the XC FS 29″ers are coming, and this subset of consumers is going to take notice, just because they are “big wheeled” and full suspension. If the designs perform well, you will see larger numbers of folks jumping over to the big wheels than ever before.
That’s my take. It may be totally off the mark, but I think if these bikes see the light of day, and people get to test riding them, the lights are going to start turning on in their heads. I think it’s quite possible that this will be a pivotal time in the history of 29″ers in the marketplace. Time will tell, but “The Year of the Full Suspension 29″er” is going to be an exciting year. I can’t wait!
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You talk like you think that’s a good thing… Suspension??? Gah!
Considering the fact that a FS 29″er was shown at Interbike in 1999 I find your prediction less amazing than amusing…….but at some point it had to happen.
Ted: You are correct, I was out at South Mountain “Phoenix, AZ” last week and saw Travis Brown and two other Trek riders i didnt know Geting ready for A ride. I went up to says whats up because hes A pretty nice guy. We started rapin about hie 96er setup and his buddys pulled out two FS Trek fuel 29ers. Im not A FS fan but those bikes looked clean, and Travis says Trek is trying to get those out for an 08 production run, he also said they are considering A FS 96er. I think your right about most people wanting FS though. Most weekend warriors love to ride but dont like taking A beating on A ridgid or hardtail, adding FS to twentyniner stability only makes sense for sport riders.
Riders See A guy like Travis riding A twentyniner and they want to know why he chooses 29 inche wheels over 26. I think the biggest obstacle to 29 vs 26 fs is going to be weight, even at the sport level keeping the weight below 27 lbs without breaking the bank maybe the dealmaker or breaker, since most FS xc 26 bikes are coming in at 27 lbs for a reasonable price.
If the weight can be kept reasonable like 27 lbs I think there will be A good surge for 29 FS bikes.
P.s. Ive heard rumors Cannondale is working on A 29er single pivot Rush, and A single speed 29 for 08
name: este- “a FS 29″er…” As in one? Hardly makes ‘99 “The Year of the Full Suspension 29″er”, does it?
Look, if you want to get nit picky about it, we could probably both find an example of a 28″ balloon tired full suspension bike from the late 1800’s or early 1900’s if we dug enough. Close to a 29″er and arguably the genesis of this whole big wheeled movement in the first place. But we’re talking big numbers and the modern era. I think you know what I mean.
Thunderlump: Thanks for your comments. I have heard repeatedly since Interbike ‘06 that Trek was getting into 29″ers. The sightings have been more numerous as of late and are most likely a prelude to the big launch in a couple weeks out in Cali. I think that Trek has something even more interesting than the Fuel 29″er up their sleeve though, so stay tuned.
Cannondale has been quiet of late. Last I heard the SS was nixed for it’s rumored spring ‘07 release, but that doesn’t preclude an ‘08 release! A Rush 29″er would get my undivided attention, I hope it’s coming true! And as long as we’re dreaming, how about a Taurine carbon hardtail 29″er race bike?
I guess in my brevity the essence of my diatribe was lost on you perhaps. I wasn’t trying to steal your svengali thunder I was just noting that it sure took long enough for you, or anyone, to be able to predict with any accuracy when the year of 29″ FS was going to be? I would have bet back in 99′ that it was going to be 2000….
As far as 28″ Grandpa bikes goes you are on your own there. After all they were only two eighters