She loves the ‘dales, so has been riding with flipped stems due to the tall headshock for years.

I would like to see a little frame in the flesh to get a feel for it but am concerned that a ‘too high’ bottom bracket to ensure an appropriate seatube - headtube proportional length, might spell and end to the handling advantages one gets. A concern that is likely to be dispelled over time I am sure.

Also keep in mind that mind chain length control/management and longer chainstays are diametrically opposed :-

Not all want to ride hardtails so rear suspension machines will become more common - but a longer travel machine whose chainstays are are so long that you need a scrotum bag to gather the loose chain in when on the smaller cogs, might not be successful so get over that problem and there might be a good chance of 29er world mtb domination !

Nevertheless - in a country that is quicker than Europe - but (obviously) slower than the US; on the uptake (ie: Oz) - the acceptance is increasing and the interest soaring, especially when masters class ageing farts (aka myself) are floating up the finish lists at the races on their rigidly supported single speeds with big wheels !

A seat on the throne for 29ers could be a real possibility !

Ted-
I’d be walking anyway, I don’t have enoug muscle to pedal a 35 lb-er Up stair steps. Besides some people get perma-grin from that kinda stuff I get perma-grin from unicycling my rigid!

The fact that most here write with conviction, a degree of intelect and lots of wit and humor makes it one of the best MTB Forums around

Bust what I need is HELP.
How can I fit my 5′2″ or so wife on a 29 with those sky high head tubes?
She likes to climb, with gears, so a handlebar above the saddle height just does not make sense.
As Bear Squirrel says - Smaller wheel sizes will remain to cater for smaller people - we are not all on chicken growth hormones or of tall ancestry.
Please prove me wrong and I will be totally converted and remove all remaining evidence of 26″ product from my shed….

I can now smoke guys on puny 26ers since I have a bike that can haul my a** Singlespeed Rigid 29ers is the Max…. All those years riding something that never worked correct for me. I’m not selling any of the boatload of 26ers I have collected over the years hoping the “NEW BIKE” would be the one….I’m getting out the Saws all and cutting them into little pieces to go to the scrapper…it will be fun!

Long live the Open class 500cc 2 stroke motorcycles…real machines for real men!…now go set the Valves on your 4 junk!

LCrigidss29ersometimes1×9rigid29ernever26eragainsawsalledthemall

Eventually the word will get out that 29ers are better and there will be a stampede for 29ers.
The bike makers will then be glad to sell you a 29er even though you have a perfectly good 26er.

It’s like the auto makers. You buy a gas guzzler and then the price of gas suddenly goes to $3. They will then be glad to sell you a hybrid even though the gas guzzler is far from worn out.

Auto makers sell more cars this way.

Also, the bike makers sell more bike shit because of 26ers.
People buy new forks, tires, brakes, components because they’re trying to make their sows ear into a silk purse.
They have no idea that there’s something inherently wrong with their bikes.
29er riders are actually satisfied with their bikes. I know I am. A 6000SUX fork is not going revolutionize my ride.

What I believe will happen is that you will see 29ers taking over the XC market for most “adult” sizes. Lessons learned will allow frame designers to sneak 26″ wheels into places that they were using 24″ wheels before.

Other Disciplies:
Dirt Jumping/Freestyle - These will be 26″ forever. Optimally a smaller wheel would be stronger but no one will want to got there. These guys play on smooth berms so a larger wheel really doesn’t buy them anything. A lot of these guys are already riding their BMX bikes in this realm. I don’t think you’ll see these guys on larger wheels.

All Mountain - I think this is an area where both sizes will continue to co-exist. If 650B would make any real inroads, I think this is the place.

Downhill - If an MTB company commits to retooling for the required parts (double crown 29er forks, larger head tubes, super strong rims and wider rear hub spacing) I think 29ers could very rapidly take over. I think this exactly what Niner has in mind with their WFO. True strength is VERY important for downhill riders. But the longer contact patch and superior rollover characteristics would be a major advantage. The naturally higher gear ratio also favors downhill.

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Just accomplishing a 29er takeover in the XC market will be challenging. Manufacturers are selling 29ers as high end hardtails. They’re not speccing them with the cheap junk that will get them down to the $300-$400 pricepoints where the bulk of sales likely are. Until they do, 29ers will be the toys for advanced cyclists and those who are willing to invest $600+ on their first mountain bike.