Comments on: Do You Commute On A 29″er?

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:50:11 +0000

I commute on my Specialized Rockhopper 29er . 14miles up and 14 miles back. Give or take a few miles doing light stuff through trailer parks and commercial landscapes. The ride is mostly street. So I haveto possibly look at some slicks. Other than that the ride is niiiiice.

By: AC

AC — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:37:45 +0000

Had a change of thinking…

I started commuting a little over 2 months ago. I decided to ignore my excuses and just do it..
I’ve pretty much nailed down my route to 26 miles round trip.

My commuter:
07 GT 9′r
Mary bars
Schwalbe big apples ( heavy, but they rock! )
43×18 gearing. I started out with 39×18, but as I’ve gotten stronger I upped my ratio.

I think 29ers are perfect for commuting. You have the comfort and versatility of a mtb plus the benefit of big wheels and tires.

By: Hawkeye

Hawkeye — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:41:51 +0000

I use my 2007 GF paragon for everything. Killer dirt bike. Switch the wheelset to an extra set, set up with 700×28 panaracer pasela’s, and I’m ready for an early sunday morning (no traffic) street luge. Downhills are a blast. Great street rod for around town.

Hawk

By: blütt

blütt — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:43:15 +0000

i bought one of those motobecane outcast 29ers on ebay just for my commutes on days when the chicago streets are snowy/icy/rutted. it sounded like fun, the price was right, and so here i sit, waiting for snow. i’ve commuted on it quite a bit in nice weather, and my only real gripe is that it’s so slow compared to the track bike i usually ride. but i’m not thrilled with the idea of constantly swapping out tires, so i’m just biding my time for now. hopefully the stability factor will outweigh the speed factor when a winter storm finally hits!

By: Art

Art — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:32:27 +0000

I do. My 29er is far more forgiving of poorly lit potholes and my sluggish early morning pace than my road bike. It’s only 1.5 miles to my office, so I don’t need to worry too much about switching tires. Yesterday morning I confirmed that the Moto Raptors handle snow fairly well. The only downside I’ve encountered is that some bike racks are a bit awkward with big wheels.

By: marty

marty — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 08:47:44 +0000

I commute to work (Heidelberg, Germany). I have a dedicated 29er commuter built up around a Redline Monocog frame and spare parts in the garage. The 20km commute is 50% pavement and the rest is a mix of gravel roads and fire road. Currently I am running the Kenda Kahns (no longer being made), Mary Bar, BB7s, and a Reba which is overkill for commuting but nice if I decide to change tires to hit the trails.

Traffic is getting so bad that my ride to work at times is quicker than driving. However I may need to rethink my tire choice now that there is ice on the ground.

By: TwoWheels

TwoWheels — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:46:53 +0000

I have a question. With the narrow 700×30 Cyclocross tires that I use, they are very hard to install on the wide double walled 29er rims. My frame is disc only and I was wondering if there are disc wheelsets out there that are narrower or possibly single walled that would allow for easier narrow tire changes?
Thanks!

By: Desert9r

Desert9r — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 06:53:18 +0000

after blowing out the sidewall of an armored 38c, I don’t know what to think myself. after hearing people ride on 28s and 30s, IM thinking smaller might be better.

By: choke

choke — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 06:45:10 +0000

Speedmaxes are great. I just rode a pair of 700 x 30 speedmaxes through San Francisco and some trails in the Marin Headlands today with no problems. I’m currently commuting on them as well.

By: teaman

teaman — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 06:35:07 +0000

I am now commuting on an Xcal, with Bontrager ACX 2.2″ tires. Am thinking of swapping out for Ritchey Speedmax pro, 35mm — higher psi, lower weight — thoughts? off road capability? better off with something like 1.9″ Kenda Karmas?