Comments on: Why Ride A 29″er? http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/ 29er Bike Reviews, Rumors and News Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:55:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Alex W http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-38842 Alex W Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:02:42 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-38842 Hey TreS. I like the feel of being pulled forward, likely due to my more extensive road riding past, and the GF Medium and Small both felt really good: the medium pulled me out really nicely, but the small did not feel off in any way, however. What sold me on the small was some low-speed manuevering around my lbs: the size small just responded better to my input, the medium felt slighlty too "Cadillac-y". I think the GF small is either a 15.5" or a 16" and the medium is a 17". I would def. try out both sizes in whatever bike(s) you're looking at and give them a whirl at low and high speeds (if possible), and, if your lbs will allow you to, demo the bike(s) in both sizes and see if they'll apply the demo fee towards the purchase of whichever one you settle on. See how they react to you on rock gardens, big climbs, descents, technical terrain, anything you think you'l lbe riding on. Even if they won't refund the demo cost, the $50 or so will be better than $2,500 on a bike you realize a month from now is too big or small. So much of the ride's quality is a subjective "how do I feel?" factor, that you really just have to jump on some and see which one talks to you the most. Cheers and good luck! Alex Hey TreS. I like the feel of being pulled forward, likely due to my more extensive road riding past, and the GF Medium and Small both felt really good: the medium pulled me out really nicely, but the small did not feel off in any way, however. What sold me on the small was some low-speed manuevering around my lbs: the size small just responded better to my input, the medium felt slighlty too “Cadillac-y”. I think the GF small is either a 15.5″ or a 16″ and the medium is a 17″. I would def. try out both sizes in whatever bike(s) you’re looking at and give them a whirl at low and high speeds (if possible), and, if your lbs will allow you to, demo the bike(s) in both sizes and see if they’ll apply the demo fee towards the purchase of whichever one you settle on. See how they react to you on rock gardens, big climbs, descents, technical terrain, anything you think you’l lbe riding on. Even if they won’t refund the demo cost, the $50 or so will be better than $2,500 on a bike you realize a month from now is too big or small. So much of the ride’s quality is a subjective “how do I feel?” factor, that you really just have to jump on some and see which one talks to you the most.

Cheers and good luck!
Alex

]]> By: TreS http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-38841 TreS Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:39:55 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-38841 Alex, just curious what size are you riding. I've only been able to test ride 17" frames, but i'm wondering how much of a difference a smaller frame would make. The owner of the LBS said he felt the smaller frames made the bikes feel too short. we're pretty much the same height so should i expect the same? I come from riding road bikes so i'm still getting used to the different feel of a mountain bike. when i'm on the bike i don't feel that it is too big in any way, but i just want to know what are your thoughts? Alex, just curious what size are you riding. I’ve only been able to test ride 17″ frames, but i’m wondering how much of a difference a smaller frame would make. The owner of the LBS said he felt the smaller frames made the bikes feel too short. we’re pretty much the same height so should i expect the same? I come from riding road bikes so i’m still getting used to the different feel of a mountain bike. when i’m on the bike i don’t feel that it is too big in any way, but i just want to know what are your thoughts?

]]> By: Alex W http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-38833 Alex W Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:51:43 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-38833 TreS, I went with the GF HiFi Deluxe 29er and am unreservedly psyched that I did. You really do roll over everything better and more smoothly. I've experienced no toe-overlap, no "flop" at slow speeds and have conquered obstacles and technical sections that have been beyond my skill level for the last three or four years. I definitely plateaued on the 26" platform, but the bigger hoops on the HiFi basically let me "cheat" my way over and past things. First time in years I've had no sense whatsoever of buyers remorse. There are lots of different 29" bikes and setups so keep trying out different bikes to suit your body's geometry and your personal riding needs, but don't rule out 29ers due to your size (I'm the 5'5" guy above). I immediately rode better on the 29er. I don't mean I'm a better rider, I'm not. I'm the same guy I was on a 26" bike, but the larger wheel immediately (literally, first ride) got me over stuff I'd never been able to get over before: and some of the stuff I couldn't get over before I'd sat there with a highly experienced friend watching me try and try again, over and over working different sitting/standing positions, different gear ratios, trying different lines... to no avail. Then, I rode up and over with the 29er like the obstacles were nothing: again, THE FIRST RIDE! And I rode away with the biggest grin on my face ever! cheers, Alex TreS, I went with the GF HiFi Deluxe 29er and am unreservedly psyched that I did. You really do roll over everything better and more smoothly. I’ve experienced no toe-overlap, no “flop” at slow speeds and have conquered obstacles and technical sections that have been beyond my skill level for the last three or four years. I definitely plateaued on the 26″ platform, but the bigger hoops on the HiFi basically let me “cheat” my way over and past things. First time in years I’ve had no sense whatsoever of buyers remorse. There are lots of different 29″ bikes and setups so keep trying out different bikes to suit your body’s geometry and your personal riding needs, but don’t rule out 29ers due to your size (I’m the 5′5″ guy above). I immediately rode better on the 29er. I don’t mean I’m a better rider, I’m not. I’m the same guy I was on a 26″ bike, but the larger wheel immediately (literally, first ride) got me over stuff I’d never been able to get over before: and some of the stuff I couldn’t get over before I’d sat there with a highly experienced friend watching me try and try again, over and over working different sitting/standing positions, different gear ratios, trying different lines… to no avail. Then, I rode up and over with the 29er like the obstacles were nothing: again, THE FIRST RIDE! And I rode away with the biggest grin on my face ever!

cheers,
Alex

]]> By: TreS http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-38827 TreS Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:51:57 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-38827 These last comments were very helpful. I am a 5"6' rider and was wondering if it made sense to start riding a 29er. i've done some test rides at my LBS and they all felt great, not too big. But I was still wondering if this was the move for me. the last two comments give me more confidence for a 29er. These last comments were very helpful. I am a 5″6′ rider and was wondering if it made sense to start riding a 29er. i’ve done some test rides at my LBS and they all felt great, not too big. But I was still wondering if this was the move for me. the last two comments give me more confidence for a 29er.

]]> By: trio http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-36186 trio Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:23:07 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-36186 I'm 5'3" and have just started riding a 29er - a GF Rig! I love it and really don't think you have to be tall to ride a 29er. I’m 5′3″ and have just started riding a 29er - a GF Rig!
I love it and really don’t think you have to be tall to ride a 29er.

]]> By: Alex W http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-36141 Alex W Wed, 05 Mar 2008 03:55:10 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-36141 What would y'all say to a 5'5" rider who's all torso (28" inseam) getting on a 29er? I think the physics of it would say that my shorter pistons might struggle a bit more to get it started, but once going, the other geomtric/physics forces would not be affected one way or another. I'm thinking of moving up from a Specialized Epic XC racing platform to something more "all-trail" capable and love everything I'm reading about the GF HiFi 29. Anyway, any thoughts or advice would be great. cheers, Alex What would y’all say to a 5′5″ rider who’s all torso (28″ inseam) getting on a 29er? I think the physics of it would say that my shorter pistons might struggle a bit more to get it started, but once going, the other geomtric/physics forces would not be affected one way or another. I’m thinking of moving up from a Specialized Epic XC racing platform to something more “all-trail” capable and love everything I’m reading about the GF HiFi 29. Anyway, any thoughts or advice would be great.

cheers,
Alex

]]> By: Marcum http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-35957 Marcum Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:40:45 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-35957 Better traction: Assuming that your contact patch and gear inches are equal, if you run 175 mm cranks on a 26 versus 29-inch wheels, it requires 11% more force on the pedals of a 29er to apply an equal force to the ground compared to a 26-inch wheel - hence the development of the 69er bike for rapid acceleration. One could easily simulate the traction of a 29er by using 155 mm cranks on a 26-inch bike, however rider leg length would certainly be a factor. Bicycle design, like everything else, is a series of compromises. Finding the correct balance between acceleration and traction is a function terrain, power and physical size of the rider. Tall or powerful riders will likely prefer 29-inch wheels to transfer more energy into forward motion than into wheel spin. There are many other considerations in choosing between 26 or 29, but at 6"3", I feel more ergonomically suited to 29. Better traction: Assuming that your contact patch and gear inches are equal, if you run 175 mm cranks on a 26 versus 29-inch wheels, it requires 11% more force on the pedals of a 29er to apply an equal force to the ground compared to a 26-inch wheel - hence the development of the 69er bike for rapid acceleration. One could easily simulate the traction of a 29er by using 155 mm cranks on a 26-inch bike, however rider leg length would certainly be a factor. Bicycle design, like everything else, is a series of compromises. Finding the correct balance between acceleration and traction is a function terrain, power and physical size of the rider. Tall or powerful riders will likely prefer 29-inch wheels to transfer more energy into forward motion than into wheel spin.

There are many other considerations in choosing between 26 or 29, but at 6″3″, I feel more ergonomically suited to 29.

]]> By: Leon http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-35764 Leon Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:19:11 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-35764 Well, It's always nice to have a lighter bike anyway. To be honest, my 26er SS is always going to be better on the local trails. The twists are almost trackstand tight in places. There isn't a whole lot of momentum to conserve! This big-wheeled baby of mine is really for the long away days. I like the way I can freewheel faster downhill than all the people bigger than me. That makes me smile. Well, It’s always nice to have a lighter bike anyway. To be honest, my 26er SS is always going to be better on the local trails. The twists are almost trackstand tight in places. There isn’t a whole lot of momentum to conserve! This big-wheeled baby of mine is really for the long away days.

I like the way I can freewheel faster downhill than all the people bigger than me. That makes me smile.

]]> By: Cloxxki http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-35758 Cloxxki Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:19:11 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-35758 Leon, I hope you'll feel you didn't waste your money on those lighter wheels. A few knee bends before breakfast will do more for your acceleration than new wheels. Or gear a cog lighter. For me, carrying more speed did a lot for my out-of-corner efforts. It's really a matter of math. Emotion doesn't increase the relevance of weight for the stopwatch. Leon, I hope you’ll feel you didn’t waste your money on those lighter wheels. A few knee bends before breakfast will do more for your acceleration than new wheels. Or gear a cog lighter.
For me, carrying more speed did a lot for my out-of-corner efforts.
It’s really a matter of math. Emotion doesn’t increase the relevance of weight for the stopwatch.

]]> By: Dirt McGirt http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-35756 Dirt McGirt Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:56:10 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/02/24/why-ride-a-29er/#comment-35756 What a dork. CLOTHES RIDER! What a dork. CLOTHES RIDER!

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