Comments on: 29″ers: A Little More Mainstream? http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/ 29er Bike Reviews, Rumors and News Sat, 10 May 2008 20:43:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jwiffle http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37268 Jwiffle Mon, 31 Mar 2008 03:13:30 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37268 Clueless Joe: "One last thing: The LBS guy disagreed with my statement that with 29″ wheels, full suspension was redundant for xc riding. He said a dualie would out descend a hard tail every time. What do yall think?" 29 inch wheels do smooth out the ride, of course, but not the same as 4" of travel. There is definitely still a place for suspension in the 29er world. I love my rigid ss 29er, but I sure enjoy my 4.5" travel full squish 29er, too! Can definitely push it a bit harder with the full suspension. I liken 29er wheels to equivalent comfort of 1-2" of travel on a 26er--not exactly the same feel, but equal comfort. So if you want the same xc ride as 4-5" travel 26er along with the advantages of the bigger wheels, the best choice is a 3-4" 29er. That's my opinion, anyway. Clueless Joe: “One last thing: The LBS guy disagreed with my statement that with 29″ wheels, full suspension was redundant for xc riding. He said a dualie would out descend a hard tail every time. What do yall think?”

29 inch wheels do smooth out the ride, of course, but not the same as 4″ of travel. There is definitely still a place for suspension in the 29er world. I love my rigid ss 29er, but I sure enjoy my 4.5″ travel full squish 29er, too! Can definitely push it a bit harder with the full suspension. I liken 29er wheels to equivalent comfort of 1-2″ of travel on a 26er–not exactly the same feel, but equal comfort. So if you want the same xc ride as 4-5″ travel 26er along with the advantages of the bigger wheels, the best choice is a 3-4″ 29er. That’s my opinion, anyway.

]]> By: Clueless Joe http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37214 Clueless Joe Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:53:17 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37214 Try Lots more mainstream. Since I posted a few days ago I have done many web searches and visited my LBS (Props to Cycle Loft in Burlington MA who handled my aforementioned FSR failure). Companies like REI have 29ers offered. The LBS sells lots of Fisher and Specialized and will be getting 29er demo bikes soon. (If spring ever comes to Mass) They sold all of the Stumpjumper 29ers that they ordered. I think 29er is about to become mainstream, with all the advantages that brings. When I challenged the salesman re variety of tire and wheel choices he said they had plenty of choices. It will still be a while before the catalogs have as many options for those of us who buy cheap and put it on ourselves, but I am certain it is heading in that direction. One last thing: The LBS guy disagreed with my statement that with 29" wheels, full suspension was redundant for xc riding. He said a dualie would out descend a hard tail every time. What do yall think? Thanks, CJ Try Lots more mainstream. Since I posted a few days ago I have done many web searches and visited my LBS (Props to Cycle Loft in Burlington MA who handled my aforementioned FSR failure). Companies like REI have 29ers offered. The LBS sells lots of Fisher and Specialized and will be getting 29er demo bikes soon. (If spring ever comes to Mass) They sold all of the Stumpjumper 29ers that they ordered. I think 29er is about to become mainstream, with all the advantages that brings. When I challenged the salesman re variety of tire and wheel choices he said they had plenty of choices. It will still be a while before the catalogs have as many options for those of us who buy cheap and put it on ourselves, but I am certain it is heading in that direction.

One last thing: The LBS guy disagreed with my statement that with 29″ wheels, full suspension was redundant for xc riding. He said a dualie would out descend a hard tail every time. What do yall think?

Thanks,
CJ

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37192 Guitar Ted Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:41:40 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37192 vichercules: Well, we may not have a "sustained" long climb, but we do infact have switchbacks and we do have a lot of climbing. You just have to know where to go to get at it. ;) I invite you to come to the Big Wheeled Ballyhoo in June to try out your climbing legs. :) I think you will come away with a totally different concept of Iowa and the Mid West. At any rate, I have done switchbacks on a 29"er, I have seen others do it in locals from California, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, etc, and I think you can find plenty of folks that will agree that a 29"er can cut a corner just as well as any 26"er ever could. Now as far as you and your bike, I can not vouch, but I'm saying, it can be done. Oh yeah, if you can't make it to the Ballyhoo, you could always do the Iowa 24 Hour race at seven Oaks. I think there are a dozen switchbacks per lap. Not that we would know anything about switchbacks. ;) vichercules: Well, we may not have a “sustained” long climb, but we do infact have switchbacks and we do have a lot of climbing. You just have to know where to go to get at it. ;)

I invite you to come to the Big Wheeled Ballyhoo in June to try out your climbing legs. :) I think you will come away with a totally different concept of Iowa and the Mid West.

At any rate, I have done switchbacks on a 29″er, I have seen others do it in locals from California, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, etc, and I think you can find plenty of folks that will agree that a 29″er can cut a corner just as well as any 26″er ever could. Now as far as you and your bike, I can not vouch, but I’m saying, it can be done.

Oh yeah, if you can’t make it to the Ballyhoo, you could always do the Iowa 24 Hour race at seven Oaks. I think there are a dozen switchbacks per lap. Not that we would know anything about switchbacks. ;)

]]> By: vichercules http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37171 vichercules Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:12:10 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37171 In the SouthWest, 29er's seem to have become mainstream and pretty much just another bike. If you go to a race here, nobody notices your wheel size and the vast majority of people have figured out wheel size is nothing more than a preference. My local shop sells more high end 29ers than high end 26ers. I could care less if 29ers are mainstream, in fact I guess I would prefer that they were so more new 29er specific parts will be available and competition will drive prices down. I like to ride what I like to ride, if others agree or disagree is really not my problem and I don't care if I am in a select group of people who get it or not. GT, the answer to your Midwest 29er question is simple, you have no substantial hills and the switchbacks that come with them. The biggest reason I hear in Colorado and New Mexico for not switching is gear ratios and switchbacks. Those two things are non issues in states with a total of 300 feet of elevation gain. :) I have to admit in a serious switchback environment, my 29er has been at a disadvantage. The jury is out for me as to whether the new fisher fork offsets will help me since I have not yet had a chance to test the hypothesis, I just got the bike but have not been on a high mountain trail with it yet since they are still snowed in for the most part. I can't wait to find out. In the SouthWest, 29er’s seem to have become mainstream and pretty much just another bike. If you go to a race here, nobody notices your wheel size and the vast majority of people have figured out wheel size is nothing more than a preference. My local shop sells more high end 29ers than high end 26ers.

I could care less if 29ers are mainstream, in fact I guess I would prefer that they were so more new 29er specific parts will be available and competition will drive prices down. I like to ride what I like to ride, if others agree or disagree is really not my problem and I don’t care if I am in a select group of people who get it or not.

GT, the answer to your Midwest 29er question is simple, you have no substantial hills and the switchbacks that come with them. The biggest reason I hear in Colorado and New Mexico for not switching is gear ratios and switchbacks. Those two things are non issues in states with a total of 300 feet of elevation gain. :)

I have to admit in a serious switchback environment, my 29er has been at a disadvantage. The jury is out for me as to whether the new fisher fork offsets will help me since I have not yet had a chance to test the hypothesis, I just got the bike but have not been on a high mountain trail with it yet since they are still snowed in for the most part. I can’t wait to find out.

]]> By: Jwiffle http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37142 Jwiffle Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:31:27 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37142 As more major brands offer economically priced 29ers, they will become more mainstream. When a geared hardtail runs $1500, I don't sell too many. But with companies now offering geared hardtails for under $700, we'll start seeing many many more. And if they can get them down to the $500 price point, we won't see too many 26ers. Seriously, I show a lot of people a Mary XC, and they love it, but just can't afford it. And most of my customers who are looking at spending $1500 want a full-suspension, so they have no choice at that price range but a 26er. They are becoming mainstream...I had a customer in the other day looking for a new seatpost for his FSR 29er...and he only rides it on fireroads. So, my perspective: 29ers are only not mainstream because of price. As they continue to come down in price, they will become more mainstream. Most people I show them to quickly understand their benefits, especially for rocky east coast riding. As more major brands offer economically priced 29ers, they will become more mainstream. When a geared hardtail runs $1500, I don’t sell too many. But with companies now offering geared hardtails for under $700, we’ll start seeing many many more. And if they can get them down to the $500 price point, we won’t see too many 26ers. Seriously, I show a lot of people a Mary XC, and they love it, but just can’t afford it. And most of my customers who are looking at spending $1500 want a full-suspension, so they have no choice at that price range but a 26er.
They are becoming mainstream…I had a customer in the other day looking for a new seatpost for his FSR 29er…and he only rides it on fireroads.

So, my perspective: 29ers are only not mainstream because of price. As they continue to come down in price, they will become more mainstream. Most people I show them to quickly understand their benefits, especially for rocky east coast riding.

]]> By: John Wm. http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37114 John Wm. Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:55:13 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37114 Mr. McDirt: Maybe so, right now, but your accumulated punk points are still relatively low. Some here began amassing points in the 70's. Mr. McDirt:

Maybe so, right now, but your accumulated punk points are still relatively low. Some here began amassing points in the 70’s.

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37112 Guitar Ted Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:23:39 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37112 MG: What does surprise me is that it took off in the Mid West before the East or West Coast caught on. Isn't that a bit odd? I always thought we were last to "get it" :) MG: What does surprise me is that it took off in the Mid West before the East or West Coast caught on. Isn’t that a bit odd? I always thought we were last to “get it” :)

]]> By: MG http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37073 MG Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:03:41 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37073 It's funny, because just yesterday, because as I was ogling the sweet new 26er Salsa Ala Carte frame they'd just gotten in, Nate from Monkey Wrench Cycles told me that the primary reason he ordered it was because it was brown... He said his 26er market has pretty much dried up. That was confirmed on the weekly Tuesday night shop ride, when out of about 20 riders, only two riders were on 26-inch bikes. The rest were 29ers. It's rapidly becoming a 29-inch world in the circles I ride and race in... The guys leading rides are on 29ers, and I suspect the guys winning races around here are gonna' be on 29ers as well. It's no surprise to me, and I don't think it surprises most of you either... It’s funny, because just yesterday, because as I was ogling the sweet new 26er Salsa Ala Carte frame they’d just gotten in, Nate from Monkey Wrench Cycles told me that the primary reason he ordered it was because it was brown… He said his 26er market has pretty much dried up.

That was confirmed on the weekly Tuesday night shop ride, when out of about 20 riders, only two riders were on 26-inch bikes. The rest were 29ers.

It’s rapidly becoming a 29-inch world in the circles I ride and race in… The guys leading rides are on 29ers, and I suspect the guys winning races around here are gonna’ be on 29ers as well.

It’s no surprise to me, and I don’t think it surprises most of you either…

]]> By: Brendan http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37066 Brendan Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:49:46 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37066 29ers have begun multiplying like rabbits in RI, CT and MA. The last two seasons have seen an explosion of 29ers at races and trailheads. Still plenty of 26 to go around although I have yet to see a 650b bike. I haven't seen even one, let alone a wheelset crammed in a compatible frame (1x1 etc..). The riding season is just beginning in earnest in these parts (for those who don't ride in the winter) and I'm sure that'll change soon enough. 29ers have begun multiplying like rabbits in RI, CT and MA. The last two seasons have seen an explosion of 29ers at races and trailheads. Still plenty of 26 to go around although I have yet to see a 650b bike. I haven’t seen even one, let alone a wheelset crammed in a compatible frame (1×1 etc..). The riding season is just beginning in earnest in these parts (for those who don’t ride in the winter) and I’m sure that’ll change soon enough.

]]> By: kilowahn http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37058 kilowahn Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:38:30 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/03/23/29ers-a-little-more-mainstream/#comment-37058 @clueless joe: off course you have bad knees and a beer habit - you're a mountainbiker ;) by the way - i think your posting makes the point regarding the doubts of a lot of the 26ers... @clueless joe:
off course you have bad knees and a beer habit - you’re a mountainbiker ;)
by the way - i think your posting makes the point regarding the doubts of a lot of the 26ers…

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