Comments on: The Last In Line http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/ 29er Bike Reviews, Rumors and News Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:21:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Davidcopperfield http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/#comment-39485 Davidcopperfield Thu, 15 May 2008 00:44:11 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1168#comment-39485 @ Dirt McGirt The question is when? 2016 or 2030? At that time our grand sons will rejoice at riding them. Giant, Santa Cruz, Schwinn, Ghost will not be and don't want to be the part of big revolution, having said that they will wait and use common available forks (by that time 29er apparel will have proliferated much) and build ordinary bike with 622mm hoops for MTB. They will not have to invest and convince both first the for&tyres manufacturers and customers to switch. The economize now by holding out. Try to convince the whole world that their wheels are too small- it will cost gazillon dollars + demo rides even in Afganistan, Iraq and in the middle of desert for poor villagers to switch. @ Dirt McGirt
The question is when? 2016 or 2030? At that time our grand sons will rejoice at riding them. Giant, Santa Cruz, Schwinn, Ghost will not be and don’t want to be the part of big revolution, having said that they will wait and use common available forks (by that time 29er apparel will have proliferated much) and build ordinary bike with 622mm hoops for MTB. They will not have to invest and convince both first the for&tyres manufacturers and customers to switch. The economize now by holding out. Try to convince the whole world that their wheels are too small- it will cost gazillon dollars + demo rides even in Afganistan, Iraq and in the middle of desert for poor villagers to switch.

]]> By: Dirt McGirt http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/#comment-39476 Dirt McGirt Wed, 14 May 2008 17:15:00 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1168#comment-39476 JONATHAN: Trek purchased the Fisher name in 1996 Gary really hadn't been working on 29ers yet, so I don't believe that was the case. I think it probably has to do with the recent revamping of their full suspension line-up (a multi-million dollar investment). We will probably see some big wheels soon from them. On both front AND back, though. Wait and see, my friends, wait and see.... JONATHAN: Trek purchased the Fisher name in 1996 Gary really hadn’t been working on 29ers yet, so I don’t believe that was the case. I think it probably has to do with the recent revamping of their full suspension line-up (a multi-million dollar investment). We will probably see some big wheels soon from them. On both front AND back, though.

Wait and see, my friends, wait and see….

]]> By: a.lo http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/#comment-39464 a.lo Wed, 14 May 2008 00:15:17 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1168#comment-39464 I agree with you, Ted, Trek will have 29er before we probably expect it. Although the 69ers have their niche, Trek has never been a company to walk to far away from the mainstream, often ditching their 'concept' bikes just as they are finding their place. I also agree that it would make more sense for Trek to do a sub-$1000 29er but I feel that is more of a dream than them releasing a 29er at all. Unfortunately, Trek has slowly priced themselves out of the 'entry-level' market completely. Granted the entry level 29er is drastically different than the entry level 26er, but let's just see what they did when they released the first 69er... interesting concept but for the $2,500 price tag definitely was not a bike for the 'novice' that was being tempted by the big wheel phenomena. I agree with you, Ted, Trek will have 29er before we probably expect it. Although the 69ers have their niche, Trek has never been a company to walk to far away from the mainstream, often ditching their ‘concept’ bikes just as they are finding their place.

I also agree that it would make more sense for Trek to do a sub-$1000 29er but I feel that is more of a dream than them releasing a 29er at all. Unfortunately, Trek has slowly priced themselves out of the ‘entry-level’ market completely. Granted the entry level 29er is drastically different than the entry level 26er, but let’s just see what they did when they released the first 69er… interesting concept but for the $2,500 price tag definitely was not a bike for the ‘novice’ that was being tempted by the big wheel phenomena.

]]> By: Cloxxki http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/#comment-39462 Cloxxki Tue, 13 May 2008 22:54:49 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1168#comment-39462 I just realized the Giant Triple X come in a 59cm which fits HUGE. I'm getting one. Someone will have to custom re-locate the rear axle for me though, it's sitting 95mm above the BB as stock. Check this out : http://www.giant-bicycles.com/nl-nl/bikes/lifestyle/1461/29790/ White bike I'm going to get for my mom. Apart from the color, it's my and my mom's demands for a new bike together. Maybe not a kids bike after all, but I've seem many of the M's out there under school kids, I'm telling you. I just realized the Giant Triple X come in a 59cm which fits HUGE. I’m getting one.
Someone will have to custom re-locate the rear axle for me though, it’s sitting 95mm above the BB as stock.

Check this out :
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/nl-nl/bikes/lifestyle/1461/29790/

White bike I’m going to get for my mom. Apart from the color, it’s my and my mom’s demands for a new bike together.
Maybe not a kids bike after all, but I’ve seem many of the M’s out there under school kids, I’m telling you.

]]> By: Cloxxki http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/#comment-39460 Cloxxki Tue, 13 May 2008 21:41:58 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1168#comment-39460 The kids' 29"ers are great fits actually. Today's kids are barely smaller than 1976's adults (except for G. Fisher perhaps), and even back when those adults made early MTB's, they used 26" wheels which were kid-specific at the time. Kids have grown, and been fitted with proportionate wheels. Adults, are still with 28/29". The kids’ 29″ers are great fits actually. Today’s kids are barely smaller than 1976’s adults (except for G. Fisher perhaps), and even back when those adults made early MTB’s, they used 26″ wheels which were kid-specific at the time.
Kids have grown, and been fitted with proportionate wheels. Adults, are still with 28/29″.

]]> By: Jonathan Gennick http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/#comment-39451 Jonathan Gennick Tue, 13 May 2008 17:01:44 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1168#comment-39451 I've long wondered why Trek has skipped past the 29er size only to focus on the so-called 69ers. Is it possible that when Trek purchased Gary Fisher, that part of the deal was that Fisher got an exclusive on 29ers? That's pure speculation on my part. I'm just trying to think of a logical reason for the lack of a Trek 29er. I’ve long wondered why Trek has skipped past the 29er size only to focus on the so-called 69ers. Is it possible that when Trek purchased Gary Fisher, that part of the deal was that Fisher got an exclusive on 29ers? That’s pure speculation on my part. I’m just trying to think of a logical reason for the lack of a Trek 29er.

]]> By: Davidcopperfield http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/#comment-39448 Davidcopperfield Tue, 13 May 2008 15:47:46 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1168#comment-39448 What a hypocrisy! Trek is already "stealing" revenues from Fisher because Fisher does 26ers. It won't be much different if they "stole" also on 29ers' side. When Fisher suspens theproduction of 26er? Probably when they will be enough forks to cover all varietes of MTB sport from touring to DH. I want a Trek top fuel 29er. What a hypocrisy! Trek is already “stealing” revenues from Fisher because Fisher does 26ers. It won’t be much different if they “stole” also on 29ers’ side.
When Fisher suspens theproduction of 26er? Probably when they will be enough forks to cover all varietes of MTB sport from touring to DH.

I want a Trek top fuel 29er.

]]> By: mg http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/#comment-39447 mg Tue, 13 May 2008 15:39:31 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1168#comment-39447 The only people that think Trek <i>needs</i> to release a full 29er is likely a Trek-only dealer who doesn't also stock Fisher. A dealer that's got both Trek and Fisher has it covered. As far as Giant goes, sure they've got a strong value proposition, but for me, they hardly represent a compelling purchase option to actually purchase and ride. But that's me... You know my tastes/priorities. So if Giant never comes to the 29er table, it certainly won't break my heart. Ironically, Tomac was another company I never thought I'd see a 29er from, however I was speaking with Tomac head honcho, Joel Smith recently, and though he didn't overtly confirm that a 29er was in development, he admitted to me that it would be a good idea for them to develop one, based on the trends in the US market (especially in his local market, where 29ers rule the roost). It was also clear to me from our conversation that 29er-specific geometry has been more than a passing thought in Joel's mind. Don't quote me on this, but I think a Tomac 29er could be a possibility... but I'm a total speculator on this one. We'll see if it comes to fruition. The only people that think Trek needs to release a full 29er is likely a Trek-only dealer who doesn’t also stock Fisher. A dealer that’s got both Trek and Fisher has it covered.

As far as Giant goes, sure they’ve got a strong value proposition, but for me, they hardly represent a compelling purchase option to actually purchase and ride. But that’s me… You know my tastes/priorities. So if Giant never comes to the 29er table, it certainly won’t break my heart.

Ironically, Tomac was another company I never thought I’d see a 29er from, however I was speaking with Tomac head honcho, Joel Smith recently, and though he didn’t overtly confirm that a 29er was in development, he admitted to me that it would be a good idea for them to develop one, based on the trends in the US market (especially in his local market, where 29ers rule the roost). It was also clear to me from our conversation that 29er-specific geometry has been more than a passing thought in Joel’s mind. Don’t quote me on this, but I think a Tomac 29er could be a possibility… but I’m a total speculator on this one. We’ll see if it comes to fruition.

]]> By: professed http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/#comment-39440 professed Tue, 13 May 2008 10:23:46 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1168#comment-39440 Lots in Sydney and Canberra as well Kenzo. Yeti - please a 29er ASR SL with tight chainstays ! So what about Giant.....? If they make a 29er MTB they are bound to be ugly - the Specialized spawn were horrible and mutant enough ! There are enough ugly bikes in this world. Lots in Sydney and Canberra as well Kenzo.

Yeti - please a 29er ASR SL with tight chainstays !

So what about Giant…..?
If they make a 29er MTB they are bound to be ugly - the Specialized spawn were horrible and mutant enough ! There are enough ugly bikes in this world.

]]> By: Kenzo http://twentynineinches.com/2008/05/12/the-last-in-line/#comment-39438 Kenzo Tue, 13 May 2008 08:50:04 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1168#comment-39438 Plenty of 29ers appearing here in Australia.... I think with a high proportion in the Brisbane area. Plenty of 29ers appearing here in Australia….

I think with a high proportion in the Brisbane area.

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