Comments on: The New Standard In Full Suspension 29″ers

By: tbone

tbone — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:36:55 +0000

Now if we could have some affordable 29er FSers with shorter chainstays (Giant???). Trying to motor over obstacles is a bear on these >18″ CS bikes. I’ve ridden/owned a few including ventana, turner, GF, Titus, specy. Albeit very nice, they feel like riding a bus.

I second the shootout idea – GT can you get those bikes together?? Would be great. MTBR’s shootout is outdated.

By: mjbrox

mjbrox — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:27:28 +0000

I remember when my 08 Niner RIP 9 was the coolest bike on the block………

By: Shop Mechanic

Shop Mechanic — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:47:59 +0000

Dirt McGirt,

I haven’t ridden a Stumpy 29er yet, what don’t you like about them specifically?

By: MG

MG — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:39:51 +0000

You know, I totally forgot to mention Ventana, but they do deserve mention in this conversation too… Sherwood’s bikes are tough as nails!!

By: t0m

t0m — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:50:10 +0000

Rigidity in a FS frame? Think V-e-n-t-a-n-a.

Please, do a high-end FS 29er shootout. Salsa, Ventana, Niner, Turner, Pivot, Titus. All dream frames, all boutique 4″ travel 29ers.

I guess a shootout would be a little beyond the means, but how about a series?

By: Lewis

Lewis — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:19:11 +0000

Have been looking at the Salsa since it came out. As a big guy I look for a solid tough ride over saving a few kilos. The Salsa seemed like a solid bike with very little flex. Unfortunately they are like hens teeth in Australia. Impossible to find. Cheers.

By: MG

MG — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:27:27 +0000

Amen Brother!! You and I have been discussing this quite a bit offline, and I appreciate you bringing it to the blog. It’s time for 29-inch riders to start expecting more from their bikes — more stiffness, more handling and quite simply, more performance on the trail. A few bikes currently deliver — the Big Mama is one notable example, no doubt. I’m very happy with the strength and stiffness of mine, that’s for sure!! Noodly is one word that I’d never use to describe its performance!

By: Dirt McGirt

Dirt McGirt — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:54:18 +0000

This is good. Maybe some of the other manufacturers will take notice and start building FS 29ers like FS 26ers. Have you ridden the Specialized Stumpy FSR 29er? It rides like a danged HYBRID! DISGRACEFUL!

By: MMcG

MMcG — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:35:01 +0000

It would be cool to see a new FS 29er showdown. It has been a few years since the mtbr.com showdown occurred.

Would be great to see a few of these frames go head to head to see what’s marketing hype and what’s the truth once the tires hit the dirt.

Is this something this site could pull off?

By: Upsidedownbiker

Upsidedownbiker — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:31:28 +0000

Last year I rode a Pivot 429 and was amazed at not only how stiff the suspension was in design, but also how solid the front end felt. The entire frame is made so that you do not give up anything to twisting or bad pivots which is even more important on a 29′er in my opinion. The coolest thing was that it was like riding a five inch travel bike with better roll over at speed and traction.