The rumor mill is cranking big time in the Big Wheeled World! You’d never know the economy was in the dumps if all you could see was the cycling industry. (Down a bit, yes, but no where near what reality in a lot of sectors is like.) Okay, enough about economics, on to the rumors!

A Tomac Bikes 29?: Here’s a head scratcher for ya. Tomac Bikes, which gets its name from John Tomac, consumate racer and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame member, is also associated with Kenda Tires. “Johnny T” having his signature on a 29″er tire design even. Then consider that Tomac Bikes is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, a place that you can’t swing a bat and not hit a 29″er rider in. (Don’t try the bat thing on your trails, please!) Thinking about all of thses things, why wouldn’t Tomac Bikes have a 29″er in the line up? Well, they haven’t………not yet!

A reader of Twenty Nine Inches that wishes to remain anonymous has told me that a 29″er is being test ridden by Tomac Bikes now. It would appear that some sort of 29″er hard tail will make an appearance in Tomac Bikes 2010 line. Stay tuned…………

Something Titanium, Something “Lefty”, Something Oversized: It has been whispered in my ear by a very reliable source that there will be a hardtail 29″er going into production any day now that will be made of titanium. This particular model, (the name of which was not divulged) will have a BB-30 bottom bracket, and a Lefty front suspension fork. This sounds rather intriguing and you can be sure I will be on the story as details surface.

Titanium Fork Still On The Way: I’ve heard from a couple sources that a production titanium fork for 29″ers would be coming. That rumor had grown cold, but recently it was re-confirmed to me that indeed, production is going forward. When this fork might actually appear is not known, but I will report on any new as soon as it is available.