Finally had a chance to demo a Tallboy (Med.) more then parking lot speedbumps and potholes. 5'6" 30" nseam. I currently ride small Blur and Superlight bikes. Have a couple other bikes as well with longer top tubes, but let's compare like brand bikes.
So here is my 2 cents worth.
Fine ride, took me about an hour to get use to the big wheels first. The demo had a Nevegal upfront, Small block 8 on back. Rented if for half a day to ride some local rocky, rooty trails with short fast climbs. It does take more effort to get the wheels moving, however it does roll smoothly and faster on flat and small obsticales. VPP works like my blur, so nothing amazing there, the suspension worked like I expected. Position on the bike... I rode more upright then my other bikes, which made a comfort bike type of ride. I take it I would have to reverse the stem to get my handle bars even with seat. On climbs, I had to move to a smaller gear compared to my 26 inch bikes, but did wish the handlebar was lower as I almost felt like my chest would hit the bar. Would either have to reverse the stem to -6 degrees or cut the tube as close to the headset as possible.
Overall, after I got use to the bike I tried to ride it like a 26er.
Here is the difference...slower on turns, hard to do wheelies, manuals anything that required lifting of the front wheel. Much of the terrrain that I normally jump across, the 29er rolled across bucking up and over. Heavier bike for sure.
This is a good bike and I'm sure the industry is going to make a switch over the next few years to 29er bikes, wouldn't surprise me if the lower model bikes would be the only way to get a 26 inch wheel bike, and all higher end bikes are 29er.
If you need a new bike because the one you have is worn out, broken, stolen, beyond finding parts for, whatever, I would really consider this bike as a replacement. However if you own a full suspension 26er and wonder if spending 5 grand on a 29er is going to make you a much better rider or enjoy the trails more....nope I can wait.
