I'm thinking about getting either a 69er or 29er for my next bike. My only concern with a 29er is that they seem a bit big and bulky. Does it just take a little getting used to or are they not as nimble as 26ers? How do 29ers compare with things like taking tight turns, riding skinnies, etc?
Does a 29er handle as well as a 26er or 69er?
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I think this requires some sort of proof :skep:Cloxxki said:
Maybe I should have pointed out that I just got into mountain biking 6 months ago. I sucked starting out but can now hold my own with most of the riders I see on the trails. I'd like to demo a 29er on some trails but the LBS's around me only let you test the bikes on the streets. IMO, it's kind of tough getting a good feel for a bike just riding on the street.Cloxxki said:
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You can come out and borrow mine.
You break it you bought it
You break it you bought it
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Non-condescending answer:
I've ridden mountain bikes since 1990. 29ers for the past 2 years.
29ers corner better by far, descend chunky terrain better, climb same chunky terrain better, and hold more speed in most any situation.
They are slightly harder to get up to speed out of corners or on techy climbs when one has to "attack" a section, but not by much.
So overall, yes, by a lot.
I've ridden mountain bikes since 1990. 29ers for the past 2 years.
29ers corner better by far, descend chunky terrain better, climb same chunky terrain better, and hold more speed in most any situation.
They are slightly harder to get up to speed out of corners or on techy climbs when one has to "attack" a section, but not by much.
So overall, yes, by a lot.
Trying a local's bike is the best answer. Why do you want a 29er?
I rode an On*One Inbred 29er solely for two years. I just built a FS 26er recently and am having a blast on it. For me on the rocky, techy trails that we have here, I'm much, much faster on the 26er.
Having both is great.
d
I rode an On*One Inbred 29er solely for two years. I just built a FS 26er recently and am having a blast on it. For me on the rocky, techy trails that we have here, I'm much, much faster on the 26er.
Having both is great.
d
I've only done 2 races on my Superfly and after racing 26s for the last 20 years, I would say 29ers corner MUCH better. Its as if you cant make them slide out. I mean riding up towards the front of a Pro/Elite race we are railing corners so hard that I'd often get front tire slide on my 26, but never on my Superfly. I also climb fast on a 29er. Yes acceleration is a bit slower, but to over come this, dont slow down :laugh:
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it depends
You do have to learn a little bit how to ride the 29er, it's different, but its good. Sweeping turns are great, downhills are great, anywhere you can carry your momentum is great. Super tight switchbacks are a little more work, but you can get through it.
Personally, I am faster on my 29er because it is more stable over the rough stuff, I don't have to think as much about picking the perfect line.
It depends on which one you get. Some 26ers are bulky too. A lot of it has to do with the weight of the wheels - so look for some lighter wheels.bank5 said:
You do have to learn a little bit how to ride the 29er, it's different, but its good. Sweeping turns are great, downhills are great, anywhere you can carry your momentum is great. Super tight switchbacks are a little more work, but you can get through it.
Personally, I am faster on my 29er because it is more stable over the rough stuff, I don't have to think as much about picking the perfect line.
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I picked up my first 29inch bike 3 weeks ago, a GF X-Caliber hardtail. I have been out on it 13 times. It only took 2 rides to get completely used to it and to push it and me to my limits. So don't be afraid of it, if anything you will crash less due to its ability to roll over stuff better. The 29 inch tires smash rocks like a monster truck and you can climb rocky hills like a tractor! There is nothing not to like about it. That says alot comming from a full sus 26er after ten years. I really do not miss a rear shock except full really fast rocky down hills, the back end will jump around. However, this is due only to it being a hard tail and has nothing to do with the wheel size. Bottom line: I will never buy another 26 inch bike again. I am a true convert. Give it a try
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My Monocog Flight handles much better than the 26er I had before (a Pipedream Serius - but I think that frame has some geometry issues...). Here in Colorado Springs we've got some pretty tight switchbacks and the 29er rolls them much nicer and at higher speeds than the Pipedream ever did. I've never met anyone who didn't like a 29er after getting one.
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When I 69'd my bike, I went from being left for dead by most of my mates on descents to riding behind them wondering why they are riding so slow, especially if rocks and roots are in the mix.
69er is perfect for me, MOST of the time, on a rocky ride recently I did feel the rear wheel struggling to get over stuff the 29" front didn't really care about, but skint so needs must and all that.
69er is perfect for me, MOST of the time, on a rocky ride recently I did feel the rear wheel struggling to get over stuff the 29" front didn't really care about, but skint so needs must and all that.
I have been riding my 29er (raleigh xxix, rigid ss) for a few months now. For me, there are a couple tight switchbacks I barely made on my 26 (geared ibis mojo) that I don't always make on the 29er. So, for me, a little less able to make the tight switchbacks. That said, others remarked that the tight switchbacks don't bother them, so it could just be me.
I did feel that I couldn't accelerate as well, especially during a technical climb. Then, I got a much lighter wheelset, and most of that is now gone. And the positive things far outweigh the small negatives. If Ibis makes a 29er Mojo, I'll sell my 26er immediately and buy it. But, I still love the mojo for the rough stuff, the rigid ss 29er for everything else.
I did feel that I couldn't accelerate as well, especially during a technical climb. Then, I got a much lighter wheelset, and most of that is now gone. And the positive things far outweigh the small negatives. If Ibis makes a 29er Mojo, I'll sell my 26er immediately and buy it. But, I still love the mojo for the rough stuff, the rigid ss 29er for everything else.
See above, esp Juan and SuperG's posts.
I'll add that as a relative newbie, I think the 29er will help you progress faster in your technical abilities, without exacting as much revenge as a 26er. Especially if you happen to be over 5'10". WAY tougher to go over the bars.
I'll add that as a relative newbie, I think the 29er will help you progress faster in your technical abilities, without exacting as much revenge as a 26er. Especially if you happen to be over 5'10". WAY tougher to go over the bars.
Followed a lad on some steep switchbacks, with dry sandly ground last week, I'd not ridden this bit before, he was on a 26er me a 69er he was struggling on the turns traction wise infact all the 26ers where ( which rules out tyre choice ) and I was braking purely to stop myself from crashing into him, dropping back then catching him up again, even shouted at him, OFF THE BRAKES!!!
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