[BearcatSandor]

Hey folks,

I've searched around for answer to this, but i have not found it. In a year or so i'm gonna start putting together a custom 29er xc bike built around an Intense Spider 29. The components list changes weekly.

Most of my riding is gonna be long trips (30 miles or more) on dirt/gravel roads. It seems that since my technical trail riding is gonna be at a minimum and my long distance at a maximum, 100mm of travel is going to be best for me right?

When i do hit the trail and am faced with a 5' drop can a 100mm xc bike take it? I mean assuming i'm physically able to do all that, what are my limitations on a 29er with 100mm of travel? What should i i avoid on the trail so as not to damage the bike?

For what it's worth i weigh 150 lbs and am 5'6 but i'll probably be between 150 and 145 lbs by the time i buy this thing.

If this depends on a lot more info i'll gladly give it.

 

[chumbox]

If Jeff is doing it on a rigid fork I'm sure you'll be fine.:thumbsup:

 

[BearcatSandor]

That is an awesome picture! Beautiful!

So what would the height limit be?

 

[MessagefromTate]

What would necessitate full suspension for mostly dirt road riding? Get a cyclocross bike or a rigid 29er.

 

[BearcatSandor]

What would necessitate full suspension for mostly dirt road riding? Get a cyclocross bike or a rigid 29er.

The fact that i go over a lot of rocks, small jumps and roots sometimes. I just wanna know what the limits are. I want a bike that i can do most of the things that i want to do on it.

 

[Hand/of/Midas]

The fact that i go over a lot of rocks, small jumps and roots sometimes. I just wanna know what the limits are. I want a bike that i can do most of the things that i want to do on it.

The bikes Limits are much greater than the riders limits. its all about what you can take/give.
For instance, this bike is a hardtail, no rear suspension.

 

[shiggy]

Hey folks,

I've searched around for answer to this, but i have not found it. In a year or so i'm gonna start putting together a custom 29er xc bike built around an Intense Spider 29. The components list changes weekly.

Most of my riding is gonna be long trips (30 miles or more) on dirt/gravel roads. It seems that since my technical trail riding is gonna be at a minimum and my long distance at a maximum, 100mm of travel is going to be best for me right?

When i do hit the trail and am faced with a 5' drop can a 100mm xc bike take it? I mean assuming i'm physically able to do all that, what are my limitations on a 29er with 100mm of travel? What should i i avoid on the trail so as not to damage the bike?

For what it's worth i weigh 150 lbs and am 5'6 but i'll probably be between 150 and 145 lbs by the time i buy this thing.

If this depends on a lot more info i'll gladly give it.

The Spider is an XC RACE frame. As such, drops not usually in the design criteria. It is the wrong bike for you IMO.

 

[APSBiker]

I'm gonna have to agree and say the bike is overkill for everything you described. Besides, the Spider 29 isn't that good looking

 

[Jayem]

Limits of a XC 29er?

It's 3.

 

[boomn]

The bikes Limits are much greater than the riders limits. its all about what you can take/give.
For instance, this bike is a hardtail, no rear suspension.

Hardtail? Yes it is
XC hardtail? Definitely not.

Those FR hardtails are designed to take a lot more abuse than an XC FS bike

 

[BearcatSandor]

I'm gonna have to agree and say the bike is overkill for everything you described. Besides, the Spider 29 isn't that good looking

Overkill? I don't think anything is overkill. A nice light bike makes everything easier.

However, there is such a thing as to much travel for an application because it alters your angles too much.

I was just wondering what 100mm limits me too. I think i have a good idea.

And yea, it is kinda ugly, but meh.

Thanks.

 

[CB2]

A lot has to do wish what kind of rider you are. Some guys can do huge drops on a light xc race bike, others will break a freeride rig on the same drop.

 

[Flat Ark]

If you really want a Spider 29 then I would buy a Spider 29, BUT I would also get off of the bike and walk it around the 5' drop. As others have said, it is a bike designed to go fast on XC terrain. Give Intense a call and ask them their thoughts on your intended application.

 

[LyNx]

Bad reply :skep: If everyone had Jeff's skills they'd all be riding rigid 29ers - that man has some serious talent and finese from what I've read and seen, not your average MTBer.

If Jeff is doing it on a rigid fork I'm sure you'll be fine.:thumbsup:

As to what a Spider 29er could handle..........I certainly wouldn't be taking one off any real 5ft drop as said, it's a XC race designed machine with very steep angles, not made to be hucked. If you want a bike that can handle a 5ft drop then buy one, something like a Lenz 5"(Behemoth I think it is), Niner RIP9, Turner Sultan and put the appropriate fork on it.

 

[minor swing]

is there even a bike that maximizes both riding 25 miles of gravel road then eating up 5 miles of techy singletrack absorbing 5 foot drops... The only thing that maximizes those situations is rider ability. I am just not sure there is something out there. I think the bike you are talking about would suit you for about everything but the 5 footer... I would walk that one. I don't think that bike will have the angles you want to be taking on five foot drops

 

[NCtrailX]

All 5' drops aren't created equally. A 4-5' drop to a transition can be much smoother than a 3' to flat, or even casing a 2 footer.

The Spider should be ok for what you will encounter on a typical XCish type trail ride (rolling jumps, log piles, 1-3' foot drops that flow with the trail). If you are planning to search out drops/jumps to try, then the Spider is probably not the right bike.

 

[jjmtb1]

Use the 80/20 rule. Where will the bike be 80% of the time? If it is fire roads get get a bike for that. Cross or a 29 hardtail with room for BIG tires and you will be happy.

If you are looking for the perfect bike for all occasions it is like looking for the holy grail. We are all looking for that. That is why there is a list of catagories in these forums and why we have a stable of bikes.

 

[Miker J]

Holy Grail...

The eternal quest for the bike that does it all. Rides like a xc racer on the dirt roads then is able to handle the 5' drop.

No such bike exists. You can push any bike beyond its limits but it won't perform well outside it's intended purpose. Whether it's a 29" or 26" makes little difference, although 26" wheels seem to take more abuse all else being equal.

The closest I came to the one do it all bike was a Heckler.

 

[riderx]

Lots of dirt/gravel roads = hard tail w/ a rigid fork in my book, using fat tires with low rolling resistance. If you really don't want to go with the rigid fork get a suspension fork with a lock out. Like someone else said, use the 80/20 rule. You can do plenty on a rigid bike for the small amount of times it sounds like you'll be wandering into that terrain.

 

[sean salach]

A lot has to do wish what kind of rider you are. Some guys can do huge drops on a light xc race bike, others will break a freeride rig on the same drop.

i agree. if you're smooth enough or know how to soak up drops well enough with your body, an 'xc' bike will be fin on a 5' dropoff. there is way more suspension available in a normally proportioned person's arms and legs than any suspension bike on the market. and it's smarter and more 'adjustable' than any available suspension too.