[GT554]

What's up guys,
Been MTB since 1994 and now I'm looking for a 29er. My weak sections are definitely the climbs and where I ride a lot there are plenty. Do you think the 29 full suspension bikes are harder to climb then with a 26" full suspension? I see you guys are liking the Niner a lot. Which other bikes would you recommand around that $2,000. range.
I have a feeling I'm going to lean toward a hardtail...just trying to get some input. So far I've been told to find a Gary Fisher Super Fly(used) but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[Capt_phun]

I am very happy on my Salsa Dos Niner. Enough cushion with the 1" travel plus 29er wheels run tubeless to make me feel good all day long. Plus it does not have the bob like a true full suspension would. I used to race a 26" superlight but after riding a 29er there was no going back to 26" wheels in the mountains, rocky, rooty terrain of SW Virgia & WV where I ride & race.

 

[Horst Linked]

Stay away from Niner bikes

A friend of mine has a Jet 9 and has had nothing but problems with it. If you research their history over the past 12 months you'll see that they had to replace the rockers on their Jet 9 (and other?) models. They say there's one born every minute, but this guy spent 2K on a new frame, waited months for Niner to get their act together and replaced the faulty rockers, and then to top it off, the front triangle cracked. Take this story for what it's worth, but I'd say that Niner is the Ellsworth of 29" bikes.

 

[Wormburner]

$2000 for a frame or complete bike? If you're looking for a complete bike you might be hard pressed to build up a Niner at that price point; something like a Fisher or Voodoo might be a more affordable option. Otherwise, there are a lot of nice hardtail (and a few softail) options out there that could be built up for that.

 

[Vitamin G]

What's up guys,
Been MTB since 1994 and now I'm looking for a 29er. My weak sections are definitely the climbs and where I ride a lot there are plenty. Do you think the 29 full suspension bikes are harder to climb then with a 26" full suspension? I see you guys are liking the Niner a lot. Which other bikes would you recommand around that $2,000. range.
I have a feeling I'm going to lean toward a hardtail...just trying to get some input. So far I've been told to find a Gary Fisher Super Fly(used) but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Justin

Not nearly enough details for a great answer, the $2 answer will need to suffice. I don't see any down side to climbing on a 29er. In fact, it seems easier to me, since the wheels roll over the roots, rocks and whatnot that get in your way.

That said, I'm a hardtail advocate, especially for your first 29er. You may not need a full suspension bike.

As for brands, you should ride (in no particular order) Niner, Gary Fisher, Salsa and see what you like the best. There are other good brands out there as well. I don't know how easy it would be to find a used Superfly. Who would want to give theirs up??

 

[GT554]

$2000 for a frame or complete bike?

@ $2,000. for a complete bike

 

[cycljunkie]

@ $2,000. for a complete bike

Check out Vassago's Bandersnatch. You should be able to build a complete bike for $2K.

 

[kylemason]

Riding a hardtail is NOT like riding a full suspension, no matter what the tire size. :nono: Tho the 29er will help with some of the roots and rocks. I ride a hardtail Rockhopper with the Reba Race (thanks for the setup Rainman!) and I really enjoy it. The only time I cannot ride as fast as my FS 26er friends is in the really rooty sections. I am slightly slower due to the bounce of the hardtail. I also have tubeless and run 27psi in the rear, and 25 psi in the front. This helps with the roots and rocks also. I use the pop-loc on every climb that I stand up on and can climb everything my FS 26er would climb. I bought a bottom end 29er with the intent of upgrading the suspension, drivetrain and rims to the setup I wanted. Test ride a rigid, front sus. and full sus. and pick the type of bike for the riding you do. :thumbsup:
Kyle

 

[bigtymerider]

Check out Curtlo

Check out Curtlo Cycles online. He is a custom builder but his prices are amazing and he doesn't mark up allot of stuff. His hard tail frame is 825 complete custom geometry and to ad a Reba or Fox is $1200-$1300 total. His build kits start at $812 for a Shimano LX with disc kit. That you put you close to $2000 for a nice custom. The guy is real and worth talking to. I drove over Thanksgiving weekend to get sized and talk about the build. A must look at before you buy and he gets great reviews.He is a really nice guy but hard to get a hold of sometimes.:thumbsup:

 

[coryell]

The Felt nine pro or elite might be worth checking out.

 

[GT554]

Thanks for the advise guys. I've been checking into all these bikes. I went to the bike shop today & was checking out the Gary Fisher Paragon. I know they were having problems with the frame cracking by the seat post but I believe they fixed it? The Superfly was so sick but it's twice the coin. I'm also liking the Niner Air9

 

[NYrr496]

I'm riding a full suspended 29er. Compared to my old 26er hardtail... Outclimbs the crap out of it.

 

[kat71]

Paragon

I've had my Paragon for about 10 months now... no problems with the frame cracking. It's my baby.... you're gonna love it.

 

[Natedogz]

Not nearly enough details for a great answer, the $2 answer will need to suffice. I don't see any down side to climbing on a 29er. In fact, it seems easier to me, since the wheels roll over the roots, rocks and whatnot that get in your way.

That said, I'm a hardtail advocate, especially for your first 29er. You may not need a full suspension bike.

As for brands, you should ride (in no particular order) Niner, Gary Fisher, Salsa and see what you like the best. There are other good brands out there as well. I don't know how easy it would be to find a used Superfly. Who would want to give theirs up??

X2....and ride a Specialized too. I'm McLovin my Rockhopper Disc 29er! Pick the one that feels best to you. :thumbsup:

 

[bdcombs]

i have both an On One Inbred 29er that is SS and then an Ellsworth Evolve. The advantage to FS is that it is obviously faster in the more techie sections. A hardtail will climb better b/c it's lighter and transfers more energy to the rear wheel. If you want to stay at $2k then I would say pimp out a hardtail, I rode the Inbred rigid for a year and a half and it worked great. When i added the front fork it was like riding a cadillac on the trail, with the simplicity of a hardtail.

 

[PanFry]

Not My Experience At All.

A friend of mine has a Jet 9 and has had nothing but problems with it. If you research their history over the past 12 months you'll see that they had to replace the rockers on their Jet 9 (and other?) models. They say there's one born every minute, but this guy spent 2K on a new frame, waited months for Niner to get their act together and replaced the faulty rockers, and then to top it off, the front triangle cracked. Take this story for what it's worth, but I'd say that Niner is the Ellsworth of 29" bikes.

First let me state that Niner makes Really Nice Frames (I should know I have owned 4). Secondly, I obviously cannot speak for your buddy but I have had nothing but Exemplary Customer Service. Always. The good folks over there especially Brett are stand up individuals and are always happy to lend advice on anything from component pairing, geometry/sizing to even trail suggestions on the Front Range. Lastly, while I can certainly appreciate both your and your buddies frustration with the issues of the original JET9 frame set (linkage); you have to also try to appreciate Niner designing a completely new suspension system from the ground up. Not to mention that they provided clear communication throughout the entire ordeal. As far as the Front Triangle cracking; I am curious as to what kind of riding your buddy was doing at the time. Don't get me wrong I know the wait sucked big time and was a super let down but comparing Niner to Ellsworth. That is low.

To the OP: You should try to score one of the HUGELY Discounted 2008 RIP9's or JET9's. I own one (RIP9) (ridden a JET9) and they climb better than ANY 26" wheeled FS Bike I have ever owned and I have owned several. Furthermore, I am confident you will also find LOADS of positive feedback for Niner Bikes.

As a side note I am not affiliated nor employed by Niner Bikes... I am simply a Loyal Customer earned by a Quality Product and some of the Best Customer Service I have ever Experienced.

PF:thumbsup: a

 

[John_Biker]

Check out Curtlo Cycles online. He is a custom builder but his prices are amazing and he doesn't mark up allot of stuff. His hard tail frame is 825 complete custom geometry and to ad a Reba or Fox is $1200-$1300 total. His build kits start at $812 for a Shimano LX with disc kit. That you put you close to $2000 for a nice custom. The guy is real and worth talking to. I drove over Thanksgiving weekend to get sized and talk about the build. A must look at before you buy and he gets great reviews.He is a really nice guy but hard to get a hold of sometimes.:thumbsup:

+1. Why get a production bike when you can go custom? Sure, check out full-suspension and try to get some test rides in and see if that is for you. But, if you opt for a hardtail, custom is the shiznit. A good shortlist might be- Curtlo, Waltworks, Quiring.

 

[GT554]

I'm definitely going hardtail....looking at GF Superfly(used if I could find one), Paragon(new) or maybe a Niner...like a used Air9
My friend here on Long Island builds bikes & I think I'm going to have him build me a single speed rigid next winter....that's were my custom will come in.