[Hmac58]

6' and currently 265, don't have a bike yet. I've been looking, researching, asking questions on forums and talking to several LBS.

a guy at a LBS today suggested I go with a 29" Gary Fisher Cobia. the guy at the LBS put me on a 21" frame, which felt too big, but I've never been on one before.

I was under the impression that 29ers were really more for guys like 6'2" and up.

I've been on several 26" bikes with a 19" frame, they have felt great.

I've also started reading in the 29er forum a little bit.

Thoughts/advice?

 

[djcrb9]

29'ers are way cool, and will definitely work for someone your height. The size of that bike is all wrong, and it sounds like the salesman was just trying to sell you what was on the floor, because that bike is too big for you.

 

[TLud]

I recently enjoyed a few weeks on a 29er (GF X-Cal), and was very impressed. If you've been on the 29er forum for any length of time, you'll know the advantages and disadvantages to the bigger wheels.

When I first rode the X-Cal, I missed the snappier acceleration of my 26er HT. While this feeling never completely went away, I realized that this wasn't a big issue on the trail because the 29er is able to maintain speed much better through the rough stuff. Where the acceleration does hurt a little is on really tight, twisty singletrack that requires hard braking in turns.

You really don't even realize how well the bigger wheels roll over everything unless you compare it with a 26er back-to-back. The big wheels also really give you a boost of confidence as you approach an obstacle.

To give you some reference, I'm 6'1" and 225 pounds. I think a 29er would work well for you, but definitely get the right size (19" for the GF frames). Steer clear of the LBS that put you on the 21" frame. They're just trying to move merchandise, not find the right bike for you. The bike you sat on felt big, not because it was a 29er, but because it was the wrong size for you.

 

[29Colossus]

This was a done deal before the question was ever asked.