[jamiep]

I was contemplating making the leap over to what I would call the dark side. East coast rocky, rooty terrain. Pros? Cons?

 

[JDaniels]

I was contemplating making the leap over to what I would call the dark side. East coast rocky, rooty terrain. Pros? Cons?

If someone can talk you into this request, someone else can talk you out of it. Ride it. If it works for you and the price is right, buy it.

Or not.

 

[jamiep]

If someone can talk you into this request, someone else can talk you out of it. Ride it. If it works for you and the price is right, buy it.

Or not.

Okay this is true.

 

[Mr. Hecklerr]

It's really up to you and how you would like your next bike to perform on the trails you ride. Go and test ride as many different bikes you can both 26" and 29" to make your decision. It's a personal decision so it will be up to you and not someone else to convince you of what is going to work best.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[jamiep]

I don't even like the fact there is a choice.

 

[JDaniels]

All of life is a choice.

I have trouble picking out what to wear everyday

 

[MightyDingus]

I ride east coast rocky rooty (Roanoke, VA). I've ridden a hard tail on the local trails. Once. That's all it took to convince me that FS is where it's at (for me). Rode a 5" AM 26" wheel bike for a year, then test rode a Niner RIP 9. The 29" wheels make a big difference. The RIP 9 is all day comfortable, handles like a dream, and is worth every penny. Been riding the RIP 9 for 8 months and love every minute of it.

29" wheels fit me, but you may be different. More important is finding a bike that fits you right and you like. A bike that 90% of people love may not be the right bike for you. The best thing to do is test ride as many as you can, and not just in a parking lot. Rent them, find shops that'll let you ride the local trails, what ever it takes. That's the only way you'll really find the bike that is right for you.

Asking people what bike to get is basically asking them what bike fits them, not what's right for you. The more time you spend looking for the right bike, the higher the likelyhood you'll get the perfect bike for you.

 

[max5480]

NOOOO!!! wait... I mean... YEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!

 

[auto]

Coming from a 26" HT, bought a FS 29", RIP 9. I can't say how happy I have been with the purchase and the performance of the bike. Best lap, trail and better technical ascent/descent than the old HT. Would never go back to old ride.

 

[sem2501]

I'm a big guy so about 2 years ago i bought a 29er thinking it would fit me better and for some things it was great but just not for me. I really like the way a 26 feels and handles so have just bought a new one and it is perfect. the bike i've been looking for for years! I can't see myself going back to a 29er but that is the great think about bikes if you just found the right one straight away there would be no fun in the +1. Now my new +1 is a road bike.

 

[Walt Dizzy]

I was looking at this last year. The cost made me go with 26" full suspension instead.

Walt

 

[whoda*huck]

Coming from a 26" HT, bought a FS 29", RIP 9. I can't say how happy I have been with the purchase and the performance of the bike. Best lap, trail and better technical ascent/descent than the old HT. Would never go back to old ride.

I'm guessing you'd be saying the same thing if you went to a 26" fs.

 

[auto]

I'm guessing you'd be saying the same thing if you went to a 26" fs.

Not even. Rode quite a few 26" FS, and 29" HT's also. I would choose a 29" HT over a 26FS hands down. I feel that strongly about the 29. Even the smallish chica is thinking about switching to the big wheel.

 

[edubfromktown]

I ride East Coast rocky rooty stuff in DC/MD/VA. 29er's work well for me (6'2" 195#). Like one of the previous posters said, try some and see what works- there are a lot of differences between manufacturers. Some I felt totally uncomfortable on as compared to others.

I acquired an HT first and decided to get a FS too though I was a bit concerned about my ability to keep up on faster terrain. Last night I kept up just fine w/ two crazies on HT's for the better part of the last ~5 mi of a 22 miler. They were impressed that I could do so on an FS ride. I tend to ride the FS more often (my back is happier with the extra squish) but it's sort of overkill for probably 70% of the trails around my area. HTH

 

[Gasp4Air]

All good advice. I live and ride in central CT - rocks, roots, hills, repeat. I went from a Yeti 575 to an 08 RIP9. The standard comparisons you read about are more or less true - the trail gets noticeably smoother; the handling is more stable, esp at speed; it's not quite as flickable; turning is a little slower, but I got used to it easily. I never noticed slower acceleration, but I'm no racer - plus, I have it geared really low. I'm getting a new RIP with a 140mm fork this spring.

If those qualities sound attractive, then by all means test ride a few.

 

[Finch Platte]

I would choose a 29" HT over a 26FS hands down. I feel that strongly about the 29.

Hellz, yes. My FS 26er is gathering dust while I ride the 29er HT SS.

 

[picassomoon]

Do it.