Any thoughts on the 29

[mtbiker46]

I was talking with Jeff at Milford Bikes and he had suggested the Rockhopper comp 29. Wondering if any one has ridden any bikes with the 29" tire and how they liked it?

[Slappy]

I'd say it depends on how/where you plan on riding. A general rule of thumb is you rarely see a 29er with more than an inch of air under it's tires. :p The wheels are somewhat weaker and can have a tendency for the spokes to loosen up (from my experiences riding with people that have them). Overall, I'd say they're great for certain riders/terrain, but less versatile than a 'regular' mtb.

Also your build and how important parts availability/selection is to you plays into it (less forks/tires/wheels to choose from, better fit for tall peeps)

[Scott O]

Less options for forks, wheels, and tires, all of which tend to be a bit more expensive. If you're taller its something to consider. Rolls better over technical terrain and maintains momentum very well. Accelerates slower than 26er and handles a little slower. You'll hear people swear by them and others say they're just trendy. They work for me.

[mtbiker46]

I'm 6' hoping to get into more technical stuff this season if I can get my bike before the season is over.

[MMcG]

Sure there may be less options for tires and forks than the 26er realm - but there are certainly plenty of options to choose from. And the list keeps growing regularly. Plenty of great suspension options for 29er wheels these days, and plenty of really good tires too. Don't let that be a detractor to you.

If you are a tall guy in particular, are more on the XC side of the spectrum - have a hardtail budget - then give one a test ride.

There are now more than enough tire options, fork options and that number is growing. A 29er wheel built or inspected by a good wheel builder (if machine built) can be built plenty strong.

That Rockhopper is pretty nice for the buck and the dropout system the Big S uses is cool too.

[MMcG]

I'm 6' hoping to get into more technical stuff this season if I can get my bike before the season is over.

what do you mean by technical?

If you mean riding through tough rock gardens technical - well those big wheels do have some "angle of attack" advantages to them and tend to roll over trail obstacles a little easier than a 26" wheel.

If you mean dirtjumping/hucking and freeriding type of technical - then perhaps look at a different option than a 29er. Maybe something like an affordable 5" trail bike style of bike.

[ArmOnFire]

Try one, they work for me(I am 6'3"), and will say that it depends on your riding style and build of the bike and components.
I have had 26" wheels that are weaker than my normal 29er wheels.

I have two, both set up single speed, one rigid (all steel), and one with a suspension fork (Ti frame w/ Mav SC32).

If you are around the Exeter, NH / Ft Rock area, let me know you can test either out there.

-Dan
armonfire@gmail.com

[MMcG]

If you do like the Rockhopper - see if you can swing a compromise/deal with the guys at teh shop on the model up from the Rockhopper comp. The RS Tora fork will be noticeably better/stiffer than the Dart that is on the Rockhopper Comp.

What other brands does Milford bike carry? I've heard from splat and others that that is a great shop by the way. I'm sure they'll steer you in the right direction and provide sound advice/recommendations.

Cheers,

Mark

[digger]

If your mind is set on hardtail, 29er is a much more comfortable ride 26er. It will likely be a little heavier however. 29 geometry generally provides active steering with good stability and lower endo potential, compared with a similar 26er. Just my experience.

[bdee]

Jeez, if you keep listening to Slappy talk about 29ers you'd think they fold over if anyone over 200lbs looks at one or dares drop it off of a curb! ;)

I've been riding them in NE since '05 almost exclusively (though I will be on a Santa Cruz of some sort in the very near future for trips to NAM. The bigger bike bug bit me, I'll admit it! :)). If by technical you mean lots of drops and jumps then yeah stop reading and get something more AM compatible.

29er wheels are an issue if you really push them to their limits (think huge drops to flat), you have zero flow, and/or you have a very poorly built wheelset. A crappy wheelbuild is a crappy wheelbuild no matter the size.

I'm running WTB laserdisc lites laced to WTB speediscs and all is well. This is after beating on them on my Rip 9 and on my Sinister Simon Bar. I've also barrelled them into rock gardens during XC races with no worries about tacoing them. I'm no Freerider but those wheels see plenty of airtime and it's the Sinister 29er that has had me edging more towards a bigger bike. Granted the Sinister is a special 29er in that it feels like a big Chameleon, it's handmade in VT and it's quicker, higher and has a shorter wheelbase than the average 29er but I started on a long and low Karate Monkey and have ridden a few 29ers in between. My first 29er wheelset (Surly hubs laced to Salsa Gordos) is still in service btw.

The less available componentry argument is dying and is becoming moot. You could apply it to 650bs right about now but before long you'll likely see more of those around than anyone thought possible (you can thank the 29er for opening that door). The industry has fully embraced 29ers as evidenced by one of the more outspoken holdouts, Specialized, offering more than a few models. Not to mention Giant finally getting into the game. Forks have come a loooong way and you can even get a grampa cassette and special chainrings if the rotational mass thing is a huge deal. The difference between the first generation of forks and the latest versions is staggering. If only Marz would make one though...

Given what I know about Specializeds in general, and the Rockhopper and Stumpys I've seen/ridden, they're classic mountain bikes from Specialized with big wheels. Stable, good handling bikes that shouldn't feel weird to anyone unless they've been riding DH/FR specific bikes their whole lives, or never ridden a bike before. Specialized generally makes bikes that ride well and deliver some bang for the buck.

You really need to try one on the trail and decide before you buy. If you're anywhere near RI give Providence Bicycle a call. They have Niners available to demo (as well as a whole bunch of Santa Cruzs).

*Full disclosure: I will be at P Bike full time shortly.

[mtbiker46]

Would a 29 do the vietnam trail, Hoping to get into shape to be able to do that trail.

[MMcG]

There are numerous trails in Vietnam - if you mean some of the new ones that feature all of the technical trail features such as drops and step ups etc. etc. - you'd probably be better off on a full suspension bike with somewhat slack angles.

If you mean general trail riding at Vietnam - a 29er would be fine in my opinion.

[Scott O]

I stand by the limit of parts. I don't like paying retail for anything but its tough to find any kind of decent closeouts on 29er tires. And my 29er fork cost more than an entry level bike.

Meanwhile, you can always find decent cheap 26" tires. Ebay is filled with good used 26er forks for $200.

Still, I'll take the benefits of the 29er and pay a little more. If you're 6' definatley consider it.

[Scott O]

29 Rockhopper is fine on the trails of Vietnam, but if you want to focus on jumps and drops you may want to look at a bike designed for that. I defer to the Vietnam crew....

[Slappy]

Jeez, if you keep listening to Slappy talk about 29ers you'd think they fold over if anyone over 200lbs looks at one or dares drop it off of a curb! ;)
.

Okay, it's probably not inherent to the bikes so much as it is to the old bastards that generally ride them. I still don't know if I believe one has ever left the ground though. :D


you have zero flow, .

guilty :o

disclaimer - I have no real experience spending time on a 29er.
I am far too cheap to own anything that can't be fixed by raiding the parts pile in my garage (which consists mainly of wobbly 26" wheels with purple ano skewers, pre-98 LX derailleur bits, and BMX crap I scrounge from the dump).

[mtbiker46]

I'm going to have to try one out. At least at Milford Bikes they let you take it out on the dirt.

[MMcG]

I stand by the limit of parts. I don't like paying retail for anything but its tough to find any kind of decent closeouts on 29er tires. And my 29er fork cost more than an entry level bike.

Meanwhile, you can always find decent cheap 26" tires. Ebay is filled with good used 26er forks for $200.

Still, I'll take the benefits of the 29er and pay a little more. If you're 6' definatley consider it.


I just saw a used Reba on the boston craigslist for $125!

As for tires - you can find deals. enter in what you are looking for into www.qbike.com and see what turns up. Also - keep an eye out via an RSS feed for the mtbr.com classifieds, and scour bustedspoke.com and other forums as well.

Right now there is a guy on the BS forum selling some Michelin 29er tires and some WTB Weirwolf 2.5s at great prices! ;)

[MMcG]

Okay, it's probably not inherent to the bikes so much as it is to the old bastards that generally ride them. I still don't know if I believe one has ever left the ground though. :D






Hey watch who you are calling an old bastard! ;) 40 is the new 20 right? ;)

and some guys with the right skills and bikes - do get their 29ers off the ground. I've even gotten mine off the ground by a foot or two once or twice. ;)

Here's a cool thread with some good examples:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=514764

Still if the original poster wants to hit some of those VLC built trails at Nam - he's better suited to a 5" or more trail bike/freeride rig than a 29er hardtail.

[mtbiker46]

Never heard of a Reba, is it a good bike? What size was it?

[MMcG]

A Reba is a fork model by Rockshox - they make it in 26" and 29er sizes.

It is probably one of the most popular 29er forks out there these days.

Take some time and re-visit Milford Bike - ask a lot of questions and test ride a bunch of different bikes that fit your budget. Buy what feels best and fits best and doesn't break the bank.

[mtbiker46]

I will do that. My wife is not to happy with me for wanting to get a bike but I find it relaxing and hope to lose weight about 25 lbs over. She sold my last one which was a trek 3700 at a yard sale for $10.

[TheHemiMan]

Hey, nice comment on the loose spokes:) we'll see how they do on the leominster ride...
If you ever wanna take my bike for a spin just let me know, maybe then you can shoot out some more opinions about the 2-niner...


Okay, it's probably not inherent to the bikes so much as it is to the old bastards that generally ride them. I still don't know if I believe one has ever left the ground though. :D



guilty :o

disclaimer - I have no real experience spending time on a 29er.
I am far too cheap to own anything that can't be fixed by raiding the parts pile in my garage (which consists mainly of wobbly 26" wheels with purple ano skewers, pre-98 LX derailleur bits, and BMX crap I scrounge from the dump).

[MMcG]

I will do that. My wife is not to happy with me for wanting to get a bike but I find it relaxing and hope to lose weight about 25 lbs over. She sold my last one which was a trek 3700 at a yard sale for $10.


why would she not be happy? It will help get/keep you in shape and that in turn will keep you around on this earth that much longer.

[Superbman]

Thanks to a lot of folks (MMcG among them) I got to spend a ton of time on a number of 29ers over the last 6 months or so.

I like them a lot-the stable powerful momentum filled rolling feel is addictive for sure. I never had any trouble climbing with them (in fact, depending on the situation the added stability and traction of longer tire patch and chainstays helps a great deal).

I think the Best iteration of the 29er is in the Hard tail (or rigid) form (spent quality time on a Ventana El Rey-great Bike-but for a number of reasons, I liked the way 29er wheels worked on the various hard tails I rode more!)

Some other thoughts...it's all about the wheels--which means, you can't skimp on them-Most of the guys I know on 29ers run a Stan's Rim (355, Arch, etc), High-Quality hubs (Hope, King, I9 etc) and run the tires tubeless...and it makes a huge difference ( I ran a C-dale F29er side by side with another one-only difference was one had stock-2008- wheels, the other had a king/ stans set up...unbelievable difference in ride quality...way more pronounced than on a 26er!). Getting the wheels to optimum on a 29er is worth the money.

All that said, when spring rolled around, I dropped some money and built up a new set of wheels for my Sinister Ridge (a 26er hard tail), I just love that bike-it's my only ride, and I prefer it to every big-wheeled bike I rode. But, maybe in time, I'd get a 29er-I say go for it-I'm sure the Rock Hopper is a solid bike!

Liam

[bdee]

For the real techy/jump line type stuff at NAM a FS bike would be nice. I used to be a big proponent of people buying a hardtail, learning to ride it and then moving onwards and upwards into the world of suspension.

These days I lean more towards folks buying as much bike as they can reasonably afford, especially if it allows them to try more stuff and grow as a rider. If the bigger stuff is what you want to ride find a bike suited to that style of riding. Go out to NAM and ask around and see what people recommend. There are a lot of B lines and you don't have to hit all the big drops but once you progress you don't necessarily want your bike to be what's holding you back.

Slap, I hear you on the scrounging. My Sinister is equipped with the finest early '90s thumbies, set up in friction no less, and mated to a 1x8 XTR/XT Saint (blame RJ) drivetrain. Still some of the best stuff made for woods riding.

Damn all this talk of NAM is making me really want to get something along the lines of a Heckler for NAM and some of the hairier stuff at Lincoln. I'll never be a big time FR type of guy but the speed and relative comfort afforded by bigger travel is very tempting. My first trip out there in years was a few weeks ago and I want to go back. This thread is becoming dangerous to my wallet!

[strangeland2]

For the real techy/jump line type stuff at NAM a FS bike would be nice. I used to be a big proponent of people buying a hardtail, learning to ride it and then moving onwards and upwards into the world of suspension.

These days I lean more towards folks buying as much bike as they can reasonably afford, especially if it allows them to try more stuff and grow as a rider. If the bigger stuff is what you want to ride find a bike suited to that style of riding. Go out to NAM and ask around and see what people recommend. There are a lot of B lines and you don't have to hit all the big drops but once you progress you don't necessarily want your bike to be what's holding you back.

Slap, I hear you on the scrounging. My Sinister is equipped with the finest early '90s thumbies, set up in friction no less, and mated to a 1x8 XTR/XT Saint (blame RJ) drivetrain. Still some of the best stuff made for woods riding.

Damn all this talk of NAM is making me really want to get something along the lines of a Heckler for NAM and some of the hairier stuff at Lincoln. I'll never be a big time FR type of guy but the speed and relative comfort afforded by bigger travel is very tempting. My first trip out there in years was a few weeks ago and I want to go back. This thread is becoming dangerous to my wallet!

There is a group ride posted for tomorrow.:rad:

[dirtrider2]

To the O.P.. I presume yer newish to MTB, found nam, and you like what you see. You want to hit the newer trails with the built up stunts, right?

Listen, a lot of these guys promoting the 29ers are very very experienced riders. They're smooth, they know how to drop, launch jump, float, carve, etc. I know a nut in nam who hits the gapper in the half pipe on his rigid 29er and airs it out so huge it makes me blush...

Point is, we all know people who can ride anything on anything. Hell, Dane from Milford Bike could hit all that stuff on a Huffy with training wheels and his kickstand down. But if yer a beginneresque rider yer not going to be smooth. Yer not going to float. Yer not going to notice the nuanced ride of yer steep head angle vs. better angle of attack situaton happening in front. You just want to get out there ride the trails, hit the fun stuff, and not worry about breaking stuff all of the time, right?

O.K., I'd forget about the 29er. Its cool, but it probably the NEXT bike you'll get. For now, I'd go back down to Milford Bike, talk to Dane or Jeff and tell 'em what you plan to do with this bike. They're real nice guys and they'll listen. Personally, I'd go more for the 26" Rockhopper if that's what yer budget puts you at. Even with 26" wheels, it still isn't made for a pounding, but all else equal, a 26" wheel under a newbie to the stupid stuff has a much better chance of surviving than a 29" wheel.

One add'l piece of advice. The Dart fork on the Rockhopper is SCARY. Try to scrounge enough money to go up a model to avoid it. I think they use those fork internals for ejector seats..

Oh, I'm one of those idiot Vietnamer guys...

Dave

[bdee]

There is a group ride posted for tomorrow.:rad:

If I didn't keep breaking crap I might try to make it! I killed my Manitou Minute twice in a few months and now my Fox is acting all hinky... Should have the Manitou back in a week or so (I hope). Also, the drive from work (Quincy) to NAM after 6:00 would get me out there real late. Thx for the invite though!

Right now I'm waiting until I start working at P bike to look into a SC Heckler.

[Slappy]

Slap, I hear you on the scrounging. My Sinister is equipped with the finest early '90s thumbies, set up in friction no less, and mated to a 1x8 XTR/XT Saint (blame RJ) drivetrain. Still some of the best stuff made for woods riding.



:rad:
I'm jealous of your thumbies; my Flyin' Polack needs a set bad.

I'm also trying to run the 8 speed stuff for as long as I can keep finding parts, just seems to work better for me, and a 98 XTR rear der might just be the best mtb component I've ever owned.

[Evil Chocula]

I'd disagree with some of the comments here regarding 29ers for new riders; I personally feel that 29" wheeled bikes are easier to control in technical terrain, and would be a better option for a newbie then a 26" bike (all things being equal).

Thats just my $.02, I'm sure you will ride the same trails and have just as much fun whether or not you buy a 26" hardtail or 29" hardtail. One thing I've found about mtb'ing is that the bike only accounts for 20% of the riders skills.

One thing to consider is that this is 2009, and is therefore the year of the 29er.

[splat]

If I didn't keep breaking crap I might try to make it! I killed my Manitou Minute twice in a few months and now my Fox is acting all hinky... Should have the Manitou back in a week or so (I hope). Also, the drive from work (Quincy) to NAM after 6:00 would get me out there real late. Thx for the invite though!

Right now I'm waiting until I start working at P bike to look into a SC Heckler.
When did they move you from Franklin to Quincy ?

[bdee]

When did they move you from Franklin to Quincy ?

Early February. It's a really crappy commute. Hence the new gig in town pimpin' Santa Cruzs like it was my bidness. I'm really psyched to ditch the 85+ miles of daily driving and work at the shop to be honest. I will be working very soon on a way to sell NEMBA as well as build the MTB scene up a bit in town. Should be good.