Originally Posted by
Solomander
The Fargo looks like a cool bike. Is there any issue with getting replacement tires, tubes and wheels for 29er mountain bikes while on tour? That issue seems to be what pushes some people towards touring on a 26" mountain bike instead of a 700c bike. I would think that 29er supplies would be even harder to come by than 700c once you go off the beaten path.
Joel
One more time: "29er" is marketing-speak for "700c with big, fat tires". 29er IS (usually wider) 700c rim + tire (also 700c, i.e. 622 bead-seat diameter). So, whatever relative problems/advantages need to be taken into account in the '700c or 26"' choice re. touring apply also to 29er. My take: in North America probably nothing in it (re. availability), nor in Europe, but elsewhere consensus is that rims/tubes/tires in the 26" mtb standard size are easier to come by.