Mountain Biking - All alone? (roll call for 29"ers)

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one on this forum riding a 29"er. If there's any interest or response to this thread I'll post pics of mine, but has anyone else got one? Pics?

I'm not riding one - and in fact as a roadie/commuter have never even SEEN one - but I'd like to see your pics ;)

Also, where do you buy tires? If, as I understand, they share a 700c bead with road/touring bikes, seems like if the clearance is sufficient, they might make for decent bad-condition/snow tires for us commuters...

-chris

I'll post a few pics in the next couple of days.

Tires: about eight or nine companies now make tires for 29"ers. We do share rim size, 700c, and a lot of guys like old school stuff like the Mavic T500 rims. I have rims by Alex. The whole movement started when a small scale frame builder in Colorado (I think) talked the guys at WTB into building a 2.1 tire that mounted on a 700c wheel, and it's gotten better and better every year since in terms of frames, rims and tire choices and availability. The true 29"er usually has a 2.1 or larger tire, so I don't think it would fit on many commuter or road bikes out there.

I'll post a few pics in the next couple of days.

Tires: about eight or nine companies now make tires for 29"ers. We do share rim size, 700c, and a lot of guys like old school stuff like the Mavic T500 rims. I have rims by Alex. The whole movement started when a small scale frame builder in Colorado (I think) talked the guys at WTB into building a 2.1 tire that mounted on a 700c wheel, and it's gotten better and better every year since in terms of frames, rims and tire choices and availability. The true 29"er usually has a 2.1 or larger tire, so I don't think it would fit on many commuter or road bikes out there.

Warning: This post is a little off topic.

I like the idea of a 29er, but I really like the idea of your rohloff hub. If I had the scratch I would be joining you as a proud owner. I know cost wise it is similar to higher end Shimano and SRAM stuff, but right now I can only afford low end shimano stuff (which works pretty good). I have read some of your posts about the rohloff hub before. Are you still happy with it? Where do you ride?

Yeah, I'm still very happy with my hub. This thing takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. I use my bike with 2.0 x 29" slicks on it for commuting, and I have a pair of 2.3 MTB tires I use for offroad duty. I'll post a couple of pics of typical offroad stuff as well. I ride all the real MTB trails I rode with my 26"er, only I have more fun now...

As far as scratch goes, I was real lucky. I found my bike on ebay, and was the only bidder, if you can believe it. The guy who owned it was strictly a roadie, and got it to use for winter training. I bet it didn't have 500 miles on it when I got it.

Here a few pics of my 29"er. This is the off topic Rohloff shot. Check out that chainline...

Here's a couple of shots of one of the trails I ride frequently. The overlook and then down the trail from there.

Avid disc up front...

Avid in back too...

those dropouts are pretty wild, man...cool design, though. is the idea that you can put any drop out that you want depending what the bike is used for?

Those dropouts are Rohloff specific. You can get them now that have a der. hanger which would allow the use of regular gears, the Rohloff hub, or you could run it SS without a tensioner. The plates that are actually the dropouts have a boss that runs in a milled slot on the frame, allowing chain tension adjustment.

iv'e got about 500 miles on a fisher 29er. the model is the dual sport 229 which a performance hybrid/cross type bike. it came with mt. style knobbies, but i swapped them for some 700x 38 touring tires and more recently put on 700x28s for a metric ride. its really nice having that range of tires for one bike.

I've been pondering getting either a 700c cross bike or a 26" MTB and I can't decide, maybe a 29er is the answer? I like the look of that Van Dessel, it has lots of options for SS or geared or disks or whatever, just what I've been looking for.

I've been pondering getting either a 700c cross bike or a 26" MTB and I can't decide, maybe a 29er is the answer? I like the look of that Van Dessel, it has lots of options for SS or geared or disks or whatever, just what I've been looking for.


Check out Van Dessel's web page. You might have to search around a bit to find the link to the Buzzbomb, but they sell it built with the Rohloff hub or just a bare frame, and the prices are pretty darn good. The bike is nimble, but still inspires confidence on the rough downhills, it's just got good geometry. I'm not sure, but I think they are selling the built bike for around $2200 USD, which is pretty good considering the fork and hub alone would set you back about $1400 retail...

http://vandesselsports.com/b_buzzBomb.shtml

How plush is the bike? I've heard the 29"er's are comparable to having a 26" softail...I realize you have the susp. seatpost, too...but I was wondering...

I met a guy recently at a local trail who purchased a Rohloff to use on a new Blur...haven't seen him since tho...

Having never ridden a full sus or a softail, I can't really give you a comparison. It does ride much nicer than my 26ers ever did, and with the added volume these tires hold, I can run 35 psi on trails that I used to have to run 55 psi on to not pinch flat. The lower pressure allows for a better ride, puts more tire on the trail for better traction, letting me dive into the corners a little faster, and I climb a LOT better on this bike.

Anyone else ride a 29er? Bueller... Bueller... Bueller...

Damn that thing is sexy!!!!! did you post it in the SS/Fixie site?

Here's a couple of shots of one of the trails I ride frequently. The overlook and then down the trail from there.



Where are those trails at?

Damn that thing is sexy!!!!! did you post it in the SS/Fixie site?

That rohloff hub sure isn't a singlespeed. Niiiice piece of engineering, though.

they'll still like to see that piece of eye candy

Where are those trails at?

Pontiac Lake Recreation Area outside metro Detroit.

Damn that thing is sexy!!!!! did you post it in the SS/Fixie site?

No, I didn't even think of it. I probably will x post it though, 'cause you can get these 29er frames that are ss ready for under 300 bucks new. Ya still gotta come up with a fork, but a Karate Monkey fork sets you back, what, 75 bucks?

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one on this forum riding a 29"er. If there's any interest or response to this thread I'll post pics of mine, but has anyone else got one? Pics?
I've got a fixed/free Karate Monkey with 700x45 tires on it. Not *quite* 29" I think, but pretty close.

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one on this forum riding a 29"er. If there's any interest or response to this thread I'll post pics of mine, but has anyone else got one? Pics?

I bought a Gary Fisher Dual Sport 129 back in Feb '04. I ride it mainly on crushed limestone trails that have a lot of ups, downs and curves, it's great fun! The bigger wheels probably helps when the trails get a bit mushy.

Here's a pic

How many out there own a Surly Karate Monkey, and if so, what do you think? Are there any other good 29er options for under $1000? I am looking to ride on very hilly dirt roads and paths, surface quite bumpy but not ridiculous. I am very tall, 6'5, and 240. Thanks.

Hey, a little news on the 29er front. Move over White Bros and Marzzochi, Rock Shox wants to play too!

http://www.fisherbikes.com/happenings/news.asp?id=110

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one on this forum riding a 29"er. If there's any interest or response to this thread I'll post pics of mine, but has anyone else got one? Pics?

No, you're not the only one on the biggie hoops. ;-)

I ride a Surly Karate Monkey and just built up a new 2004 Gary Fisher Sugar 293 since I acquired the frame recently. The Fisher 293 is going on a maiden voyage trip in August and will see trail time on the Maah Daah Hey in North Dakota, some trails in Utah including Moab, trials around Tahoe and some trails in the San Francisco area. Can't really report on how she rides until that trip is completed. It's a big family trip to visit relatives/inlaws and we will be camping, biking, hiking and seeing the sights along the way.

I love the Karate Monkey and have been riding it in a geared set up (SRAM X.0) with Avid 185mm's. Rear drop out is horizontal and for a geared set up off road is not headache free while running disc brakes, but can be managed. It's the best climbing bike I have ever had the pleasure of sitting on.

I still have some 26" roots. I have two mountain bike tandems built on the 26" sized wheels. I have a Burley Koosah recumbent that uses a rear 26" sized wheel and the wife and kids are on the 26" sized wheels for their off road rigs. But my switch to the 700c wheels and the large volume tires (Bonty 2.2's) is a keeper. No way am I going back to the small wheeled off road experience. All it took was about a week of riding to convince me this was a much better experience for me.

BB

How many out there own a Surly Karate Monkey, and if so, what do you think? Are there any other good 29er options for under $1000? I am looking to ride on very hilly dirt roads and paths, surface quite bumpy but not ridiculous. I am very tall, 6'5, and 240. Thanks.

Sub $1000 is certainly possible with the Surly

I'm 6'4" and 200 riding an XL Monkey. I love the bike and I ride it with the rigid fork on terrain such as you mention. I don't miss not having suspension on this bike, but plenty of people ride a Surly Karate Monkey frame with a suspension fork and love it. The big wheels soak up so much of the hit that I am content running it rigid. Your description of terrain leads me to believe you would be happy running rigid as well. You could always get a suspension fork later, but keeping the project sub $1000 with suspension forks starting at about $350 will be hard to do.

Watch eBay for used Gary Fisher two niners. There usually are a few auctions each month that every now and then feature an XL size (what you need at your height) - and sometimes go for sub $1000. Custom frames will start at over $1000, so the Surly frame (you can find it online in black or green betwen $357 and $450+ depending on who you buy it from and what their markup is) built up with your own part choice is the easiest way to keep it sub $1000. If you get the frame/rigid fork shipped and at your door in the $400 - $420 range, that leaves you with some working room for the only other 29" specific thing you need - wheelset and tires. Drivetrain, brakes, saddle, seatpost (takes a 27.2), etc... are all standard equipment you can move over from your 26" bike to cut costs.

Or the Fisher X-Caliber (this year's model) was in shops for around a grand. Doubt there are too many left in your size, so the used market or "close out" market is the place to be looking on eBay, classifieds and searching the web.

BB

how easy are those Rohloffs to accelerate? i know that the radius of the mass is pretty close to the axis... but its still a lot more mass to spin

how easy are those Rohloffs to accelerate? i know that the radius of the mass is pretty close to the axis... but its still a lot more mass to spin

I don't race, but I do ride with some fast people, and I can generally hang with them. My current ride came spec'd with the Rohloff, and I want to put one on my wife's bike now that I've ridden mine for several seasons (I'm tired of having to tune and maintain her ders.). The single speed chain line really lightens the load on the chain, and while I did perform regular maintenance on my chain, it would break every so often. Not a problem now. The planetary gears run in a sealed oil bath, and mud and snow aren't a problem anymore. I also like being able to shift gears while standing still, riding, pedaling backwards, whatever. I've ridden on mine for 3 seasons of real MTB XC use, and 3 oil changes and chain cleaning and lubing is all the maintenance I've needed to perform to keep this thing running like a swiss watch. Oh, one last advantage off the top of my head, a dishless rear wheel build. The only drawback I've encountered is the extra weight, about one pound more than a full XT setup. Not a big deal to me. I guess if you found yourself in a lot of sprint situations this might be a deal killer, but OTOH, this thing is about as bomb-proof a transmission as you are gonna find.

No, you're not the only one on the biggie hoops. ;-)

I ride a Surly Karate Monkey and just built up a new 2004 Gary Fisher Sugar 293 since I acquired the frame recently. BB

I know you! I've salivated over your KM build pics over on the 29er board, as well as some of the ride reports you've posted.

I know you! I've salivated over your KM build pics over on the 29er board, as well as some of the ride reports you've posted.

Yes, I recognized the Buzzbomb handle as well.

Since I am on summer vactation as of yesterday - I am going to get the chance to do some two niner riding and take pictures to post in August of the Maah Daah Hey trail in North Dakota, Moab in Utah, various trails in Colorado between Denver and Grand Junction, some trails in Lake Tahoe and San Francisco Bay Area trails (I'll ride what's left of Mt. Tam and a few others in the area). Not the "coolest" time of year to be going, but I'll have to ride early when the temps are in pre-suffer mode and hydrate myself like crazy.

But first, I'm heading out across Iowa with 10,000 other cyclists for a week long ride from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River. I'm hoping the temperatures drop as it is in the 90's and very humid at the moment...

BB

How plush is the bike? I've heard the 29"er's are comparable to having a 26" softail...I realize you have the susp. seatpost, too...but I was wondering...

I met a guy recently at a local trail who purchased a Rohloff to use on a new Blur...haven't seen him since tho...

I doubt it. But a 29" wheel should have a little more "flex" in the spokes than a 26" wheel. For improved rear suspension emulation get chromoly or titanium frame and combine it with a suspension seat (the best being the thudbuster (which I DO own)).

BTW, mtbr.com has a dedicated 29er forum. They're a little more detailed than this board.

I don't race, but I do ride with some fast people, and I can generally hang with them. My current ride came spec'd with the Rohloff, and I want to put one on my wife's bike now that I've ridden mine for several seasons (I'm tired of having to tune and maintain her ders.). The single speed chain line really lightens the load on the chain, and while I did perform regular maintenance on my chain, it would break every so often. Not a problem now. The planetary gears run in a sealed oil bath, and mud and snow aren't a problem anymore. I also like being able to shift gears while standing still, riding, pedaling backwards, whatever. I've ridden on mine for 3 seasons of real MTB XC use, and 3 oil changes and chain cleaning and lubing is all the maintenance I've needed to perform to keep this thing running like a swiss watch. Oh, one last advantage off the top of my head, a dishless rear wheel build. The only drawback I've encountered is the extra weight, about one pound more than a full XT setup. Not a big deal to me. I guess if you found yourself in a lot of sprint situations this might be a deal killer, but OTOH, this thing is about as bomb-proof a transmission as you are gonna find.

If your wife is just a "recreational" paved trail rider, you may want to use a 7-speed SRAM hub and save $900 ;-)


But you're right. I too covet the Rohloff speedhub. Deraileurs never seem to work right when you bang your bike around off-road and get into mud.

Hey, a little news on the 29er front. Move over White Bros and Marzzochi, Rock Shox wants to play too!

http://www.fisherbikes.com/happenings/news.asp?id=110

Things certainly seem to be picking up now. I think the RockShox offering is significant because SRAM may start pushing 29ers on their riders.

Personally I feel that in 5 years, 29ers will dominate the higher end of the market. In related news, I think that in 3 years, disc breaks will dominate the ENTIRE market because they're just plain BETTER!!!!!

Sub $1000 is certainly possible with the Surly

I'm 6'4" and 200 riding an XL Monkey. I love the bike and I ride it with the rigid fork on terrain such as you mention. I don't miss not having suspension on this bike, but plenty of people ride a Surly Karate Monkey frame with a suspension fork and love it. The big wheels soak up so much of the hit that I am content running it rigid. Your description of terrain leads me to believe you would be happy running rigid as well. You could always get a suspension fork later, but keeping the project sub $1000 with suspension forks starting at about $350 will be hard to do.

Watch eBay for used Gary Fisher two niners. There usually are a few auctions each month that every now and then feature an XL size (what you need at your height) - and sometimes go for sub $1000. Custom frames will start at over $1000, so the Surly frame (you can find it online in black or green betwen $357 and $450+ depending on who you buy it from and what their markup is) built up with your own part choice is the easiest way to keep it sub $1000. If you get the frame/rigid fork shipped and at your door in the $400 - $420 range, that leaves you with some working room for the only other 29" specific thing you need - wheelset and tires. Drivetrain, brakes, saddle, seatpost (takes a 27.2), etc... are all standard equipment you can move over from your 26" bike to cut costs.

Or the Fisher X-Caliber (this year's model) was in shops for around a grand. Doubt there are too many left in your size, so the used market or "close out" market is the place to be looking on eBay, classifieds and searching the web.

BB

RST has a cheapo $80 29er fork available.
http://harriscyclery.net/site/page.cfm?PageID=49&SKU=FK8029
http://www.rst.com.tw/pr/front/rst/Mountain/macro.htm

Here a few pics of my 29"er. This is the off topic Rohloff shot. Check out that chainline...

I think your tires are backwards ;-) Shouldn't the wide profile hit the ground first on the back???

I think your tires are backwards ;-) Shouldn't the wide profile hit the ground first on the back???

I had to look back at the pic, and yeah, you're right. My bad. I have since mounted up my kevlar Nanos, and am lovin them (they are on right :^) )