Mountain Biking - Is this true about 29ers?

I'd council against a front suspension 29er for a couple of reasons. First, there are, like I said above, reports of frame cracking issues with lots of 29ers out on the market right now. Giant has recalled some and Trek is reported to be having lots of warranty claims on them. It seems they pushed the idea before they had worked out the kinks.

The other reason not to use a 29 with front suspension is that the 700C wheel has more side deflection than a 26" wheel. This allows the front suspension legs to work independently which isn't good with the kinds of forks we use now. Add a load over the front wheel and the fork could get real noodly. You can solve the problem by going to a 15mm or 20mm through axle but that's a bit extreme for a 'touring' bike.

The 26" wheels use hubs that have been optimized for 26" forks so they tend to be more solid and less noodly.

Would you still get a 29er with front suspension?

Thats weird - when cyccocmmute makes the occasional foray into the mtb forum he typically gives solid advice.

The quoted post, however, is faulty reasoning supported by utter nonsense.

I just read the Giant recall in Bicycle Retailer (http://www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/4779.html)and it was from Nov. of 2010 about 2011 model Anthem X 1,2 & 3s. Frame crack at the junction of the seat tube and top tube. That could happen with any production run of any size - - had nothing to do with 29ers specifically.

It's all about perception with Cyccocomute. He once stated you needed more light to ride in town at night than in the woods. His reasoning was that you have to compete with the ambient light from street lights signs and auto lights. If that's true you would need to be brighter than the sun to ride streets in the day time. Friggin drivers still wouldn't see ya! The Titanic was a tragegdy for us humans but,,,,, For the lobsters in the kitchen it was a Miracle. Perception my friends, perception

Love the lobster analogy, B2B. Gonna file that for later.

It's just a vicious myth.

700C wheel has more side deflection than a 26" wheel.

This is the only part of that whole thing that I would say is true. It is also common sense and can be solved with proper engineering. The reason they flex more is because they are longer. Torque is equal to force X distance, meaning that a taller rim will have a larger torque on it (while turning b/c the force has to be perpendicular to the thing it is acting on) however, this can be fixed by designing the rim, spokes, and hubs to work together to handle these forces (which is what the engineers get payed to do). As for the fork legs working independently due to this......... There are forks that one leg is just for dampening, and the other is for the spring, if this was the case, these fork systems wouldn't work even on a 26" wheel.

Torque is equal to force X distance

dork is equal to dsprehe89 + interwebz akssess / pumpkin pi are square

I hate it when people get all geeky on here...makes me feel inferior.

I hate it when people get all geeky on here...makes me feel inferior.

So you hate the engineers that design the bikes that you ride? Because that is my future goal, to be an engineer for a bike company such as Trek or SRAM and I only have 1 year left before I graduate with my BA in Mechanical Engineering which is the first step to meeting that goal.

Yes, I hate you. (I forgot to put this at the end of my statement: :D) I was kidding. Congrats on your goal BTW...now design me a freeride 650b with about 7" travel, 67' HA, 24.5" ETT, and 16.5" stays.

This is the only part of that whole thing that I would say is true. It is also common sense and can be solved with proper engineering. The reason they flex more is because they are longer. Torque is equal to force X distance, meaning that a taller rim will have a larger torque on it (while turning b/c the force has to be perpendicular to the thing it is acting on) however, this can be fixed by designing the rim, spokes, and hubs to work together to handle these forces (which is what the engineers get payed to do). As for the fork legs working independently due to this......... There are forks that one leg is just for dampening, and the other is for the spring, if this was the case, these fork systems wouldn't work even on a 26" wheel.

It wouldn't even work with a 20" wheel.

Aside from manufacturing defects which do happen, the only way a frame is going to break is from a hard crash or using the bike in a way it was not intended to be used.

The one with the Giant has been addressed, and knowing that the treks are failing at the chainstays because the original inner sleeves on the superfly's were carbon and were not holding together as well as an aluminum sleeve would. The 2012 superfly's have the aluminum sleeves in instead of the carbon.

Yes, I hate you. (I forgot to put this at the end of my statement: :D) I was kidding.

I knew you were joking, I just had to throw some of your sarcasm back at you. Part of my nature :lol:........ and had to justify my "geeky-ness" :roflmao2:

Well daggummmit. I got punk'd. Good one.


Now build me that bike.

Congrats on your goal BTW...now design me a freeride 650b with about 7" travel, 67' HA, 24" ETT, and 16" stays.

Get me a job for any good bike company such as Trek, Giant, Specialized, or any of the smaller ones like Raleigh, Kona, or Jamis, and I'll do my best :D.

I learn something new pretty much everyday here on the forums and feel that I already have a pretty good understanding of bikes, but I still have a long way to go before I know enough to feel that I can design a bike from the ground up (which is one of my other eventual goals :lol: "I have lots of goal")

Hows about somebody gets in the kitchen and bakes me some pie instead? Seeing as i don't want a 29r.

So you hate the engineers that design the bikes that you ride? Because that is my future goal, to be an engineer for a bike company such as Trek or SRAM and I only have 1 year left before I graduate with my BA in Mechanical Engineering which is the first step to meeting that goal.

Good to know theres another Mech Engineer on the boards. Keep on working towards those goals buddy! :thumb:

Get me a job for any good bike company such as Trek, Giant, Specialized, or any of the smaller ones like Raleigh, Kona, or Jamis, and I'll do my best :D

Go with Jamis, they seem to be pushing the 650b :D (or maybe that's just Ed brainwashing me again with his "New for 2012" thread...)

Go with Jamis, they seem to be pushing the 650b :D (or maybe that's just Ed brainwashing me again with his "New for 2012" thread...)

Only issue is location. The only bike company I've looked into (until now) for employment was Shimano, and their only US location is in LA and they do not do any engineering there. I just looked into Jamis and their only current open positions are in England. I would like to stay in the US. I'm open to moving, me and my fiancé both plan on moving as soon as we graduate, so that is not an issue. But finding an american company who would keep us in the US is a big deal. BTW, she is also going into mechanical engineering :lol.

Hayes Group (Hayes, Manitou, Answer, Sun Ringle', Wheelsmith) has some engineering positions open right now.

https://www5.recruitingcenter.net/Clients/hbpsi/PublicJobs/canviewjobs.cfm

Hayes Group (Hayes, Manitou, Answer, Sun Ringle', Wheelsmith) has some engineering positions open right now.

https://www5.recruitingcenter.net/Clients/hbpsi/PublicJobs/canviewjobs.cfm

Sad part is I still have a year to a year and a half before I graduate. Also, most of these jobs require 3-5 years experience in the engineering field, but this is what I would like to be doing eventually. I've known for a while that it will take me around 5-10 years of experience before I can pretty much choose my job, so I've known that this will be a long term goal. However, thank you for the link, and giving me another company to consider when I do graduate. Thanks for all the support. Like I said, I still have a long way to go, but I feel that if I continue trying, I'll get there eventually.

Go with Jamis, they seem to be pushing the 650b :D (or maybe that's just Ed brainwashing me again with his "New for 2012" thread...)

I'd take a job there. I ride what I ride b/c it's what I can afford. When I recommend something from them, it's either b/c I know it works ('05+ Komodo /'10+ Parker) or I'm intrigued by the idea (650b).

Sad part is I still have a year to a year and a half before I graduate. Also, most of these jobs require 3-5 years experience in the engineering field, but this is what I would like to be doing eventually. I've known for a while that it will take me around 5-10 years of experience before I can pretty much choose my job, so I've known that this will be a long term goal. However, thank you for the link, and giving me another company to consider when I do graduate. Thanks for all the support. Like I said, I still have a long way to go, but I feel that if I continue trying, I'll get there eventually.Another thought: You might pursue an engineering internship in the cycling industry - - it may help get your foot in the door as well as getting you credits toward your degree. Kyle Thomas, a young friend of mine (and Pro downhill racer) interned at Transition Bicycles for a term. He's now working in the aerospace industry in Seattle instead; but had he chosen to stay in the cycling industry, I'm sure it would have given him a leg up.

...reach for something like TBC for a good time or Specialized for a steady paycheck.

It would be awesome to work for Transition.

Another thought: You might pursue an engineering internship in the cycling industry - - it may help get your foot in the door as well as getting you credits toward your degree. Kyle Thomas, a young friend of mine (and Pro downhill racer) interned at Transition Bicycles for a term. He's now working in the aerospace industry in Seattle instead; but had he chosen to stay in the cycling industry, I'm sure it would have given him a leg up.

That would be awesome. I am planning on just letting the cards fall. Obviously in the current economy, the first decent job offered to me is what I am going to take. I already have a years experience working as an intern for a company who designs electric motors, so I have a foot in the door there and if worse comes to worse I'll go there until I get enough experience for somewhere else. Working for transition sounds like it would be awesome. It would be amazing to be able to be the person that gets to test the new bike designs.

Would you still get a 29er with front suspension?

Ummm.....yeah :D
http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww227/Longhaultruker1/2011%20Vassago%20Bandersnatch/BandersnatchandJabberwocky1.jpg
http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww227/Longhaultruker1/2011%20Vassago%20Bandersnatch/BanderManitouFork.jpg
http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww227/Longhaultruker1/2011%20Vassago%20Jabberwocky/Ridingaroundthetrack4-10-11-1.jpg

The Ellsworth fab crew, now Zen Bicycles was hiring a couple of weeks ago. They totally ignored my res. I swear I never said steel is real in my cover letter ;)

http://bikeportland.org/2011/10/07/new-portland-bike-frame-manufacturer-has-ellsworth-roots-60236

That's relevant....how,exactly?

Semi relevant to posts 15-24

Umm cuz dude was talkin' about finding a bike industry job. Thought about a new thread for it, but I hate new threads. :)

Semi relevant to posts 15-24

:50: Ah! So it is :thumb::D


Umm cuz dude was talkin' about finding a bike industry job. Thought about a new thread for it, but I hate new threads. :)

Gotcha :thumb: I'm a little slow on the uptake this eve,much goings on here :lol:

The question in the thread has been answered a couple times already...it's long overdue to be derailled.


Thread derailing is a sport in some geek circles.

Daily Bread Common Ale is back on tap @ the world famous Kenton Club. Dare you to un-relevate that!

It's all about perception with Cyccocomute. He once stated you needed more light to ride in town at night than in the woods. His reasoning was that you have to compete with the ambient light from street lights signs and auto lights...

That's absolutely true. I believe it's for the exact reason he said. If you need proof, just go test it out some time. You'll see the difference quite clearly.

But yeah, that 29" logic for no suspension does seem wacky.

That's absolutely true. I believe it's for the exact reason he said. If you need proof, just go test it out some time. You'll see the difference quite clearly.

Agreed, thats why I use flashing Leds in the city, to be seen, not to see by. In the woods I use a steady beam because I'm using it to see , I dont need light to be seen, the kangaroos can see me already.

Y&ep. I roll streets without lights and go from strobe to constant

Umm cuz dude was talkin' about finding a bike industry job. Thought about a new thread for it, but I hate new threads. :)

Yeaaahhhhh...... that was my fault. I didn't mean to change the tread topic, but I think that that happens at least once on pretty much every semi-lengthy thread. My fault.......... Please proceed.

Would you still get a 29er with front suspension?

Of course. I ride rigid, hardtail and full suspension 29ers. Never experienced any of the misconceptions you quoted.

"touring bike"? Shows his bias.

Of course. I ride rigid, hardtail and full suspension 29ers. Never experienced any of the misconceptions you quoted.

"touring bike"? Shows his bias.

Well, I'm now considering 26 inch wheel touring bike with front suspension so I could go everywhere. I wonder how people would look at that to see some guy with panniers go slowly on a trail while people are wizzing by at a zillion miles per hour doing their training. Anyway, I'm kind of thinking along the lines of the Soma Groove frame. But this is for a future project. My first touring bike will be with 700c wheels. If I could find a Michelin Tracker or Continental Tour Ride in 2.2 inch for 700c, then I might be more tempted to make a 29er touring bike. Even if people say 26ers are slower, it's kind of tempting still to make a touring bike with one. For whatever reason, it always seems normal to me to roll around at a pedestrian pace. I mean other bikers pass me, even women and older people. It's a little odd, haha. Apart from the Soma Groove and Surly Troll, does anyone know which 26 inch mountain frames can carry panniers for all-terrain touring?

Whats a 29er, sounds freaky!

Whats a 29er, sounds freaky!

:twitchy::innocent::rolleyes:

Well, I'm now considering 26 inch wheel touring bike with front suspension so I could go everywhere. I wonder how people would look at that to see some guy with panniers go slowly on a trail while people are wizzing by at a zillion miles per hour doing their training. Anyway, I'm kind of thinking along the lines of the Soma Groove frame. But this is for a future project. My first touring bike will be with 700c wheels. If I could find a Michelin Tracker or Continental Tour Ride in 2.2 inch for 700c, then I might be more tempted to make a 29er touring bike. Even if people say 26ers are slower, it's kind of tempting still to make a touring bike with one. For whatever reason, it always seems normal to me to roll around at a pedestrian pace. I mean other bikers pass me, even women and older people. It's a little odd, haha. Apart from the Soma Groove and Surly Troll, does anyone know which 26 inch mountain frames can carry panniers for all-terrain touring?
On-One Ibred. Comes with vertical dropouts.
http://on-one.co.uk/imgs/products/440x380_constWH/FROOIN26V3_P1.jpg
(http://shop.on-one-usa.com/collections/frames/products/on-one-inbred-swap-out-frame)

It's all about perception with Cyccocomute. He once stated you needed more light to ride in town at night than in the woods. His reasoning was that you have to compete with the ambient light from street lights signs and auto lights.

And he was exactly right on this.

Looking to build up a 2 9 er at some point so do enjoy these threads... will be building my own frame.

^^^Can you build me a frame? 6'3" with 34" inseam. I do think that after snagging some golf clubs for Christmas that I'm gonna do something 29er.

^^^Can you build me a frame? 6'3" with 34" inseam. I do think that after snagging some golf clubs for Christmas that I'm gonna do something 29er.

Looking to be in the new shop by December and actually have a few pre-orders... I build steel frames and if you wanted something in aluminium I'd talk to Frank the Welder who posts here on BF.

At your height you should not have a problem with an off the peg frame although you do have shorter legs than most folks your height and probably have miles of reach.

YUP, more body than legs and long arms. Helpful when it comes to beating my brothers to the fried chicken in the middle of the table. If you don't mind I will touch base with you next Spring and see how things are going.

Some bike magazine recently tested some bikes at the Black Canyon Trail in Central AZ. The reviews on the Salsa Tallboy caught my attention.