Anyone commuting on a 29'er?
#1
I wanna be a beer brewer!
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Anyone commuting on a 29'er?
Me: Hello everyone my name is gaudentius, and I'm a clyde.
Everyone: HELLO GD.
Anyway . . . I'm looking for a new bike and right now I'm riding around on a 4-speed Redline Signature BMX Cruiser. I had the 24" wheels converted so I could have gearing options.
I also have a '98 Stumpjumper and even though it is an excellent bike, I enjoy riding the Redline more.
I've been looking at bikes recently and 29'ers are really tickling my fancy. Redline will be releasing a 9-speed pretty soon called the Mono9. I saw it on twentynineinches.com.
If I do get it, I may have it converted to an internal hub, possibly a Nexus-8.
So . . . back to the questions: Is anyone commuting on a 29'er? What are your observations? Is it worth it?
GD
Everyone: HELLO GD.
Anyway . . . I'm looking for a new bike and right now I'm riding around on a 4-speed Redline Signature BMX Cruiser. I had the 24" wheels converted so I could have gearing options.
I also have a '98 Stumpjumper and even though it is an excellent bike, I enjoy riding the Redline more.
I've been looking at bikes recently and 29'ers are really tickling my fancy. Redline will be releasing a 9-speed pretty soon called the Mono9. I saw it on twentynineinches.com.
If I do get it, I may have it converted to an internal hub, possibly a Nexus-8.
So . . . back to the questions: Is anyone commuting on a 29'er? What are your observations? Is it worth it?
GD
#2
Cyde
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#3
DancesWithSUVs
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I've started using my Crosstrail for commuting. After riding the Safari all winter,riding a skinny tire bike made me feel lazy. Plus it rolls over everything in the road. Takes a little effort to start it rolling,but it's a really comfortable ride.
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#4
I wanna be a beer brewer!
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Adam, what is the setup you have on you KM (wheels/tires/gearing . . .)? That thing is purty!
#5
It's true, man.
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I often commute on a hardtail Fisher Supercal29 with some Schwalbe 'Cross tires on an extra wheelset and a Jones H-bar to give me an aero position on windy days.
My SS Inbred 29 should be in in the next couple of days to take some of the strain off the other bikes, too.
My SS Inbred 29 should be in in the next couple of days to take some of the strain off the other bikes, too.
#6
Senior Member
I commute on a Gary Fischer Kaitai 29". It's heavier than most but it's sturdy, and the disc brakes provide plenty of stopping power even when I'm fully loaded (fully loaded meaning > 100lbs on a couple of panniers, trunk and BOB Yak trailer).
It's not the best, but it's a smooth ride, fits me well, and it's my all-around vehicle (I choose not to have a car).
GreenAnvil
It's not the best, but it's a smooth ride, fits me well, and it's my all-around vehicle (I choose not to have a car).
GreenAnvil
Last edited by GreenAnvil; 06-05-07 at 08:51 PM.
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Adam, your bike just cinched it for me. I'm having a 29er frame built, but it's going to be over a year (16 months) before it is done. I'm buying a Karate Monkey frame to tide me over while I wait.
#8
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Now that Planet Bike has some 29er fenders I think a 29er with 2.35" Big Apple tires would make an awesome commuter. The only reason I didn't go that way is I preferred a more road oriented geometry and narrower Q-factor.
My choice would be a KM as it has all of the mounting points required and is a well respected frame.
Craig
My choice would be a KM as it has all of the mounting points required and is a well respected frame.
Craig
#9
Cyde
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Hey thanks. My frame cracked on my '96 Avalanche, so I bought the KM frame and a set of wheels, and switched everything over.
I had several other bikes including a road bike. I simplified, and this with a pile of parts is my only bike.
I have M737 XT derailluers. In the picture I was using an old LX crank with real rings, but now I run an old XTR M900 crank with 46/36/28 gearing. I have the short cage derailleur, and run 12/28 or 12/23 cassette. I have WTB dual duty rims laced to Deore disc hubs(really the only new parts on the bike) I have old school M737 XT V-brakes, Sachs shifters, Real V brake levers, and an old school (pre sun buyout) Ringle cockpit.
Oh and a lot of Green anodized stuff. Onza barends, SRP bolts, Salsa skewers, and Trek water bottle cages. All from the Avalanche. It's an old bike with a new frame, but it works for me. Oops almost forgot. I am running some Hutchinson globetrotter tires 700x42.
I say go for it. This has to be my favorite bike since my first one. Oh and I am a clyde myself.
I had several other bikes including a road bike. I simplified, and this with a pile of parts is my only bike.
I have M737 XT derailluers. In the picture I was using an old LX crank with real rings, but now I run an old XTR M900 crank with 46/36/28 gearing. I have the short cage derailleur, and run 12/28 or 12/23 cassette. I have WTB dual duty rims laced to Deore disc hubs(really the only new parts on the bike) I have old school M737 XT V-brakes, Sachs shifters, Real V brake levers, and an old school (pre sun buyout) Ringle cockpit.
Oh and a lot of Green anodized stuff. Onza barends, SRP bolts, Salsa skewers, and Trek water bottle cages. All from the Avalanche. It's an old bike with a new frame, but it works for me. Oops almost forgot. I am running some Hutchinson globetrotter tires 700x42.
I say go for it. This has to be my favorite bike since my first one. Oh and I am a clyde myself.
Last edited by adam12; 06-06-07 at 07:16 PM.
#12
multimodal commuter
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Guys, this is fascinating. I used to commute on 700c wheels, then switched to a customized MTB with 26" wheels for several years, then to 20" (451 mm) for a while, and two years ago started riding a folding bike with 16" (305mm) wheels. Now that took a little gettin' used to, but it stuck, and since then I've set up a non-folding commuter with 16" (349mm) wheels and bought two other bikes with 16" wheels (bought them for myself; but now my wife and my son are riding them). I do still ride a bike with 'normal' size wheels now and then, but everything about it feels out of proportion and sluggish. I'm not even sure what it is about the little wheels I like so much; bottom line, I like the way they ride. So I'm curious, what it is it about big wheels that you guys like? What am I missing here?
Cheers!
Rudi
Cheers!
Rudi
#13
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FWIW:
I have a lot of time on both 26" wheels (on my mtb) and 700c wheels (on the road bike)
the road bike is great for sustained high speeds.
the mtb accelerates faster even with slightly heavier wheels/tires. Less rotational inertial, i assume. and it's not just a feeling: i've coasted down hills next to roadie friends, and i pick up speed faster. the smaller wheels just get moving faster.
since my commute has a LOT of stops/starts, my daily ride is the mtb.
If i had a lot of straights, I'd be on the road bike, as it's easy to cruise 3-4mph faster than the mtb. but the longest straight i have is less than 1/2 mile.
I have a lot of time on both 26" wheels (on my mtb) and 700c wheels (on the road bike)
the road bike is great for sustained high speeds.
the mtb accelerates faster even with slightly heavier wheels/tires. Less rotational inertial, i assume. and it's not just a feeling: i've coasted down hills next to roadie friends, and i pick up speed faster. the smaller wheels just get moving faster.
since my commute has a LOT of stops/starts, my daily ride is the mtb.
If i had a lot of straights, I'd be on the road bike, as it's easy to cruise 3-4mph faster than the mtb. but the longest straight i have is less than 1/2 mile.
#14
Cyde
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For me I wanted one bike to do everything I liked to do. One day I looked in my basement, and there sat 5 bikes. All in various states of disrepair. While all my bikes did what they were designed for great, I needed space and simplification. So I picked a bike that could do many things well, but nothing really great. So I compromised with gearing, and parts. I like how fast the 29er feels. Once I get it going. For me it's the perfect compromise between the road, and mountain bike.
#15
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I commuted on a Fisher Cobia 29r until I built my Cross-Check. It was comfortable if not a little slow. I have since sold the Cobia and built a Karate Monkey. It's currently a single speed but I have commuted on it just for fun, and it is fun! as long as I'm not in a hurry. However, I'll stick with the Cross_Check for the "regular" commute.