I took a sip of the 29er Kool-Aid yesterday
#1
just keep riding
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I took a sip of the 29er Kool-Aid yesterday
My LBS has a small fleet of Specialized test bikes available for customers to ride, including some nice 29" mountain bikes. I tried out the Camber Comp model yesterday, my first ride on a 29er. I'm not really in the market for another singletrack bike right now, but I wanted to see what the buzz was all about. The Camber is probably the closest thing to my Stumpjumper as the new Stumpy is a little more All Mountain than the Trail category of the 2008 model I have.
The difference was not "night and day", but there was a definite improvement in climbing traction and the big wheels do keep rolling along in places where 26" wheels slow down a bit. I'm not going to rush out and replace my bike, but the ride confirmed my thoughts that my next mountain bike will probably be a 29er.
The difference was not "night and day", but there was a definite improvement in climbing traction and the big wheels do keep rolling along in places where 26" wheels slow down a bit. I'm not going to rush out and replace my bike, but the ride confirmed my thoughts that my next mountain bike will probably be a 29er.
#2
Senior Member
They are nice, good roll over and great climbers. I don't like 29ers in technical terrain. They just seem to lack in the tighter turns. I will be sticking with a 26.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMLsH3mDBWY
Not my video, but I ride here every summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMLsH3mDBWY
Not my video, but I ride here every summer.
#3
Semper Fi
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Seems like a sweet MTB, Dawg. If I ever purchased one it would be a 29er. My son had one I gave him for his birthday in 2008 and he loved it.
Bill
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
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Starting over
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I love that camera lens. Looks like your shoulders are four-and-a-half feet wide.
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Love it. Rolls better. Rolls over obstacles infinitely better. Climbs better. Descends better. I have no problem on tight, technical trails, of which we have a LOT!
My initial impression: Turn initiation is slower. But part of that is you are going faster and don't realize it. And once you get used to it, you don't think a thing about it. And, of course the Lefty turns better anyway
My initial impression: Turn initiation is slower. But part of that is you are going faster and don't realize it. And once you get used to it, you don't think a thing about it. And, of course the Lefty turns better anyway
Last edited by bigbadwullf; 01-23-12 at 09:01 AM.
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#8
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Just got a KHS Solo One SS 29er from a friend. He needed room in his garage.
I got to ride a friend's Surley Pugsley, talk about huge wheels 3.8 tires! The tires had 6 psi and it floated over curbs and holes. The only thing I thing I couldn't do was bunny hop that pig!
I got to ride a friend's Surley Pugsley, talk about huge wheels 3.8 tires! The tires had 6 psi and it floated over curbs and holes. The only thing I thing I couldn't do was bunny hop that pig!
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My LBS has a small fleet of Specialized test bikes available for customers to ride, including some nice 29" mountain bikes. I tried out the Camber Comp model yesterday, my first ride on a 29er. I'm not really in the market for another singletrack bike right now, but I wanted to see what the buzz was all about. The Camber is probably the closest thing to my Stumpjumper as the new Stumpy is a little more All Mountain than the Trail category of the 2008 model I have.
The difference was not "night and day", but there was a definite improvement in climbing traction and the big wheels do keep rolling along in places where 26" wheels slow down a bit. I'm not going to rush out and replace my bike, but the ride confirmed my thoughts that my next mountain bike will probably be a 29er.
The difference was not "night and day", but there was a definite improvement in climbing traction and the big wheels do keep rolling along in places where 26" wheels slow down a bit. I'm not going to rush out and replace my bike, but the ride confirmed my thoughts that my next mountain bike will probably be a 29er.
Once you drink the kool-aid it's hard to forget the taste.
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A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
#10
just keep riding
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I think my Stumpjumper will keep me pretty happy on the singletrack for another year or two. By that time, I suspect that there will be a move toward 650B wheeled bikes that combine much of the 29er's advantages with handling characteristics closer to 26" bikes.
#11
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If one wants to plough over technical tracks, 29 is the way to go. If you want to work the terrain, 26 is far superior. Most people (except the hardcore technical MTB guys), plough through.
#12
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I was able to test ride a couple of 29ers while working at the bike shop last summer. On the first ride, as I left the parking lot and rode on the fireroads, I was saying what's the big deal?!? Then I got to the single track and that's when the difference started to show between 26 & 29. The more technical the track became, the more I could see that difference. All you had to do was point and pedal - the bike went over almost everything.
The next ride had a couple of rocky, water bar downhill sections, and boy, did that 29er fly down those hills! But, again, just point and hang on.
I got back to the shop and said the bikes were a lot of fun, but that the 29er almost made mtbing too easy. Of course I got laughed at! It just seems to me that part of the joy of mtbing is the satisfaction of finding the line that will get you though the technical parts, or figuring out the approach that will get over the rocky ledge. But that's just me.
#13
just keep riding
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I used to make this same statement about rigid vs. front suspension and then full suspension. But the fast guys will tell you that no matter how forgiving your bike may be, picking the best line is still the way to go.
#14
just keep riding
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One more vid and a special treat for all you fans of my Southern drawl.
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Why stop at 29... when do the 36ers come out?
#16
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Nice videos, looks like a ton of fun.
Its the difference between a H-1 Hummer and a Jeep Wrangler.
Its the difference between a H-1 Hummer and a Jeep Wrangler.
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
#17
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I started on a 26" ht, then 29" ht, then 29" fs 3" travel, then a 5" fs 29"er. With each step, when l miss "the line" it hurts a little less
#18
Senior Member
As an A ride leader, I am a fast guy. It is always best picking a line but few have the technical skills to implement that plan. My point was the 29er is more forgiving for those lacking technical skills.
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