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Rebuilding an old 26er vs purchasing a new 29er

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Rebuilding an old 26er vs purchasing a new 29er

Old 12-14-13, 08:32 AM
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Rebuilding an old 26er vs purchasing a new 29er

I take it everyone must be fed up with 26 vs 29 questions, and I am terribly sorry if I upset anyone with this!
I have an old-ish Scott Voltage (2007) 26'' wheel bike with a rigid Mosso fork up front which I love immensely, and I've been pondering a change of all its components minus the frame, fork, and stuff like stem and seat post to give new life to the bike and have it as a dedicated XC vehicle.
Trouble is, the amount of money I'm about to throw at the Scott is equal to half the price of a new 29er. Would it still be a good investment to revitalize the 26er, if I'm ever to consider entering a local XC event?
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Old 12-14-13, 09:56 AM
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26" wheels still win XC races.
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Old 12-14-13, 08:10 PM
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Have you spent much time on a 29er or even a 650b?
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Old 12-15-13, 10:59 PM
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I agree, have you ridden a 29er enough to see if you like it? Once I rode one, I bought one as a combo everyday ride/race bike. I really liked that the 29er rolled over anything in its path and how it kept its momentum. I could never get that performance from my 26 even with changing a wheelset.
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Old 12-16-13, 05:45 AM
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Assuming disc brakes, you might be able to fit 650B wheels on it. Just to muddy up the decision making waters.
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Old 12-16-13, 10:34 AM
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I don't think anyone can answer this question without a little more understanding of what you expect out of a bicycle.
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Old 12-16-13, 02:06 PM
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I also have a 700c hybrid and even though it's nowhere near a 29er, the bigger wheels roll over cobble stones and crack in the pavement much easier than the 26'' wheels with skinny slicks. So, I guess I get the idea. I've just test ridden a HT 29er at the local LBS and I can't say the handling was much different from my hybrid (pavement riding, no trails). I did like it, can't deny that. My rigid 26er bike, on the other hand, is responsive like a really responsive thing with inputs that seem to stem right out of my brain.
My question, however, was more about the financial aspects of what I plan to do. I guess I feel intimidated by the fact that more and more people are switching over to the larger wheel size, and that it would leave me and the rest of the 26'' minority at a considerable disadvantage. Or is it just hype and I should simply upgrade the bike I already have?
I don't think anyone can answer this question without a little more understanding of what you expect out of a bicycle.
The terrain over here favors fully rigid setups. Hell, we have people even racing on CX bikes in the local events. Lots of gravel, fire roads, some hills - not really mountains. I like to ride with handlebars set really low, and I have them quite narrow - 560mm. I get a lot of frowns for that. So, yeah the XC events here are pretty much straight forward - point and ride. I believe 26'' is more for windy, stop/accelerate stuff. Or am I wrong?
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Old 12-16-13, 02:18 PM
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You want to race competitively, or just have fun?
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Old 12-16-13, 02:24 PM
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I recently started running competitively and I've been riding bike way longer than I've been running. Really want to give racing a go.
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Old 12-16-13, 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by kachinjsh
I recently started running competitively and I've been riding bike way longer than I've been running. Really want to give racing a go.
Sorry, I'm not a racer. But, I hazard a guess that races aren't necessarily won on wheel size alone. Maybe you should see how your stock 26'er stacks up before you make any purchases....you might be pleasantly surprised.
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Old 12-16-13, 03:42 PM
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There you go , got some fitness, and want to compare yourself relative to others ..

pretty much what bike racing is about. ,

now whether you just need to get the kit you have tidied up

with the chain and chain rings/cogs replaced, brakes re-cabled, fresh pads all that,

is up to you and your wallet.
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