I think I have a problem

[scotch]

After having not ridden my ancient 1998 Trek 7000 for about 9 years in favor of the road, I've been hitting the trails again lately.

I then began noticing all the fancy new MTBs out there and in the shops...and learning about this "new" 29er thing.

This has become a stepping stone drug to looking at - and testing - new bikes. So far I've ridden a Scott Spark 29 Comp, a Scott Scale 29 Expert, and a Santa Cruz TallBoy alum. Before last week, I'd never even sat on an FS bike or a bike with disc brakes before. All these bikes make mine look, feel and ride like an old tricycle with square, clay wheels.

Now I'm in that awful yet delicious danger zone of "bike-brain." I guess what I'm saying is damn, MTBs have come a LONG way, and I kind of want a new one...

[Svr]

You owe it to yourself to demo a modern 26" suspension bike. Plenty of us own bikes with both wheel sizes yet still prefer 26".

[Thor29]

You owe it to yourself to demo a modern 26" suspension bike. Plenty of us own bikes with both wheel sizes yet still prefer 26".

It's all about 650B (27.5") now.
Or you could average 27.5 - Ventana and Carver still believe in the 69er.

[catonec]

I feel your angst. the New MTB 29er movement has had me wanting to trade in the trek 7000, and 6000, and get 2 "modern" dirt devils but is so hard to say good bye to such loyal friends.

[3speed]

Yeah, check out some 26" bikes if you still like to have some fun and use some skill rather than those big training wheels. It all depends on what you like to ride. The 29" wheels are going to be more impressive on a test ride on the road, ditches, and whatever is around a bike shop to putz around on because that's what they're good at - more flat terrain. That's why road bikes have been using that wheel size for decades. If you're just going to be doing flat XC single-track, 29" might be the way to go. If you're riding some rocky or somewhat technical stuff, maybe you'll prefer a different wheel size. Just make sure you get on different bikes of all kinds and decide how that relates to the kind of riding you want to do.

[ncfisherman]

because that's what they're good at - more flat terrain. That's why road bikes have been using that wheel size for decades.

That is some pretty funny stuff right there.

Agreed though...get out there and try out different bikes. Take them out to your local trails for a demo, if you can - some shops will allow you to put the demo money towards your purchase.

[scotch]

Thanks, everyone, for the great replies. Yeah, I'm not abandoning the 26 just yet...or the hard tail. I live in New Hampshire and most of my trail riding is between logging roads and curvy single track with lots of steep up/down hills. But I don't do much boney, technical riding and I won't be bombing down hills, either.

Gonna ride a few more this weekend and see how it goes. My LBS has no problem with me taking it out of the parking lot and on a couple of trails behind the shop.

Thanks for the pics, Catonec. I don't have a good pic of my 7000 but I'll take one this weekend and post it up. It's been a reliable steed for many years.

[Daspydyr]

I ride a Scott Spark 26er and love it. F/S with lockouts. Kind of a best of Rigid and Suspension worlds. One of the Scott riders won a World cup race in March on a Scott HT with 27.5 (650B) tires. The variety in Mountain biking is overwhelming. But if you take your time you will find lots of stuff to entertain yourself with.

How tall are you, how much do you weigh? How bout that SC Tallboy? I'm a Scott homie, but that TB has my eye?

[scotch]

How tall are you, how much do you weigh? How bout that SC Tallboy? I'm a Scott homie, but that TB has my eye?

I'm about 6' and weigh ~210. Pretty much a clyde. The Tallboy is super nice, but also about $600 (the D xc 29 kit) more than the Spark comp. I'd rather not spend much above $2100.

[YamiRider1316]

Tallboy gets my vote