I don't know that I'd call the 29er a 'dumb' idea;it does have it's merits. But I think it would've been better to leave it on the higher-end bikes were you've got pros or very experienced riders you can really appreciate the differences and choose which they like best,as opposed to putting them on everything.
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C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Brompton S6L/S2E-X/M6L-X/S12 T Line