Originally Posted by
Panza
I've just been practicing in my backyard and I can say it's really... hard. I have fallen a several times today "practicing"... I can't hold a trackstand yet.
I've manual'ed a few times but it felt like a ton of effort. The seat always feels like it's in the way but I don't want to blame it. My best manual that I held for more than 15ft was because I purposefully tried to loop the bike. I couldn't.
I'm scared to ram the seatpost with my crotch and haven't been able to bunny hop yet.
I think I really will try XC with it. I really enjoy CX so I think I'd enjoy XC as well : )
Just lower the seat all the way down when you're practicing. The Niner may be more difficult to wheelie/bunny hop than some other bikes because of a longer wheelbase typical of 29ers.
Having said that, a longer wheelbase is more stable descending and better for keeping the front-wheel down on steep climbs.
And I if I had to hop over a bunny to save it's life....I'm pretty sure I'd be eating rabbit stew for dinner...