DenisMenchov

https://www.velonews.com/article/97597

ed 

"The 26-inch wheeled hardtail mountain bike is, indeed, dead."

Opening the article with a lie does no good for the credibility of the article. I know I'm taking it out of context, but how in the world am I going to go freeriding or dirt jumping on a 29'er?

The quote is crap.

Berg417448

Definitely not dead. Lots of people like them and and the demand for them will continue.

ed 

I'm just not a straight up XC rider though...on his test, he said that he avoided "out of the saddle" climbing b/c of power spikes. I wonder why?

If you use less energy on a 9er...why not take advantage of the energy in reserve and get outta the saddle for a climb?

dminor 

Consider the source.

iluvfreebeer

Should I bury my beloved Cadex in the back yard? Or is there some environmentally friendly eco-whacko way of disposing of it?

johnnytheboy

quote from article:
It’s much harder to go over the handlebars of a big-wheeled bike.

wtf? really?
it's crap like this that makes the 29er fans look like total ******pipes.
how can anyone get behind a total bs statement like this??!!

Berg417448

I cannot explain why, but I've never had an endo crash on a 29er since I switched to riding one in 2002. I used to have 2-3 endos a year on the 26ers I owned and rode. I don't know enough other 29er riders to know if they have had a similar experience or whether I've just been lucky.

johnnytheboy

my buddy endo'd his first ride on a 29er and broke his collarbone.
another guy at his shop also endo'd his 29er and broke his arm and wrist.
they'd both been riding 26" bikes for years with no problems..........

Svr

It's just like any other religion -- false hopes, empty promises and no scientific proof whatsoever.

Dannihilator

Velonews is such a joke.

jgedwa

Seems to me that the higher the center of gravity, the easier it would be to endo.

And, I have certainly done at least one endo on a 29er that I can remember.

j

Berg417448

But think about where your center of gravity is with respect to the wheel hubs.I always felt my center of gravity was way too high on a 26er but I also was riding XL size 26inch frames. One of the things that I enjoy about riding my 29ers is that I don't have that "I'm about to endo" feeling I often had on my 26inch wheeled bikes. For a tall guy like me I think the 29er just fits me better.

But everyone isn't like me and has different experiences and body proportions. 26 inch wheel bikes work great for the majority of riders and I think it is plain silly for someone in a magazine to proclaim that the 26 inch hardtail is dead.Seems to me he's just acting like a radio shock jock and trying to stir up a buzz.

cyrusjax

velonews is rather lame, an amusing article nonetheless.

jgedwa

Agreed that a 29er might present certain fit/geometry advantages for a tall rider. I am 6'5", it seems to apply to me.

I am not completely confident in this, but I don't think the center of gravity "with respect to the wheel hubs" is relevant. If you do an endo, then the pivot point is where the tire hits the pavement. The higher one is above the pavement the more "endo leverage" you have. Is this wrong? Having said that, I have not noticed any difference at all between 26 and 29 in this regard.

j

rnorris

Nope. At 5 ft. 3, I'll keep my 26 inch wheels, thanks.

scrublover

Aaaaand cue up all the 29er fanboys on every message board to have major wood over this article.

ed 

Screw it...I've heard enough...I'm gonna sell the Komodo and buy a 29'er XC bike.

Terry66

Crap…I was going to ride my HT tonight till I read this article. Dang…I guess I’ll have to ride my road bike….are those still okay to ride?

Isn’t it obnoxious when a publication/writer think they are important enough to proclaim something like this?

My response? *YAWN*

DenisMenchov

Nah, most racers are either going with a 29er HT or 26er FS.......

If you like 26" bikes just get a nice one with full suspension then. It's only the 26" Hard tails that are being phased out.

Terry66

Whew….Then I’ll ride my Trance X2 and save the road biking for another day.

Wonder what I can do with the 26 HT? I mean I bet it won't even roll anymore now that it is obsolete.

nachomc

It's about time you came around. Be sure to get the super light stans wheels so you can get more air when you do your jumping

johnnytheboy

according to every major manufacturer's website, they still make a 26" hardtaill- but since you said they're being phased out, i'm guessing you have some insider info i don't know.
i'll be sure to ask dave turner why he's still making bikes with 26" wheels when i'm at interbike.

i guess i'll trash my s-works hardtail and go buy a nice 26" full suspension NEXT bike from walmart.
you know, since they're superior and all.
i just really hate to though, because 26" wheels will soon appeal to children since they're into tricks.

29er it is!!!

are you not realizing what a dumb@ss your posts are making you sound like??!!

DeweyJuice

Each bike has a different purpose and personality. I'm glad we have choices in models, styles, components, sizes, shapes, colors, etc. Imagine the world with the one average bike that the average person thinks is average.

DX-MAN

Won't happen.

Just because one clown writing for one publication says so, MAKES it so? If that were the case, I'd have changed the face of waterbed usage in the 80's!