Hi,

I had a chance to take out a Raleigh 29" hardtail. I don't remember the model, but it was priced around $630, so I', guessing it was middle of the rode at best. It was probably the most fun I ever had on a bike. I was jumping over curbs and huge potholes like nothing with and without the forks locked . My Trek FX hates this. It also didn't feel "that" much slower then my Trek on the street. My legs are on the strong side from years of weightlifting. Funny think is I test rode a Trek DS and it actually felt less connected for me. Anyway, is anyone using this type of MB for rough city streets besides trails? I'm actually considering a trade in.

Thanks

You can do this. It's a better idea than a hybrid IMHO (as a hybrid owner!) because you can still use big beefy tires and go on trails. That doesn't work too well, if at all, on a hybrid.

If you have a fast-rolling 29er tire, it will feel fine on the road. I would use something with a near-continuous center contact patch. They roll best. Of course, if you're just out for fun and fitness, it really won't matter much to just ride whatever tires the 29er comes with.

Thanks, everyone at the LBS actually recommended I stay with what I have for the kind of riding I do. I did not have plans to take it into the mountains or ever do any "real" mountain biking. They were willing to let me trade it in at what I payed (I've had it for 2 weeks) as long as I upgraded to a Trek Cobia for example. I actually took out the managers older Cobia and although it was in need of a tune up was a pisser to ride also. I love the fact that you never need to avoid potholes or getting onto curbs. I still couldn't tell that much difference in resistance compared to my bike on the street. Then again my rides are usually under an hour.

I use my 29er as my commuter. I love it. It handles railroad tracks and curbs way better than my other bikes.

Get both. You sound like me to a tee. I bought my Trek in April and My Giant 29er 3 weeks ago. Love'em both. Do trails with both. Do long distance on road with both. Each is better suited for road and trail respectively but both are a ton of fun and are cross-functional to an extent. The 29er is fast, and the Trek is tough.

I got the Giant primarily so that we had two quality Bikes that were different but both capable enough to do just about anything except hardcore mountain or road biking so my sons can ride with me.

For $1100 I got two great bikes that can do 90% of what I and most bikers will ever need. Less $$ than someone would pay for one low end road bike.

My Specialized Crosstrail can take tires up to about 1.75 inches wide, so I could put some pretty fat rubber down. It works pretty well on most trails, but not so great on big roots and rocks, with the stock tires. But, that's why I have a mountain bike, too!

After getting rear-ended on my road based commuter, I decided I needed a bike that would give me escape routes. I wanted to be able to go over the curb or off on the shoulder or even into the ditch and come out unscathed. So i bought a Giant Talon, fitted it with some 37c street tires, full coverage fenders, lights and a rack. It works great. Definitely slower than my road bike if there's wind, but not much slower if there's not. I'm not much for hitting the trails, but it's nice to know that in 15-30 minutes I can be trail ready if I wanted.

Hope that helps.

Very nice! That should do the trick!

I got one of the inexpensive REI 29 MTBs and it is great on the streets. Good brakes, go over anything, don't worry about sewer grates, and it can turn a good rate of speed. Knobbies aren't the best, but when you run into leaves and mud, like all this crap from the storm over the last few days it doesn't hurt.

Plus, it is a great winter bike.

You will not regret getting a 29er. If you can swing hydraulic discs, it is worth the money - less fussing with them, thats the only thing I would change.

And you are extremely unlikely to get a flat....

Depends on the hybrid. I have a Scott Sportster 20 and had been taking that out on trails for ages (until I recently bought a FS bike).

All I did was whack on some 2 inch Contis and off I went. Handled beautifully.

I'll add my joy for riding a 29er on pavement. It works. I have a variety of different bikes and they all have interesting characteristics, but the 29er is the newest and best of the lot. I'd take it anywhere...and I have!

-SP

depending on the width of tge rims your bike came with you can probably put 29er tires on it without issue. worst case scenario look into getting a 2nd set of wheels to swap out