Topic: 29er comments

[anthonyi]

I'm thinking about buying a 29er, but unfortunately there weren't many vendors at the FTF. I'd like to get some comments on 29ers at Alafia and Boyette. How do they do on our trails? I'd especially like to hear from people that have recently switched from 26ers.

[slowfatguy]

I have an Epiphany (26'er) and an Evolve (29'er). I built the Evolve back in July, and have only rode the Epi 1 time since then. Niner's may not be for everyone, but this one suits my riding style and strengths very well.

[mellowme17]

i enjoy mine at boyette and alafia. this includes riding rigid

[Alan]

I'm another HT and rigid 29er rider.  Enjoy riding them anywhere/everywhere. 

[rob_squared]

i switched from 26 to 29er in late August. i've ridden the 26er once since then..... the 29er is equal in performance to me with limited exception. my experience is that at the slower speeds in the tighter rough stuff, the wheels are more unwieldy.... that could have more to do with geometry or my inability to ride techy stuff at a slow crawl more than wheel size - don't know.

what i do know is that for everything else it performs great. not AMAZINGLY better. but great. I haven't suddenly gotten any faster because of the bike and its [magic] wheels.

one thing that feels different is going over small to medium roots and rocks.... the ease of rolling over them is noticable.

[Dan-o]

I like it because it allows me to ride a HT without as much of the negative effects of a 26HT. That is the main reason for me. I didnt like the squish of the rear suspension on my 26er. It may have been an inefficient design or whatever. For me big wheels in the tech is a non issue

[al]

Rode my FS 29'er at boyette today for the first time. Night and day from my old bike. I am not up on the technical jargon but i can tell you I was up and over roots and such like nothing. I was so much more confident on the big drops on Ridgeline etc. I was able to stay in the saddle and it climbed like a champ. I LOVE my new bike. It's a 2011 Trek Hifi Deluxe.

[anthonyi]

Thanks everyone for your comments. They are all very interesting. Please keep them coming, and if you hear about any demo-days at Alafia, please email the Swamp / Yahoo group. I'd really like to try a 29er on Rollercoaster before I buy!

[BeerCan]

why don't you rent a 29er from AJ's?  Then you wont have to wait for a demo day.

[Scott]

I was in A.J.'s yesterday, they have a couple of sweet 29er demo bikes available. A Specialized S-Works Stumpy HT that I drooled on and a Giant Anthem 29er X2 which I also hear good things about

[ProEdgeBiker.com]

not 100% sure about this year but last year Specialized was at FSC#8 @ Santos with the Demo Trucks.. BTW, it was a Free Demo.

[Scott]

not 100% sure about this year but last year Specialized was at FSC#8 @ Santos with the Demo Trucks.. BTW, it was a Free Demo.

Word up

[anthonyi]

why don't you rent a 29er from AJ's?  Then you wont have to wait for a demo day.

If I were to rent, I wouldn't be able to try out numerous bikes to compare side-by-side.

[anthonyi]

not 100% sure about this year but last year Specialized was at FSC#8 @ Santos with the Demo Trucks.. BTW, it was a Free Demo.

Thanks. I remember them last year. Not sure if I can make it to Santos this year yet. Gonna try though!

[anthonyi]

I was in A.J.'s yesterday, they have a couple of sweet 29er demo bikes available. A Specialized S-Works Stumpy HT that I drooled on and a Giant Anthem 29er X2 which I also hear good things about

Cool. The Giant Anthem 29er X2 got good reviews on MTBR.