29’ers

[MBgirl]

Hey! I’m new to the forum so hello all! Am having a great season riding. As a Canadian, you have to make the most of these warm, summer months! I am buying a new bike either this fall or next spring and was thinking of switching from my soft tail 26" Giant Anthem to a 29’er. Has anyone regretted switching up to a 29’er? I have many race buddies that seem to be going that route. I’d still like to keep the suspension though. Thoughts and feedback greatly appreciated!

[Corey Maddocks ✓ supporter]

Given what you ride now, take a test ride on the Giant Anthem x 29er.

I went from my 26" Giant Trance full suspension to a 29er hardtail I have on test for the Singletracks blog and I like it, but when I buy I’ll probably get full suspension.

[fat_billy]

My next bike will be a hardtail 29er. I’ve demoed a 29er FSB and like the hard tail better. When I did the demo I kept the Pro Pedal option on to lesson the suspension effect. The 29ers go over minor trail bumps, roots ect. better so will stay with a lighter hardtail. 😄 Later,

[MBgirl]

I heard that 29’ers are harder to maneuver around switchbacks. Is that true? And thanks for the advice. This is SO helpful. Will definitely do some test rides.

[Corey Maddocks ✓ supporter]

I thought that too. Of the three I have ridden thus far, two have been just as nimble on switchbacks as my 26er Trance, and the third was like driving a semi.

When shopping, have a look at the wheelbase specs and look for a shorter one.

[MBgirl]

Will do. Thanks for the feedback 😀

[KatS]

I just purchased a 29er HT for racing and I like it so much I dont know if i will ever really ride my Nomad ever again.

[abegold]

Ride everything you can. Just a parking lot spin will tell you quite a bit but on the trail tells you more. Differnet bikes handle differently and have strengths and weaknesses. Try riding the really high $ exotic bikes and learn why they’re so much $ and you’ll be able to find what’s not top $ yet you love. Some I didn’t like. Cannondale was the lightest 26" but Trek 9.9 out handled it.
When I bough my last pair of skis demoed at the mountain base over 3 days trying 15+ types. I found a winner, the more you test the more you know. Giant does give you alot for the money but my Turner sure outhandles the Giant I owned before it. A really well balanced frame adds stability which saved my butt when recovering from a spinal infection, when it really mattered, I didn’t fall. It also makes every turn more fun.
29ers do make you faster.

[Jkizz]

I went from a riding a 26′ to a 29’er this year and I have loved it. I hv a hard-tail and I really enjoy the feeling of invincibility when going over a large obstacle or rooty sections. The only draw-back I have noticed is a tenancy for the the spokes to pop more often, but that may just be my bikes lower quality components, as I went cheap on my first 29er.

[fleetwood]

[quote="maddslacker"]I thought that too. Of the three I have ridden thus far, two have been just as nimble on switchbacks as my 26er Trance, and the third was like driving a semi.[quote]
Which model rode like a semi?

[Corey Maddocks ✓ supporter]

Specialised of some sort…Epic Comp maybe? It belongs to a friend. I didn’t like it at all.

[irishpitbull]

"maddslacker" wrote

Specialised of some sort…Epic Comp maybe? It belongs to a friend. I didn’t like it at all.

I own one (2011 Carbon Comp). I love it. If you lower the stem a bit it quickens the handling.

[BUDDAH]

so i was very active in this forum and have been absent for a few months(what up maddslacker) and one of the reasons i have been absent is due to a whole lot of riding and career change. In the process i have now atained a HT 9er, a rigid 9er and ofcourse i still have my f/s 26" Teocali which fits like that old pair of jeans that you dont ever want to throw away. Anyway i have been rdidng 9ers an awful lot and i must say that the fast rollin’ 9er wheels are a blast. 😃 😃
My thought is everyone should own atleast one of each. I haven’t riden a f/s 9er on trail yet and that is in the works. if i like it i hope to purchase one next fall..
Mbgirl had questiion on the switchbacks and i found myself cutting switchbacks a little wide to start and finish them thight meaning my front wheel starts wide to give myself room for the rear to clear and then i bring the front wheel in thight in the switchback.. hope this helped some..

p.s if you have one of each you never have to regret buying the other… 😆 😆 😆

[cynergy68]

I’m on my 2nd 29er now. I love ’em. The only downfall is on the climbs, but the good outweighs the bad. I’ve got a 2012 Specialized Comp 29er, absolutely awesome bike 😃

[Corey Maddocks ✓ supporter]

The 29er I’m riding right now climbs like a proverbial violated simian. 😆
Way better than my 26er.

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