29er Poll

[bigwheel]

Until either 29ers or 26ers are gone (as is 27 inch wheels), there will be a constant debate about which is better, or more importantly, perceived to be better.

What I'd like to find out is: Of the people have ridden a 29er for more than a day (or have owned one), how many people have bought another 29er, vs how many people have gone back to the 26er.

[Brick]

Until either 29ers or 26ers are gone (as is 27 inch wheels), there will be a constant debate about which is better, or more importantly, perceived to be better.

What I'd like to find out is: Of the people have ridden a 29er for more than a day (or have owned one), how many people have bought another 29er, vs how many people have gone back to the 26er.

This is my third season on a 29'er, and I can't ever see myself going back. My 26 rigid has become a pavement-only/commuter rig.

[ppgc]

I voted demo'd 29er next bike 29er but the 26" is still in the running, the 29er is in the lead though. :)

[Rocky Mountain]

People riding 29ers are compensating for something....

[funky-funky-chicken]

I have too many 26'rs to like 29'rs. I'll keep the wheels small because the price tag to replace the fleet would be large. I'm sure 29'rs are just dandy, I just don't feel the need. I've got lots of "29'rs" in the form of 700c which is really 622, and they are all in the form of road bikes, some of which are perfectly suited to riding on the dirt.

[nigel]

Ive ridden em in various brands but they just are not for me, but i do say if it gets you out riding who cares what your on!

[manual63]

From a purely subjective standpoint, there are a number of immediately perceptible differences between our two bikes. On the trail, the two-niner simply feels bigger and heavier. The wheelbase is noticeably longer, the wheels feel like they require more energy to get going, and the overall weight distribution of the bike just feels a bit odd. In terms of handling, the two-niner requires a bit more effort to initiate turns, and just feels a bit sluggish. Conversely, the 26-inch bike is markedly more nimble and seems to require less energy to change direction, plus the lighter wheels feel faster when accelerating be it in a sprinting situation or during a climb.


On the flipside, however, that same propensity to change direction in the 26-inch bike also makes it a bit twitchier in corners, particularly if the trail conditions vary midstream. While the two-niner requires more effort to initiate the turn, it's also more stable through that corner and holds a line better. Also, although the two-niner feels oddly big, it also feels quite stable and is definitely more capable of rolling over trail obstacles.


From that ariticle, this initial assessment seems about on par to me. I have ridden a few 29ers, so far Ed's being the best one I have ridden (of course, it's an On-One...:)), and am not sure if I will ever own one. Mostly because I do like quick and nimble. But in another sense, the idea of just taking it easy and cruising along and easily over stuff might be appealing to me someday. If I ever do get a 29er, it would be a singlespeed for sure!

[LightWeight]

I like my 29er simply because it's the first MTB that I've felt really comfortable on. On any 26" I've ridden, I feel like my center of gravity is way too high which makes the bike too twichy and unstable. When I ride my Inbred, I feel like I'm "in" the bike, not "on" it. For tall guys, 29" is where it's at!!

[steef]

I'll probably end up with a 29, someday, but I think I'll end up getting a 24 before that.

[Aaroneous]

I like my 29er simply because it's the first MTB that I've felt really comfortable on. On any 26" I've ridden, I feel like my center of gravity is way too high which makes the bike too twichy and unstable. When I ride my Inbred, I feel like I'm "in" the bike, not "on" it. For tall guys, 29" is where it's at!!

Agree with all of that.
I'm not that tall (6'), but I have long legs and short arms/torso, so most bikes I feel like I've got the seat all jacked up to jesus and then I'm bent in half...
I just love the way my Monocog feels, especially with that shorter stem. I might even go down to a 70mm. What some people percieve as 'slow' I feel as 'stable'.

[BKocka]

as a female- i would only get a 2-9er if i wanted to ride it ridged- with those big wheels there is no need for suspension, you can roll over anything.

I do like how stable the bike feel, too. they are giant bikes but there is something so interesting about them that I just love.

[bigwheel]

In this survey, I was particularly interested in the first three responses. How many people have *seriously* given a 29er a try, and then decided that they don't like them.

For me, demoing a bike or riding someone else's doesn't accomplish much. The bars, suspension, top tube, stem, seat setback, yada yada are almost always all wrong, so the bike never feels good. For example, I took a prototype Gary Fisher race day supercaliber for a lap around Leb, and didn't like it at all. However, the bars were too narrow and low, and the suspension was set up so stiff that I may as well been riding a rigid. The brakes were set up way too grabby. Plus, it had narrow tires that I didn't feel comfortable with. IMO, this is no way to decide whether or not you like a bike. You really need a chance to set it up and dial it in for to your liking then spend a full day on it.

I've been saying "Once you start riding a 29er, you'll never go back". (By "riding", I don't mean just a lap around the parking lot or even a lap around a trail.) Based on the fact that there are (currently) zero responses to the second option and there an overwhelming number of responses to the first option, I think this proves my point.

Personally, I own two 29ers (1 geared, 1 ss) and one 26er (geared). The ONLY time the 26er gets ridden is when the 29ers are both broken. When I get back on the 26er, I wonder how/why I ever rode the thing.

My opinion: 26ers is a fad that will slowly fade away for everyone but the people that need a small (< 17") frame.

[Heuy]

If I ever get another XC hardtail I will give 29ers a serious look. w/rear suspension the effective chainstays get soooo long. I don't like having that much wheelbase in MN. The trails are too tight, slow and twisty.

[jitterjepp]

as a female- i would only get a 2-9er if i wanted to ride it ridged- with those big wheels there is no need for suspension, you can roll over anything.

I do like how stable the bike feel, too. they are giant bikes but there is something so interesting about them that I just love.29'er with suspension...not just for rolling over stuffhttp://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/97ShawnJump3.jpg

[ppgc]

Bob, you should post this up on mtbr.com, I would be interested to see how many people hit #2 (note it may have been already, I am just too lazy to seach another board. :) )

[bigwheel]

Bob, you should post this up on mtbr.com, I would be interested to see how many people hit #2 (note it may have been already, I am just too lazy to seach another board. :) )

MTBR is a big forum. If I post it in the 29er section, all I'll get are the rabid 29er riders. If I post it anywhere else, the 29er people probably won't even see it.

[transplant]

My perceptions on 29ers (tongue in cheek, of course):

But in another sense, the idea of just taking it easy and cruising along and easily over stuff might be appealing to me someday.

it also feels quite stable and is definitely more capable of rolling over trail obstacles.

with those big wheels there is no need for suspension, you can roll over anything.

So by the time you add a full suspension frame into the equation, what you basically have is a Barcalounger on knobbies. Just pedal and hang on. You could balance a glass of water on your head while cruising through Leb. THIS is why people like 29ers so much. Why, they're the Hummers of the biking world! No need for MORC to dumb down the trails anymore. It's the end of skillful riding as we know it. :scream: :crazy: :D :) ;)

Go 26ers! (Until I'm old and need the Barcalounger. Then the tune will change.)

[ryno lite]

What about a category for those who have not tried a 29er but would like to buy one when they get their next bike?

[bigwheel]

What about a category for those who have not tried a 29er but would like to buy one when they get their next bike?

Ryan, I'm sure you'll end up in the first category.

[soupboy]

People riding 29ers are compensating for something....

Same thing could be said about Turners!

[soupboy]

Progression of MTBs:

Late 80s - Schwinn High Sierra - Crome to blue, U-Brake, Biopace, 18 speeds, rigid.

Mid 90s - Damis Dakar then Dragon. HT with susser forks.

Early 00s - Ellsworth Isis (broke) to Turner RFX (fantastic).

Early 02 - First SS - 26" Inbred - first in MN all you posers!

Mid 2004 - Karate Monkey Rigid, SS.

Early 2005 - Turner RFX sold. SS 29er only for about 15 months.

Late 2005 - Ventana El Capitan. SS has not been seeing much love.

For all you wanker Ricky Racers that poo poo 29ers for their "theoretical" disadvantages - http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=199919.

[frogfacepierre]

what a great ride