I just rode my new 29er Hard tail - out of the box - after 6 years on a 26 HT Outgoing: : 2003 Scott Boulder SLX/XT drive train, v-Brakes, tubeless, Kenda SB8 (front) & Maxxis Crossmark (back). Recently replaced old Manitou Black Elite with SR Suntour Raidon... Air vs oil.... modern tech - actually better. Enter: 2012 Scott scale 29er Elite. SLX/DeOre/XT, Rock shock Reba, Maxxis IKONs. They weigh the same Some things to make the comparison unique: It wasn't a modern 26er upgraded to a 29er - the old bike was 2003. new 30 speed vs 27 - gives one an advantage too. The disc brakes have given me a new lease on life vs old rim brakes. The bike shop took measurements from my previous bike and set it up exactly right for me.The only thign that felt different was teh wider bars. To make it clear - the ride experience is chalk and cheese. I'm more grounded, and have more choice of terrain, lines. I have less to fear. I will honestly say that the new bike gave me such a sense of confidence - and has escalated my riding abilities. The larger wheel size makes your whole riding style different, and opens up new parts of track you wouldn't have considered before. The 29er is fast on the descent, opens up new lines. I could overtake better, as I didn't have to be so fussy about bombing through the rougher sections which did little ot the highly compliant bike. Wheel size factors 29ers come with 2.2 tyres instead of 2.1s the extra tread, and diferent contact patch & angle with the ground due to wheel diameter is very noticale in hectic ascents. The bike just says - "yes sir" If you stall/ the biek has better balance - so no putting foot down, and struggling to get started again - just keep trucking. So - the traction is like spiderman! The bike is incredibly obedient going up and down. I often noticed myself free-wheeling past people who were pedalling (and that I attribute tothe Scott design (somehow) as I was passign other 29ers too) Downhill - the rolling ability enables me to focus on the route/line/course moreso than any fearful obstacles. Techical, twisty corkscrews.... I'm better than I was. (remember - there are rocks in the tech sections and the 29er doesn't mind that) And - if they're sandy & loose - the wheel size gives better grip (i.e. stopping power/ and truness to the line you aimed for) What about 26er specific traits? Honestly, not in ANY section of the hectic MTN Series 75km race in Clarens did I feel that I would have preferred my old bike. People say you can't twsit, flick, bunny hop & turn as sharply... Well - the need for all that deminishes.... and the truth is - I really could. (or if I didn't pull it off as well - I couldn't feel it) I rode terrain I've never been able to ride before. Switchbacks I would have walked I aced. I was able to climb over rocks I never would have dreamed of before - and chose lines I wouldn't have been able to take. Climbing was more about the pedalling than weight shifting - and line picking. On a crowded race/busy track - you can be more flexible with your ascent/descent lines - giving you more track. The only downside (is this one - or is it the only thing I'm still adapting to?) The longer wheel base leads to the odd occasion where my crank/pedal is lower to the ground - and I had about 5 pedal-ground strikes... minor ones - not hard whacks... once I'm used to the new dimensions - that will go away. It's prob cos the one wheel is over an obstacle before the other one - (where on a shorter wheel base - the back wheel might still be on the obstacle and front wheel down... that's all I can figure - as crank clearnacne and lenght measure the same. I'm converted. the difference is huge. Im an average rider - who aims for a middle of field finish.... I'm just glad I got to test it over a MTB race that had a bit of everything in one day. But keep in mind the unique factors I described above.
