tall dog

Sorry - they (westdene) have the EMD ("eat my dust") cool name. which is the alu frame. Steel frame is the MCR

Been doing some preliminary reviewing of 29"ers in Gauteng. Am keen to get one myself. Only ones I've seen are the niners at Westdene. They have a Niner RIP at about 29k if I remember correctly - full sus. They've also got a Niner MCR at about 20k - thats the hardtail with the alu frame I think. The components are very different to the specs on the niner website though. Cyclelab are getting the Gary Fishers 29"ers - they have a Superfly in the shop which is a completely gorgeous HT but very expensive. Halfway between 30 and 40k. They are going to be pricing the hardtail Paragons at about 18k I think although haven't got them in yet. I didn't check out the Hi fi as was thinking that with the bigger wheels a hard tail would be a little more forgiving and do just fine, although yet to ride one. So from my litte recce conclusion is so far limited options in SA, very desirable but very very expensive.

Great website Steven, particularly enjoyed the faqs:http://www.ninerbikes.com/ninerfaq.html Anywhere in Gauteng you can take a non-virtual look?

Thanks Mintsauce, Great post and really helpful. I'm going to join you in scheming how to get one. I think the disadvantage you mention of being more sluggish in the turns probably won't effect me that much as I'm already riding a 22.5 inch frame so not exactly gracefully threading through the tight singletrack. I know Cyclelab here in JHB have apparently got some Gary Fischer Paragon, Superfly and other 29ers coming in in January so I'll go take a look. No idea how these things are going to be priced here? Starting point would be hard or soft tail - my sense is the bigger wheel with more surface area hitting the ground probably makes for a softer ride anyway compared to a equivalent 26er, plus soft tail would add expense, weight and complexity.

Thanks Mandibles - did the search and looks like there are some 29er believers out there on the hub.

Any one had any experience riding 29ers? I'm 6.7 tall and never been able to feel balanced on MTBs. For example my seat probably 8 inches above the bars. Hasn't stopped me doing a lot of MTBing including epic, sani2c etc but have heard for us stretched out types 29ers are the way to go. Any hubbers tried them?