Azonic Posted April 28, 2011 Share So I'm the most paranoid person I know. Healthy paranoia I'd like to believe... 29er bikes and wheels..... We all saw how Nino flew over the rock garden on his 26er, and how Burry saw his ass on his 29er. YES, skill does come into play here but I doubt Nino would have been any faster over those rocks on a 29er. That's just the way I see it. So, what's the real reason behind the 29er craze? Is it REALLY that so much R&D went into it and the nett result was that a bigger wheel was really that much better? Really? Or possibly another reason? Here's my super paranoid theory... I think the bicycle industry possibly started seeing a dip in mountain bike sales, or the sales weren't as plentyful as what they would want. In other words, not allot of new bikes being sold to mostly new riders. What to do then... Try to tell the guys that already have bikes, that bike with wheel size XYZ will make you FASTER and you'll ride better. Tell the guys that are already in the market that what they have isn't "the shiz" anymore, to get them to invest in another bike. Think about it, every major player in the industry gets a share. You need new forks, a new frame, and new wheels. Everybody scores. If a bigger wheel is better, why is no-one pushing 750c road wheels yet? Out of the Top 10 at the world cup, men and women mixed, I'm aware of maybe 1x 29er? So really, what's the point?? Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
gummibear Posted April 28, 2011 Share I have a Cannondale Flash 29er and CaaD 10 on loan till Tuesday.I will let you know what i think of the big wheels. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395486 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azonic Posted April 28, 2011 Share Yeah it'll probably feel completely different and very cool, but will "new" and "cool" translate into more speed and better handling? Doubt it. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gummibear Posted April 28, 2011 Share I don't know yet,will ride it in the morning and see. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395492 Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetrackmind Posted April 28, 2011 Share So I'm the most paranoid person I know. Healthy paranoia I'd like to believe... 29er bikes and wheels..... We all saw how Nino flew over the rock garden on his 26er, and how Burry saw his ass on his 29er. YES, skill does come into play here but I doubt Nino would have been any faster over those rocks on a 29er. That's just the way I see it. So, what's the real reason behind the 29er craze? Is it REALLY that so much R&D went into it and the nett result was that a bigger wheel was really that much better? Really? Or possibly another reason? Here's my super paranoid theory... I think the bicycle industry possibly started seeing a dip in mountain bike sales, or the sales weren't as plentyful as what they would want. In other words, not allot of new bikes being sold to mostly new riders. What to do then... Try to tell the guys that already have bikes, that bike with wheel size XYZ will make you FASTER and you'll ride better. Tell the guys that are already in the market that what they have isn't "the shiz" anymore, to get them to invest in another bike. Think about it, every major player in the industry gets a share. You need new forks, a new frame, and new wheels. Everybody scores. If a bigger wheel is better, why is no-one pushing 750c road wheels yet? Out of the Top 10 at the world cup, men and women mixed, I'm aware of maybe 1x 29er? So really, what's the point??Shame, can't you afford one right now? You have ridden one? I presume you have, that would be the only way you would know, for sure, it is all a conspiracy? Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395493 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted April 28, 2011 Share to be dead boring, isn't it so obvious that a frame should be proportional to its wheel size? why should a 14" XXS and a 22" XXL frame have the same wheelset? it makes sense there is an optimal size for different rider and conditions. having 29ers gives two choices now, 650B even a third. it would be inconvenient to have 15 options, but i wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing custom sizes for pro riders. it'll become like windsurfing. just add some hype and marketing and BOOM we all need a second mountain bike. can you hear it? just here? a bit further? yes, it's the IPAD3, which makes the IPAD2 redundant, but only once sales start dropping. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395494 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azonic Posted April 28, 2011 Share Actually I can However, the stacks of quality spares and wheels for my couple of 26'ers make it a stupid choice to go that way. ...IF going that way actually makes me that much faster. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395495 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azonic Posted April 28, 2011 Share just add some hype and marketing and BOOM we all need a second mountain bike. can you hear it? just here? a bit further? yes, it's the IPAD3, which makes the IPAD2 redundant, but only once sales start dropping. That's it. EXACTLY what I said. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395499 Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetrackmind Posted April 28, 2011 Share That's it. EXACTLY what I said.Ok, so when iPad 3 launches, and you are in the market for a new tablet, you will buy yourself iPad 1? Because you already have one? Sometimes, yes very infrequently, technology does actually advance, in spite of marketing. Personally, I think this is so with 29er wheels. I think I read it in Tread, some advice that said there is no need to sell your 26er to buy a 29er, but if you were in the market for a new bike, then the bigger wheels is the sane way to go. Which is the way I have gone... You might not agree, but I base my decision on many, many hours riding both, and for my riding style and preference (semi-sensible descending, marathon and stage racing and mild all-mountain playing), iPad 3 does the trick. Yes, I could continue to ride iPad 1, but why handicap myself if I have found something that works better for me? I didn't spot the answer to my serious question, have you ridden one? A 29er, not an iPad. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395507 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The expat cyclist Posted April 28, 2011 Share Ok, so we have been told a million times 29'rs roll better over big rocks. Bla, bla, bla. So, if you own a 26'er I want you to think about this next time you race someone on a 29'er: 26'ers accelerate A LOT FASTER OUT OF THE CORNERS THAN 29'ers!!! Let me say that again: 26'ers accelerate faster than 29'ers. Oh, and 26 inch wheels are stiffer than 29'ers. Which means better power transfer when accelerating out of a corner. Now I have planted a little seed in your head and you will now change your riding style because you know what the strengths are of your bike. Take advantage of what you have. Yes, 29'ers roll faster over the rocky stuff...So it will work well at Sabie but it will be a waste at Babbas. Edited April 28, 2011 by MJ loves MTB Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395533 Share on other sites More sharing options...
baie-sukkel Posted April 28, 2011 Share So I'm the most paranoid person I know..................Ain't you the bicycle bomb thread"starting" person too? Sorry,I just could'nt help mentioning it. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395536 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichnusa Posted April 28, 2011 Share bla bla bla.... i love my hardtail 29er rode my 26" trail bike over the aforementioned rockgardens - loved it as well bla bla bla.... Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395540 Share on other sites More sharing options...
baie-sukkel Posted April 28, 2011 Share bla bla bla.... i love my hardtail 29er rode my 26" trail bike over the aforementioned rockgardens - loved it as well bla bla bla.... So?? Bottom line is ???? Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395541 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichnusa Posted April 28, 2011 Share So?? Bottom line is ???? Ride your bike and enjoy it, whichever one you prefer and can afford. Leave other people and their choices alone - let them be. I'm not forcing anyone to buy a 29er, but if asked, i will tell them it is just great. If for nothing else, a different riding experience... As an addendum: when people say that a 29er rolls over rocks, i dont think they are referring to this kinda break-you-teeth-if-you-fall stuff. A 36 inch wheel will not simply roll over those rocks. Having said that, i did also ride my 29er hardtail through it - a more delicate, bumpy ride! Edited April 28, 2011 by ichnusa Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395545 Share on other sites More sharing options...
baie-sukkel Posted April 28, 2011 Share Ride your bike and enjoy it, whichever one you prefer and can afford. Leave other people and their choices alone - let them be. I'm not forcing anyone to buy a 29er, but if asked, i will tell them it is just great. If for nothing else, a different riding experience... As an addendum: when people say that a 29er rolls over rocks, i dont think they are referring to this kinda break-you-teeth-if-you-fall stuff. A 36 inch wheel will not simply roll over those rocks. Having said that, i did also ride my 29er hardtail through it - a more delicate, bumpy ride! Yip I agree,what ever"floats your boat",very true ! I have also heard before "why bark when you have a dog" (in my case mhew when you have a cat) Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395562 Share on other sites More sharing options...
udxcob Posted April 28, 2011 Share And Nino kept far left (some others too) all those who went right struggled through the rocky stuff..... Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/102918-another-29er-wheel-rant/#findComment-1395597 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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