TNT1 Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 Well, he's from Cape Town, he needs protection when he rides. Yikes. He's doing a different kinda riding to the rest of us on the forum then Thought there was something odd, a tad queer, you might say, with him, judging by his posts.
PeterWest Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 Really don't know how all this debating is going to prove anything...
onetrackmind Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 Actually I do think he has a point - if it only a point that he'll regret making in a few months/years. Kulhavy won an XCO on a 29er - dual susser no less! If you has asked me (a complete 29ophile) in 2010 if that was probable I would have laughed at you. A 29er winning an XCO event? Don't be silly. All bets are off in the 26 versus 29er debate I reckon.Let me rephrase that then... The type of bike that XC worlds is won on affects a handful of riders in South Africa - we don't ride like that generally. The bike that wins DH worlds affects a handful of riders in SA - we don't generally ride like that. The bike that wins world marathon champs is arguably more important to the riding we do here, but at the pointy end of the field - affects maybe 50 guys? The rest of us should be looking for anything but the above bikes for our riding needs. Personally, I believe a 29er ticks more boxes than a 26er for general riding, and even racing in the South African context. Not DH, yet, to bring this back on the topic, but everything else we try.
Eldron Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 Well, he's from Cape Town, he needs protection when he rides. I think this pretty much answers itself. EEEEEEUUUUUUWWWWWWWW!
Eldron Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 Let me rephrase that then... The type of bike that XC worlds is won on affects a handful of riders in South Africa - we don't ride like that generally. The bike that wins DH worlds affects a handful of riders in SA - we don't generally ride like that. The bike that wins world marathon champs is arguably more important to the riding we do here, but at the pointy end of the field - affects maybe 50 guys? The rest of us should be looking for anything but the above bikes for our riding needs. Personally, I believe a 29er ticks more boxes than a 26er for general riding, and even racing in the South African context. Not DH, yet, to bring this back on the topic, but everything else we try. Agreed. The biggest race entries in SA are marathon type events. Double agreed - I ride a 29er HT race rig for marathon events and am convinced it is the fastest marathon bike. The future of 29ers and downhilling will be interesting...
Guest Omega Man Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 (edited) I stand by my statement that a 29er DH bike will win gold at one of the rounds of the 2012 DH world cup. If that happens I will give you my downhill bike. If you don't want to ride it you should get about 25k for it 2nd hand. Sorry. Let me clarify why I'm saying that. The only 29er actually being raced by a pro downhiller at present is the proto 2951 being raced at selected events in the states by JD Swanguen. The events I'm referring to are the Fontana series. The Fontana track is a bit of proper DH and a LOT of sprinting on a dirt road behind people houses. The current world cup DH tracks are ROUGH. Real Rough. They destroy 26inch wheels. Never mind 29ers. I just don't see it happening. Hence the offer. Disclaimer: If you are an industry insider or Greg Minnaar's manager I withdraw the offer. Edited June 15, 2011 by Omega Man
Capricorn Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 (edited) eldron: u keep saying it, but u dont explain (if I missed the tech summary, post up the link, and apologies.). also, worlds is a one run race: if a bunch of 26er riders make mistakes, then yes, a 29er could win it. so could your grandma on a tricyle. BUt u not stating the advantages of a 29er over a 26er IN TERMS OF DH. Lets not bring the XC irrelevance into it cos they dont really apply. DH specific info thanks. Edited June 15, 2011 by Jarek Wysocki
grb285 Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 I stand by my statement that a 29er DH bike will win gold at one of the rounds of the 2012 DH world cup. If not I'll head over to Cape Town and you can scare the bejeebers out of me on your DH courses. If it does you need to head up to Jhb so I can make you puke a lung in the thin air on some of our XCO courses with only a styrefoam cap and bum cream as protection. Deal?Sure thing, bring it on. I'm a trail runner and ride a lot of trails as well, so it'd be pretty hard for me to puke a lung. I might puke when I see the lameness of some of your 'trails' that side, but sure thing. In all my years of MTB I've not needed to cream up Prepare to do some DH with us this side for next year then. You're even welcome to use one of my bikes. Just be sure not to get any of that 'room' on my seat eh. Well, he's from Cape Town, he needs protection when he rides. I think this pretty much answers itself.Side splitting stuff indeed. If that happens I will give you my downhill bike. If you don't want to ride it you should get about 25k for it 2nd hand. Sorry. Let me clarify why I'm saying that. The only 29er actually being raced by a pro downhiller at present is the proto 2951 being raced at selected events in the states by JD Swanguen.Omega, good wager that. I think if he accepts he'll have to put his bike in. When you win it'd be rad to try send some of those jumps at Paarl on a carbon roadbike.
Stevief Posted June 16, 2011 Author Posted June 16, 2011 Ok Chaps , i started this thread and i still havent heard an technical answer to my first post. Question : Why havent 29ers featured on DH bikes if they meant to be better at DH than 26er? I just wanted a specific reason like they to slow or too weak? Not that they to gay or circus like. Now bum cream aside their have been some good arguments but im still clueless as to the reason why niners dont feature in DH.
Tumbleweed Posted June 16, 2011 Posted June 16, 2011 Now bum cream aside their have been some good arguments but im still clueless as to the reason why niners dont feature in DH. Everyone's too worried about how good Gwin is getting to worry about wheel size...
LazyTrailRider Posted June 16, 2011 Posted June 16, 2011 EXCEPT when it comes to the DH girls on the World Cup Circuit ... most of them bat for the other team .. what is up with that? Agreed that some of them are a bit, erm, hardcore, but there are a few good-looking ones: - Micayla Gatto- Myriam Nicole Please don't ruin it for us by providing any batting-side info on them, OK? (Manon Carpenter's still only 17, so comments need to be reserved for a while... )
Oli G Posted June 16, 2011 Posted June 16, 2011 http://www.bikerumor.com/2009/07/13/why-doesnt-anyone-make-a-29er-downhill-bike/ Got the whole deal from multiple manufacturers here with their opinions on it. Found this article about the link above: http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/bikerumor-quizzes-industry-over-29er-use-in-downhill/07827 BikeRumor quizzes industry over 29er use in downhillby Mark Sutton Tuesday, July 14th 2009 at 12:05pmLikeEmail IN NEWS Specialized, Foes, Banshee, Norco, Santa Cruz and Niner explain why 29-inch wheels are unlikely to break into downhill BikeRumor.com has tackled a number of industry brands on the use of 29-inch wheels in downhill racing. Specialized, Foes, Banshee, Norco, Santa Cruz and Niner each offered varied points of view on why, if at all, a 29-inch wheel size would fail to make a big impact among pro downhill riders and eventually, as aftermarket components. The general consensus suggested that the increased wheel size would require much tougher spokes to match the strength of a 26-inch wheel, while suspension developments would need to be made to cater for the larger size. Ultimately, the front end of a downhill rig would have to be raised too, something which goes against the grain of the preference of most riders. Steering issues were also touted as one reason why the wheel size would not be suitable for often super-fast, whippy downhill courses. There was however, one flicker of optimism from Niner who concluded with: "We think 29ers can be competitive on the DH scene, and are pushing for manufactures to believe in longer travel components for 29ers. We think it’s only a matter of time before this can become a reality." So in the link, to sum up, the downhill manufacturers dont want to make them because there arent parts for them, main problems being tyres and suspension. Niner has developed a new tyre with WTB called the Kodiak that is built for DH but isnt a true DH tyre because of the aramid bead, its a 2.5 and is tacky so its up there with the minions. A manitou dorado (because its and upside down fork) can have spacers put in the fork to lower it from 9 inches of travel to 7 to accommodate the 29er, so I dont see any problem. Soon there will be 29er DH bikes but currently the DH market is too small(According to Santa Cruz), and by splitting the small discipline up would not be worth the costs. (In essence what they are actually saying is: if we (Santa Cruz) make a DH 29er, everyone will stop riding 26er downhill bikes and we (Santa Cruz again) would not have any use for all our 26er moulds and equipment...)
Capricorn Posted June 16, 2011 Posted June 16, 2011 so after all that Hub XCer fapping on about 29er, there is a technical reason why it's not worthwhile to go 29er. ffs, end of thread. Thanks Oli G.
Stevief Posted June 16, 2011 Author Posted June 16, 2011 (edited) The general consensus suggested that the increased wheel size would require much tougher spokes to match the strength of a 26-inch wheel, while suspension developments would need to be made to cater for the larger size. Ultimately, the front end of a downhill rig would have to be raised too, something which goes against the grain of the preference of most riders. Steering issues were also touted as one reason why the wheel size would not be suitable for often super-fast, whippy downhill courses. Ok so thats the reason thanks OLi Edited June 16, 2011 by Stevief
Iwan Kemp Posted June 16, 2011 Posted June 16, 2011 I stand by my statement that a 29er DH bike will win gold at one of the rounds of the 2012 DH world cup. If not I'll head over to Cape Town and you can scare the bejeebers out of me on your DH courses. If it does you need to head up to Jhb so I can make you puke a lung in the thin air on some of our XCO courses with only a styrefoam cap and bum cream as protection. Deal? Deal! Better start saving for the trip. And to be clear, Cape Town's XC / Trails will scare the bejeebers out of you. No need to do XC k's to burn the lungs. Pedal to the top of Cobra then bomb it down and you'll wish you rubbed some bum cream all over! Oh, and based on the Top Gear Top Travelling Tip it'd be best to book your flights now already.
Capricorn Posted June 16, 2011 Posted June 16, 2011 Deal! Better start saving for the trip. And to be clear, Cape Town's XC / Trails will scare the bejeebers out of you. No need to do XC k's to burn the lungs. Pedal to the top of Cobra then bomb it down and you'll wish you rubbed some bum cream all over! Oh, and based on the Top Gear Top Travelling Tip it'd be best to book your flights now already. lol crow. i see a war of words brewing between north and south as to who has the gnarliest track worthy of bum cream...
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