Sold your 29er to go back to a 26"

[Furbz]

did a back to back test of 26er and a 29er with my father.

 

29er was a mid spec yeti bigtop vs. a top of the line 26er look.

 

we were looking for and differences in heartrates.

we swapped many times during the ride.

so we both had each bike when fresh, and again when we were fading a bit on the way back.

 

what we noted post ride on the computer (using polar heart rate monitors)

 

our heart rates were on average 10-15 beats lower on the 29er compared to the 26er...

this held true for when we were fresh and when we were tired.

 

anyone else found this?

 

after this experiment we are sold on 29ers.

not as responsive as a 26er, but it seem less energy is used and an extra confidence is gained with the larger wheel when attacking complex routes.

Edited November 14, 2011 by Furbz

[GoatBoy]

So how many of you ( or if you know of someone ) bought a 29er to see if the hype is whats its made out , then did not like the bike and sold it to get a 26" again ?.

 

Just curious.

 

 

I didn't but thanks for asking

[Kritzie]

Had a Merida 96 Dual Suspension and bought a Scott Pro 29er HT, what a difference, feel like racing again, softail made me LAZY.

 

Reborn Hardtailer.

[Overlord]

Trying to sell my 26er to buy a 29er. But I think it is easier to get Juju to admit he might have been wrong.

[kosmonooit]

did a back to back test of 26er and a 29er with my father

 

...

 

our heart rates were on average 10-15 beats lower on the 29er compared to the 26er...

 

Could be that riding 26er is more exciting that 29er?

['Kaze Pete]

Could be that riding 26er is more exciting that 29er?

Or the 29ers were used to roll down the technical downhills...

[Santa C]

I had a Merida 96, but love my niner air carbon. yes it is hard, so what....

 

Have a carbon niner and the 26er multivan, love them both!

I feel in SA there is so many different races, where either bike can benefit.

 

So for me 50/50 for both

[rock]

had a 29er, went back to a 26er and then went back to a 'better' 29er.......the geometry makes all the difference.....wont go back to 26er......have so much more confidence in the DH sections now and it climbs the techy stuff so well.......

[Spark]

Bra JUJU rides a Q7 with 19" wheels! But I see him back on his bike in the near future.

[Beattbox]

I took my friend's specialized s works 29er for a ride a couple of days ago. I must admit that i really liked the ride. It climbs well (here i prefer the 26er if its not rocky), decents like a deamon and to my astonishment i loved it in the singletracks. It is a really forgiving ride.

 

You get much more trail feedback from the 26er which is cool but also tires you out. My conclusion is that the 29er is a great ride. I will not go out of my way to buy one immediately but when it is time for a new mtb i will probably buy a 29er.

 

 

Couldn't agree with you more.

[ben-johan]

Trying to sell my 26er to buy a 29er. But I think it is easier to get Juju to admit he might have been wrong.

White supremist!!!

[An3]

A friend of mine bought my HT 26" a couple of years ago.

I went from 26" HT to 26" FS and then 29er FS.

29er FS not too much different from 26" FS. - I do however prefer 29er.

On second loop of Rietvlei recently I swapped my friend for my old 26" HT.

and I really appreciated when I got back on my 29er.

[The Drongo]

did a back to back test of 26er and a 29er with my father.

 

29er was a mid spec yeti bigtop vs. a top of the line 26er look.

 

we were looking for and differences in heartrates.

we swapped many times during the ride.

so we both had each bike when fresh, and again when we were fading a bit on the way back.

 

what we noted post ride on the computer (using polar heart rate monitors)

 

our heart rates were on average 10-15 beats lower on the 29er compared to the 26er...

this held true for when we were fresh and when we were tired.

 

anyone else found this?

 

after this experiment we are sold on 29ers.

not as responsive as a 26er, but it seem less energy is used and an extra confidence is gained with the larger wheel when attacking complex routes.

 

Simple son. 26" bikes are just WAY more exciting!

[Chubba]

My Shova has 29 inch wheels. It goes up and down over everything!

[koukie]

had a 29er, went back to a 26er and then went back to a 'better' 29er.......the geometry makes all the difference.....wont go back to 26er......have so much more confidence in the DH sections now and it climbs the techy stuff so well.......

Very true, i'm back on my zula but test ride a cannondale flash 1 alloy today, man its a nice bike. It feel so much better than my previous 29er, and the dale is not even carbon.

[jimmy hardtail]

I didnt know you could get a shova 29er.