29 Inch MTB tyres

[tall dog]

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?

[Dibles]

I unfortunately can't provide you with the urls as I'm signed on via my cellphone, but go to "Forums/Search" and type in "29er" and you'll pick up some previous discussions about them. I know TitusTi rides a 29er.

[tall dog]

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

[MintSauce]

I'm not sure you'll get much out of Titusti for the next week or two as he is on leave.

 

I have only recently become a convert. Am currently scheming to get myself one.

 

Before my current bike I owned a stock 26er Titus Racer X. I rode Titusti's bike(custom titanium Racer X 29er) and although there are negatives, I feel the positives far outweigh them.

 

My stock RX still is the best handling bike I ever rode. The 29er isn't far off, except that it feels a bit more sluggish in the turns and therefor requires a bit more effort to steer....not a big issue though as you learn to adapt and compensate. There's also an obvious trade-off in stiffness as bigger wheels will naturally flex more.

 

On the plus side, the biggest noticable differences for me was:

 

1. The increased speed. The bikes just maintain momentum much better, especially uphill. Although they're in effect heavier, they actually feel like they're easier to ride uphill or on flats.

 

2. Easier rolling over obstacles, especially square edged hits or big roots due to the obstacles being smaller in relation to the wheel. This is apparently very noticable on trails with bad braking bumps as the wheels roll better through braking bumps that are of course caused by smaller 26er wheels.

 

3. Increased stability in all conditions, especially high speed cornering. The 'taller' wheels and higher axles will also help big guys like yourself who tend to constantly feel like they're about to go over the bars.

 

I'm 5'11" btw. Titusti actually took delivery of another bike today, Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Pro 29er. Well worth taking a look at. They're obviously a lot more keenly priced than the Titus. I tried his and another buddy's one as well just on tar and they feel very good. Felt very nimble. Do yourself a favour and get hold of a shop that stocks Gary Fisher bikes and get them to organise one of the demo bikes that have been doing the rounds.

 

Another mate just built up his new Niner E.M.D 9 ali hardtail today. Beautiful bike and very reasonably priced for what is a beautifully constructed bike.

 

You definitely can't go wrong. Even more so considering how tall you are. They really are awesome riding/feeling bikes!

 

Once you ride one you'll be hooked! There are so many guys on MTBR.com who will tell you how they've cleared out collections of 3 or 4 or 5 bikes and replaced their entire fleet with 29ers.

 

As Ti's sig says....Soon you will all bow down and worship at the altar of the 29!

 

 

 

[steven]

Go to www.coolheat.co.za and go to the link Niner on our webpage.We selling them like wild fire so its the new rage.

rgds sm

[tall dog]

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.

[tall dog]

Great website Steven, particularly enjoyed the faqs:http://www.ninerbikes.com/ninerfaq.html

 

Anywhere in Gauteng you can take a non-virtual look?

 

 

 

[steven]

Yep, come to our new warehouse when we re-open on the 2nd JAN and have a look at the range, sounds odd but we only selling Niners in the Cape Area at the moment

 

63 Lake Road Longmeadow Business Estate North opp Greenstone shopping cenre,along Modderfontein road ,right into Herroford Road and right into the North Security entrance and then head up to Modderfontein direction.

 

rgds sm