Body shape(length) & 29ers

[Agteros]

I've test ridden a few 29ers in the past, but found them all a 'stretch'. Gave up the idea of replacing my 26er HT and then built up a SS. Did the Country Challenge on the geared 26er, and did not enjoy the bike.

 

I've had a look at the geometries of a few 29ers and the top tube all seems on the long side for me. My body shape is apparently such that my torso is shortish, so that could/would explain the 'stretch' on the 29ers.

 

Question: Are there any 29ers with shorter (than the norm) top tubes, or should I rather go for a dual suss 26er?

[Big JD]

Santa Cruz Tallboy is definitely shorter than normal. It is the smallest "Large" I have ridden, if that makes sense.

[Hairy]

Run a nice short stem with a good width bar on the longer top tubed frames and you are in for a good ride. ... I also have longer legs vs upper body.

 

I am 1.78m tall, have a 600mm length top tube and ride with a 70mm stem and 700mm wide bar on the on-one 29'er SS ....

 

Give this a spin and see how it feels.

[Tumbleweed]

I measure up for a medium, and felt a bit stretched on my Talon. Changed the stem from about 90mm-odd stem that came with it for a 60mm and stitched to a riser with a slight sweep.

[Rapunzel]

I had the same problem so I've put an 80mm stem (inverted to get the bars lower) and my setup is quite similar to my 26er. I test rode the new Epic 29er this weekend past and the small size comes standard with an 80mm stem and the horizontal top tube length (554mm) is quite a bit shorter than my 16.5" hardtail (590mm). The Giant website doesn't indicate if the TT length is horizontal or effective but the small is 574mm.

Before making any decisions, it would probably be best to do some research yourself as 29er geometry varies quite a bit and once you have a shortlist of makes, go to the bike shops that specialize in those makes and take some bikes for a test ride.

[Agteros]

Bit of a cheapskate, not dropping about 24K on a frame! Which seems to DQ the Santa Cruz Tallboy. Choices... choices.. choices...

 

I still need to buy a proper road bike(or upgrade mine), and a triathlon bike is hovering on the horizon as well

Edited April 16, 2012 by heman

[NINER_boy]

IMO

 

This applies exactly to 26" bikes as well.

 

Not one design is the same in geometry and tube lengths.

So, you will (and had to) play around on your 26" bike to get your fit right,

 

Fit is to make us be comfortable on a rigid and fixed system, so therefore you change saddle height, fore aft position, stem length and handlebar width.

 

My advice would be to RIDE before you buy.

 

Happy fitting

[Agteros]

IMO This applies exactly to 26" bikes as well. Not one design is the same in geometry and tube lengths. So, you will (and had to) play around on your 26" bike to get your fit right, Fit is to make us be comfortable on a rigid and fixed system, so therefore you change saddle height, fore aft position, stem length and handlebar width. My advice would be to RIDE before you buy. Happy fitting

to an extend I agree, however I find the TT on 29ers to be longer than equivalent size(S/M/L) 26ers.

I ride a medium 26, so a small 29er might work(even though some small 29ers seem to have top tubes longer than most medium 26ers), but I'm not convinced an extra-long seat post will be the best/safest option

 

Will be great to hear which 29er frames have shorter top tubes, like the Santa Cruz

[Swift01]

The Santa cruz Highball if your looking for 29er HT also has a very short top tube compared to most 29er's.

[MrJacques]

I'm facing similar issues with finding a 29er with geometry that I like. Found a 29er DS that I like with the same TT length as my 26 DS, but in medium size the stand over height is a bit too high for comfort So the search continues...

Edited April 16, 2012 by Jacquers