Help on a 29 er buy

[Ceres]

So today I test rode a 29er Scott Spark elite on Eselfontein, thought it would really be a problem in the tight and twisty stuff to my suprise it was not bad, short steap climbs also not a problem.

 

The only problem I had with it was the length of the cranks my pedals kept hitting little rocks and when going on a track with a bit of a camber the pedals would also scrape along it (never happened on my 26 er). Just want to know if this is a problem with all 29 ers or are the cranks on this bike just too long (and no I havn't messured it so I don't know the length).

 

Do they drop the crank for a lower centre of gravity?

Edited May 31, 2012 by Ceres

[Stevief]

Funny u say that, yestrday i went riding in tokai with my mate and he just bought a new spez stumjumper 29er and he was also complaining about the cranks hitting rocks, he had a 26 stumpjumper and he said it didnt happen with that bike.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

BB is generally lower on the niners than the sixers. This is to get the bigger wheels to "fit" whilst retaining the same general wheelbase of the sixers, and retain some sort of handling characteristics.

 

Tell your friend to keep his pedals level when he gets to the tech stuff.

[BLACKvoodoo]

The cranks are not longer unless only on that bike my crank on the 26 and 29 are the same.

you should be riding with your crank horizontal , not vertical

[Li Mu Bai]

So today I test rode a 29er Scott Spark elite on Eselfontein, thought it would really be a problem in the tight and twisty stuff to my suprise it was not bad, short steap climbs also not a problem.

 

The only problem I had with it was the length of the cranks my pedals kept hitting little rocks and when going on a track with a bit of a camber the pedals would also scrape along it (never happened on my 26 er). Just want to know if this is a problem with all 29 ers or are the cranks on this bike just too long (and no I havn't messured it so I don't know the length).

 

Do they drop the crank for a lower centre of gravity?

The Spark has a high and low adjustment setting at the junction of the rear shock to the frame. this changes the centre of gravity (low) and the angle of the head tube.

It comes set on low as standard. Change the small eliptical nut around to its high setting and you will raise the crank/bb height enough to avoid this problem.

remember as with all dual suspension bikes 29" or 26", the flex of the bike caused by the rear shock can cause a pedal to hit an obstacle as you pass over it. you need to change riding style and mind your pedal strokes, or keep cranks levelled when passing over a tree stump type obstacle, regardless if its 29" or 26"

[TheV]

The cranks are not longer unless only on that bike my crank on the 26 and 29 are the same.

you should be riding with your crank horizontal , not vertical

 

My crank turns... 360 degree's... I tried riding with it horizontal as per your suggestion but then my bike doesn't move... i do a track-stand for a while, waiting for it to move, but eventually i just fall over sideways...

 

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, or lack your skillz

Edited May 31, 2012 by TheV

[Cav']

My crank turns... 360 degree's... I tried riding with it horizontal as per your suggestion but then my bike doesn't move... i do a track-stand for a while, waiting for it to move, but eventually i just fall over sideways...

 

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, or lack your skillz

[Ceres]

My crank turns... 360 degree's... I tried riding with it horizontal as per your suggestion but then my bike doesn't move... i do a track-stand for a while, waiting for it to move, but eventually i just fall over sideways...

 

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, or lack your skillz

 

I agree not pedalling doesn't make the bike go. Go figure

[Andro]

Joh... ok. dependes on those rocks..... lol.

 

Sorry, cant help. Dont know the geo of that frame. Ride a hardtail. Nothing change while riding.

[Li Mu Bai]

My crank turns... 360 degree's... I tried riding with it horizontal as per your suggestion but then my bike doesn't move... i do a track-stand for a while, waiting for it to move, but eventually i just fall over sideways...

 

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, or lack your skillz

 

any reason for your sarcasm? perhaps you should have your eves checked or get reading glasses, as I clearly suggested keeping pedals level when passing over an obstacle, as a way to avoid smacking it if you had one foot down.

the rest of us will keep pedalling whilst you practice your track stand...

[Ceres]

any reason for your sarcasm? perhaps you should have your eves checked or get reading glasses, as I clearly suggested keeping pedals level when passing over an obstacle, as a way to avoid smacking it if you had one foot down.

the rest of us will keep pedalling whilst you practice your track stand...

 

I know what you trying to say but if you have ridden Eselfontein before you would know that if you kept your pedals level when you passed over obstacles you wouldn't get anywhere there are so many.