29 Inch wheels MTB

[Newboy]

I know this topic has been thoroughly discussed. I am 1.9 meters tall 90kg, currently riding a Specialized Epic dual suspension on which I did Sani2C.  I am looking to replace the Specialized. What should I look out for? I want dual suspension again. Budget not too big a problem must be reasonable though.

 

1. Being tall a 29 Incher?

2. SRAM or Shimano?

3. How much travel front and rear?

4. Brand?

 

Thanks

 

[MintSauce]

Niner R.I.P.9....MTBR Full-suss 29er of the year, 4.5inches travel 

X.O....DUH

Fox F29....different offset than RS and Manitou has the guys raving about improved steering on 29ers

 

 

 

 

MintSauce2008-03-05 00:48:42

[Thug]

A couple of guys on the S2C Adventure rode Gary Fisher 29'ers, looks like a really nice bike and they flew on the downhills.

 

 

 

[AndreZA]

29" bikes are a fad. Just like breakdance pants and chinese slippers.

 

*grabs coat and runs*

[MintSauce]

Oh ja....here you go

 

http://www.ninerbikes.com/rip9.html

 

 

 

[Newboy]

Thug, which model were they riding? Full suspension? I was to far back to see any fast guys.

[MintSauce]

29" bikes are a fad. Just like breakdance pants and chinese slippers.

 

*grabs coat and runs*

 

 

 

"One day all will bow down and worship at the alter of the 29"

 

 

 

[Tumbleweed]

29" bikes are a fad. Just like breakdance pants and chinese slippers.

 

*grabs coat and runs*

 

 

 

"One day all will bow down and worship at the alter of the 29"

 

 

 

 

did you see the latest issue of "bike"? they have a rather funny 26" vs 29" wheel shootout! 

[Newboy]

Oh ja....here you go

 

http://www.ninerbikes.com/rip9.html

 

 

 

Who in JHB stock them? I would love to go and have a look.  One more question: Will a 29 Incher be more comfy for a tall oke like me?

[AndreZA]

 

 

"One day all will bow down and worship at the alter of the 29"

 

 

and that is why the 27.5" was born.

 

taken from http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/2008/shows/nahmbs08/?id=results/nahmbs086

650B takes hold

Previous shows have been awash with 29"-wheeled mountain bikes whose lesser-used size format was a natural fit for the hand built industry's niche clientele. Fast forward a couple of years, though, and the old 'in between' 650B wheel format resurrected and championed by Kirk Pacenti looks to be well on its way to supplanting 29ers, at least in this crowd.

Pacenti is a long-time frame builder himself but now primarily dedicates the bulk of his time to Pacenti Cycle Design which he intends to be a 'one stop shop' of products and design services that caters to the specific needs of other builders. As a designer, the ramifications of building frames around 29" wheels weren't lost on him and he introduced his 650B concept at last year's show as a viable alternative.

Arguments about yet another wheel size format aside, the idea does seem to hold merit: 650B neatly splits the difference between the two current frontrunners at a rough outside diameter of about 27.5" and at least in theory, offers up a good compromise between the steamrolling ability of 29" rubber and the lighter weight of 26" hoops. More applicably to Pacenti, though, is the fact that 650B wheels are easier to design a frame around, particularly for riders of smaller stature. Full-suspension makers have also caught on to the fact that 650B forces fewer radial geometry modifications in their designs and Ventana showed off at least two samples at the show.

Even so, Pacenti likely could not have predicted how quickly 650B has been adopted especially given the sometimes painfully uphill struggle that 29" proponents suffered in their early days. Multiple builders had examples on display and the supporting players have quickly stepped up to the plate. Velocity already offers two high-performance 650B rims, SUN ringl? and Stan's NoTubes supposedly have models coming out later this spring, Weinmann might be board as well and Cane Creek has toyed with the idea with a handful of prototypes. On the tire side, IRD/Panaracer is already in production, Kenda has committed to three tire models and Schwalbe and CST are strongly considering tossing their hats into the ring, too.

650B bikes were relatively big at NAHBS (pardon the pun) but it's already become clear to us that the idea isn't strictly limited to the cottage industry. We can't say who it is, but we do know of at least one particularly prominent and well-storied full-suspension maker who has a 650B version in the works.

 

 

[AndreZA]

Oh ja....here you go

 

http://www.ninerbikes.com/rip9.html

 

 

 

Who in JHB stock them? I would love to go and have a look.  One more question: Will a 29 Incher be more comfy for a tall oke like me?

 

I think Westdene have got one for about 30-35k.

 

 

[Thug]

 

Thug' date=' which model were they riding? Full suspension? I was to far back to see any fast guys.[/quote']

 

Yes, it was a dual susser. Think it was the Hi-Fi. Cycle Lab are the agents.

 

Have a chat to TitusTi, hell be riding one on this years Epic.

 

 

 

One more question: Will a 29 Incher be more comfy for a tall oke like me?

 

Yes, undoubtedly.

 

[MintSauce]

Oh ja....here you go

 

http://www.ninerbikes.com/rip9.html

 

 

 

Who in JHB stock them? I would love to go and have a look.  One more question: Will a 29 Incher be more comfy for a tall oke like me?

 

Dunno...? Coolheat are the agents, they're in Gauteng, right? I think Steve(?) offered on the Hub once for someone to visit their warehouse so I'm sure they won't mind if you want to have a look.

 

As for comfort, you'll feel more of an advantage than shorter riders. Because on a 29er the rider is lower in relation to the front axle, one of the things that tall riders rave about is that they don't feel like they're constantly going to go over the bars like they do on 26ers when descending steep, technical terrain

 

 

 

[MintSauce]

29" bikes are a fad. Just like breakdance pants and chinese slippers.

 

*grabs coat and runs*

 

 

 

"One day all will bow down and worship at the alter of the 29"

 

 

 

 

did you see the latest issue of "bike"? they have a rather funny 26" vs 29" wheel shootout! 

 

Nah....hardly ever buy mags unfortunately

 

 

 

[Tumbleweed]

29" bikes are a fad. Just like breakdance pants and chinese slippers.

 

*grabs coat and runs*

 

 

 

"One day all will bow down and worship at the alter of the 29"

 

 

 

 

did you see the latest issue of "bike"? they have a rather funny 26" vs 29" wheel shootout! 

 

Nah....hardly ever buy mags unfortunately

 

 

 

 

the only mag i subscribe to. for the pics mainly. the shootout is a real p1ss-take involving beer, blindfolds and throwing things off cliffs?

[Newboy]

As for comfort, you'll feel more of an advantage than shorter riders. Because on a 29er the rider is lower in relation to the front axle, one of the things that tall riders rave about is that they don't feel like they're constantly going to go over the bars like they do on 26ers when descending steep, technical terrain

 

 

 

 

I thought it was only me feeling like I am going over the handlebars all the time. Even if it helps a little bit it would be great. It will surely bring down my center of gravity as well, which in turn will help while cornering, any thoughts?