Worth going to 29er?

[popcorn_skollie]

Its not a rule of thumb. But if your your drive train is old enough then the hierarchy of parts might be moot. Over the years, new iterations of XT and all the other *** have a trickle down effect. It depends on the generation. So next years SLX would be considered in the same league as last years XT for example. 

 

Wheel size? Where's the eye rolling emoji when you need one. If its time for a new bike. Its time for a new bike. If you fancy a 29er. Buy one. But do it for the right reasons. Not because your friends all have them. Its 2018 and some people still think 29'ers are the best thing since sliced cheese. Those people?

 

[Kranswurm]

Hi all,

 

I have a Silverback Nebraska(26") with what I would consider descent specs:

XT wheels

XT derailers

SLX shifters

Deore brakes

100mm air shock

 

My question, is there enough benefit in selling the bike and "upgrading" to a 29er with a bit less spec?

Say for example if the shifters was Alivio.

 

I ride the bike and enjoy it, but some part of it is my riding buddies all roll on 29ers.

 

Type of riding we do is Bottelary Hills.

Yes def without a doubt the 29er is streets ahead of the 26er.You will notice the difference immediately and wish you had done so sooner

[Hairy]

Test ride one of your buddies' bikes and then decide if its worthwhile.

 

Side note:

I've been held up by quite a few full-sus naainers down Gspot while riding my Inbred 26er (once even with a star seat & kid on the toptube. Was priceless when my then 3 1/2 year old laaitie shouted, "Sopas oom! Pappa ry rof".) HOWEVER: I do prefer riding my 650b trail bike - much more forgiving and confidence inspiring due to more relaxed geometry and proper suspension (Pike vs old Sid on the Inbred).

not comparing apples with apples ... you are on a On One, you will be faster

[TheTashkentTerror]

I have noticed that when a bike stands in the garage a 26er and a 29er run at the same speed.  However when different engines climb on them the bikes go faster or slower depending on the engine.  I have taken hours off race times by getting trained/coached and following a program ie engine upgrade.  Yes we can all debate whether a wheel size makes you faster or slower however both bike don't go anywhere fast or slow without you on it.

 

The best bike is the one you own, have and ride.  If you love it, keep it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise,  nothing more satisfying than drilling someone who think you should be "slow".

 

 

I too noticed that my 26er and my 29er went the same speed when nobody was riding them in the garage. Fortunately I  also noticed that I was consistently faster on the 29er than the 26er for the same amount of effort. This made it easier to keep up with my friends and have more fun!

[dasilvarsa]

Yes as long as the 29 er is at least a 2x10. 100mm reasonable Air Fork.

[johanpre44]

I got a nice 29er about 4 years ago (cherry picked the parts). Kept and still rode the 26er. When my son needed a new bike I looked around and got a nice smaller 26" frame and build the parts over for him. He is now having a lot of fun on the 26er. My only gripe is that the fork is crappy and I cannot find a reasonable air fork at a good price. And it's a mission to find tires for them these days.

 

Regardless of the wheel size I have learnt that:

1. Wheels are an awesome upgrade

2. Good tires makes a massive difference and is not always too expensive

3. Proper suspension works, the cheap stuff not so much (Suntour XCR coil vs Epicon)

[mahleu]

Upgrade to a better 26er. There are bargains lurking. 

[Butterbean]

As a not so often MTBer who far prefers the road, a 26er actually turned me off mtb when I first tried it.

 

Picked up a good value 29er, and the very same trails felt much better.. Felt more like road biking off road, and just got me on the mountain more often.

 

Loads of variables and pros and cons for both bikes and wheel sizes. It comes down to what you want out of riding, what you're willing to sacfricirfor each different gain, and the kind of riding you do.

 

If you want a new bike? Just get one. Worse stuff you could spend the money on...

[porqui]

Stick with the 26er till you have saved enough for a decent 29er - make your bucks count.

 

I have noticed a slight increase in numbers of the 26er on the trails.

 

Ride some real trails like Tokai and Jonkers and some other and see how much fun a 26er is.

[porqui]

 

Picked up a good value 29er, and the very same trails felt much better.. Felt more like road biking off road, and just got me on the mountain more often.

 

 

 

Nah !! somehow you got it wrong !!

[Butterbean]

Nah !! somehow you got it wrong !!

Hahaha I know it doesn't make sense, but it's true... Feeling more roadlike on the mountains, got me on the mountains more!

[TheJ]

From my side. I own a super pimped 26er dual suspension bike. Full carbon. SID, KCNC bits, American Classic wheels etc. This was in 2011. Then in 2012 I built up a hardtail 29er. Still ride it today. In 2017 I got two more dual suspension 29ers, very fortunate. The 26er hasn't come off the bikehook on the wall since early 2012. Massive shame but I know that even though rode it for a year, I wouldn't be able to sell it for a fraction of what I dropped on it. And riding it is also mediocre after riding a 29er.

[CAAD4]

so my titus is about 11 yrs old ... do you think it needs to be replaced ?

 

*the original crow owner, has gone through more bikes in that time than the age of the bike AND he is almost a road convert*

Because it's a Titus? No

Because it's a BMX, mmmm...

[Slowbee]

Because it's a Titus? No

Because it's a BMX, mmmm...

:clap:

[Mike 1]

so my titus is about 11 yrs old ... do you think it needs to be replaced ?

 

*the original crow owner, has gone through more bikes in that time than the age of the bike AND he is almost a road convert*

you have a TITUS???

[RiverInTheRoad]

I would never go back to a 26er for an XC or light trail bike. A 29er is just plain better for these applications.

 

If you can afford it buy a new bike. I suggest a Scott Scale which accepts 650+ and 29er tyres. Or something similar like the Giant XTC