26", 29", hard or soft?

[covie]

My choices would be

 

Gary Fisher 29'er (since he is the master of 29'ers)

Giant Anthem 29'er

Niner 29'er

 

Will see which way karma takes me.

[b-unit]

I just upgraded to a Niner. Just bought a frame, still sourcing the rest.

 

Was on a 26HT.

 

Will let you guys know what I think when I start riding it.

 

I read up a lot and was planning on testing a 26DS and a 29HT. After testing the 26DS I just went ahead aand bought the 29er frame. Still not exactly sure why...

 

My budget doesn't allow for the DS I would really like to buy right now and I figured if you have more than 1 bike, a 29HT and a 26DS isn't a bad combo. So I'll build up te 29er and if I'm not satisfied and I eventually have some 'blare' I want to throw around, I'll get a DS.

Edited December 18, 2010 by b-unit

[Riding in Africa]

Hello,

 

I have been riding 29r F/S for over 4 years after riding 26r F/s for a long time first F/S was a trek Y frame ( a long time ago)

 

I brought a 29r HT this year for SS, that was six months ago and have not touched the F/s since then.( anyone looking for a Gary fisher HiFi Med frame)

 

I am now in the process of writing to Santa for a Cannondale 29r Flash,Pleeeeeease Santa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RodTi]

I dont think you get a 29'er as a softail. dual suspension yes.

 

Moots YBB 29er and the Salsa Dos Niner are both 29" softails - there may be even more. But you'd have to import these, which probably places them outside of this discussion.

 

Just thought I'd mention them to distinguish between the full-susser's and softails as options.

[Slowbee]

Hello,

 

I have been riding 29r F/S for over 4 years after riding 26r F/s for a long time first F/S was a trek Y frame ( a long time ago)

 

I brought a 29r HT this year for SS, that was six months ago and have not touched the F/s since then.( anyone looking for a Gary fisher HiFi Med frame)

 

I am now in the process of writing to Santa for a Cannondale 29r Flash,Pleeeeeease Santa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

*Slowbee gets out his fishing rod, puts on some bait*..........

eeeeeerrrrm, how much would you want for the frame ?

 

what kind of dropouts does it have ? Will it work with a rolofph hub ?

[Tubeless]

Just got my first 29.

 

Perfect.

 

Weighs in at 12.2 FWIW

[scotty]

Moots YBB 29er and the Salsa Dos Niner are both 29" softails - there may be even more. But you'd have to import these, which probably places them outside of this discussion.

 

Just thought I'd mention them to distinguish between the full-susser's and softails as options.

 

You're right, awseome video footage of the Moots YBB here.

 

http://vimeo.com/10644443

[jayz]

Is this a personal preference thing or is there some good advice to be had?

 

I have a 26" hardtail at the moment and I feel like I take a bit of a pounding and feel a soft tail would be more comfy (I am getting old).

 

Some people say 29" hard tail is much "smoother" than 26" hard tail and you don't really need a 29" soft tail

 

29" soft tail seems a bit heavy unless you want to spend big bucks

 

Comments please (be kind )

 

These are the weights of the bikes I am looking at

 

26" hard tail - I have this now - 11.6kg

 

26" soft tail - 12.35kg

29" hard tail - 11.4kg

29" soft tail - 13.25kg

 

 

26 F/S if i were you. You get so much more enjoyment not getting punished by a hardtail. If you plan on doing long marathon type rides then f/s is the way.

[Slowbee]

You're right, awseome video footage of the Moots YBB here.

 

http://vimeo.com/10644443

 

phhrrriiik man Scotty, how do you find this stuff?

[Sharkie 2]

26" dual or hardtail for me just don't like the feel when riding 29ers, personal preference though so don't slay me

[scotty]

phhrrriiik man Scotty, how do you find this stuff?

Web search, i see on the MTB review sites it also get very good ratings.

[Guest eyecandy]

My D/S 29er weighs 11.3kgs

[Guest eyecandy]

My D/S 29er weighs 11.3kgs

[Eldron]

From hard to soft:

26HT

29HT

26DS

29DS

 

From lightest to heaviest:

26HT

29HT

26DS

29DS

 

All depends on what is important to you.

 

I have a 29HT and love it. All the efficiency of a HT with a slightly softer ride. I've done everything from the MTN XC series to multi day stage races and love the thing.

 

In 10 years I'll move to a 29DS. 26" is dead to me...I shall never return

[zappa]

29' Full Suspension is the bestest yet. Heavy but fun. Climbs faster, it is super comfortable and an absolute joll. Much easier on rocks and sand and no different in tight technical stuff, but I'm having fun, not racing.Perfect for stage races and long rides.

[Slowbee]

*there dont appear to be any bites in this fishing spot*