Anyone else out there riding 29ers?

[WhiteH2O Horn]

I know there have to be quite a few mountain bikers lurking here, so I want to see other people's take on the whole merits of 29" off-road bikes versus "standard" 26" bikes.

I have to say that I have been skeptical for several years about the advantages of 29ers. I have plenty of friends and family members that have been in my ear for awhile now about trying out a 29er, but I thought it was going to be a "cult" thing that would only appeal to certain types of riders. Well, over the last year or so, I've seen the number of people riding 29ers out on the trails grow to a such a number that I realized it can't just be a fad.

A close friend who has been talking up his bike to me for some time now enthusiastically agreed to let me demo it a couple of months ago. I have to say that I was blown away. I expected it to be on the heavy side and awkward-feeling, but it was awesome. The extra traction provided from the larger contact patch on the ground was insane, and the decreased rolling resistance over obstacles was impressive. In the span of a three hour ride, I knew that I was going to buy a 29er, and I knew that my riding, which has been at a bit of a plateau lately, was going to improve.

Early this month I finally took delivery of my first, but surely not last 29" mountain bike. Although I demo'd some other 29" rides, I eventually decided that my friend who let me ride his bike that first time knows what's up and I also went with the Ellsworth Evolve. What an amazing bike! I'll keep my 26" bikes, including a couple of great Ibis bikes that I've been very happy with, but all I want to ride is the 29er right now. I am cornering faster and more comfortably than ever, and my feet almost never come out of the pedals anymore; I routinely clean stuff now that was 50-50 before. Also, that Ellsworth climbs like a hardtail. Lots of suspension bikes try to make that claim, but this thing screams up climbs like a beast.

Anyone else care to testify?

 

[GemStateJim]

TTIWWP.

C'mon, man, feed my consumer lust!

 

[TexasRx]

Thanks for posting.

I have a Santa Cruz Bullit that I love but it's really built up more as a downhill bike for when I used to ride in Flagstaff every weekend. It's not a great climber and really isn't the best for the trails I ride now. I've been thinking about getting a 29er but am a little concerned about the handling (especially on tight/twisty singletrack). Now I might have to go rent one to finally experience a 29er for myself.

 

[BigWill]

I too am intrigued by the 29ers, but since my Gary Fisher hasn't been mounted in weeks, I think I will hold off of any additional purchases.

 

[TexasRx]

My next major purchase. Put some Hope disc brakes and some Dangerboy levers along with a SRAM X.O derailleur and you'll find me on the trails every weekend.

 

[GHoward]

Dude, I felt the same way on my first 29er ride. I'll never go back. I had gone from 26-hardtail to 26-full suspension, and eventually sold both of those and just kept a single 29er. I can't afford a 29-full suspension, but that'd be pretty sweet. The advice I would give to people is to not think you are going to be a racer and worry about weight. 29ers are heavier, but it's totally worth it. Here what I have, not this exact one, but looks like it.

 

[Mrmyke709]

Sweet ride.