Mountain Bikers , how about 29 inches?

mantis

I recently went to the bike shop to look around , get some things for my bike and maybe make an appointment to get a tune up. While I was there I noticed some really nice Trek 29 inch mountain bikes. Salesman came over and started talking to me about why 29 inches is better then 26. Other then a man factor ,He started to explain how Gary Fisher wanted this many years ago but it really didn't take off. The Trek bikes are Signature Gary Fisher series which are very very nice. All hard tails was what I was looking at. I have decided a Hard tail with a good front shock is all I'll ever need for the kind of riding I do.
I'm thinking of picking this bike up , what do you guys think?
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/29er_race/cobia/#

mantis

One thing I really liked about the bike is the Handlebars. They swoop back a bit for better control. The layout of this bike is awesome. I didn't ride it yet but I sat on it and felt magic.

bobman1235

Ha, at first I thought you were talking about the height. Iw as like, what are you 6'11"??

I only ride a couple times a year, but I still ride a steel Gary Fisher hardtail.


One thing I'd be concerned about is if the 29 inch wheels are relatively "new" to the scene you might have trouble getting tubes and tires.

Sherardp

Nice toys gentlemen, but I'm still a Huffy kind of guy.

TNRabbit

The 29" wheels have been around for at least 10 years; I doubt they're going away soon. They do offer less resistance & are better at negotiating rough terrain. I don't know that it's worth the extra cost for tires/tubes, though.

Joe08867

Now I would think haven ridden motorcycles for years that the 29" tire would actually harm stability on a bicycle. You aren't getting the necessary rpm to really make them self stabilizing unless your doing downhill bonzai runs.

I could be wrong.

You need more energy to rotate a larger wheel, just like pickups with big tires. Bigger tires worse mileage. Think of your body as an engine. It is just going to need to work that much harder to turn those wheels. Could really hamper hill climbs and such.

gdpeck

mantis wrote: »

I recently went to the bike shop to look around , get some things for my bike and maybe make an appointment to get a tune up. While I was there I noticed some really nice Trek 29 inch mountain bikes. Salesman came over and started talking to me about why 29 inches is better then 26. Other then a man factor ,He started to explain how Gary Fisher wanted this many years ago but it really didn't take off. The Trek bikes are Signature Gary Fisher series which are very very nice. All hard tails was what I was looking at. I have decided a Hard tail with a good front shock is all I'll ever need for the kind of riding I do.
I'm thinking of picking this bike up , what do you guys think?
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/29er_race/cobia/#

I don't know much (anything) about the advantages of 29" wheels, but that is a sweet looking bike. Enjoy!

bikerboy

29" wheels have a flatter contact patch so when a bump is meet it is able to roll over it easier. Most people who have spent time on them like the smoother ride, better efficency and lighter tires. I dont ride a 29er but would consider one it I was in the market for a cross country all purpose rig.

Joe08867

Thanks Bikerboy, that makes sense to me. I will say that bike is nice looking.

cdn5003

29ers are typically better for larger riders. I own a singlespeed and ride it regularly. It feels more stable than 26's do to me, I am 6'2" so it feels more natural to ride bigger wheels. Before you buy one make sure you take one out and ride over some roots/rocks/logs. Rolling resistance is less you will notice.

The most important thing is seeing if you are comfortable riding on bigger wheels, 29ers are great for some people but 26" is just different, not inferior.

SDA1C

I've ridden MTB for about 20 years now so that is about all I can say about where I get my point of view. FWIW...

29ers are not new. The 700c wheel has been around for decades. No worries about not having parts availability.

The cost difference is negligible when you get to decent tires and tubes (say 40$ a piece and up) vs. the 26" so don't let that be a deciding factor.

The gyro effect is the same or even increased a bit by the larger diameter and rotating mass. There is a slight difference in handling based on extra mass now having to be redirected but nothing you can't get used to.

Oddly enough when you start talking taller gears and final ratios the 29er has a bit of an advantage over the 26 as when you reach top speed your legs aren't rotating as fast. Once you get the mass moving its seems to be easier to attain and maintain faster speeds with the same effort. The ratios on the climbing gears are compensated with larger cog rings on the cassette.

For weight comparisons I'll differ to someone well beyond my level of knowledge but it would seem logical to me that the identical tire in a larger diameter would be the heaviest.
http://cyjeff.blogspot.com/2008/03/26-vs-29er-mountain-bikes-and.html

Well stated cdn5003. That's really what its about. As with any hobby do what feels best to you. I would mark a thing or two to consider before you purchase...

Make sure (I know this sounds silly but trust me lol) your toes clear the tire when turning. Often times I hear how people love their 29er but wish they had shorter feet.

If you have custom crank lengths longer than 185 take the toe clearance into special consideration.

Be sure you go to a LBS and get proper fitment measurements before purchasing your new ride. 29ers feel different enough that you could think a bike that is too small for you feels good but actually wont react and ride properly because you are actually to big and the balance is off.

The Trek you are looking at is indeed a decent entry level bike. I would however look at the specialized line before buying a bike with the x-7/x-5 SRAM component line. Its honestly mediocre at best an you can do much better for 1200$. I use SRAM so its not a dig on them of that I want to be clear but the x-7 line doesn't hold up well to larger higher torque riders. Start in the x-9 level and you'll be much happier.

Nice ride though. Enjoy no matter what you ride. No carbon print on a bicycle

1C

mantis

Thanks for all the feedback.
I have not taking it out for a test ride but the bike store offers a week ride. You take it home and give it a full test drive on your terms on your spots you like to ride. Thats a very cool idea and probably sells many bikes. Also helps us make sure the bike is right.

I want to get fitted again. I ride a 19 inch frame or Large right now. I sat on a 17.5 which would be a medium. My 19 inch frame has always made be feel alittle top heavy or unbalanced. I'm hoping the 17.5 is a sure fit.

I don't use clip pedals anymore. I use Truvativ Platforms which I love for all kinds of riding especially single track when I have to constantly take one foot off a pedal into a turn. I crashed to many times not being able to unclip and reclip fast enough.For flat riding or distance clips are really nice especially for high speed and power but for cornering they suck ****.
They have higher end models of the 29 inch bikes , I already checked out Specialized a few times now and always walked away liking the Trek models better for fit and balance. I rode a few of both.

SDA1C

Indeed. MY wife has the Rockhopper 29er. I prefer Cannondale and enjoy the Profet 4. Mine is an xlarge while hers is a 19. Other than having to extend the seat out a bit more than I'd like it seems the 19 29er is almost larger than my xl. That is until you hit heavy single or steep switchback at which time you really feel the weight centering effects. All being equal I prefer the 26 but I've grown up on one and that's where the majority of my riding experience lies. I saw a fellow on a MTB forum that is toying with a 36er geometry. Hes a smaller fella but if he gets it ironed out I may employ him to fit one. Really all hes done is add water to the geometry of a 26er which in my opinion will remain more stable than the stretched chain stays of the 29er but JMHO.

SDA1C

To me the frame is important but not nearly as important as the groupo. Id load a 500$ frame with xo components before a 1500$ frame with x-7 components. I don't ride to the level some of those crazies ride though lol. But just by default a 280 lb guy puts a strain on stuff. I find it not only more enjoyable to have the peace of mind but also cost effective to not have my bike at the shop for tune ups so much as the better components hold a tune about 4x as long. saving 125 a pop for a tune up adds up fast when a top line rear der is only 225 to start with. Trek is making great bikes these days to be sure (always have in my opinion). I do wonder if you are looking more closely at the original Fisher though and not the cross models? In my opinion its like ford and chevy....They are all about the same its just a matter of what you prefer and since its your **** on it it may as well be what you like hehe.

dorokusai

Looks great Mantis but I agree w/ SDA1C...try and get a better line for components. I still have my Trek Aluminum from the 90's with all updated parts as it refuses to die.

mantis

SDA1C,
I'm also a larger rider at 240lbs. I don't do wild tricks anymore or high jumps like when I rode BMX in the 80's. I grew up riding since I was 9 when I got my first nice bike in a Huffy. From then I was hooked and got a GT Pro performer. I also worked at a bike shop where I basically worked for bikes and parts. I held 2 jobs as I was a paper boy by morning , and a Bike guy by after school. I owned about 9 different BMX bikes which I built most of them myself. I got into tricking and really enjoyed that kind of riding. Out of all my bikes , GT , Mongoose , Kowahara , Murray , which I had many models from each company , I always liked GT the best. I liked how they felt when riding over even my awesome Kowahara which was the lightest bike I have ever owned.
In 2004 I got back into riding which I seeked out a GT. I learned Gary Turner no longer owns the company and they have been purchased by Schwin. I currently own a GT Avalanche 2.0 which is a part of the Adventure series. it's a 2004 model. I have done some upgrades like the cranks , bottom bracket , Seats , grips , pedals etc. The parts are different , the feel is different but Mountain bike riding is a big part of my life.
I have been longing for a better bike but I always find myself leaving the shops without a new bike. I came close a year ago with a full Suspension model from Trek which retailed around 1500.00. It was a Fuel EX in red. We go down hill riding once a year and it's scary fun but extremely fast. We hit 45 mph which is nutty fast when you don't pedal at all and have to use both brakes to maintain that speed. I know if I let the bike go It would hit well over 50+ but It's so damn scary and I'm not even sure the Hubs will hold up at those speeds.
Most of my riding is single track or long canal runs. Single track I usually do about 8 to 12 miles as the rides here can beat the hell out of your body with the log stacks , twists and turns. The canal path ride my average is 16.47 and long runs are 30 miles. These rides are flat dirt and easy to ride. It's a beautiful run as I have posted some pic's and will add more.
So a full Suspension I have been told is a waste for the kind of riding I do even the Down hill run as we only do it once a year at best.
I do however enjoy picking parts myself and building my bike the way I like it. But today I don't know my stuff like I did when I was a kid. I don't keep up enough to really know the difference in Cranks , De railers ,Shocks etc. I do know when I replaced my cranks , they cost me almost as much as my bike. But I got a really nice crank set and bottom bracket which was a very nice upgrade from the Sugino set that came with my bike. Truvativ seems to make really nice stuff and my one friend who has a newer GT 2.0 has the lower end ISIS model in his and I really liked them. I got the Blaze with a Gigi pipe bottom bracket set. Very very nice and smooth. Great force when pedaling I really like them even over the Shimano model I had right before them that I returned as I didn't like the way the arms felt when pedaling.
Shocks are crazy expensive to buy as I wanted to replace my Rock Shock Juddy II's but I rather get a new bike then keep sinking tons of cash into my current bike.
The Treks seem to be well equipped and for the money I have yet to find a better model or line. I like the Specialized better for look but not for feel. I also liked the Giant and Cannadale models but always go back to Trek for the full balance feel. Sorta like my GT's in the past.

mantis

What do you guys think about this model? I have not checked it out in person , they had one their but I liked the color of the Cobia , check this out
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/29er_race/x_caliber_wsd/#/us/en/model/details?url=us/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/29er_race/x_caliber_wsd

SDA1C

That's the next step in quality but I'm not positive about the availability of colors from womens to mens models. I believe that's a womens bike. Totally sucks you can't always get the colors you want but I'd check before committing

dorokusai

It's not just a maybe its a womens bike....it IS a womens bike.

Upstatemax

I have never been a fan of 29" wheels... I just feel more stable on 26" wheels.

That's my experience though. You need to just test ride a few bikes and go with what feels best to you.

I have always been a huge Specialized fan. My last three mountain bikes have been Specialized. I just feel the best control with the M5 HT...

I am more of a frame guy... I find it easier to swap components to your taste than to change a frame. Plus I find the frame can make such a huge impact, I just very sensitive to frames I guess. I've also had my best luck with shimano drivetrains, just never had a sram component that I would ever want to buy again. But I also have not ridden sram in a long time, I'm sure things have changed.

dorokusai

I prefer a smaller frame that I can throw it around easier on trails. I've ridden larger frames and didn't like it at all.

Upstatemax

dorokusai wrote: »

I prefer a smaller frame that I can throw it around easier on trails. I've ridden larger frames and didn't like it at all.

Same here...

I SHOULD be on an 18" frame, I use a 17" frame and I spent most of my life on a 16" frame.

I find the 17" frame to be the best trade off for me, I can throw it around pretty easy, but it's still pretty comfy for settling in and just turning over the cranks for hours. Besides, I'm not throwing my bike around like I used to anymore...

Again, all this is dependent on the riders taste... Just go test ride a bunch of stuff and find the best fit for you.

It's not a cheap purchase and the value of them drop like a rock once they are used, so you want to be sure you pick the right bike for you. Take your time and travel around to different shops to get your butt on a bike that others might not have in stock...

I drove 2hrs to get on the bike I ended up buying... They were the only ones that had it available for me to ride in my size.

The big thing I tell my friends looking for a bike, get FIT for a saddle! Makes a world of difference.

I already mentioned that I'm a Specialized ****, but I really think they make the best saddles. I just got fitted for a new Phenom saddle this season and I love it. If your getting fit for one at the time you purchase your bike, many shops only charge you a small fee (or nothing) for the new saddle.

Slinger182

I just got into riding a few years ago. I try to do at least 100 miles a week now. I got one of these 29ers from a ma and pa shop locally.
http://www.ediscountbike.com/pr/Fuji-Tahoe-29-SL-Mountain-Bike-2009-Medium-19/40173

There's a decent set of single tracks not far from me. It can handle some big logs with relative ease. I'm 6'1" 190 and it seems to fit me perfectly. I don't have any real experience with a 26. Though I would like try one out to see how it's different.

rayslifecycle

There are advantages to both wheel sizes.....when I was younger and more agile - the 26"bike I rode more like a bmx bike with a smaller frame I could throw around - but as I get older, I yearn for a smoother more efficient ride. That is why I am now looking at 29ers. I am a little under 6'.......the toe issue is important - when test riding make tight turns to ensure you will not hit your toes on the front wheel - the smaller the frame - the more likely this will happen. Ride Hard Ray

mantis

Looks like this would be the Mens version of that model line.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/29er_race/x_caliber/#

SDA1C

That's a good looking bike! Often times when you order a bike you can discuss component upgrades at a fairly steep discount. If you were to upgrade the shifter's to X.0 and the rear der to X-9, The brakes to the Juicy5 or Elixers you'd have an extremely well equipped bike and I bet there would be little to no cost difference if you did it while ordering. The X-9 line of SRAM is Shimano XT or better in my opinion. The X-7 line is in the middle where just a few bucks more makes a world of difference. The precision in shifting between the X-7 to X-9 is nearly 10 fold.

Good luck with your new bike purchase! It's always fun getting a new set of wheels.

1C

SDA1C

Have a look at theses.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantomelite_ds_dynasys_xi.htm

You have to have it assembled or do it yourself but the component groups are a world apart.

gudnoyez

I have had the opportunity to ride my buddies single speed 29er pretty awesome for downhill he's had that a couple of years this year he bought a new Giant 29er 24 speed decent crank and shimmano XTR front and rear derailer sweet bike Iam jealous want one bad but my Specialized, Trek and trusty ol Cannondle hardtails will have to do for now, Mantis if you like it after your test drive, and the budget allows get it, hang on to your GT also as you dont see many GT hardtails such as yours anymore. I dont Know whats worst getting the itch to upgrade your Stereo Gear or the itch for mountain Bikes the wife usually allows and thats cool a 29er is on my wish list also.

gudnoyez

If you have no problem forking out 1600 then I would look at Specialized over Trek, my buddies Giant was 1299 but he would of gotten a specialized but was not on his budget, Specialized has always been a little more cost wise over other brands but are well worth it just like Klein was when they were around what ever happend to Klein decent bikes back in the day.

SDA1C

Trek bought them in the mid 90's if IRRC. Almost bought one but I'm glad I didn't. They had suspension issues that weren't foreseen. Decent bike ..absolutely! Great bike...debatable.

treitz3

Just the added weight of the extra rim, spokes and tire would sway me away from a 29". It's not much, I know but it's on the one part of the bike that you want to remain the lightest. If you don't agree with me, just try swapping your knobby off road tires with a set of high pressure, lightweight racing tires and tell me how ridiculously easy it is to go fast uphill now.

That's a lot of extra effort and wasted energy.