I think I wanna upgrade to a 29er.

[liltommy]

I originally was just gonna add discs to my Trek but that would cost half of what the bike cost me originally. Makes better sense just to get a whole new bike with the upgrades I want. Then the 29 forum on MTBR got my attention. Makes sense for a big guy to go this way, right?

I'm just looking for opinions an experiences from others on here that have a 29 or have tried one, especially opinions from other clydes. (Sorry Ricky, not trying to keep you off this thread). I've read all through the MTBR forum but thought I'd like local opinions.

Also what shops in our area I'd have the best luck in trying one out in. My LBS is in Waldorf and they normally don't carry any.

Tommy

[camp]

Makes sense for a big guy to go this way, right?

It makes sense for anyone to have a 29er, big or small. I'm average size & weight, and it works great for me. There are MORE members who are 5'7"ish and 6'6"ish who ride them as well. I wish all my mtn bikes were 29.

The extra traction on slippery rooty climbs is my personal favorite benefit. Of course, you do have to 'get on it' more to even make it climb.

Try to find Quadzilla's blog from DT's link. He's a clyde, and very good at expressing things in print. He's probably laid out the pros/cons somewhere on his site.

[liltommy]

From the number of responses either there aren't alot of 29" riders, I alienated folks with the "especially clyde" remark, or you've actually met me and don't wanna have anything to do with me :D

I think I ought to go ahead and atleast ride one before I put too much effort into my buying choices. I was wondering if any 29" riders would be will to meet me on a trail and let me take theirs for a quick spin. Wouldn't have to be anytime soon, next couple of months or so.

I wouldn't care if it was a rigid, or SS but it would need to be a large or XL frame.

Thanks for the link camp, I found gawdzilla blog and looked through it. Yes, that man can write and seems to enjoy it.

See ya,
Tommy

[Dirt]

When I was bike shopping, there were not many shops around that let me test ride bikes on actual trails. These days The Bike Lane and Bike Doctor and I believe City Bikes have demo models of some bikes that you can take on the trails. I don't know if any of them have any 29ers available.

When I bought my Truth, I drove to the sprawling metropolis of Laughlintown, Pennsylvania (about a 4 hour drive) to a shop called Speedgoat. I rode more cool suspension bikes than I could count on my fingers and toes. I got to ride them on singletrack and feel how they really react.

After riding a bunch of bikes, my choice was easy. I bought the frame and took it home that day.

Call the shops I listed and see if they have anything in a demo 29er that you can try out. If that doesn't work out, drop me an e-mail (PedroGringo@yahoo.com) and I'll hook you up with speedgoat.

Good luck,

Peter

[dmofot]

Well City Bikes has a Karate Monkey on the floor, but I believe it's an 18". You could always jack up the seatpost, stem and whatnot so at least you can try it out.

Like Camp said, Joel Gwadz rides one, actually he rides two. He's got one with gears and one as a singlespeed. Email me (mailto:dmofot@gmail.com) and I can give you his email address if you want to talk to him about it or maybe he can let you ride it, I don't know.

Other people that have 29ers - Stoner (http://www.discocowboy.com), SSO (http://www.singlespeedoutlaw.com), and Joe P (http://fearlessdogeaters.blogspot.com/).

And according to MTBR, Ritchey is probably coming out with some new thick meats for all you 29er buffs...

DT

[liltommy]

Hey everybody thanks for the leads and advise. I ended up meeting a guy on the 29" forum on MTBR. I ended up driving to Charlottsville to Panaroma farms. To go OT for a second, this place was cool. If you want twisty with small quick ups and downs, this is the place. And there are like 25 miles to this place.

Anyways, I ended up ordering a 29" this week. You should see me buzzing around late Feb or March.

If you want to test a 21" hardtail in the future feel free to contact me.

Tommy

[Dirt]

Congrats Tommy. I think you'll have fun with it.

Peter

[bigbadbrad]

I'm with Mr. Beers; congrats, Tommy, on the 29er. I rode one (hardtail) last year at a Trek & Gary Fisher demo day at Fountainhead. I was indeed impressed. Larger wheels rolled over logs, etc. much easier, had a unique feel to it as well.

I was just going to mention the Bike Lane and Hudson Trail Outfitters as LBS's that may carry 29ers. (I recall seeing one at HTO last year). I'm curious, was it easy to find one/info on them? I really like them, but was concerned that maybe it's too small a niche, that they maybe wouldn't catch on, would be phased out, etc.

Are the 29er's still alive & well? Incidentally, did you get a hardtail or full suspension? Just curious; the Fisher rep who was running the demo day made an interesting remark, that it was a 29er that got him "back on a hardtail", apparently after several years of riding full suspension.

I did read somewhere that another component outfit was coming out w/29" compatible parts... (i.e. forks). Can't recall where/which/whatever at the moment, will re-post if I dig it up.

And finally, don't be too anxious about your new bike arriving. I've got one in the basement that I just built up, a new '04 Trek Fuel 70. It's clean enough to eat off of, but now it's slippery white winter wonderland out there! BRRRR... will have to dust off my skis in the meantime.

Although, I see Peter's got snow-ride(s) going tomorrow... ;) hmmmmmmm.... wonder if the boss will be expecting me to show up at the office? :confused:

Ride on,
--Brad

[riderx]

Are the 29er's still alive & well? Incidentally, did you get a hardtail or full suspension? Just curious; the Fisher rep who was running the demo day made an interesting remark, that it was a 29er that got him "back on a hardtail", apparently after several years of riding full suspension.

I did read somewhere that another component outfit was coming out w/29" compatible parts... (i.e. forks). Can't recall where/which/whatever at the moment, will re-post if I dig it up.Alive and well, check the MTBR 29er board (http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=61) for info.

[liltommy]

I gotta , or am waiting on a Fisher Paragon-hardtail. I thought about a FS but I'm 2 things kept me with HT. First, what you mentioned that the 29's ride a little smoother, second, I'm still in the mindset that this is MTBing. Its not supposed to be easy and plush. I'm sure I'll change my mind in a few years but thats how I feel now. But i do plan on carrying my thudbuster over from my 26". And the fact that I'm 245# and worry about a FS holding up.

I was worried about the niche thing also, I went back on the MTBr 29" forum as far back as they go and read foward. They seemed to grow in popularity, not wane(?).

If you ever want to try and XL on real trails let me know I'm assuming BigBadbrad would ride an XL, oops, others have assumed about my username and have been wrong. :D

Tommy