GT Zaskar Sport or Whyte 529

LAW4778

Hi peeps, haven't been on here in a while as i've been out of biking as had mine stolen about 12 months ago anyway started to look for another one and since I bought mine new in 2009 it seems the whole 29er thing has really taken off so thats what i've come to the conclusion to buy. Between the two bikes mentioned, any opinions on these as I haven't seen much in terms of reviews on these but these are the two I like price wise and feel wise also they both have shimano drive train (dont like Sram shifters) also looked at Trek Mamba and Cobia and Giant Talon. To throw another in the mix does a second hand 2008 Trek EX8 for £700 seem good value as this is an option also,(these were £1600 when new)

Cheers Guys Lee

pesky_jones

I know how unhelpfull this is going to look but the fact that 29ers have "taken off" shouldn't influence your choice, especially if you've been out of the game for a while; the 29er may cater for a need you don't require. They are not neccessairly better then a 26" bike, depending on the riding you do.

As for the second hand bike - how can we say if it's good value if we don't know it's condition and spec?

LAW4778

Cheers for the response, I've only been out of the game for just over a year, yeah I was happy with my last bike on the 26 inch wheels but since I've started looking at bikes again everything for the 29er seems to only benefit a rider so I'm happy to try something new especially after every shop I've been in the ratio for stock for 29er s seems to outnumber 26ers about 8/2 so what does that tell you. When I was doing the whole searching thing in 09 for my last bike the 29ers were just creaping in and I thought probably with everyone else its just a fad well that was 4 years ago so looks like the fad stuck around.
About the second hand trek I just meant for a 5 year old bike assumed in OK condition for year odd marks but no frame damage would it be an OK price?

dmont

" but since I've started looking at bikes again everything for the 29er seems to only benefit a rider so I'm happy to try something new "

Not totally correct, a 29er will only benefit certain riders.....

" especially after every shop I've been in the ratio for stock for 29er s seems to outnumber 26ers about 8/2 so what does that tell you "

All that says is the manufactures are pushing them above 26ers... Don't be fooled.

What will you be using the bike for ? XC, downhill, trails or pub bike ? knowing that will help the forum advisers recommend a bike for you... and if a 29er is for you or not... or how about 650b ?

Just my tupence

Dmont

LAW4778

Dmont, xc, trails, moorland etc defo no downhill stuff I know my limits, the 650b does interest me but doesn't seem to be much choice at the moment I think another year and there will be loads of choice, if it was a year down the line line o would go for the 650b as its seems that's the best of both worlds

supersonic

Which again, is subjective ;-). Most riders I know cannot tell the difference in a 650b and a 26er.

lostboysaint

As a rider of both 29 (hardtail) and 26 (FS), I can tell you - the OP - that there's plenty of things that 29 offer riders and not all of them are benefits, unless you really want to believe all the hype and bullshit surrounding their promotion.

I changed my 26 hardtail to a 29 because it's my XC mileage machine, a purpose that suits 29 very well as most of the "benefits" that the increase in wheelsize offer are very relevant to this type of riding. I have ridden many 29 fs bikes, including the 29 version of my current fs bike and none offer what it does for the type of riding that I have it for, so the "benefits" were no such thing in this instance.

Take a good look at what type of riding you are likely to be doing and then decide.

The Rookie

I've demo'd some 29ers,
For: faster rolling, noticeably so, how that equates to speed I can't be sure
Against: slower accelerating and far slower to turn (and that was comparing a Trek Superfly Elite to my Kraken!), don't feel as lively /fun.

LAW4778

So is the general consensus that in the general MTB community (Joe public) are the 29ers still seen as a fad and its all marketing hype to generate more new sales by pushing a new format, should i stick to 26, as stated above the type of riding will be local woods, moorland, bridleways and the occasional trip to dalby and gisburn, will this be better on a 29er or what? If so back to my original question
Cheers

YeehaaMcgee

Try a few bikes out, get what you prefer.
29er is just another choice.