Thoughts on 29ers...

geeteewmb · June 2007

<Some of my ponderings>

So you have a 5" travel full sus, but it's a bit much for some of your local trails and fire roads.

So you think an XC hardtail would be more appropriate.

But then you realise that your too used to the comfort of having rear suspension to soften things for your arse.

So then you think a short travel full sus is the way to go - Anthem/Epic etc.

But then you speak to your LBS and they start telling you of the wonders of a hardtail with 29" wheels. Some even say it's almost like riding a short travel full sus.

Anyone have an opinion[?]

"Hopefully everyone will be waiting for me at the top of the climb/descent/flat bit"

ratty2k · June 2007

I wouldn't compare (on-one 29er) mine to a short travel full sus...... but mines fully rigid.
I will say that for a fully rigid bike, it is very smooth over rough ground I guess that a sus fork would only improve things further, same as any bike.
Biggest thing for me is I love the way it handles, not sure if its anything to do with the BB height lower than the axle height? But its a fantastic ride, to the extent that I'm debating selling the 456 and getting the Scandal instead.....

My Pics Updated!

Unknown · June 2007

I'd start out with a rigid 29er, then decide if you really need the sus forks. I've put some Rebas on my 29er, it's not as much fun on local rides anymore. Though I would keep Rebas if only for the rare visits to Trail Centres.

You Beauty
Very Cross
Twenty Too
It is big and it is clever

Well, it is in that they both wish they were Irish

Vegeeta · June 2007

I'd buy a Gary Fisher Supercaliber.

<center>A red Aireal Symetech XC rear hub! Aireal EV-2 headset! A blue Aireal Symetech hub!</center>
<center>AIREAL AUSTRALIA</center>

<center>[:)] [:D] [8D] [:I] [:p] [}:)] [;)] [:o)] [B)] [8] [:(] [8)] [:0] [:(!] [xx(] [|)] [:X] [^] [V] [?]</center>

Unknown · June 2007

yeah, the SuperCaliber is Frigging Luscious

You Beauty
Very Cross
Twenty Too
It is big and it is clever

Well, it is in that they both wish they were Irish

Futureboy · June 2007

As a tall lad, i like the idea of 29'ers, but i've ridden a GF Rig and a 29'er Inbred and something just didn't jive (for me anyway).

Personally, i think the ideal bike for all round, general riding is a Steel/Ti HT with a decent bit of post showing and a large volume rear tyre.

My opinion only though.

Unknown · June 2007

GeeTee (and Ratty) I've recently bought a fully rigid 29" Scandal, and I love it. It's incredibly quick, but I wouldn't say it's like a short-travel full susser.

It's an ideal compliment to my Blur.

It can be used as a mountain bike with the Conti Vapours I have on it now, cross-tyres on for CX, and even road/tourer.

Bikes

geeteewmb · June 2007

I really fancy trying one - as a tall lad, I feel I might like it.

"Hopefully everyone will be waiting for me at the top of the climb/descent/flat bit"

Unknown · June 2007

Even better if you're tall, GeeTee.

Bikes

ratty2k · June 2007

Mike 59- running the Bontrager ACX's on mine, and while rated as a summer tyre, they have been nothing short of fantastic in winter as well.
What forks are you running? the carbon ones? just wondering if I should spend some more money?

My Pics Updated!

geeteewmb · June 2007

Yeah, I'm reading some great things about them. As I ride a Stumpy, buying a 29er would also help me tick that box that ideally I want something a little more exclusive for my next steed.

"Hopefully everyone will be waiting for me at the top of the climb/descent/flat bit"

Unknown · June 2007

Ratty, yes I have the carbon forks on mine. XT throughout, with LX disc brakes. Not sure about the Fleegle bars though - they're fecking enormous! I've already cut an inch of each end, but we're still hanging the washing out on them !

I also find the On-one Bignose saddle excellent. I've used it on the Scandal, and also on the Blur for longer XC rides.

Bikes

geeteewmb · June 2007

How do you find the Scandal Mike?

"Hopefully everyone will be waiting for me at the top of the climb/descent/flat bit"

ratty2k · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Mike59

Ratty, yes I have the carbon forks on mine. XT throughout, with LX disc brakes. Not sure about the Fleegle bars though - they're fecking enormous! I've already cut an inch of each end, but we're still hanging the washing out on them !

I also find the On-one Bignose saddle excellent. I've used it on the Scandal, and also on the Blur for longer XC rides.

Bikes
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yep I cut a inch and a half off each end! Mainly because they wouldnt fit thro' some posts on the commute! Mines standard, bar some bling copper coloured Avid SD vee brakes, and I got pissed off with the standard freewheel and bought a White Ind. one

Wonder if any of the carbon forks will come onto the Priceshaggers site? Hmmmm.... No put the card away!!![:D] (Wanders off muttering!)

My Pics Updated!

Just been looking at the pics! Looks nice the 29er (and the rest BTW!)

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GeeTee

How do you find the Scandal Mike?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> Well, I haven't ridden it much since I've only recently bought it, however I love the feel of it. Very different to the Blur.

It's very light (about 11kg even with heavy V12 pedals), and does soak up the bumps more than I thought it might.

I haven't tried it on tight, twisty singletrack, but then I probably won't as I will use the Blur for that. The Blur is still my main ride, but this gives me another dimension. Just to be able to hop on it and steam along some road, towpath and bridleway knowing I can dive off into some woods if I feel like it.

It's what I wanted in a crosser, but I had a difficult time with the canti brakes.

There's still a bit of me that wants a proper road bike though, hence the reason I was looking at the Uncle John (crosser, I know, but so versatile)

HTH

Mike.

Bikes

geeteewmb · June 2007

Yeah, going to get a roadie when I move - plenty of country roads!

Have my eye on this - http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEquipP ... x%20Expert

"Hopefully everyone will be waiting for me at the top of the climb/descent/flat bit"

ratty2k · June 2007

Its a nice bike that^^^^^^^ but I'm not sure about the curved top tube myself...

My Pics Updated!

geeteewmb · June 2007

That's what makes it. It's stunning in the flesh. The top tube is actally flat and I also love the curved seat tube. Supposed to be a super comfy bike to ride too!

"Hopefully everyone will be waiting for me at the top of the climb/descent/flat bit"

Unknown · June 2007

What does it cost?

Bikes

geeteewmb · June 2007

œ2k

"Hopefully everyone will be waiting for me at the top of the climb/descent/flat bit"

Unknown · June 2007

Very nice!

Bikes

geeteewmb · June 2007

Full Carbon frame with Zertz road dampening insets in the seat stays and forks, plus Ultegra groupo. Just under 16lbs I think.

"Hopefully everyone will be waiting for me at the top of the climb/descent/flat bit"

streako · June 2007

You must be feeling better, dude, if your thoughts are on new bikes!

Still not coming to Kirroughtree tomorrow?

 Streako 
 Streakos Hardtail
 Streakos Full Susser

geeteewmb · June 2007

Bit better thanks Nick. Did a lap of GT Red last Sunday and my left knee in particular felt a bit weak. On the upside, the scabs are healing, so my legs don't look as disgusting as they have done for the past couple of weeks.

Really gutted about KT. Was thinking about Dalbeattie on Sunday but not sure if I'm up to it yet.

When you are not riding bikes - it gives you more time to think about them...

"Hopefully everyone will be waiting for me at the top of the climb/descent/flat bit"

streako · June 2007

Aye, but as you know, there is more to life than bikes......

Try to make Dalbeattie, Allan. I'm going to do the Slab and Toxic twins now I have got my elbow pads.[8D] And all that black shore

 Streako 
 Streakos Hardtail
 Streakos Full Susser

Thoughts on 29ers...

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