29er wheels

[sxi steve]

Is there any super advantage to purchasing a MB with 29" wheels? I was planning to upgrade my current bike with a new 29er. I though I'd potentially save a few bucks and follow craigslist for a couple month before spring, but most will not be the 29er.

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[Pablo]

Everyone that I've rode with or talked to that's had a 29er has raved about them and really don't miss the 26" wheels. They tell me the ease of getting over small obstacles/ruts etc is great.

 

[Cross]

I have a Orbea 29er and cant see myself ever buying a 26 inch wheel bike again. I am 6'4" so riding this bike just feels like it should. You should try to demo a 29er and give it a try.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I like them. Takes a little more effort to get going, but once you do, it is like the little engine that could!!!!!!! I have a 29er single speed. Enjoy it as much as my Really expensive Titus 26" Full Suspension.

 

[SuperJETT]

I have a 26" full susp and my wife rides a 29" hardtail---my next bike will be a 29" hardtail, hands down, probably a Motobecane Fantom 29 like my wife's but one of the higher level ones.

 

[sxi steve]

Good info guys! Thx.

I believe I am going to stick with my original plan, buy a new 29er. The below is what I was thinking on, the Trek dealer wants $600 for it..., any others I should consider? Maybe something with better components for less cash?

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/fisher_29er/marlin/

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[SuperJETT]

A lot of people like this in that range: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_cliff29comp_xi.htm

 

[Big Kahuna]

Price point is pretty good, it is more of a starter bike. You might want to look at Craigslist and see if you could find a Cobia used for about the same price, you would be getting better components.

 

[Cannibal]

Been shopping as well. Any opinions on this:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/talon.29er.2.2011/6966/43134/

I like to spend my money locally and all we have is a Giant dealer. If I can find a better bike at a better price, then I will just have to weigh my options.

 

[WaveDemon]

just know that the cheap bikes direct bikes have THE WORST components you can find. It'll get you going but exptect bottom brackets/head sets etc to wear out soon.

 

[SuperJETT]

Tim, we have a bikes direct bike and that's not the case. The more expensive ones have extremely nice headsets/etc. Basic Treks/etc use crappy components on their lowend bikes.

 

[WaveDemon]

Tim, we have a bikes direct bike and that's not the case. The more expensive ones have extremely nice headsets/etc. Basic Treks/etc use crappy components on their lowend bikes.

I had a cheap bikes direct motobacane and I ended up replacing most of the components in a year.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Darin is correct, you have to research, they actually sell their bike by build levels, not so much by different frames. I could find a build kit that would have the components I would want, my problem is the frames. Cannot put my finger on them, but they are not at my level, call me a bike snob. When I was looking at going the 29er route, I was looking at the Price Point Sette Razzo frames, I read a ton of reviews, most positive, but I just could not pull the trigger. I want a frame that has been tested and around the block a while and not something that is just put together and called a mountain bike. (sorry Darin, I know you like the Motobecane's - For the average person there is nothing wrong with them, I would suggest them. For me, they are just not what I want. Yeah, I know, call me a snob!!!!!!!!!!! Their Ti bikes are priced really well though!!!!!!

 

[SuperJETT]

Supposedly the 29er Fantom geometry is almost identical to Fisher's hardtail geo. I'm not an experienced enough rider to be able to tell and probably wouldn't worry about it since biking is one of those sports where it's more about the person's abilities than the bike's as long as it's of a certain minimum level.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Supposedly the 29er Fantom geometry is almost identical to Fisher's hardtail geo. I'm not an experienced enough rider to be able to tell and probably wouldn't worry about it since biking is one of those sports where it's more about the person's abilities than the bike's as long as it's of a certain minimum level.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=684326

ran across this, if you read, it looks like the Fantom is different geometry than the fishers. The mentioned bikes coming out with similar geometry.

I like that they are asking what people like.

 

[icecoled007]

I didnt read this thread but,

I have a 29er and as 6'5" it only feels natural. After a season on a 29er I cant ever ride a 26" again. It feels like a little kid bike! I would say if your over 6'1" or 6'2" get a big kid bike....

 

[sxi steve]

I believe I'm going to go with this one. I have a Giant now and thought it was a good bike for many years. I was looking at the Trek Gary Fisher Marlin also but like the Giant Talon 2 better.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/talon.29er.2.2011/6966/43134/

 

[WaveDemon]

Darin is correct, you have to research, they actually sell their bike by build levels, not so much by different frames.

I agree, That's why I said the cheap bikes direct bikes. The $300 complete bikes are $300 for a reason.

 

[Cannibal]

I believe I'm going to go with this one. I have a Giant now and thought it was a good bike for many years. I was looking at the Trek Gary Fisher Marlin also but like the Giant Talon 2 better.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/talon.29er.2.2011/6966/43134/

I looked at that one as well and took it for a spin at my local bike shop. Parts for parts, a $700 bike from bikesdirect.com is a better buy. If you will be buying it from a local bike shop, having support in case of issues might be worth it. Dealers are always going to take care of the people that bought from them.

 

[Melmack]

Just my 2 cents: I have an Origin8 29er. They stopped making the complete bike last year and now just sell components and frames but, if you can find one, they are amazing, light and fast.