The death of the 26" bike

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Spencer the Kalmyk said:
Cool...Keep us posted
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I went on the beginner Allaire ride tuesday with it (figured it was the best time to try it out) and I felt lost. Felt like I had no control over the bike, was very twitchy and every obstacle seemed to bother me. This was the first maiden ride, nothing too crazy. Will give it another shot maybe at 6 mile for a quick loop one day.

Already swapped my pedals onto the 29er already 🙂
 
my experience going back has been mainly riding at 6 mile, the sourlands, and chimney rock.

my observations thus far:

- i'm really outta shape. 29" or 26" wheels don't help that.

- i do notice a difference in acceleration, 26" wheels are quicker to spin up to speed when you need it (like when you are about to wedge yourself in an awful spot at the sourlands and its either pedal or fail). appropriate gearing could affect that.

- rock gardens at the sourlands are still damn hard no matter what the wheel size. i cleared the same spots i normally do, and had issues where i normally have issues.

- the twisties at 6 mile were just as much fun.

- rolling is different, but i have 2.35" freerideish tires, so i can't compare really.

- riding the blue trail out of boulderama at speed at the sourlands rules, 26 or 29.

- oh, and riding without clips is just damn fun. 5.10s made it more fun.

overall - happy with the switch back.
 
there seem to be 3 "fads" going right now

1) fully rigid bikes
2) single speed
3) 29ers

I happen to be guilty of all three so I have an opinion on these things...

1) there is always going to be a segment of the MTB world that likes a fully rigid ride (especially in areas of the world like central NJ). my guess is that the "fad" of fully rigid bikes will subside a bit with many people at least getting a suspension fork. I would think that hardtails are making a BIG comeback. the bottom line is that full squish bikes are no longer going to be the "de facto" MTB anymore as they were for a number of years. in fact, in time I think FULL squish bikes will prove to be the fad (except in areas of the world where you truly need them).

2) same as above - there is always going to be a segment of the MTB world that likes SS especially in areas of the world like central NJ. it goes without saying that geared bikes are ALWAYS going to dominate. but you'll always have a segment that rides SS, with a larger # having a SS as a secondary bike.

1) 29ers are here to stay. IMO, there is no reason to ride a smaller wheel. 29ers are no fad - they are the future of MTB.

in fact, your next bike will be a 29er.
 
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The popularity on any givin time of 29ers on MTBR is almost amazing, 29er viewers out number any other fourm 2-1 on a slow day. Yes I know 26" wheels are broken down to diff areas but the next closest is DH with less then half on the 29er fourm and lets face it this is where 26" bike will and always rule for now...And yes your next bike will be a 29er 😀
 
mattybfat said:
The popularity on any givin time of 29ers on MTBR is almost amazing, 29er viewers out number any other fourm 2-1 on a slow day. Yes I know 26" wheels are broken down to diff areas but the next closest is DH with less then half on the 29er fourm and lets face it this is where 26" bike will and always rule for now...And yes your next bike will be a 29er 😀
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29ers on MTBR are like a religious sect. They live mostly in their world and discuss everything from wheel to suspension...
 
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alex_k said:
ha, for me it'll rather be 24er 😛
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You know that isn't true...You don't know which one fits your riding better...Safe to say you have not spent enough time on a 29er to make fair assessment...Anytime you want to borrow my bike let me know...Until then we (29er rider) will take your opinion for a grain of salt
 
Spencer the Kalmyk said:
You know that isn't true...You don't know which one fits your riding better...Safe to say you have not spent enough time on a 29er to make fair assessment...Anytime you want to borrow my bike let me know...Until then we (29er rider) will take your opinion for a grain of salt
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sure, sure 😉 when I become really old I will have to ride bigger wheels but I'm only 43 and haven't tried really small wheels yet
 
P.S. Alex you can use it for a week if you like...Ride your usual trails and if after that you feel the same then you will be standing on solid ground to compare
 
Spencer the Kalmyk said:
P.S. Alex you can use it for a week if you like...Ride your usual trails and if after that you feel the same then you will be standing on solid ground to compare
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Spencer thanks... but it seems I'm also a part of a religious group 😉

btw my grandparents were orthodox

ps actually more orthodox than the official russian orthodox church
 
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alex_k said:
Spencer thanks... but it seems I'm also a part of a religious group 😉

btw my grandparents were orthodox

ps actually more orthodox than the official russian orthodox church
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NICE...Not too familiar with your group so any opinion I could attempt to form about it would be irrelevant
 
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