26 v 29r

[Casper]

Okay.... It's the question that so many people have... I still haven't found a general consensus to make me swing one way other the other. My current ride is a sh*t bike ht. i need to make the switch to full susser. My taint can't handle too many more rides. I have a good deal on the table; 2008 stumpy expert; used. The only downside is the low clearance. I like the brain; it works. some squeaky parts too, but i think i can live with them.

OR, my friends are trying to talk me into a 29r. I want full suspension. I like to catch air on the down hills, but love and want a good climber. Chimney Rock and Lewis Morris are my weekend rides, with interest of Tourne, Ringwood, etc... From what I read the RIP9 is great. But people say it's heavy. The fisher HiFi has some design flows with the chain stay and bottom bracket wear. The Sals Big Mama seems sweet, but $$$. $2K is my budget, and the RIP9 build i chose spiked to $4K.

Some say 29r's are the bomb. Some say they are best for long flowing singletrack.... Some say go with 29r ht. I really want a full suss.

Anyone have some honest experience that can assist my decision?

 

[walter]

yes, based on where you NORMALLY ride, a 29er ht will be fine. You will get more bike for your money over buying a full squish. One mistake that most people make when they buy their first "real" bike is that they think they need a full suspension bike. Buy a new 29er from a good shop, you will be more than satisfied.

 

[pooriggy]

+1 on Walter's recommendation. Anyone with over 4,000 posts has to know what he's talkin bout.😉
Get set up on the bike properly and look for some beginner rides to get some pointer on MTB skills. Your taint will be happy you did.
Beginner rides can be found at Allaire, check the trail talk tabs under Allaire.
I live in the next town over, get that new bike & we can carpool to trails.
Welcome

 

[LandCruiser]

+2 29er HT....just Do it!!!!!

 

[alex_k]

take whatever you want if you are sure... and don't look back. this forum is a wrong place for asking this question. 29er will be the answer for sure.

I think that FS 26er is a lot of fun in air

 

[brybry57]

honestly you pointed out all of the "internet" flaws to bikes ... probably nothing you will ever experience, full suspension is something that is way different than just bigger wheels +1 for full suspension 26er... because you will like the rear suspension feeling, and used fs 26ers are easy to find now assuming you arn't a size small

 

[walter]

the guy selling the Stumpy, whats he buying?

 

[kush]

Anyone have some honest experience that can assist my decision?

Ok. If this is the question, here is my answer. I'm not sure how helpful it will be because everyone is different.

My first MTB was a full suspension 26er, a Specialized FSR XC Comp. Good bike.

About 4 months later I felt like I grew out of the bike, it wasn't really great on the climbs, so I bought a 29er HT. I went back and tried to go back to ride the 26er, and got so frustrated that I cut my ride short (after I tossed the bike like 4-5 feet down the trail in disgust). Sold it a week later.

That was my honest experience. Yours may vary.

 

[kush]

take whatever you want if you are sure... and don't look back. this forum is a wrong place for asking this question. 29er will be the answer for sure.

I think that FS 26er is a lot of fun in air

Alex, I always wanted to ask, have you ridden a 29er for any meaningful period of time? This is not religion (russian orthodox or otherwise), its pure sensory perception.

 

[alex_k]

Alex, I always wanted to ask, have you ridden a 29er for any meaningful period of time? This is not religion (russian orthodox or otherwise), its pure sensory perception.

no... call me stupid but i don't like to change what works for me. will be i a better rider on 29er? no for sure. faster? maybe in some conditions... do not care because I ride a bike for fun.

my new fs helped me to make some progress in jumping and i'm happy with my recent decision.

 

[mattybfat]

Here is my thought (KISS)😉 29 HT one speed= stronger,faster and simpler. Especially for the places you plan on calling home turf, find one that you can throw a derailleur on if need be. Just my 2 cents...

 

[Droptopchevy]

29er.

End of discussion.

Lock Thread.

Close the curtains.

Exit stage Left.

 

[Norm]

i need to make the switch to full susser.

I want full suspension.

I really want a full suss.

...but love and want a good climber.

$2K is my budget

If these are your qualifications, it's going to be tough to meet. It appears you want FS as you've mentioned it 3 times. And your budget is $2000. This narrows you to a 26er, and you're not really going to get a good climber. The best you can expect at that price point is "sufficient".

My story is similar to Kush's. I had a Specialized Stumpjumper XC Comp. I rode it for 1.5 years, it was fine. But it ran its course. I live right between CR and LM. I now ride a geared HT 29er and a SS HT 29er. While suspension can help you really blaze the downhills, neither park requires it. Ringwood is the only one you mention which may warrant a FS bike, and even there I do just fine with the HT.

I admit that I'm interested in trying a 26er again, because frankly the 29er Cult has gotten a little out of hand here. But then, it would have to be a stupid light and expensive version. So for now, while I'm not a member of the Cult, per se, I do only ride 29er HTs.

 

[kush]

no... call me stupid but i don't like to change what works for me. will be i a better rider on 29er? no for sure. faster? maybe in some conditions... do not care because I ride a bike for fun.

my new fs helped me to make some progress in jumping and i'm happy with my recent decision.

Try new things - take my Rig, ride it as much as you want, I got no use for it right now. Seriously.

 

[RonC]

Ok going threw this just a little while ago I can tell you this.😉

I got a Gary Fisher HIFI Plus 29er full suspension for $1,999.99 at a local shop in NJ.

I love the bike, some things have happen here and there, but it has been a great bike. Try to hear what the guys are saying. A lot of the guys on here have a great deal of time on bikes and have a good understanding of the trails in our area. Some points will sound harsh some will not, do not take it personally.

I am a newbie and I am learning a lot in a short time on this forum and others.
Riding with different people, with different bikes and levels of experience. Some have Ridged some have full suspension, some have 26ers, some have 29ers.
You get the bike that fits you, your budget. But get the bike from a dealer in NJ, and a good one. Ride the bikes and take your time buying it.

Why I got a FS 29er got the best of both world, the bike rolls over things, easy, great handling and moves great.
Full suspension help my back butt and shoulders, had surgery and it has been the best thing for ME, and I say For ME. But each is own.😀

 

[JB1]

take whatever you want if you are sure... and don't look back. this forum is a wrong place for asking this question. 29er will be the answer for sure.

I think that FS 26er is a lot of fun in air

I still dont get the whole resentment towards 29ers by people on 26ers. Its not like we beat up your dog or stold your girlfiend. I guess its just a defensive reaction.
But seriously, I am new to the sport, so about 4 months ago when I was looking to buy my first ever mountain bike, I had not even heard of the term 29er. I just wanted a good entry level bike to start on. I never rode any mountain bike at all, so I was totally unbiased. I thought I had decided on a Gary Fisher hardtail, then the guy in the LBS said, why dont you try this bike out, its leftover from last year and its a real good price. SO I jumped on, rode around the block and was sold. I had no idea that all of this 26 vs 29 stuff even existed. Never heard of this website. Never saw the debates. All I new was my new GAry Fisher 29Er hardtail rode a lot smoother then the 26 that I thought I was going to buy, and it just felt like it fit me perfectly. Bottom line is ride the bike, and buy what feels good. (Dont get me wrong, there is a lot of good advice here, but it is very subjective, and when you get 50 conflicting answers, you are usually worse off then before you asked the question in the first place). I would think a demo ride would be the best way to go so you can ride on a trail, but if is doesnt feel good in the parking lot it isnt going to feel good on a trail either.
Happy Hunting!!

 

[Matt_]

I still dont get the whole resentment towards 29ers by people on 26ers. Its not like we beat up your dog or stold your girlfiend. I guess its just a defensive reaction.
But seriously, I am new to the sport, so about 4 months ago when I was looking to buy my first ever mountain bike, I had not even heard of the term 29er. I just wanted a good entry level bike to start on. I never rode any mountain bike at all, so I was totally unbiased. I thought I had decided on a Gary Fisher hardtail, then the guy in the LBS said, why dont you try this bike out, its leftover from last year and its a real good price. SO I jumped on, rode around the block and was sold. I had no idea that all of this 26 vs 29 stuff even existed. Never heard of this website. Never saw the debates. All I new was my new GAry Fisher 29Er hardtail rode a lot smoother then the 26 that I thought I was going to buy, and it just felt like it fit me perfectly. Bottom line is ride the bike, dont listen to half the crap you read here, and buy what feels good. (Dont get me wrong, there is a lot of good advice here, but it is very subjective, and when you get 50 conflicting answers, you are usually worse off then before you asked the question in the first place). I would think a demo ride would be the best way to go so you can ride on a trail, but if is doesnt feel good in the parking lot it isnt going to feel good on a trail either.
Happy Hunting!!

+ 1000000000000000

I was the same way... had no clue there was a civil war going on. I went to my LBS planning to buy the Fisher HKEK 26" hardtail... while there I asked the salesman what the deal was with the 29er so I rode both of them in a choppy/dried up muddy section next to the shop. While the 26" hardtail was great, the 29er was even better... AND it fit my body better too (on Treks i was too cramped, on the 26 HT I was leaning slightly forward and on the 29er it was perfect.... I could've changed headsets... but I loved the ride, especially over ruts & choppy sections)

Ride em, and see which one you like better.

PS: I'm a novice and none of the "web defects" of the 29er has been an issue. We're not out there competing, we're out there to have fun.

End the hate, don't segregate 😀

 

[Mr_T]

... dont listen to half the crap you read here....

Not sure I agree with that; I'd say more than half the active posters on this site provide incredibly useful and helpful information.

...I would think a demo ride would be the best way to go...

Always!

To the OP:

I have a FS '09 Blur LT and just recently purchased the '10 Giant 29er XTC1. The acceleration and increased climbing ability I get with the HT is unbelievable and wether it's increased confidence or actual design, those big wheels enable me to get over things I was unable to do with my 26er.

After reading countless posts on this and related topics, the overall consensus I see is that a 29 HT will cover a significant majority of the terrain in this area with little to no problems at all. It seems as though you've convinced yourself that you need/want a FS bike, if this is the case you should go for it and not be disappointed. Just remember what Walter has said, you will certainly get less bike per $ spent, and I'll add that a highly equipped 29er HT may actually provide increased performance compared to an average to below average equipped FS 26er. Best bet, ride 'em both and judge for yourself.

 

[Pearl]

to the OP: ride both and make your decision. everyone here will tell you what they ride and what they love, but what do YOU love?

 

[lmckee]

to the OP: ride both and make your decision. everyone here will tell you what they ride and what they love, but what do YOU love?

Exactly. Test ride as much stuff as you can and decide what feels the best to you. I personally ride a 26" hardtail, not too many people on here do. What the hell do I care what everyone else rides and why should they care what I ride? It's your money and your bike, get what you want.