Looking at getting a MTB-help me decide.

[Cackalak Han]

I'm 6ft and a buck 50

Well considering I am the shuttle bus driver / guide for the local university here and I had about 10 students with me and we pulled over to do a drop off in Atlanta for one of the students friends, I asked if I could ride the bike b/c I have never ridden a 29r..he seemed to enjoy it though so as long as it puts a smile on your face.. to bad you can't see the smile on mine unfortunately he wasn't able to keep up... on one of the best trails in NC that is butter smooth.

I'm about 6ft and 160, so right there with ya. Are you saying because this kid couldn't keep up with you, somehow that translates to the inferiority of 29ers? If that's all it takes to discredit a certain wheel size, then take into account this year's Leadville women's winner was on a 29er (Spec. S-works HT). Two out of the top three on the men's side was on 29ers (JHK and Wells).

Also, are you only talking about those DH rigs pictured above? I haven't seen too many DH riding on 29ers, as 26" wheels has its advantages in that sector (although there are pro DH and DJ people on 29ers). If I were to get a DH rig today, it'd probably be a 26" wheeled version. But for the type of riding I do (XC), I can't go back to 26".

Lastly, how do you call that second and third pic "butter smooth"? You DH'ers must've got slammed on your heads one too many times and done blurred up your vision. :elkgrin:

 

[weatherm]

Thats the butter smooth trail and yes I had plenty of people keeping up with me... hell for all I know is he sucked =] Its not the bike its the rider.

Its just a friggin bicycle.. ride what you want.. I'm just saying I don't like 29r's due to personal preference. No need to get into a yap fest over spandex vs. baggies.

DH is fun :victory: pedaling wears out my chain.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I rode a 29er in the parking lot and it felt unnatural and completely weird.

You're probably right. For parking lot riding, I always ride a 26er.:sombrero:

Seriously, it truly is a matter of individual riding style and the terrain they ride. The long held believe they're best for smoothie trail at higher speeds has been well bunk-ified. 29ers excel in a wide range of terrain, but will never be the go-to for those who like to do monster drops, big air, etc. Just as 26er wheels probably aren't always the best option for XC riding, 29ers may not be the right option for shreddy gnar-gnar.

I'm also aware some guys just like one of the two directions, up or down. I tend to like them both. Just this morning I did a ride with 35 miles including 3600 feet of gain. I love the climbing as much as bombing a downhill.

 

[RHINO]

you dont know squat weatherm, all the real downhill guys ride 24's:sombrero:

 

[weatherm]

I agree!

I rode a trek ex7 in Hawaii and it was perfect to pedal and very agile...rode jurassic park and man it was epic...that said I kind of pooop out after 10 miles on a all mountain bike. Biking no matter what your on is a blast unless its a POS:wings:

 

[EricBirk]

I'm about 6ft and 160, so right there with ya. Are you saying because this kid couldn't keep up with you, somehow that translates to the inferiority of 29ers? If that's all it takes to discredit a certain wheel size, then take into account this year's Leadville women's winner was on a 29er (Spec. S-works HT). Two out of the top three on the men's side was on 29ers (JHK and Wells).

Also, are you only talking about those DH rigs pictured above? I haven't seen too many DH riding on 29ers, as 26" wheels has its advantages in that sector (although there are pro DH and DJ people on 29ers). If I were to get a DH rig today, it'd probably be a 26" wheeled version. But for the type of riding I do (XC), I can't go back to 26".

Lastly, how do you call that second and third pic "butter smooth"? You DH'ers must've got slammed on your heads one too many times and done blurred up your vision. :elkgrin:

hahaha that is butter smooth man all the rocks are inline, and that wood sender to a butter tranny is beauty!
Kinda like Silverstar up here in Vernon.

 

[EricBirk]

I'm 6ft and a buck 50

Well considering I am the shuttle bus driver / guide for the local university here and I had about 10 students with me and we pulled over to do a drop off in Atlanta for one of the students friends, I asked if I could ride the bike b/c I have never ridden a 29r..he seemed to enjoy it though so as long as it puts a smile on your face.. to bad you can't see the smile on mine unfortunately he wasn't able to keep up... on one of the best trails in NC that is butter smooth.

is that a boot'r?

 

[EricBirk]

You're probably right. For parking lot riding, I always ride a 26er.:sombrero:

Seriously, it truly is a matter of individual riding style and the terrain they ride. The long held believe they're best for smoothie trail at higher speeds has been well bunk-ified. 29ers excel in a wide range of terrain, but will never be the go-to for those who like to do monster drops, big air, etc. Just as 26er wheels probably aren't always the best option for XC riding, 29ers may not be the right option for shreddy gnar-gnar.

I'm also aware some guys just like one of the two directions, up or down. I tend to like them both. Just this morning I did a ride with 35 miles including 3600 feet of gain. I love the climbing as much as bombing a downhill.

29's I cant ever see acceling on full on DH courses as they are typically not strong enough side to side. The extra 3" just adds WAY to much spoke length and way to much flex.

I am a DH'er at heart and always will be, but am not biased really towards anything, except cross . My trail bikes will be 29'ers if possible, but the big bike wont ever be.

3600' is a good rip! Sometimes you gotta pay to play and thats the best part!

 

[weatherm]

word! I'm jealous of your location haha

Yep its a 09 boot'r team good eye! great bike... last photo is a 08 khyber w/ a totem coil fork

 

[EricBirk]

word! I'm jealous of your location haha

Yep its a 09 boot'r team good eye! great bike... last photo is a 08 khyber w/ a totem coil fork

How do you like it? Well you must if you bought another one.

I am in Edmonton its nothing really to be jealous about haha BUT BC is still really close.

 

[weatherm]

is that a boot'r?

Its a great bike, top end components.. barely any pedal bob at all!! the vivid rear shock is amazing.. very well raked out.. I am a fan of the free drive system. For $1700 bucks for a 5k MSRP bike.. I couldn't pass it up ( I got it used - a mountian bike shouldn't cost over 2k IMHO) I got the Khyber new and it was a great bike.. good components .. great frame design .. I surpassed the bike and I needed "more" Its cut out for light freeriding and AM.. not for anything gnar gnar.

shoot man.. your near BC. I mean I'm over here on the east coast It sucks here.

 

[EricBirk]

Its a great bike, top end components.. barely any pedal bob at all!! the vivid rear shock is amazing.. very well raked out.. I am a fan of the free drive system. For $1700 bucks for a 5k MSRP bike.. I couldn't pass it up ( I got it used - a mountian bike shouldn't cost over 2k IMHO) I got the Khyber new and it was a great bike.. good components .. great frame design .. I surpassed the bike and I needed "more" Its cut out for light freeriding and AM.. not for anything gnar gnar.

shoot man.. your near BC. I mean I'm over here on the east coast It sucks here.

Well Romo beats the piss outta his thats for sure!!
I have never ridden one and would love to get the chance at some point.

I am pretty much an Intense/Marin guy. I have a built up Quake now that I bought as a frameset and absolutely love it!! BUT sometimes wish there was a bit more as it would help over the really really nasty stuff, but it is perfect for mostly all DH/backcountry DH as it is still very pedalable and super efficient. Now they have the Quad DH which is a monster. I borrowed a pre-production one in Silverstar and wow what a beast! BUT next season my mechanic will be on the new Turner DHR and I have the opportunity to snag that after he rides it for the season... decisions decisions...

 

[weatherm]

Romo is a god among men.

 

[Cackalak Han]

hahaha that is butter smooth man all the rocks are inline, and that wood sender to a butter tranny is beauty!
Kinda like Silverstar up here in Vernon.

Says the dude with a 5" travel FS bike. :elkgrin:

Also, regarding 29er SS, if you are looking for one, my LBS is having a Kona sale. They've got a Kona Unit 29er SS for sale at $450. Brand new (it's a 2008 model, though). Sliding dropouts, butted steel frame, disc brakes, etc. Solid ride and retails at $1,000. If I didn't already have a SS 29er, I'd jump on this.

Speaking of jumping, I've been wanting to get my hands on a DJ bike (SS, of course ). There are some dirt jump parks around me, and I'd like to give it a try.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aJzYioSDi4"]YouTube- GoPro HD Hero camera: 2010 Post Office Bike Jam[/ame]

 

[zuren]

Back on topic, it you are looking for 1 "do it all" type of bike for ~$1500 I would look for a full-susp. XC bike with a rear lockout (most do these days, or "anti-bob" is built into the design), perhaps a FS 29" bike but I doubt you'll be finding one of those within your budget. Then you'll have a FS bike for dealing with a lot of different terrain and you can turn your old bike into a singlespeed if you like. I would avoid any used bikes that were demos or rentals at a bike shop. Chances are that they were ridden like they were stolen.

I own all hardtails but when I ride out west, I rent full susp. bikes and I definitely appreciate the smoother ride over rougher terrain. Originally I purchased hardtails since Midwest riding wasn't that rough and there are fewer moving parts to break/wear. Now with me riding in many different places, I would get a FS XC rig if I had to do it again. I rode a Rocky Mountain Element and my buddy had a Trek Fuel EX8 in Moab earlier this year and both of us were happy with them!

I would not recommend a dedicated SS as your next bike; get something with gears. You can always turn a geared bike into a SS (e.g. the Trek you have)if it's something you want to try but not the other way around (dedicated SS frames lack the derailleur hanger, cable routing for shifting and correct rear wheel).

The bikes in my stable are (all built by me):

- Cove Handjob hardtail XC, XT/SRAM/Avid mix
- On-One Inbred EBB singlespeed
- Felt F35 (road), Ultegra
- Nashbar Cyclo-commuter beater
- vintage Amp Research FS

I like riding SS as well but it wouldn't be my only bike. I tend to notice that guys into singlespeed are a bit more into cycling than many you meet on the trail and takes a little different mindset. I've also never experienced anyone bad-mouthing me when I've been riding SS. Usually they either give respect or think I'm mentally unstable! :REOutShootinghunter