Quote:
Originally Posted by flylock shox
Had my first ride on this thing today. Also my first time riding a 29er. Holy lord this thing is fast, with a Cadillac-like suspension too. I tried it out on some potholes around the bike shop, and it didn't seem to even notice them. So then I just aimed it straight at a hard curb to see what would happen: nothing. Up, over, barely even shrugged.
The one I test rode was a large (20 inch frame) which is the absolute max I can go at 5'10". To get some idea of what a medium frame might be like, I then tried the Giant Anthem 26 incher in a medium frame. The bike was twice the price, but half the fun. In one ride I think I'm totally converted to 29 inch wheels - the speed is just too fun to give up. Tomorrow I'm going back to have a go on the medium sized 29er, which they're going to build up for me.
Anyone else had experience going from 26 to 29 inch wheels? I thought it had a massive impact on the fun of the bike. Totally looking forward to taking this up to the North Shore, the endowment lands, and some of the dirt trails in BC's interior.
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I love my 29er. I went from a Scott Spark 10 (my most recent 26 inch wheeler), to my santa cruz tallboy. I climb over everything. On really rooty or rocky sections where buddies with the small wheels are bouncing around, I just roll. On rollers, where you descend and have to immediately climb, I rarely pedal. I let the wheels do all the work. Also decending, I'm a lot more confident. It's like you're sitting in the bike, not on the bike. My only complaint is the wheel weight. Compared to my last bike, I'm giving up 2lbs of rotational weight. You really feel that on the big long climbs. I'd get lighter wheels, but in a 29er, it gets tough if you're on a budget. Stans Crest are just over 1500 grams, but they're extremely flexy in that large of a wheel. The best option is carbon, but I can't spend $1700 on a wheelset right now. I'm thinking the best solution for me might be the stans arch ex, around 1650 grams. A bit stiffer wheel, but pretty light still.
I'm 5'10" as well. I could've went for a Large or a Medium. I'd test ride a Med in a 29er before you decide. I ride a large 26, and chose a Med 29. I felt the Large was too large. The medium felt better to me, and on tight switchbacks and such, I really noticed the difference. I have a shorter torso though, so that changes my bike fits. In a road bike, I went from a 56 to a 54 once I was professionally fitted.