29ers...what's everyones opinion?

[V8Wagon]

I am after a new bike and one of the guys in work was extolling the benefits of the 29" wheels that are available these days. I was probably gonna plump for a new Specialized Hardrock or Rockhopper, but I've been offered a cracking deal on one of these..

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/felt-nine-trail-29i...

I guess the spec isn't as good as the specialized what with mechanical disc brakes, but I can get the Felt for just over £300.

any opinions would be much appreciated.

[Rolls]

They do roll very nicely over things IMO -Although I've convinced myself (for the time being) that I don't want one... SWMBO is already pissed that I keep the roadbike inside..
Once thats relegated to the garage however... then think I'll buy one too in all honesty!!!

[V8Wagon]

Cheers mate, yeh, I'm quite liking the idea tbh.

What do you reckon to the 'felt'? I'm no expert on spec to be honest. I can get one that's an unwanted gift so brand new, never ridden for £320.

That's half the price of a new Specialized....hmm. I did fancy the hydraulic brakes though.

[stuarthat]

what about the 27.5 just more choice ?

[Get Karter]

29ers should be good on rougher terrain and going down hills.
They should be harder work up hills.
More importantly, they look superb....IMHO

[V8Wagon]

Yeh, they do look pretty chunky imo.

Has anyone got any opinion on the 'Felt' bike?

[Get Karter]

For the price you say you can get the Felt, you will not find anything better.

[P-Jay]

I've not had the chance to try one yet, but I'd like to.

Not sure they're for me though, some experts/pros love them, some don't they roll well over rough stuff, but turn slower and accelerate slower, I fancy it would make for a less exiting ride than a more flickable 26er.

650's or 27.5 bikes... I'm sure they're just a marketing ploy to sell some bikes to the indecisive, or maybe it's just a "big wheeler" that doesn't look like a clown bike.

I think for the more exciting types like AM/FR/DH bikes will be 26 for a long time to come.

[Gizmoish]

I use my 700C hybridy MTB offroad. (700c x38 tyres, front sus).

Bigger is faster, but less manoeuvrable and you may need bigger gears to get up the same hill. Not sure whether you can get fat tyres in 29" or not.

[anonymous-user]

go to your local giant store and book a test ride. personally 29" hardtails dont make much sense to me, the concept only works on a full sus.

[Bacon Is Proof]

I haven't ridden a modern 29" MTB but I would have thought the chainstay length would be too long for my liking on a hardtail.
It wasn't that long ago that more than one manufacturer was experimenting with 24" rear wheels to shorten the chainstay.
I'm happy with 26".

[Jimbo.]

Bacon Is Proof said:

It wasn't that long ago that more than one manufacturer was experimenting with 24" rear wheels to shorten the chainstay.
I'm happy with 26".

Specialized with the Big Hit bike, non? Not that well liked as a) tyre/rim choice was somewhat limited, and b) the smaller wheel was more likely to get swallowed by holes.

[P-Jay]

Jimbo. said:

Specialized with the Big Hit bike, non? Not that well liked as a) tyre/rim choice was somewhat limited, and b) the smaller wheel was more likely to get swallowed by holes.

The old 26/24 Bighits are bloody awful. Even without the drama of trying the find a decent 24" DH spec wheel or tyre. You can get conversion kits for them.

[SkinnyBoy]

Cannondale had a 24" back wheel in the late 80's on their bikes so it's nothing new. I've yet to be convinced that 29" is a game changer, and now you have 650b jockeying for the limelight. I think I'll stick with 26" for now.

[Crippo]

Well I have been riding 29ers for some years...still have a 26er though, but its going. 29 wheels are amazing in so many ways but at the budget you are looking at the spec suffers more against a 26" than at the higher price points and also the bikes come out quite heavy against a 26" at the low end budget. I wouldnt worry about 29" wheels until you are spending upwards of £700.
The prediction is that all quality hardtails within 2 years will be big wheelers and for short travel full suspension too.
6" and above will stay 26" at least for the next few years.

[Fluffsri]

I rode a Cube reaction GTC 29er to test it out and didnt get on with it. Most of what I ride is twisty singletrack and thought I was fighting to get it to turn more than have it flowing, if that makes sense. Long fireroads and climbing wasnt a problem. I reckon it would be good on long days out but not for blats in the woods.

[louiebaby]

I like mine, but really haven't used it much yet.

It feels like it rolls very smoothly over everything, but my other steed is a road bike, so it should.