when did MTB's start being able roll like this?

[cirian75]

Yesterday took a test ride of a 29er from Evans at the Manchester velodrome with a view as a winter commuter/weekend MTB.

Pre ride I assumed the stock wide tyres would be complete crap rolling wise and I'm planning on some 700c 35/40 schwalbe marathons.

wow I was wrong, my 2004 Trek 4500 was complete crap on the road, this 29er, and I assume all 29er's are like this, they roll soooooo much better.


I think I'll order one tonight after work.

Edited by cirian75 on Monday 7th September 08:04

[anonymous-user]

i have a cube race 29er and it rolls great but not so good in tight bends but i think a smaller handle bar might help, but they are leaps over 26ers..

[cirian75]

yeah, the front did feel a bit wayward, a longer or lower stem to get some more weight over the front and narrower bars would fix that.

[Kermit power]

cirian75 said:

yeah, the front did feel a bit wayward, a longer or lower stem to get some more weight over the front and narrower bars would fix that.

Think about what you're going to want to use it for before you go down that route. You can always shift your weight forwards on a technical climb if your front wheel is starting to go light, but if you've fitted narrower bars and a longer stem to shift your weight forwards, there's not much you can do if your back tyre starts to lose traction.

Unless you're 6' plus, or you only intend to ride non technical trails, I'd consider looking at 650b bikes before you commit to a 29er. They roll better than a 26", but without so much of the unwieldiness of a 29er.

[AC43]

I commute on one (with narrowed bars) and find it's fine in a straight line but a bit of a tanker when it comes to changing direction. Unlike my 26er, it doesn't really respond to me moving my body around on it.

I now have a hankering for 26er or a 650B with discs.

[Gren]

cirian75 said:

yeah, the front did feel a bit wayward, a longer or lower stem to get some more weight over the front and narrower bars would fix that.

Positioning is all that's needed. Get down into the frame with weight between both wheels. When climbing, I find the best position is pretty much impaling myself on the front end of the saddle!

Don't go fitting longer stems or you'll end up being seriously unfashionable

[PDP76]

I've had a 29er for over 12 months now. No problem on trails (Cannock etc) and no problems in the Peak District either. They do turn a bit wider but it's nothing major and you do get used to it.
Yes they are fast, very fast, sometimes frightening fast. But in a good way, I've been up around 40mph on local trails on mine.
You'll enjoy it if you go for it, but again you need to spend decent wedge to get a decent 29er/bike with decent geometry.
Mines a Cube Acid with the rockshox forks, they now come with manitou forks.

[cirian75]

looking at the Pinnacle Ramin Three


http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin...

kit seems to one 1 tier higher than the brand names for the same price.

[PDP76]

Looks ok, double check the forks doesn't say if they are air or coil. Air shocks are a massive improvement over coil. Easier to set up too.

[cirian75]

PDP76 said:

Looks ok, double check the forks doesn't say if they are air or coil. Air shocks are a massive improvement over coil. Easier to set up too.

they are air, I checked.

[PDP76]

For a few quid more you could get your hands on a 2016 cube attention sl29 with some nice gear on it.
My lads having one when they are released (soon)

http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/mtb-hardtail/attent...

[cirian75]

ok, now things are getting a little more complicated

Pinnacle Ramin Three 2015

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin...

Pro, excellent cycle parts and that colour

Con, reviews says it bit dull to ride, incredibly efficient and fast, think Honda, 100% capable, zero drama = no soul.


Trek X-Caliber 8 2015

Pro's reviews say its a total hoot to ride, lively and responsive

Con's cycle parts are a bit meh


Cannondale Trail 3 29er 2015

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/tra...

Pro, bit old school in its set up, but apparently still works very well

Con's cycle parts are a bit meh


Cube Attention SL 29"

http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view...

Pro's better spec than the main names, closest to the Pinnacle, gets decent reviews

Con's, not as easy to find as the others

Edited by cirian75 on Tuesday 8th September 07:33

[Kermit power]

cirian75 said:

ok, now things are getting a little more complicated

Pinnacle Ramin Three 2015

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin...

Pro, excellent cycle parts and that colour

Con, reviews says its docile and not a very exciting to ride


Trek X-Caliber 8 2015

Pro's reviews say its a total hoot to ride, lively and responsive

Con's cycle parts are a bit meh


Cannondale Trail 3 29er 2015

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/tra...

Pro, bit old school in its set up, but apparently still works very well

Con's cycle parts are a bit meh


Cube Attention SL 29"

http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view...

Pro's better spec than the main names, closest to the Pinnacle, gets decent reviews

Con's, not as easy to find as the others

Ride a 650b and a 29er side by side on the sort of trails you're likely to ride and also on some flat tarmac to compare rollability (if possible with the same type of tyre on both, as the difference between your old Trek and the 29er you rode could be down to rubber as much as wheel size) before you buy a 29er!

[SixPotBelly]

Kermit power said:

...the difference between your old Trek and the 29er you rode could be down to rubber as much as wheel size...

This. Surely this.

[budgie smuggler]

PDP76 said:

Looks ok, double check the forks doesn't say if they are air or coil. Air shocks are a massive improvement over coil. Easier to set up too.

Why do you say that? I've been running air shocks & forks for years and am in the process of switching them all over to coils. Performance, maintenance and reliability so far all proving better. Weight seems to be the only drawback.

[AC43]

SixPotBelly said:

Kermit power said:

...the difference between your old Trek and the 29er you rode could be down to rubber as much as wheel size...

This. Surely this.

Good point. My 26er feels faster out of the traps than my 29er and I'm sure it's all down to the tyres.

[Justin S]

I had some Michelin tyres on my On One C456 and the ride was pretty lethargic. Sold them and put some Racing Ralphs on it and the difference is unreal. I didn't like the 456 and now I have swopped tyres, its just a great bike to ride. Fast and nimble and not 'actually' much slower than my Cannondale 29'er on segments I have recorded. The only real thing it gains on a 29 er is more comfort for longer rides. My Cannondale F29 through the twisties is just as much capability as my 26 er. And me riding my C456 last night with my mates 650b, there was nothing in it to say he is faster or slower. Lots of it is down to the rider and ability. Also, the Goldtec hubs on my C456 run so smooth, they are totally resistance free. So this does help with the free running of a pair of wheels too. Most cup and cone wheels come with no grease to speak of and are usually over tightened, so need setting up.

[PDP76]

budgie smuggler said:

PDP76 said:

Looks ok, double check the forks doesn't say if they are air or coil. Air shocks are a massive improvement over coil. Easier to set up too.

Why do you say that? I've been running air shocks & forks for years and am in the process of switching them all over to coils. Performance, maintenance and reliability so far all proving better. Weight seems to be the only drawback.

I find that air runs much smoother than coil, really easy to set up. I wouldn't go back to a coil sprung set up now. My lad has coils on his bike, it feels bloody awful to ride. When he rides mine and I set the forks up for him properly, he can tell the difference immediately.
His next bike HAS to have air shocks apparently.

[cirian75]

Justin S said:

I had some Michelin tyres on my On One C456 and the ride was pretty lethargic. Sold them and put some Racing Ralphs on it and the difference is unreal. I didn't like the 456 and now I have swopped tyres, its just a great bike to ride. Fast and nimble and not 'actually' much slower than my Cannondale 29'er on segments I have recorded. The only real thing it gains on a 29 er is more comfort for longer rides. My Cannondale F29 through the twisties is just as much capability as my 26 er. And me riding my C456 last night with my mates 650b, there was nothing in it to say he is faster or slower. Lots of it is down to the rider and ability. Also, the Goldtec hubs on my C456 run so smooth, they are totally resistance free. So this does help with the free running of a pair of wheels too. Most cup and cone wheels come with no grease to speak of and are usually over tightened, so need setting up.

True, my road bikes rear wheel was tight has almost zero grease.

[cirian75]

yes, air is the way forward, so the cube and pinnacle are looking favs

must do some 27.5 research though.