What's with all this 29" malarky?

[CreeP]

exhibit a: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=1980&goto=nextnewest

?

why are they so bloody enthusiastic? are all americans 9 foot 8? how are you supposed to maneuver a steamship through a rockgarden? I'd much rather a lightweight 'jetski'.

exhibit b: a friend made a post over at weight weenies about 24 vs 26 inch and the lone responder told 'm to get 29"ers

I can't understand; a properly designed 24 should roll super fast, the wheel will be stronger, and the overall setup will be lighter.

why why why why with all this 29 stuff? Esspecially when it's so hard to find a selection of 24" stuff, they go and introduce another size which people are for godknowswhat reason are all over like flies on the proverbial cowpatty.

if i sound a little irate it's because i am. That thread there i linked to at the top pushed me over the edge.

[mtnbikej]

There are a few reasons......

1. Once they are moving, 29" wheels roll faster. I can out-coast my buddies on my 29er while they are on there 26".

2. With a larger diameter wheel, small bumps disappear. Your wheel doe not go as deep into holes, ditches, stutter bumps, washboards.

Take a look over at the Gary Fisher website. They do a great job at expaining the advantages of 29ers.

http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/series.asp?series=29er

[rockracing]

they're great untill you get a puncture and go down to your LBS and ask for a 29" MTB tube...........;)

[recidivist]

Yeah. It's a trend. So what?

Three or four years ago it was cyclocross. Then racing full-sus and singlespeed, then hardcore hardtails, then trail bikes. Now its 29ers and carbon fiber (for the shavers). Next year it'll be unicycles or road bikes or something insane like that.

Remember that 29" isn't totally random. I think it's an outshoot of the resurgence of cyclocross a few years back. Folks got comfortable (again) with the idea of riding 700c off-road, and things sortof mutated back into the MTB form. First you add a little more tire clearance, then you drop the top tube, put on the riser bars. Hey, why not find a 700c x 50 tire? Ya know, this would be more fun with a suspension fork....

I won't even touch the technical aspects. Why worry? You can follow the trend, or not.

[blue]

I have one thing to say...DEATH TO 29ERS.


That is all.

[ioscope]

98%rider
2%bike

(5% margin of error, in which wheel size is considered)

[Mike B.]

they're great untill you get a puncture and go down to your LBS and ask for a 29" MTB tube...........;)

got to go tubeless :devil:

[blue]

29 inch bikes are only good on Euro XC races that might as well be called road racing...They're not technically manueverable at all, slow to accelerate, and its hard to find decent tires for them. They're also not too great with discs...flex like hell. Down with roadie wannabe XC bikes!

[Ridemonkey]

Just another standard and another fad that nobody needs.

[fonseca]

29 inch bikes are only good on Euro XC races that might as well be called road racing...They're not technically manueverable at all, slow to accelerate, and its hard to find decent tires for them. They're also not too great with discs...flex like hell. Down with roadie wannabe XC bikes!

Only Euro? Have you ever been to a norba xc race? :monkey: I don't know why they even bother with suspension.

I don't own one, but I have put time on a karate monkey. It's very technically manueverable. In fact it was a lot of fun to ride and carved through singletrack. And with discs it definitely did not "flex like hell", I didn't notice any additional flex over comparably-built 26" wheels.

The lack of tire, fork and rim choices is why I haven't bought one.

You should try riding one.

[riderx]

exhibit a: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=1980&goto=nextnewest
if i sound a little irate it's because i am. That thread there i linked to at the top pushed me over the edge.If that pushes you over the edge you need to hit the pipe, have a beer and ride your bike more. :evil:

[DVNT]

I think it would only be truly beneficial in endurance racing.
I think I read that the top 5 out of 7 finishers in the great divide race were on hardtail 29er's.

(embarrasing bit of mtbr trivia *sulks back into chair*)

[indieboy]

29 inch bikes are only good on Euro XC races that might as well be called road racing...They're not technically manueverable at all, slow to accelerate, and its hard to find decent tires for them. They're also not too great with discs...flex like hell. Down with roadie wannabe XC bikes!


you are so misinformed about almost everything it's sad

[SkaredShtles]

29"-ers have been around for friggin' *YEARS.* They're a niche market and probably always will be. Every now and again someone gets a wild hair and they start babbling about 'em for awhile.

Then they go back in the closet and the 29"-er riders go about in blissful anonymity.

-S.S.-

[slowSSer]

Just another standard and another fad that nobody needs.


dont knock it untill youve tried it...or some old tired chiche.

the best parts have been mentioned, the bumps, coasting, etc. but the lower rolling resistance is killer. a fad? dont care- obviously. hell, to top it off, mine is a single speed with lots of odd parts like 180mm cranks, a 33:21 ratio, and lets not forget the 21 tooth boone jhewelry of a rear cog.

[DVNT]

any pics?

posted elsewhere perhaps?

[NastySid]

You can use a standard 28 innertube if you dont have monster wide tires on your 29"
Shop i work at stock 29" tubes =)

Tirechoice and forks are limited 's true.. But when/if more people buy them more stuff will come..

And you can use standard 700c tires on your 29" for instance cyclocross or hubrid tires so you're never really stuck.. Unless you want some real ultra traction mtb version of super swampers :D

[blue]

You should try riding one.

I have...It was one of those GF hardtail rigs...demo'd it for a loop at SH...sucked balls.

[slowSSer]

any pics?

posted elsewhere perhaps?

her ya go! things have changed since the pic was taken:
no bash ring
avids got switched to hopes
candys instead of times.

[ito]

I've got one, it is currently my favorite bike.

Surly Karate Monkey, rigid and singlespeed and steel. Despite the no suspension I've had no problem riding fast down some faily tech trails(if you've been in Santa Barbara you know that trails like Jesusita are fairly tight, that and Santa Cruz singletrack is where it gets used and abused). I can throw on a pair of road tires for the weekend and even completed my first ever century on it. It has a track gear on one side of the flip flop hub and I ride around the city brakeless and have even done some fixed gear off roading with it. While it certainly isn't the best tool for everything it works quite well. It's the most capable bike I've ever ridden and probably the most fun I've ever had on two wheels, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It also jumps decently well and while I can't table for crap I've busted some pretty big whips with it on smaller doubles. Also getting tubes isn't a problem as I can buy a 40mmx700c road tube and it works just fine for the big tires and the smaller road tires I have(2.1x29 and 23x700), pretty good range. I do wish there was more tire selection, apperently there are some 2.5's coming out next year, I'll probably pick them up. It isn't a bike for everyone, but if you want one bike that will last you the rest of your life then this would probably be it.

As for sizing, I'm 5'7" and a 16 inch is great for me. The wheels aren't that flexy(I also built the wheels myself, first time ever doing that) and handle plenty of abuse. I have had to true them, but I put that up more to a sloppy build and trying to bunnyhop rail road tracks with a fixed gear and road tires.

Oh, some pics.....*EDIT*...no pics, can't find them :(



The Ito

[recidivist]

I've got one, it is currently my favorite bike.

Surly Karate Monkey, rigid and singlespeed and steel.


Just for reference, what sort of gear ratios you running on that thing?

[DVNT]

her ya go! things have changed since the pic was taken:
no bash ring
avids got switched to hopes
candys instead of times.


Nice ride. Who makes that? Is it a Sofa King?
(somebody stole my name! SOuthern Freeride Association)

I was looking at the GF site. Man those Sugars are Fugly!
I've been considering the 29'ers as I am doing more endurance racing and may get a new ride next year.

[slowSSer]

Nice ride. Who makes that? Is it a Sofa King?
(somebody stole my name! SOuthern Freeride Association)

I was looking at the GF site. Man those Sugars are Fugly!
I've been considering the 29'ers as I am doing more endurance racing and may get a new ride next year.

yes on sofa king. pat makes a great frame. thanks for the compliment!

[wooglin]

Just for reference, what sort of gear ratios you running on that thing?
I run 32x20 on my ss 29er. Thats nearly identical to a 32x18 on 26" wheels. In general, add 2 more cog teeth to a 29er for the same gear inches.

[Fulton]

a guy i ride with has a custom, strong cycles 29er, with a steel rigid fork. It rides as smooth as a 3" travel 26" full suspension bike, no joke. I'm all for 29er's, and my next xc frame will be one. It's growing, there have been lots of new product this last year or so, especially at interbike. Marzocchi, white brothers, and rock shox all make 29er suspension forks, there are now alot more tires available.

[HowlerMonkey]

Jeez, boone cogs too, this is starting to sound like the guys the mtbreview forums. BTW is a great place to watch people get ganged up on by guys who spend more time talking about their newest fad then riding it.
"Could you pass me my polished titanium seatpost? 'Tis over there by the Grey Poupon".
Ridemonkey rocks.
Peace

[genpowell71]

29 inch wheels? Take a look at my signature and adhere to it's advice. Besides, it's MTBR. Aside from trails, reviews and classifieds what else do they offer? The postings in there are sounding likes bunch of *itches anyway. THats why I switched to this place.

[ito]

Just for reference, what sort of gear ratios you running on that thing?

32/16 for the freewheel and 32/13 with a fixed gear. It works well enough, but it's a little low for road riding and on some trails I could use some more power on the flats.

The Ito

[riderx]

29 inch bikes are only good on Euro XC races that might as well be called road racing...They're not technically manueverable at all, slow to accelerate, and its hard to find decent tires for them. They're also not too great with discs...flex like hell. Down with roadie wannabe XC bikes!Yeah, those 29ers just suck (http://www.fisherbikes.com/happenings/news.asp?id=117).

[blue]

Yeah, those 29ers just suck (http://www.fisherbikes.com/happenings/news.asp?id=117).


...so? Just because someone won a race on it doesn't make it a good bike. The bike is a very small percentage of winning, and if I don't like riding it, why ride it?

Lance Armstrong won 5 TDF's on a CF Trek, but do you ride a CF Trek?

I've also decided I'm willing to admit that a rigid SS is where a 29er makes sense...Karate Monkey! Yay!

Suspension+gears+29er=DEATH. SHOO! BACK TO FISHER WITH YOU!

[riderx]

...so? Just because someone won a race on it doesn't make it a good bike. The bike is a very small percentage of winning, and if I don't like riding it, why ride it?

Lance Armstrong won 5 TDF's on a CF Trek, but do you ride a CF Trek?

I've also decided I'm willing to admit that a rigid SS is where a 29er makes sense...Karate Monkey! Yay!

Suspension+gears+29er=DEATH. SHOO! BACK TO FISHER WITH YOU!Thanks for annilating your own arguement from earlier on where you paint all 29ers with the same brush. Personally I don't dig on the Fisher geometry whether it's got 26 inch wheels or 29.

Point is, that dude smoked a course that is nothing like "Euro XC races that might as well be called road racing" that you claim are the only thing 29ers are good for. Glad to see you admit you were wrong.

Game. Set. Match. :nuts:

[blue]

No...That is the one exception to the rule in my book. Bigger wheels+SS+Rigid=more impact absorption and better rolling. On a geared suspension bike, you really don't need it at all. If bigger wheels are so good, why aren't we on 32 inch wheels? That SS will still manuever like hell, but the benefits of 29ing it outweigh the reduced manueverability. In any other application, however, it fails.

[ito]

I'll add my own comment about the Fishers:

I rode one of the 29 inch Sugars at the shop I worked at and hated it. This didn't surprise me as I'm not a big fisher fan, but with suspension the idea of a 29er makes no since. If you look on the Surly site they admit that most 29ers ride like tanks and the Fisher is certainly one of those bikes. My monkey isn't all that nimble, but it makes some pretty tight turns on the local switch backs and is surprisingly flickable at speed. Rigid and SS all the way, only way to ride trails!

The Ito

[blue]

Exxactly...Though I tend to like gears and suspension, if I feel sadistic some days I wish I had a decent SS to take out...

[riderx]

No...That is the one exception to the rule in my book. Bigger wheels+SS+Rigid=more impact absorption and better rolling. On a geared suspension bike, you really don't need it at all. If bigger wheels are so good, why aren't we on 32 inch wheels? That SS will still manuever like hell, but the benefits of 29ing it outweigh the reduced manueverability. In any other application, however, it fails.Do a little research and you'll find out why 26" wheels are the MTB standard. Hint: it has to do with the history of MTB and the balloon tired bikes that started it all. Does that mean 29" is the shi+? Of course not. But if smaller wheels are better why aren't you riding 24"??? Horses for courses, different strokes for different folks.

Manuever like hell? Another blanket statement? I tell you what, I have a Kelly Ro Sham Bo that handles pretty snappy and far better than the early generation 26" MTB's. There's more to the equation than wheel size. Try frame design and geometry for starters.

I'm no 29er zealot, I still ride 26". One bike doesn't fill all of my needs.

[blue]

26" strikes the balance. Decent rolling along with decent manueverability, it's good for everything in most applications. 29 is a very small niche in MTB, that being SS, and outside of MTB....ROAD. Maybe I'm just partial to keeping roadies and mtbs seperate (Bike KKK anyone?), but one of the biggest differences between mtbs and road bikes has been tire sizes...have to keep with the tough guy appearances... :D

Enough beating the horse...

I'm also rather confused...why do they call it a 29 when its just a 27 and then add in tire size? Why not stop confusing people and just call it either a 700c or a 27 inch.

[ito]

I'm also rather confused...why do they call it a 29 when its just a 27 and then add in tire size? Why not stop confusing people and just call it either a 700c or a 27 inch.

Cause Mr. Fisher decided he needed some marketing campaign. Though I believe if you measure a "26" wheel you need the tire to make it 26", so it's the same idea. It makes since, but it got me all confused when I was trying to order rims for my bike, couldn't figure out if I could use cross rims or not.

The Ito

[riderx]

if you measure a "26" wheel you need the tire to make it 26", so it's the same idea. Yep, that's right. I don't think GF came up with the 29er name though. 29er makes it clear you aren't talking about cross/road tires. Just an FYI, 700c does not = 27" either.

[Mike Stone]

I also have a Kelly Ro Sham Bo, mine has the Gary Fisher-spec Marzocchi forks, Mavic Cosmo wheels, Dura-Ace rear and XTR front derailleurs set up with STI.

I have ridden the bike for 24 days straight on a loop through Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, and another loop of 17 days through Honduras. About 60% jeep trails and dirt road and 40% pavement. Many dirt passes 6000 - 9000' over the mountains. The bike works excellent for this application, with the advantages of reduced drag, excellent handling on winding paved descents, and an efficient riding position.

However, I would not feel comfortable riding it on technical New England trails due to reduced maneuverability, higher center of gravity, and reduced traction on slippery surfaces.

more info on my trips at http://www.outlawbicycles.com/mike/miketrip.htm

[BikeFan84]

I think that the majority of people who are nocking on 29ers,
A: Have never ridden them
B: Don't have rocks where they live
C: Are 14 yr old Punk A$$ bitc hes
or D: Don't ride at all

Do not nock untill you try it, its not for eveyone, but people 5'10" and over it is more than awesome

Coming from a guy that races DH, C-X, rides vert, dirt, street, I do it all on all different bike, true 29ers are specific for XC but they work really well for that :evil:

[Jeff 151]

Everyone put your ears to the ground. Hear that? It's the sound of the big wheels comin'. The UCI legalizing 29" wheels for competition has assured their impending dominance of the cross-country scene. While not ideal for freestyle/freeride, 29" wheels make you faster in ALL but the most uber-technical cross-country conditions. Bottom line: FASTER. I know, I ride a Monkey. Gotta hand it to Gary, he appreciates their clear advantage. But he and other bike companies must walk a fine line. They must extol the virtues of 29, without being so enthusiastic as to cut against their 26" business, (their current bread and butter). In the next two years you will see a massive increase of 29" frames, forks, rims and tires. Soft-tail designs will be popular, as less travel is needed vs. 26" wheels. I'm in the industry and I know this is taking place. You'll be seeing a lot more 29" very soon, because they'll be the bikes in front of you on the trail.

[DVNT]

Beta was better than VHS and look what happened to it.

26'ers have the market share and as you can see in this thread alone, there are a lot of people out there that aren't ready to make the switch.
It'll definately be interesting.

[riderx]

I don't ever seeing 29ers taking over, but I think they will find a nice comfortable spot in the bike line-up. Then again, nobody thought the MTB would take off like it did way back in the early days, so you never know what might happen.

[Soupboy]

...especially for taller riders. No, the wheels can't be built as stout as 26" or 24" wheels, but we're not talking about hucking them.

They're not for everyone, but neither is a 50# DH/FR bike. That's a niche too.

The slower handling/acceleration is on the margin . I used mine (KM, rigid, SS) for XC and save my Turner RFX as my fun bike. I am faster on any given XC trail that requires climbing - technical or not - on my KM. The wheel carry speed better, roll bumps better and get solid traction and braking even though they're only 2.1".

Higher CofG? Funny, last time I check my BB was lower than or equal to that of most 26" HTs and nearly 3" lower than my RFX. A 29er doesn't mean you ride 1.5" higher - just that the axles are that much higher.

Also, for a big rider (I'm 6'3") you actually feel like your sitting between the wheels vs. up on top of them. I get back on my RFX and I feel like I've stolen my little brother's bike.

My KM handles better than any other HT or FS bike I've owned including a Jamis Dragon, Speshy FSR XC, Ellsworth Isis, On One Inbred and my Turner RFX.

Motherhuckers take note - Astrix is leading the charge with a 4.5" travel FS 29er. As soon as someone builds a 30mm+ rim and decent meats I wouldn't be surprised to see guys try to race them on "pedally" DH courses like the Sea Otter. The ability to carry speed, roll bumps smoother and higher gyroscopic resistance to deflection will make a difference...to some.

If you don't want one, don't buy one. Just don't knock it until you've tried and it's failed you.

Sean

[Sir_Crackien]

the problem that i find in 29" wheeled bikes is the really high stand over height. i'm 6'5" and rode a karate monkey once and almost racked myself on it (the frame was the proper size for me). i never run into this problem on anyother bike i have ridden in the past

[Soupboy]

...I'm surprised you'd rack yourself on a 22" inch XL KM frame. My friend rides one and loves it. Do you have disproportianately short legs? Not a slight, just a question.

If not a KM, there are tons of reasonably priced custom or other builders (GF) that are making 29er frames.

Sean

the problem that i find in 29" wheeled bikes is the really high stand over height. i'm 6'5" and rode a karate monkey once and almost racked myself on it (the frame was the proper size for me). i never run into this problem on anyother bike i have ridden in the past

[martini]

Whew! So many blanket statements, and not a freakin' thing to back them up w/ save for token heresay. I'll just let most of it slide, since most of it was so "teen angst" ridden that its not worth fighting.

Sir Craken: the XL monkey is freaky in that the geo for it is kinda old school. Flat TT and all. Sean, I think Ivan just has freaky long legs. I'm 6'5" too, and feel uncomfortable on an XL Monkey.

I've been riding my Hunter 29" SS for three years(I ride 29" because it porportional to MY body, not some 5'10" midget :D ). It also has the capability to run gears. Set up is w/a WB CX-1 or rigid if my mood can swing it. The terrain I ride, while not the most technical I've seen(think WV rocks here) certainly ain't easy smooth Euro course tye stuff. I've come to the conclusion that 29 is all I need. With the bigger tires coming out, I'll have more cush, and more traction so I can ride more challenging terrain. And the next one will have gears.

If you don't like 29" DON'T BUY ONE. Don't ride one. And don't b!tch about it. And since when was CHOICE a bad thing?

[MMcG]

Whew! So many blanket statements, and not a freakin' thing to back them up w/ save for token heresay. I'll just let most of it slide, since most of it was so "teen angst" ridden that its not worth fighting.

Sir Craken: the XL monkey is freaky in that the geo for it is kinda old school. Flat TT and all. Sean, I think Ivan just has freaky long legs. I'm 6'5" too, and feel uncomfortable on an XL Monkey.

I've been riding my Hunter 29" SS for three years(I ride 29" because it porportional to MY body, not some 5'10" midget :D ). It also has the capability to run gears. Set up is w/a WB CX-1 or rigid if my mood can swing it. The terrain I ride, while not the most technical I've seen(think WV rocks here) certainly ain't easy smooth Euro course tye stuff. I've come to the conclusion that 29 is all I need. With the bigger tires coming out, I'll have more cush, and more traction so I can ride more challenging terrain. And the next one will have gears.

If you don't like 29" DON'T BUY ONE. Don't ride one. And don't b!tch about it. And since when was CHOICE a bad thing?

Hey I'm only 5'9" so what does that make me????
;)

I can see the benefits of a 29er for a tall person such as yourself, but what if you were my height? Would you choose a 26" wheeled MTB to ride or would you still rock a 29er?

What would be the best route to try one of these suckers? Hit a Gary Fisher Dealer and see if I could demo one?

[ssk]

Astrix is leading the charge with a 4.5" travel FS 29er
where can I find more info in this?

[Angus]

I realize this site is called Ridemonkey, but I didn't realize that simeons could actually type, it's O.K. to not like something or be against change if your comfortable with something, but to just start bashing on 29ers with blanket statements that really are unfounded is just stoopid :nono:
I spent 3800 miles on my Karate Monkey this year and have enjoyed every minute of it, so much I have sold all my 26" bikes and tires, but it's like religeon I don't go preaching and pushing it on the great unwashed. If someone is curious I let them take it for a quick spin, some folks dig it others don't, it comes down to personal taste. some of the close-minded blanket statements I read in this thread make about as much sense as saying " I love Chocolate Ice Cream, I only eat Chocolate and those that eat Vanilla Ice cream Suck" :blah:
there are lots of choices out there make yours and respect mine.

I have included pics of me racing my Slow non-nimble 29er :dancing:

[N8]

I realize this site is called Ridemonkey, but I didn't realize that simeons could actually type, it's O.K. to not like something or be against change if your comfortable with something, but to just start bashing on 29ers with blanket statements that really are unfounded is just stoopid :nono:
I spent 3800 miles on my Karate Monkey this year and have enjoyed every minute of it, so much I have sold all my 26" bikes and tires, but it's like religeon I don't go preaching and pushing it on the great unwashed. If someone is curious I let them take it for a quick spin, some folks dig it others don't, it comes down to personal taste. some of the close-minded blanket statements I read in this thread make about as much sense as saying " I love Chocolate Ice Cream, I only eat Chocolate and those that eat Vanilla Ice cream Suck" :blah:
there are lots of choices out there make yours and respect mine.

I have included pics of me racing my Slow non-nimble 29er :dancing:

You'll LOVE Arkansas! My bud races his WaltWorks 29" SS up there and the competion is tough!

[Angus]

You'll LOVE Arkansas! My bud races his WaltWorks 29" SS up there and the competion is tough!

i can't wait till I get out in the ouchita's w/ my KM!

[wardo]

If it has two wheels and is human powered, I would welcome it to the cycling world. 24,29, 26, it doesn't matter, they are my brothers and sisters. In my area, our bigger concerns are the damage to trails and accessibility that quads (four wheeled motorized trench diggers) bring, and the arrogant horse people, who think they alone have the god given rights to forest trails.

Wardo

[Mike Stone]

Wardo, it almost sounds as if you are the arrogant one. I do a lot of trail maintenance (under state contract) and trail advocacy in New England. The number one thing that we have learned is that all trail users - be they MTBers, quad riders, dirt bikers, equestrians, snowmobilers, xc skiers, etc - have to work together to protect trail access for all. The trails that the quads get kicked off of today, are the trails the MTBers will get kicked off of tomorrow. As trail users, we all have to be respectful of other people's modes of recreation and work to protect access for each others favorite recreation.

[ito]

Hey I'm only 5'9" so what does that make me????
;)

I can see the benefits of a 29er for a tall person such as yourself, but what if you were my height? Would you choose a 26" wheeled MTB to ride or would you still rock a 29er?

What would be the best route to try one of these suckers? Hit a Gary Fisher Dealer and see if I could demo one?

I'm 5'7 and ride a 29er, love the thing. As a rigid bike it rides great on the trails and as I'm not too heavy the wheels are plenty stiff. It rolls over everything and while a bit tall in some sections of the trail I can ride pretty much all the trails in Santa barbara on it(and we have some nutty dh trails). It moves well and is quite stable. It also makes a sweet road bike with slicks on it.

I would suggest against a Gary Fisher, I rode one and hated it. It just felt bizaare. Try one if you want, but I would look into borrowing a better model from a guy in your area....which may be difficult. Or bite the bullet and go buy one.

The Ito

[martini]

where can I find more info in this?

Astrix: Go here; http://forums.mtbr.com/search.php?searchid=481507

I'd upload a pic, but they're too big for the monkey system, and I'm feeling too lazy to resize them. There's pics in the threads above though. It does look interesting, and the price will be great.

[martini]

Hey I'm only 5'9" so what does that make me????
;)

I can see the benefits of a 29er for a tall person such as yourself, but what if you were my height? Would you choose a 26" wheeled MTB to ride or would you still rock a 29er?

What would be the best route to try one of these suckers? Hit a Gary Fisher Dealer and see if I could demo one?

A gnome? :D

If I were shorter, I'd be more willing to stay w/26", but I'd still be really interested in 29". I'm a SSer at heart, so anything that rolls well, and can keep momentum has my interest.

as far as finding a bike to ride, go to the Demo thread here: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=44099&highlight=demo+thread Hopefully there's one near you.

[ssk]

Thanks Martini, the Astrix looks pretty sweet.

I checked out an Asylum over Thanksgiving at Speedgoat (didn't test ride). It looks like an awesome bike for endurance events.