29'rs: Reality Or Myth?

[Coreman]

Lots of opinions out there regarding the big wheels.
Some say it's the bike companies trying to sell more stuff.
Others say "it's like cheating"..
And on and on it goes.
I will admit that i was a "holdout" til our very own Master Llama infected me with his passions for gear. After all, who wouldn't listen to a guy who's been riding so much...on all sorts of bikes?
I've got a few MTB's, so upon having the opportunity (M.Llama practically gave me a nice HT 29 frame), i embarked on a mission: To build a fully rigid 29'r. And to boot, just to make the ride a little more challenging, did it up SS style.
I don't think any one design does it all, so, with a few MTB's in my stable, i enjoyed the whole process of building my 29'r.
Like my other bikes, i ride it when i feel like a "big wheel ride", and, the SS aspect helps me to concentrate on all that is THE TRAIL. No worries about the equipment on a rigid SS 29'r.
It might not turn as quickly and tight like my 26" HT, but it's a blast to experience diffent things on the trail.
Heck, isn't it all about having fun anyway??
I don't race cause i'm slow, but i sure am having fun.
What's YOUR experience with the BIG WHEELS??
Tell us, tell us. 

[The Llama]

I love my 29er!!! got to say though, today I rode my 26er for the first time in a LONG time, just for the fun of it. And it was a blast!! , quicker off the line, snappy around the corners, but I did have to pedal a lot more in areas where the 9er I can usually just coast... I was so thinking of selling the little K2 but now....

you've all seen the Voodoo so I wont bother posting ANOTHER pic of it, well at least till I get the latest bling   


hey Coreman, do think you need to post a REALLY good picture of the Naked Pumpkin though!

[fuelex]

I am undecided on this so far. Will require lots more riding of both of my current bikes and buying a new 29'ner full suspension.

[Cycle Snack]

Right now I am rolling both wheel sets but each has their purpose:  Full Susser with a DW Link from a now defunct company gets me my XC riding where I don't have to think about the attack fun kind of ride and then there is new rigid, ss 29er race bike where every ride is both a physical and mental work out.  Both have their uses.

In between, I have another 29er, my first, which is serving as a monster crosser right now that I use for Gravel Grinders but contemplating a move back to a flattish bar for more mountain bike style riding.  Drops are OK but there is no freaking leverage and I hate having multiple hand positions but only two places to break from.  Of course if I could figure out how to do some inline levers with disc brakes, that could fix some issues.

Some things I like about 29ers, I can definitely feel the difference in the roll over differential but the bigger wheels are slow to spin up.  Also, as I have found most recently, a lot more endo prone, but that could be more of a function of riding rigid.

[The Llama]

Some things I like about 29ers, I can definitely feel the difference in the roll over differential but the bigger wheels are slow to spin up.  Also, as I have found most recently, a lot more endo prone, but that could be more of a function of riding rigid.

bet your fork is actually to short, I've read/heard a lot of that happening where someone gets a rigid fork that's shorter the the geometry of the bike is set up to handle basically lowering and tipping the nose forward.. making it easier to go over.   just a thought

[Cycle Snack]

bet your fork is actually to short, I've read/heard a lot of that happening where someone gets a rigid fork that's shorter the the geometry of the bike is set up to handle basically lowering and tipping the nose forward.. making it easier to go over.   just a thought

No, I have the manufacturer's fork.  No, I think it's more of an issue of lack of momentum and body position while riding rigid and ss.  If I were geared I would probably be sitting back more  riding like Leona Helmsly by letting the little people do all the work.  Maybe I am doing something wrong.

[Coreman]

hey Coreman, do think you need to post a REALLY good picture of the Naked Pumpkin though!

Sure! BTW: MasterLlama used to own a pumpkin-orange '08 Rockhopper 29'r. It was reduced to "frame only" and then the frame became mine. Like Dr. Frankenstein, i experimented with it's DNA and VOILA...the Naked Pumpkin

[hooples3]

i love my 29'er  it is my favorite bike to ride on singletrack, and as big as it is, it feels like a bmx bike under me. i dont particularly like 29er full suspensions, i cant explain why im just not crazy about how they feel, i feel quicker on a 26 full suspension

[The Llama]

hey Coreman, do think you need to post a REALLY good picture of the Naked Pumpkin though!

Sure! BTW: MasterLlama used to own a pumpkin-orange '08 Rockhopper 29'r. It was reduced to "frame only" and then the frame became mine. Like Dr. Frankenstein, i experimented with it's DNA and VOILA...the Naked Pumpkin

what it USED to look like before Corey took her clothes off