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29ers vs 26ers
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Looking to upgrade the bike at some stage but a mate and i are reviewing the benefits from riding the 29ers. The mags reckon the 29ers are the way to go with some other recent reviews pitcing the 29ers over the 26 inch. Refer www.mbaction.com , MArch 2011 edition, pages 43-48.
A test ride may be the way to go perhaps?
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can't remember where i read this but the quote stuck with me. I read in an article a comment about which is better, From memory the article said that for 75% of an average ride a 29er was the way to go and the other 25% the 26er was the go. It went on to say that during a ride, a rider will "shred" for 25% of the ride (ie, really difficult technical riding) while the rest of the ride is riding along.
completely agree
... 100% the way to go. Hopefully on your "home" circuit so that you can make a meaningful comparison to your usual steed.
I don't much like hardtails around my local (Manly Dam), but the steel singlespeeder 29er that I reviewed last year had me seriously contemplating one as a multigear bike for racing enduro events. Hans's recently completed SC Tallboy is a low flying missile.
That said, I've just recently updated to a 26er dually rather than a 29er. The Giant Anthem 29er was briefly on the list as the spec for the money is outstanding but I couldn't quite get past the garish blue and chrome colour scheme! (Yeh, yeh, I know that probably says something uncomplimentary about my priorities
)
Let us know how you go.
I rode the first two laps of the the Mont course on the 29er and did the final three on a 26er dually; for the Mont course the 26er was much better suited. The 29er was a 13KG AM bike and the 26er's a 10KGish XC rocket so its not really a totally fair comparison. (for the mont course) but I also have a 26er AM bike.
Although if I compare a lap of Duckhole Center, perimeter long, the 29er (AM bike) seems better than my 26er AM (same weight) bike or the 26er XC bike
One thing I don't like about the 29er is the wheel flex I get with my XC wheel set, I recently got a set of 29er AM wheels (much stiffer) but soooo much heaver than the comparable stiff 26er XC wheel set..
Now if I was to pick a bike to smash out 3 laps of Ourimbah it would be my 26er XC bike for sure, then the 26 AM over the 29er AM.
Manly Dam suits any of them ( I really don't notice the difference all that much there)
If I had to sum it up, for the same style of bike, the 26er is the pick for tight single track, the 29er is more suited to rolling undulated tracks (I did the Mountains to Beach on this bike..)
And I have absolutely no idea what bike I'll be taking to Dirtworks next week...
Thanks folks,
Reckon one of each may be the way to go. Might have to get the better half convinced to sign the capital expenses form!!
Will check out some of the bike stores and do a little more research on how the 29ers compare for value. I'll provide some feedback on my results.
Appreciate the commentary