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Dual v Hard tail 29er
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Thinking of moving to 29er and wanted peoples thoughts on dual v hard tail.
The most technical riding that I do is Manly Dam & Appin and want to understand if a hard tail would be too "firm" for the technical trials?
Other trails and events that I ride are cascades, st ives, terry hills, dirtworks, fling, doctor
Cheers
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29`er = lycra wearing race type dudes
26`er = cool, fun and best of all no lycra!
only comment i have is that i have a dually 29er and its great fun round manly and wingello and others, i also have a 26er hard tail which is slightly faster but i don't have as much fun on it (i know its not HT 29er)
cheers
get an epic and it's almost the best of both worlds with the brain shock. fast enough to win the 2011 XC world cup and gold in london...
Manly Dam and Appin are both pretty tough on the bike and body... I'd be going for the dually option without question if those are your main riding spots. I have a 26" Epic and it's great. The brain is awesome and intelligent making the bike behave like a HT on the climbs and fast on the downhill sections. Only negative is that my rear shock "let go" around Manly Dam but it's probably because I ride my bike like it's a Stumpy... Still dreaming of owning a Stumpy!
i got both a 29er alloy expert stumpy with brain ( old one 08 model ) and a 2011 26er stumpy carbon expert with brain , and love them both .. i still feel more comfortable on the 26er while cornering (maybe cause its newer ? or carbon frame ??) , but def can feel the advantage of the 29er wheels over rocky sections and etc.
i doubt you would be dissapointed with a new stumpy or epic 29er.
i think specialized are steering away from all 26" xc bikes.
but the joys of the specialized brain system does work very very well.
prob best to try get a test ride from your local shop see which u prefer
ps cargo's and t-shirts for both 26er n 29er for me .. lycra for road isnt it ?
29`er = lycra wearing race type dudes
26`er = cool, fun and best of all no lycra!
This is so true
29er dually and lycra for me. =D
I went from a 26 dually to a 29 HT earlier this year and have just sold that one for a 29 dually. I love the way the 29er rides, but I can't live without my dual suspension for rough trails. You youngun's might be able to handle the pounding, but my veteran body prefers a softer touch these days. Comfort all the way.
I ride/race all the places you mention and live on the edge of LNCP. Hardly ever ride my 26 5.5" dually these days. When you talk 29er HT don't go with one of those flexy ass brands. Get somehing that is built for those conditions. Get something the has short chain stays, solid rear triangle, slacker head tube, 120mm fork. My 29er HT is at least half a wheel shorter in overall lenght than my 26" dually. BB is the same height, being slacker and lower it gives a feeling of sitting in, not on. Not like some XC 29ers. Which then don't inspire confidence when tackling places like the dam and Appin. As for age I'm over 40 will take the HT over the dually. Still take exactly the same lines as if I was on the dually, bad habits hard to change. Don't no much about 29 duallies, to me they look like a sports car towing a caravan, except for the new Devinci Altas which some how has shorter chains stays than my 16.5" HT.
Has exactly the same wheelbase as the ultra racey 26inch version.
I need some boing in my ride. Can ride a HT for about 90mins then start getting the shits with it.
Just for arguments sake, I'm a Lycra man. What's the point in adding layers of unnecessary clothing on top of your functional riding gear?
You don't see people in wetsuits wearing shorts over the top!
I ride a 29er SS rigid and another 29er 1x9 rigid, and haven't ridden my 26er 3x9 5.75" travel dually in 20 months... but I'm finding that after 30+ km in the saddle the rigid bikes are less friendly to my spine so I'm looking to get a 4" 29er 1x10 dually for enduro rides.
Test ride, test ride, test ride. Then take some bikes out for a test ride. Compare all the bikes in a purely objective manner, then decide which one has the blingingest wheelset and buy it in the colour of your choice... well, that's what I do.
Have fun shopping and try to never regret the choice you made!
I've got a 29er HT but will be getting a 29er dually. I'd like to keep the HT but don't have the space or the funds.
Thanks for all the comments.
Sounds like I need to test ride a few and based on technical or longer rides, a dually is the go.
I didn't know that the actual bike length was a factor or option, so will also think about that.
Cheers
Nothing wrong with lycra its just a typical mentality that 29/XC riders have vs the more gravity orientated. Pretty much the same as Board shorts vs budgey smuggler wearers.
I totally understand dudes when racing to wear lycra or sluggos in order to streamline there competition performance but I just get a little confused as to why it is needed when out for a casual ride/swim with mates......ewww.....its just a bit creepy and sus.
Whats wrong with wearing lycra? Its purpose designed for comfort on the bike. I also ride a road bike and do triathlons, adventure races and ultra-marathons. I wear lycra for all of these because it is comfortable and functional. Why should I buy baggies just to ride my MTB?
I understand why the casual rider steers away from lycra, but as i go out and actually train for fittness and ride on the road, it's function i'm looking for.
I just love winding people up about the stuff!
I love sitting back and seeing how many bites you get when you throw a bait out there. Who gives a flying ..... what you ride in. Whatever you feel comfortable in works.
horner - happy to let you test ride my 11 Stumpy dual 29er provided you are at least 6'5" otherwise its to big for an accurate test.
29er = yes, dually = yes, lycra = yes (the public may not agree...but I love it)
I haven't ridden those trails but have got several MTBs from Ti 26er to 29er inc duallies.
My next bike will either be the Santa Cruz or Niner 120mm 29" duallie.
As a bike for everything these cover all that I do from aggressive trail to xc racing.
Lycra; Only on race days!
Baggies over Lycra+hairy legs & beer gut=man who has everything in balance & oh go a dually as HT's over a long distance(as per "Gazza")do make you feel every little bump n notch on a track.
Having ridden with Robbie on a couple of occasions,i can say he has his life in balance
