29er or not? [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

Bethany1

09-14-2011, 08:45 PM

I have a WDS Trek Mamba 29er and love it. However; it depends on what you plan to do with your bike.

29ers roll over anything but aren't exactly agile. They descend beautifully down hills and go up hills fairly easily. However; since I haven't ridden one on a true trail, I don't know how well they roll over things like rocks and logs. They sit higher giving you a better view and I can outrace DH on his bike. Landing is a bit harsh with a bigger bike.

26ers are easy to get and easy to find. You don't have to look for tires as they are standard sizes. They are more agile in turning corners and around tight spaces. DH's bike could easily overtake me on corners and in tight turns.

After being on a 29er riding a 26er makes me feel like I'm pedaling nowhere fast.

Because most of what I do is on gravel roads and not true trails, the 29er is perfect. I can hit 35-40 down hills depending on the grade and not have to pedal so much to get speed.

If your friend will let you try the bike out where you ride, do so and see if it works for you. If not, don't worry about it and get a 26er.

beccaB

09-15-2011, 06:26 AM

That sounds like good advice, thanks. I may end up keeping the 26 instead of selling it. I wouldn't get much for it because it wasn't a terribly expensive bike to start with. It is the mamba that I was looking at, and I like the gearing and the hydraulic disc brakes. When the store gets the size I need I will probably buy it. I just don't know where to store all these bikes. We just put up an expensive fence and we can't afford to rebuild the barn so I keep some bikes inside the house. It can be a pain since we have a small house too! I'm not particularly fond of technical trails, but as I've found with all things biking and how it opens doors I never knew were there, that could change.

Artista

09-15-2011, 06:55 AM

I'm not particularly fond of technical trails, but as I've found with all things biking and how it opens doors I never knew were there, that could change.
Not to change the subject, but I too thought that I didn't enjoy technical trails until I got a hard tail bike that fit me better than my old rigid bike. I got the hard tail to do cross country type of riding. Then hubby & I accidentally ended up on a technical trail with the new bike. I was hooked! The hard tail was still a little big for me on the technical stuff so I ended up getting a full suspension that fits perfectly. Now I live to ride technical trails!

Aggie_Ama

09-15-2011, 07:30 AM

I drank the 29er Koolaid and will not go back. No way, don't take my 29er away! My 29er is nimble, it is fast, it makes the rock gardens feel smaller, it bails me out of trouble on sketchy descents, it makes quick work of downward ledges, climbs like a little goat and many things that would have required a wheel lift on a 26er don't so I am bailing less. My 29er converted me to enjoying technical trails because I was hiking a bike much less.

Here are some things I think make my 29er way better than my Gary Fisher Hifi 26er which I loved very dearly. It is a race geometry but being a full-suspension still does not feel crazy aggressive plus to fit we have to flip the stem to a more upright position. I built custom wheels that are super stiff and brought the weight down to 26-27 lb on a FS 29er. It fits better, even though my Gary Fisher fit very well. I test rode a 29 hardtail and it was super fun, I want to get one in addition to mine.

Overall in Central Texas we have the type of trails perfectly suited for 29ers. Lots of technical in the way of rocks, most aren't overly twisty. The place I find I do see a bit of a disadvantage is in the tight, twisty trails. My husband that is a far better bike handler does not see this issue as much. He also went hardtail after riding a FS 26er for 4 years, he learned on hardtail though and said only rarely does he miss the FS. Neither of us can go back and forth between 29er and 26er, many of my friends feel the same. 29ers are very common here so tires and tubes (we're tubeless but you still need a spare) aren't a problem but most tire manufacturers don't make everything in 29er because it is still the minority of bikes.

jessmarimba

09-15-2011, 08:09 AM

Love my 29er too! But it also seems like the bike fits me better than any other bike I'd tried.

I haven't done the analysis of pros and cons that some of the women here have, but the first time I demo'ed one I was hooked. I have a hardtail and the bike weighs maybe 23-24 pounds? It's light, agile, stable on descents and I can climb up and over anything.

Bethany1

09-15-2011, 01:26 PM

Sigh. You have a full suspension 29er. I would love one but can't afford it. DH's 26er is full suspension and he loves it.

Only other mountain bike that I would die for is a Surly Pugsley or the new Black Ops. It's probably already sold out though. Those are 26ers with killer wide tires. They roll over stuff like a dream.

You'll like the hydraulic disc brakes. Mine didn't come with them but DH and DS bikes do.

As for space, I understand. I have a one car garage and a small basement. Some of the bikes are out on the back porch (I know it's cruel) some in the garage and some in the basement.

I knew I shouldn't have checked out Surly's website..LOL.

Aggie_Ama

09-15-2011, 04:54 PM

It's funny, I would consider my bike my obtainable dream bike but I still lust for more bikes. :rolleyes: We have a decent size house (1,700 sq ft) with a two car garage but we're still overflowing with bikes. The two 29er mountain bikes live in the hallway to a room we seldom use, two road bikes in the seldom used guest room, DH's 26er FS is in the garage and DH's Cyclocross bike is also in there. I guess the good thing for us is we are childless so our spare rooms are just wasted space. We want to downsize one day, so bike storage will get interesting I guess.

beccaB

09-15-2011, 05:28 PM

So that's the reason I should hope my emerging adult children will find their own place to live.. to use their rooms for bikes!

itself

09-18-2011, 06:54 AM

I will stick with my 26er. A gal at the local bike shop just got a 29er and is going back to the 26er. Lower center of gravity, more agile. I think it would be fun to rent a 29er and get a feel for it rolls. Better to do that then put the investment in and not like it.

mumbles

09-23-2011, 06:23 PM

The 29er has more traction, seems to be a lot harder to fall off of. Rode a 26er full suspension for a year before I got the 29 ht. Short steep hills I could not make on the 26er I was shocked when I went right up on the 29er. Tight twisties take some getting used to. When I first went to the 29er I loved it but wished I had gotton full suspension, my legs got tired from having to stand up so much. Now that my legs have gotten stronger and used to standing up more I am happy with the HT.

beccaB

09-24-2011, 07:09 AM

My 26" is a hardtail, I guess I'm used to it, not that I have that much experience. I don't particularly like twisty trails, that seems too hard core for me. But I absolutely love the miles and miles of dirt roads in neighboring counties and all the unexplored possibilities.The more I think about it, I'm going to have to figure out a way to have more storage space to keep all my bikes without selling some off to get new ones. I'm up to 3 as it is. I'll be on that Hoarders show with all my bikes someday!

beccaB

10-28-2011, 06:36 AM

I did it! Specialized Rockhopper comp 29er! Christened her with mud on her maiden voyage!

limewave

10-28-2011, 01:22 PM

Woohoo! Will the 29er be introduced to racing soon? :)

Roadtrip

10-28-2011, 07:39 PM

I have a 29er and have enjoyed it... The little I've gotten to ride it. It really is a dream going down hill. Really stable and the hydraulic disc brakes... Woaaaa.. Literally!! I've never ridden a 26" wheel mountain bike so I cannot comment on the comparisons. Good luck!!!

Shannon

beccaB

10-29-2011, 07:10 AM

I will probably use the 29er for iceman which is a week away, yikes! It's a little different, but I don't get confused by the gears which are like my road bike, so I'm used to the way it shifts. The 26, I had to put my thumbs under the handlebars to shift, and with 8 rear sprockets there was a big jump between the largest and next one down, caused me some anxiety going up hills. I've only been on my new 29er once and it climbs like a dream!

limewave

10-29-2011, 07:44 AM

Oooh, you will have fun riding it at Iceman :)

I've not done anything for 2 weeks and I've been eating a ton of food, staying up really late working. Now I'm starting to stress about it. Not sure one week of eating good is going to make up for 2 weeks of gluttony. But there's not a whole lot more I can do at this point. . . . it will be what it will be . . .

Aggie_Ama

10-29-2011, 01:35 PM

OOOOhhhh an upcoming race? I raced my 26er but my times on my 29er are way better. I am sure much of that is the amount of work I put in this summer getting to know the bike but dang it is fun. Have a great time and give us a race report!

surgtech1956

10-30-2011, 12:43 PM

I've been thinking about getting a 29er, the only trails I have near me is more of a hiking trail(4 miles) and when we go camping. Do you also have a road bike?

beccaB

10-31-2011, 06:45 AM

I do have a road bike, well a very nice and light Trek hybrid. Between the 2 of those, I have 10,000 Miles! Been doing that for about 5 years. Just got starter mountain bikes last fall. The husband wanted us to do Iceman. I'm as trained as much as I can get without hurting myself. I've had the chance to ride on varying terrain. I actually sort of hate technical trails, and we went to Custer State Park yesterday and rode some of those. I was a sissychicken and had to walk some of it. Some of the parts that were hilly and sandy were a lot easier for me with the 29er, and I felt more confident. I really like the dirt roads around here, we do have to drive a little to get to them instead of starting out at the house like we do with our road bikes.

limewave

10-31-2011, 11:19 AM

DH checked out a brand new 29er demo bike from our LBS--DH was the first person to ride it. LBS even offered to let him race it this weekend at Iceman. But DH was not all that impressed with it. Although it was a more comfortable ride, he didn't think it climbed as well as his 26" Stumpjumper. There is no doubt that the 29er's are heavier. Now he is looking at some 2012 26" bikes and might try riding another 29er.

Bike Writer

11-04-2011, 07:08 PM

Congrats on the new 29'er and have fun at the Iceman! Sounds like a blast!

zoom-zoom

11-12-2011, 06:34 PM

This thread is interesting to me. I currently have a 26er and am a complete noob at MTB, but I like it...far more than I expected I would. The plan is to hand down my Cdale F5 ('09...got it for a steal a month+ ago, as Cdale had hundreds of "petites" leftover just sitting in a warehouse) to my son in a year or two, then I'll upgrade a tad. DH is on a 29er and loves it, but he is also 6'2" and has relatively long legs. My inseam is 30", so I suspect that that could be somewhat of an issue. Toe overlap is an even bigger concern. I have it with both my road and CX bikes. It's no a huge deal on those, but I can see where it would be a bigger issue on a trail with tighter, slower corners.

Aggie_Ama

11-12-2011, 07:15 PM

I don't have a problem riding and racing a 15.5" 29er, my inseam is about 28.5". I don't think unless you just often ride a course with a lot of hairpin turns you will have an issue with toe overlap. My 29er seems to corner better than my 5" travel 26er did, that bike always felt twitchy. I honestly have never heard anyone say anything about toe overlap in mountain biking, I don't know I guess it is an issue.

I know several women the similar build as me that went 29er and won't go back. But some people never want to give up their 26er.

zoom-zoom

11-12-2011, 07:37 PM

Catrin

11-13-2011, 07:14 AM

Good to hear. I know my options will be somewhat limited, since it looks like some mfgs. don't even make 29ers small enough for me to stand-over.

I hear it is a problem making small 29ers....but I do wonder if the real problem is the manufacturers thinking they wouldn't sell enough of them to make the worth producing. From what my LBS explained to me there is a problem getting the geometry right below a certain size, but I don't know much about that.

zoom-zoom

11-13-2011, 01:48 PM

I hear it is a problem making small 29ers....but I do wonder if the real problem is the manufacturers thinking they wouldn't sell enough of them to make the worth producing. From what my LBS explained to me there is a problem getting the geometry right below a certain size, but I don't know much about that.

I'm sure it's a bit of both, really. Finding cx bikes in my size is trickier. A lot of companies will only do entry-level bikes in smaller sizes.

Owlie

11-13-2011, 02:11 PM

I'm sure it's a bit of both, really. Finding cx bikes in my size is trickier. A lot of companies will only do entry-level bikes in smaller sizes.

That sucks. While I have some options on the size (31" inseam) front, reach is always an issue for me. I need WSD in pretty much anything, though I may have a bit more wiggle room with mountain bikes. I've been looking for a CX bike, and apparently there's no market for a WSD cross bike.
I'm here because I'm entertaining the idea of a mountain bike. :D Maybe.

pinsonp2

11-13-2011, 02:29 PM

zoom-zoom

11-13-2011, 02:47 PM

That sucks. While I have some options on the size (31" inseam) front, reach is always an issue for me. I need WSD in pretty much anything, though I may have a bit more wiggle room with mountain bikes. I've been looking for a CX bike, and apparently there's no market for a WSD cross bike.
I'm here because I'm entertaining the idea of a mountain bike. :D Maybe.

I got lucky. I fit perfectly on my 44 Redline Conquest. Redline is pretty good about making CX bikes in a 44 across their range. But if I needed a smaller size I'd be SOL. Ridley makes a smaller model of their very bottom and *I think* very top CX bike, but all the nice models in the middle start at 47.

zoom-zoom

11-13-2011, 02:52 PM

Giant makes a womwn's cross bike that I find interesting, but I am not ready to buy another bike. Here's the link and they do make a XS and S frames in it:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bike-finder/women/xroad/?level=all

P2

That looks really nice...but even their S would be too big for me in terms of both stand-over and TT. I don't really consider myself an XS woman at just under 5'4". A truly short woman has almost no options, aside from something like a Redline Conquest 24, which is marketed to kids 9-13 (our DS--almost 11--is getting one for Christmas).

I wonder if more women would do CX if the CX bike selection weren't so limited to women of shorter stature. There's always the option to use a mtn. bike, but that extra weight would stink for barriers and really slow a person down.

Aggie_Ama

11-14-2011, 06:07 AM

I see most of us short women on Specialized 29ers. From what my LBS told me they felt Specialized was leading the way on small geometry. Of course Willow Koerber, Emily Batty and Heather Irmiger are all about my size and have been rocking Trek 29ers.

From looking at geometry charts I might be able to ride a Specialized Crux. Not 100% sure, the only person in town I know with the 46cm is one of the wrenches at our shop who is quite "compact". Our local rep is pretty darn cool though, I could probably get a demo if I liked. That is my next bike on the wish list. ;)

Owlie

11-14-2011, 06:33 AM

Giant makes a womwn's cross bike that I find interesting, but I am not ready to buy another bike. Here's the link and they do make a XS and S frames in it:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bike-finder/women/xroad/?level=all

P2

What concerns me is that the geometry is very similar to my road bike, and I know that doesn't work well for me. (Maybe in a size smaller?)

Still, Giant must run pretty large, then, because there's no way anyone would call me "small".

zoom-zoom

11-14-2011, 06:42 AM

I see most of us short women on Specialized 29ers. From what my LBS told me they felt Specialized was leading the way on small geometry. Of course Willow Koerber, Emily Batty and Heather Irmiger are all about my size and have been rocking Trek 29ers.

That's what bums me out. Our favorite LBS doesn't carry Specialized and I'd feel like I'm cheating to even shop anywhere else. It will be a few years before I'm even in the market for another mtn. bike, so I really hope that Cannondale will get on the ball and start producing some smaller 29ers. Salsa is the only brand our LBS carries that does any smaller ones, but they're at a much higher pricepoint than we'd ever consider (otherwise I'd have my heart seat on a Mamasita).

Loraura

02-15-2012, 09:57 AM

Are there any women here 5'4'' or under who ride full suspension 29ers?

I want one. I'm having a hard time finding one.

I can ride my husbands 15.5 Gary Fisher HiFi (Now the Trek Superfly), but the standover is an issue. Well, as long as I'm RIDING, it's not an issue, but getting bogged down on an incline threatens to maim me for life, lol.

I'd really love to hear from anyone 5'4'' or under riding a FS 29er.

I know most advice is going to tell me to just get a hardtail. But that's not what i'm looking for.

limewave

02-16-2012, 06:13 AM

zoom-zoom

02-16-2012, 09:47 AM

There is always the 650b--the wheel size b/w a 26 and 29er. I actually wish I knew about this option before I jumped on the 29er wagon. Don't get me wrong, I love my 29er, but it is heavier than the 26er and there is no way to get around the worst kind of weight you can add to a bike: rolling weight.

The 650b is a good option for a smaller rider looking for that 29er feel. Here is a link to a full-suspension option (http://www.lenzsport.com/detail.php?prodID=14). A local bike fabricator has a hard-tail version (http://616fab.com/frame/650-2/).

That is interesting--I didn't know that was a possibility. Could a person buy a 29er frame and use the smaller wheels with disc brakes? Toe overlap would be one of my concerns with a 29er frame, but that would probably eliminate that issue AND allow me to ride a larger frame, since standover would be less of an issue.

limewave

02-16-2012, 11:06 AM

That is interesting--I didn't know that was a possibility. Could a person buy a 29er frame and use the smaller wheels with disc brakes? Toe overlap would be one of my concerns with a 29er frame, but that would probably eliminate that issue AND allow me to ride a larger frame, since standover would be less of an issue.

I dunno? That is a good question. I'm thinking, why not? But I really know very little geometry wise with bike frames and forks and the like.

zoom-zoom

02-16-2012, 11:20 AM

I dunno? That is a good question. I'm thinking, why not? But I really know very little geometry wise with bike frames and forks and the like.

Yeah, me neither...that involves Math! :p

Wahine

02-16-2012, 12:24 PM

That is interesting--I didn't know that was a possibility. Could a person buy a 29er frame and use the smaller wheels with disc brakes? Toe overlap would be one of my concerns with a 29er frame, but that would probably eliminate that issue AND allow me to ride a larger frame, since standover would be less of an issue.

MY BF had a 29er hardtail frame made custom for him. He was never totally satisfied with the way it handled and he always felt like his center of gravitiy was too high. So he converted it to a 650b and he loves it. The only downside in his opinion is that you have an even greater limitation in tire options than you do with a 29er.

zoom-zoom

02-16-2012, 01:06 PM

MY BF had a 29er hardtail frame made custom for him. He was never totally satisfied with the way it handled and he always felt like his center of gravitiy was too high. So he converted it to a 650b and he loves it. The only downside in his opinion is that you have an even greater limitation in tire options than you do with a 29er.

Yeah, that was the other thing I was thinking. We got DS a Redline Conquest 24 for Christmas and are finding that those odd-sized wheels are hard to find and there aren't an awful lot of different models available.

Loraura

02-18-2012, 02:59 PM

Today I checked out the following Full Suspension 29ers:

1)Pivot Mach 429 ($5400.00 with XT/XTR, 2X10, 100mm of travel, published SO 29.25in)
2)Specialized Camber Comp 29 ($2750.00 with X7/XT,2X10, 110mm of travel, published SO 30.2in)
3)Salsa Spearfish 3 ($2199, X5/X7, 2X10, 80mm rear, 100mm front travel, published SO 29.3in)
4)Specialized Epic Comp 29 ($3300.00 with X7/X9, 2X10, 100mm of travel, published SO 29.7.)

I'm 5'3'' and found these frames available in stock in Austin in shops all in the smallest frames available (Cycle Progression for the Pivot, Bicycle Sport Shop for the Specialized and Salsa).

I have previously ridden:
Gary Fisher HiFi/Trek Superfly 100 Aluminum Elite ($2649.99 with SLX/XT, 3X10, 100mm of travel, published SO 28.1in)

The HiFi was rebranded this year as the aluminum superfly, I think, but I've actually ridden both versions in the 15.5''. I've ridden the HiFi on trails 6 or 7 times (husband's bike), and the Superfly on a demo day hour long trail ride.

The published standover hights are not something you should put a lot of stock in. Some of them measure standover right in front of the crank (duh, the nose of the saddle is there, no one can ACTUALLY stand in that spot), and some measure in a more appropriate place about halfway up the top tube. It's pretty much useless. You have to stand over them yourself. I can PROMISE you there is more standover on the Epic than on any of the others, even though 3 other bikes reported smaller SO high measurements.

Speafish had the highest "in person" standover. The Pivot was better for standover, but is also a 5400.00 bike. Felt about the same as the HiFi/Superfly for standover.

The Camber was a surprise! Definately lower standover than the HiFi, Superfly, Spearfish and Pivot. (See, they LIE!!, lol) We were making progiress.

But the Epic Comp.... that did it. DEFINATLEY the best standover on a 29er I've seen in person. I had a little standover clearance on the medium frame! Very comfortable with the stanover on the small.

It's on hold till it stops raining and I can ride it more than just under the awning of the shop. I'm pretty sure it's a done deal... /squeal

Aggie_Ama

02-18-2012, 04:10 PM

I am 5'2.5" with 29" inseam and LOVE my Epic Comp. If you want they rent them, I don't think they rent the small but I tested the hardtail on the trail and it was a very comparable fit. There are several of use that are rather short that race for BSS on that bike, it is snappy, fast and fabulous!

I was very concerned about the standover looking at geometry charts and that was quickly put aside when I rode the bike. I think you won't be disappointed with any of those on your list but I don't know anyone who doesn't like their Epic Comp.

Loraura

02-18-2012, 05:02 PM

BSS Lamar does have the small to rent, I reserved one when I was there.

Now if it will just stop raining and dry out!

Wahine

02-18-2012, 07:00 PM

Yeah, that was the other thing I was thinking. We got DS a Redline Conquest 24 for Christmas and are finding that those odd-sized wheels are hard to find and there aren't an awful lot of different models available.

Velocity has a huge selection of rims and you can order any of them in pretty much any size. My BF builds wheels as a big part of his job and he has made plenty a custom wheelset with Velocity rims and they are almost always less expensive than a pair of production wheels of equivilant quality would be. Here's the link to there 650b blunts. (http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=633)

Aggie_Ama

02-18-2012, 07:32 PM

BSS Lamar does have the small to rent, I reserved one when I was there.

Now if it will just stop raining and dry out!

I will keep that in mind if mine is in the shop on a non-rainy weekend again, they didn't have one last year so I went off my gut after testing the hardtail. Looks like next weekend the trails will be dry and fast. If not in town Pace Bend should be nice.

zoom-zoom

02-18-2012, 08:48 PM

Velocity has a huge selection of rims and you can order any of them in pretty much any size. My BF builds wheels as a big part of his job and he has made plenty a custom wheelset with Velocity rims and they are almost always less expensive than a pair of production wheels of equivilant quality would be. Here's the link to there 650b blunts. (http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=633)

I'm a dope...I was thinking tires and typed wheels. Tires are the thing we're not finding easily, especially not with aggressive tread. Most are basically wheel chair tires.

limewave

02-19-2012, 04:40 AM

DH has a hard enough time finding 26" tires in stock anymore . . . . Can't imagine with 650b. You'd have to stock up.

Loraura

02-21-2012, 10:10 AM

Here's some good news for smaller riders. not out yet, but soon!

http://www.bikerumor.com/2012/02/21/first-look-santa-cruz-superlight-29er-highball-alloy-29er-mountain-bikes/#more-40287

Santa Cruz is claiming their Small frames offer a shorter top tube and lower stand over height than most other brands’ extra-small offerings. Both bikes pictured here are Small frames, and they do indeed look plenty compact. In fact, the stand over on the Small Superlight is lower than the tire height. They were getting a lot of demand for smaller sizes, so they added the size to these new bikes. Depending on how sales go, they may add a small size to the Tallboy lineup.