A new challenger has appeared: 29er

Why didn't anyone tell me these things were so cool?

OK, so you said they were cool, but why didn't I listen?

I got to borrow a carbon Stumpjumper 29er hardtail. I took it out for an hour on my local trails, then next day hammered it for 4 hours at a race.

The floating sensation. I *get* it now. I felt like I was skipping across waves, only touching about every fourth rock, yet never did I feel like I was airborne. The thing loved to point downhill, begged to let go of the brakes, and just.. go. Never once did I feel like I'd go over the handlebars, even on the super steep stuff. It took me a little practice to get uphill switchbacks with the new center of gravity, but everything else just oozed beautifully. You could almost steer it like a road bike.

I am absolutely in love. I honestly didn't want it to feel that much better, so that I didn't get the temptation. But it is, it really is that much better.

My poor pink Era FSR! Even with those sexy I9 wheels! I don't think I can go back to 26" now. What do I doooo?

-- gnat!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/...d8accd0914.jpg
(My PBR-handup lap... what can I say, I'm cyclocross at heart)

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Originally Posted by gnat23

I don't think I can go back to 26" now. What do I doooo?

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Don't talk to my DH. He's been jones'ing for a 29er for a while now. :D

If you do it, you could name it Stinking Bishop :D (to go with the rest of your cheese collection).

I know what you mean, gnat. My geared 26"-wheeled bike hasn't seen much action since I built my rigid SS 29er. That said, it's all about "horses for courses" IMO and there have been a few rides where I've been glad to have both gears and squishiness.

I still toy with the idea of stripping the frame, buying a 29er frame and fork, and rebuilding the hubs onto bigger hoops :D Just gotta water the money tree!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

If you do it, you could name it Stinking Bishop :D (to go with the rest of your cheese collection).

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It would have to be a goat cheese, of course, since goats are good at climbing rocks.

Valençay? Pantysgawn? Feta?

-- gnat! (dammit, if I name it, I'm already done for...)

Oh, of course! Petit Billy?

Gnat - just give up already, you are hooked :) Petite Billy is a good name! I am trying, very hard, to NOT look at any more hardtails until after the mountain bike clinic when I will have a free demo...

Of course, I suspect that there is the argument that if I take a bike with me that fits me that I would be more likely to succeed...

That looks like fun! And, sadly, I was really hoping you were going to say that all the "hype" over 29ers is just hype. It's going to be AGES before I can afford a new mountain bike! Ack!

Glad you had a great ride!!! Hope you can add one to your collection :D

My Epic is on order and DH has a S-Works HT on order. I cannot wait. I wanted to believe it was just a fad, I really did. But I thought the cornering was so much better. I can't get that, how can it be? It wasn't sluggish, it was fast! The climbing is a bit of a problem since I find myself in a way bigger gear on the flats but I am really looking forward to going 29er. I admit it, I drank the Koolaid and it was soooooo good!