29er or not?

[zoom-zoom]

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]

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]

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]

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!

[Aggie_Ama]

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.

[Wahine]

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.

[zoom-zoom]

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.

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]

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

[Loraura]

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

http://www.bikerumor.com/2012/02/21/...es/#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.

[Sky King]

Have you looked at Ellsworth? Also if you live anywhere close to Sacramento try to attend the North American Handmade Bicycle show March 2nd,3rd,4th

[Chinook]

Yay! on the Epic Comp 29. I took one home today - I am 5'7 and rode home a medium. An upgrade from my Kona Fire Mountain (which was lovely, btw). My friends had a 29'er and have expressed their love, so I jumped in.