newbie question- 29ers

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DocRocky

Cannon Fodder
Hey guys.

I'm looking at getting a new mountain bike (my first bike in 12 years) and have been told that I should look at a 29er because I'm tall. I've done a search and stumbed across giant's website and found they have a XTC 29-1 coming out in Aust in January which I'd be interested in getting.

I was just wondering if anyone out there has a 29er, and if so, how do they handle. I'm basically just going to be fanging around town and do some xc every now and then.

Thanks for the help.
 
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Yorto

Likes Dirt
How tall are you ? I am also in the hunt for a 29er and have steered away from the XTC 29er and looking at a Specialized Stumpjumper in a XXL. I am around 198cm. There are other 29ers out there it is just a matter of trying to find the right LBS that will stock them or order the right one for you. Where are you located ?
 
D

DocRocky

Cannon Fodder
I'm 6'4" (I think it's around 194 cms). Right now I'm living in Adelaide while I finish my university studies.
 
Y

Yorto

Likes Dirt
The XL sizing should be about right for you I think. At my height I have been told different things about me on a Giant XL 22". I am looking at a 23" Specialized. Make sure you look around (to confuse you more:p) at some of the other 29er's. Specialized Rock Hopper, Avanti Scratch, Scott Scale and heaps of others.
 
A

annonomoose rider

Squid
Decent first bike???

Hey everyone

Just wondering if their are a few experienced riders out there that could help me select a decent first bike. Iv found an interest in downhill and would appreciate some feedback:) thanks
 
Everard

Everard

Likes Bikes
DocRocky said:
Hey guys.

I'm looking at getting a new mountain bike (my first bike in 12 years) and have been told that I should look at a 29er because I'm tall. I've done a search and stumbed across giant's website and found they have a XTC 29-1 coming out in Aust in January which I'd be interested in getting.

I was just wondering if anyone out there has a 29er, and if so, how do they handle. I'm basically just going to be fanging around town and do some xc every now and then.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Hi there, my mate swears by 29er's "Hugor" is his name on this site. He is 6 foot and rides a large. He has a salsa 29er. But is now wanting to switch to a dual sus 29er for the cross country. On fire roads and cross country stuff I find it hard to keep up with him when he gets momentum up.
Also there were a few 29ers in the Alice Springs MTB enduro this year. Which I competed in and they did awesome. So its by no means a sluggish bike on single track.

Check out some reviews on the bike brand known as niner. My friend is buying the R.i.P bike. And he does a lot of research.
There is a review that compares it with the specialised 29er and the Mach429 from Pivot.
 
Everard

Everard

Likes Bikes
annonomoose rider said:
Hey everyone

Just wondering if their are a few experienced riders out there that could help me select a decent first bike. Iv found an interest in downhill and would appreciate some feedback:) thanks
Click to expand...
I've bought a few bikes now, I just got carried away as I am an older professional that grew up poor and didnt get a lot of toys. So now I cannot stop spoiling myself. So if you've got money, dont deny yourself the pleasure of buying a specific bike for each specific purpose, because building it and choosing your parts, doing the research etc etc, is so much fun. I am in the process of building another bike now! And loving it. I have built up a pivot Mach 4 for racing now. I am currently building up a pivot firebird for jumping all mountain stuff. And my first bike a Blur Lt Santa Cruz was my do it all bike, and it is somewhere in the middle of the above 2 bikes. I also have built up a santa cruz jackal to much around at the skate park and bmx tracks. (ever since my surgeon told me i cannot run, I went crazy on bikes) I also bought a road bike too just so I can ride with my friends who are scared of dirt :)

But if you only want to buy one bike... get an all mountain bike, because you find they can take on big enough jumps to scare you and challenge you. You can still climb well in them and enjoy getting fit and keep up with your XC mates. Dual suspension I find comfortable as the back wheel can skip around quite a bit on a hard tail and taking on jumps it can be harder on your knees.

read reviews on Santa Cruz blur lt and nomad. Scott Genius, Pivot Mach 5.
If you're price conscious then the Giant Trance is a good bike too.
At least that way you have a bike that can handle all types of fun in the one bike.

Hope that helps.
 
F

fooch

Likes Bikes
Back to 29ers - I have one and think that it's great, due to the quality of the ride and ability to roll over more things. I have also been told by a framebuilder that I'd be about the shortest person (5'10", 177cm) that should be riding one because of the difficulty of getting the geometry of 29ers to suit shorter riders.... he also said that they are good for taller riders because the geometry suits them better, and also that they look more 'appropriate'. 29ers are heavier also, but appropriately so I reckon.
 
R

rebro5

Likes Bikes
29er reviews

Australian Mountain Bike Magazine (I think its the current issue, unless a new issue has just come out) has a review/comparison on a bunch of 29ers. Always good to read up as much as possible, especially when compared side by side with each other.
 
F

fastfreddy

Likes Bikes
i am a massive fan of 29ers (though i have a few 26ers too). would certainly recommend them. currently on a specialized stumpjumper dually, and it is one of the fastest bikes i have ever ridden, it rails, as centre of gravity is so low. try some out, all speshy dealers have test bikes, many other brands will too. there is not too much you will want to do but can't on a 4" dually 29er, unless you start downhilling. in a lower price bracket, consider a steel framed hardtail - can pick them up cheap (eg khs/voodoo/soma etc)
 
A

annonomoose rider

Squid
Everard said:
I've bought a few bikes now, I just got carried away as I am an older professional that grew up poor and didnt get a lot of toys. So now I cannot stop spoiling myself. So if you've got money, dont deny yourself the pleasure of buying a specific bike for each specific purpose, because building it and choosing your parts, doing the research etc etc, is so much fun. I am in the process of building another bike now! And loving it. I have built up a pivot Mach 4 for racing now. I am currently building up a pivot firebird for jumping all mountain stuff. And my first bike a Blur Lt Santa Cruz was my do it all bike, and it is somewhere in the middle of the above 2 bikes. I also have built up a santa cruz jackal to much around at the skate park and bmx tracks. (ever since my surgeon told me i cannot run, I went crazy on bikes) I also bought a road bike too just so I can ride with my friends who are scared of dirt :)

But if you only want to buy one bike... get an all mountain bike, because you find they can take on big enough jumps to scare you and challenge you. You can still climb well in them and enjoy getting fit and keep up with your XC mates. Dual suspension I find comfortable as the back wheel can skip around quite a bit on a hard tail and taking on jumps it can be harder on your knees.

read reviews on Santa Cruz blur lt and nomad. Scott Genius, Pivot Mach 5.
If you're price conscious then the Giant Trance is a good bike too.
At least that way you have a bike that can handle all types of fun in the one bike.

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your help, but im kinda new to all this but at the same time really interested in different bikes and what not. So what should be a good amateur bike? i was laughed at when i suggested getting a huffy to my friend who is fairly experienced. But would a huffy be a fairly good bike for me to start off with. Then as i get better look for a more advanced bike???
 
B

BruceWolk

Squid
Choosing the right bike

When it comes to choosing the right bike, as a newbie, you are in a very tough spot. Right now, there are so many good bikes out there, so many different combinations of components to choos from. How to make the right choice.

"Do your homework" !

I have been mountain biking for 18 years now. In that time I have only owned 6 bikes, and all of them I have built up from parts and re-built. The re-build is my favorit part.

I have been on a SantaCruz superlight (LG frame 6'3")for the past three years. For an all around XC bike, it has been amazing, and when my riding advances, my components tend to do the same. Keep in mind you can alwasy start out with the average parts, ride the hell out of them, and unpgrade later. Your Fram will tend to out live everything else !

Good luck with your search, happy shopping.

Check out the new santacruz superlight, as well as the nomad if your looking for something a bit more serious.
 
S

SHEPSTA

Cannon Fodder
Hi, i'm not sure that i agree with the too short to ride a 29er...i am 5'9" and ride a Gary Fisher Rig (in a Large 19" frame) and love it! It is my favourite bike and one of the most comfortable bikes I have ridden.

I would definitely recommend the Gary Fishers as the geometry is spot on! If you are not up for the single speed thing maybe check out the XCaliber or Paragon?

Cheers....
 
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