My new ride MTB

Got this last mid-summer. This means that my 26" rides are collecting dust.

Bike Detail | Pivot Cycles - Mountain Bikes for XC, Trail, Downhill

 

I need to get back into mountain biking. It won't be this year for sure as I'm focused more on the road cycling portion but I would love to get back into it in the near future.

I still have my Norco Wolverine but it is in rough shape and it would cheaper for me to pick up a new bike vs fixing this one.

 

I don't understand it--I am way faster on my 29, which is heavier than my 26. I get the easier rolling over obstacles, but on most of my common loop rides in central Oregon I am about 10 minutes per hour faster. Plus, I just don' seem as gassed.

S

 

Ive bought a CF Santa Cruz Tallboy 29er last year, I like it ok, in certain conditions...I just built up a new Ventana Zeus 650b 27.5 I like it a lot better then my 29er, nice mix between 26 and 29, I now have all 3! It depends on the trails I am riding for which bike i will be using..

 

Momentum.

I had a Marin something or other that was too light for long cruises. It was like trying to pedal a feather around...nomentum.

It was great for log jumping, though.

 

I just got one of these:

Ion CX - Trek Bicycle

Shoots the middle between MTB and Road.

I have been doing long rides on the levees down here, and don't really need the MTB for that kind of riding.

So far I love it.

 

Got a Anthem x1 29. Love it. Put over 220 rides on it In a year .

 

I'm shopping a 29er right now, but have never ridden one. I have a standard 26 now, how would you guys describe the difference? when is the 26 better?

 

Not certain there is a situation. I have high end 26er and 29er from the same company, and I have ridden them back to back on the same trail. The 26er is lighter. It may be slightly more nimble (especially in very tight conditions). Because of the slighter lighter weight, it is slighter easier to do things like lock the front brake and bunny hope the rear wheel (to get around a tight switchback, for example). The 26er may (in my hands) be slightly easier to bunny hope over obstacles (downed trees, for example).

I'm much faster on the 29er. I role over stuff that is hard (or impossible) on my 26er. As I posted earlier, I don't get it. The 29er should be worse uphill (more weight, and harder to accelerate) but it seems better overall. Some have posted that a 27.5 is a great compromise--it probably is.

But, at 51 years old, I'll take something that gets me over obstacles better versus a few ounces or even a few pounds.

 

Thanks for the write up. I think that since I'm based in the Midwest then I should stick with the 26 inch. No mountains to bomb down.

 

Except that I am faster up hill (and do most of my riding on what is essentially cross country terrain, except that there may be 1000 to 2000 feet of total elevation gain (measured by a Garmin) on my rides.

Where I was romanced by a 29er was actually a rental bike in Tuscon, AZ--rode the Fantasyland trail system--which is flat (it goes into and out of washes, but you get the point). 29er I rode was front suspension only and it was AMAZING. You may ultimately decide on a 26er, or even a 27.5er, but you owe it to yourself to give a 29er a try.

 

Been riding my Felt 26er while my Anthem 29er is in the shop for the last week. A few sections on certain trail feel more nimble with the 26er and the feel is better. Having said that I CAN'T WAIT 'till my 29er is ready.

 

Bought a top fuel 9.9 ssl today.

 

I've always loved the top fuel but never purchased one. Reviews gave it highest ratings for superior design innovation. During the Lance Armstrong days Trek ruled the world as my man did.

 

Building a Yeti Arc Carbon w/27.5's as light as possible, Sram XX1, Stans no tubes etc. Will post some photos when complete.