This blog was started out a couple of weeks ago with the intention of writing about all things mountain bikes. I thought it would be cool to write about one of my favorite activities. The problem is that I no longer have much of an interest in any mountain biking that does not involve a 29er. Maybe it’s good that I got the domain “Big Mountain Bike”. I doubt that I could have much decent conversation about anything but a 29er.
I really think that the 29er is probably the future of mountain bike. And I doubt it will be a fad. I also doubt it will take as long to obtain sheer mass as say dual suspension did. After tooling around on my Gary Fisher 29er I can’t imagine saddling up on a standard size mountain bike. I’d feel like I going from a standard mountain bike to a BMX bike. I understand a lot of folks prefer the 26 inch for the weight considerations. Perhaps it feels like it is more nimble on the trails. That’s cool. But I’d prefer to roll like a tank.
It was interesting getting used to what a 29er can do. Normally on a 26-inch mountain bike I’d have to pick my way through the roots and rocks. Not with the 29er. I’d just roll right over it. It gives you more control it seems.
Don’t you hate when you are riding up a trail full of rocks and roots and you get a section wrong and your bike just comes to almost a dead stop? Then you can’t clip out fast enough before falling over. Wham! Knee right on the rock. I got to the point on some trails of just riding with toe clips. No shame in that I don’t think. Just not as efficient in pedaling over terrain that is smooth.
With the 29er I haven’t had that problem of not being able to roll over obstacles. I don’t have to treat the trail like an obstacle course. I can roll over the obstacles instead of dodging them. That’s what a 29er can bring to your riding experience. At least that’s what it does for me. Sure it’s not always the case, but it just brings an added level of confidence on the trail that might have been missing with the standard mountain bike. At least for me.
And for older riders I would say that the 29er is a blessing. After years of beating myself up riding an aluminum hardtail , it was a relief to save up and get a dual suspension 29er. The HiFi Pro 29er weighs about the same as my 10 year old hardtail. Nothing wrong with an upgrade every once in a while.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
dude,
i couldn’t agree more! i just purchased a 2010 Giant XTC 1 29er and i think it is going to be extremely hard going back and riding any of my other 26″ sized bikes. being that i have a large frame(6″4 – 95 kilos), i feel more at home on this bike, in comparison to the former standard sized mountain bike offered. my comfort level is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what the 29er will do and improve for me, in my own upcoming racing season throughout 2010.
Yea man, I couldn’t go back to a 26 inch bike if I had to. I love my 29er. It’s much more forgiving on the trail and more comfortable. I love it. Good luck this season.