Biking '10 part 2

[anyonefortennis]

Anyone riding 29er hard tails?

*raises hand*

Edit: If curious -
Fisher G2 19'' Frame (soon to be replaced by Niner MCR9)
Fox F29 RL
Thomson Bits
X9/X0 Ders
X9 Shifters
PG990 Cassette
SLX Cranks
Hadley/Gordo Wheelset (soon to be replaced by Easton Haven or ZTR Flow)
Avid Juicy 7 Brakes
Spez Alias Saddle
Easton Monkeylite Bars
Ergon GX2s

 

[bassteban]

Anyone riding 29er hard tails?

I'm afraid to try one; I might realize I really need one- particularly a SS.

Edit: Up early to see if a bud is coming to do the BFH(Big ***ing Hill)like we had planned- I can't find my camelbak & don't have time to slap the geared ride back together. I got on FB to try & weasel out(don't have bro's #). Listen for bragging/whining later...

 

[bassteban]

Alright, I'm officially [DEL]a complete and total wuss[/DEL] smart- I'm not riding(read *walking 90% of the climb* )the monster mountain on the SS. I'll pussyfoot around w/the kids later in an effort to hold a piece of my man-card...

 

[anyonefortennis]

I'm afraid to try one; I might realize I really need one- particularly a SS.

Everyone needs a SS 29er of the rigid variety. I'd love to build up a Niner SIR9 with one of their carbon forks.

 

[geeza]

Ok, after much research and overthinking the buying process, I spontaneously ordered a Cannondale Touring 2. My favorite bike of all the bikes I've owned was a '87 Cannondale ST400 - hopefully this will be pretty much similar. I looked at a whole BUNCH of other bikes and hadn't narrowed it down yet, but in the back of my mind, I guess I wanted another C-dale (this'll be my 5th). I'm having them take off the STI shifters and putting on bar-ends - call me an old head, but I hate STIs. Now I just need to decide whether to put a Brooks saddle on it.
I hope I did the right thing - I'm still second guessing my decision.

 

[My name is Mudd]

I wish...I really want the disc single-speed 29 tennis is talking about.

 

[bassteban]

I think I'd still need to go sprung fork- I get these funny *what if the fork/front axle/handlebars/stem/whatEVER just exploded right now* anxiety attack moments when downhilling. I doubt there's a legit reason for it but I don't think I could relax on a rigid carbon fork offroad. That said, I will make sure to refer back to this section of the thread to fuel SS-29er GAS.

 

[spade2you]

Meh, Spade2you's bike is shiny and I'm pretty sure it's good as well

No secret that Campy is along the lines of functional art, which is part of the allure, although a subsequent part of the damn price tag.

 

[Ziltoid]

No secret that Campy is along the lines of functional art, which is part of the allure, although a subsequent part of the damn price tag.

Oh, I wasn't speaking about the components only

edit:

Now nobody can argue me!

 

[Ziltoid]

I just ordered various warmers (arms,legs), a "hat cover", shoe covers, long finger gloves and 2 24oz insulated bottles all that with express shipping hopefully it will be here quickly

 

[fokof]

Now I just need to decide whether to put a Brooks saddle on it.

Yes


I have Brooks on all my bikes (even my 17lbs road bike) can't live without them.

 

[fokof]

Anyone riding 29er hard tails?

Tried it , really wanted to like it but I don't.
Thought it handles like an boat anchor compared to 26" in technical stuff.

OK for my road bike but not for MTB me thinks

 

[bassteban]

Hey, fokof- how are you built? I mean, I'm guessing 29ers are probably the ideal thing for a certain size person, but if one were far above/below *average* it might not be so...

 

[anyonefortennis]

. Now I just need to decide whether to put a Brooks saddle on it.

I'd recommend you have a look at the Selle Anatomica saddles.

Designed (and IMO, improved) after the Brooks saddles and they are WATERPROOF. In fact, I believe the C'dale T1 comes stock with on of those. I have on on my Vaya and it's a killer saddle.

 

[fokof]

Hey, fokof- how are you built? I mean, I'm guessing 29ers are probably the ideal thing for a certain size person, but if one were far above/below *average* it might not be so...

I'm tall/slim guy , climber type. (6'2")

I know that guys of my size usually like 700 wheels on MTB , but for me , the handling is important on the type of trails I'm riding.
It's the xtra weight of 700 wheels that makes a difference for me.

 

[fokof]

The race yesterday here (Gesink won it)
the guys were climbing where I train in around +-4 minutes.
I usually do it in 15 when I'm in top shape.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

I think my next bike is going to be a 29er hard tail.

 

[4Mal]

I'm tall/slim guy , climber type. (6'2")

I know that guys of my size usually like 700 wheels on MTB , but for me , the handling is important on the type of trails I'm riding.
It's the xtra weight of 700 wheels that makes a difference for me.

There's a bunch of 29'ers heresay around the LBS is that tight trail handling is spotty. Me ? on MTB I need all the handling help I can get so I'm staying on the old stock SJ and I'm keeping my fork dialed short. I can always let it out at the top if the going is straight line... which of course it never is ... Mid weight XC bikes seem the rule on the tight trail networks here. SJ Pros and Blur XCs and some Giant I don't know you see lot of ... kinda the bike equivalent of the all mountain ski.

Speaking of which, the second issue of Powder arrived and my blood is beginning to simmer ...

 

[bassteban]

I've always liked big-feeling bikes- I hate to say it as I'm broke beyond broke, but I think I'd really like a 29" SS. My unattainable dream SS rig is/was an older Scalpel w/Hedshok- discs, just enough suspension to make it bearable for my old parts & lighter than all get out.

 

[My name is Mudd]

There's a bunch of 29'ers heresay around the LBS is that tight trail handling is spotty.

Depends more on the rider, IMO...the bigger wheel rolls over stuff easier/better/sexier, but is slower to accelerate and (arguably) is more prone to bump-steer; the 26 is stronger, faster to accelerate, and less prone to bump-steer, but is slower/needs more effort to climb. All of that can be 'adjusted' by the person on the bike. If I could have one of each, I'd do a geared 26 and a SS 29...I'd use the 29 on smoother, faster trails, fire roads, etc and the 26 on the seriously technical stuff and rides with a lot of grinder climbs.

Speaking of which, the second issue of Powder arrived and my blood is beginning to simmer ...

Oh please don't remind me...I'd need to replace EVERYTHING but my poles and there's just NO way I can afford to do that.