Author Topic: Need help deciding on a new 29er. (Read 752 times)

Breitest24 · « **on:** July 24, 2011, 07:40:11 PM »

So I want to get a new FS29er. Currently I have a hei-hei and a HT 29er. The Kona only has 3.5 in the rear so I want more travel for sure. Also I have a hard time on the tight stuff, not sure if its just my balance or what. Im looking at either a specialized comp 29er or one of the treks, but im open for options. the budget would be around the 2-3k range maybe even used. I plan to part out the kona and just sell the HT for the funds. Thanks guys!.

Just some extra info Im always riding boyette, havent been to alafia too much. I ride all the trails except sidewinder. Ive been on rollercoaster at alafia but some parts were too hard to turn for me so im usually on north creek.

fatcamper · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2011, 07:56:49 PM »

I'm looking at the link to the Kona Hei Hei 29 and it has 100mm. This coupled with big wheels ability to smooth out a ride is probably more than enough for the area.
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=hei_hei_2-9_se

That said. 29ers are merely a fad and once this overwhelming acceptance of them wears off you will all come crawling back to the "right size"

Breitest24 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2011, 08:11:08 PM »

Mines is an 09 only 80mm not the newer ones.

kj · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2011, 08:58:06 PM »

by these measures I'm amazed my rigid makes it out of the parking lot.

mellowme17 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2011, 08:43:52 AM »

kona is coming out with a 130 full squish... looks pretty cool as well...

2012 Sneak Peak – The New All-Mountain Satori

Darrinw2001 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2011, 08:47:47 AM »

Check out the 2012 Scott Spark 29er FS coming out later this year... it is going to sell out FAST...

Alan · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2011, 12:27:26 PM »

Salsa Spearfish is worth looking at. 80mm rear and 100mm front...but the price is under right under $2300 complete with 2x10 drivetrain, Reba fork, etc.

mellowme17 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2011, 01:26:47 PM »

Quote from: Alan on July 25, 2011, 12:27:26 PM

Salsa Spearfish is worth looking at. 80mm rear and 100mm front...but the price is under right under $2300 complete with 2x10 drivetrain, Reba fork, etc.

alan if he is looking for something with more travel in the rear i dont think the spearfish would fit the build...imo

Breitest24 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2011, 02:44:12 PM »

Wow that bike is nice Mellow I had no idea. I bet its out of my price range, but i would love to test one of those out.

Тгірlе Т · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2011, 03:49:34 PM »

Quote from: Breitest24 on July 24, 2011, 07:40:11 PM

I have a hard time on the tight stuff

It's the clown wheels causing that.

Breitest24 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2011, 06:06:09 PM »

Quote from: Тгірlе Т on July 25, 2011, 03:49:34 PM

Quote from: Breitest24 on July 24, 2011, 07:40:11 PM
I have a hard time on the tight stuff

It's the clown wheels causing that.

Im sure it is, but the way the bike eats rocks and roots. Im ok with that which is why Im leaning towards the specialized they say it puts you in the bike, not on it. Im sure thats marketing BS but its got me dreaming.

One of my buddies has been using my HT for months. Had to borrow a friends FS 26er due to a friend visiting and wanting to go riding. He almost went over the bars 3 times because the bike didnt want to roll over certain things. He still has the FS 26er but he rather ride the 29er HT,

Orion_134 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2011, 06:22:55 PM »

Instead of buying something new, maybe adjusting/changing your rear shock may give you what you are looking for? The Hei-Hei is a decent bike. As for the turning, if you are having trouble turning a 29er, I assume it is at slower speeds. If so, then try to keep pressure on the pedals to help aid the forward momentum. You may find it easier to turn and maneuver through/over stuff while turning the pedals vs. trying to coast through the corner. It is also easier to maneuver any corner if you are out of the saddle. You also may be turning-in a little early, but I'm merely speculating.

Breitest24 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2011, 06:31:58 PM »

definitely at slow speeds lol. Im sure I could get better with practice at balancing. Not to mention im clipless now which I think im going back to platforms. Falling on a stupid turn at a slow speed because you cant unclip is stupid and plays with my head.

Orion_134 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2011, 06:45:57 PM »

True, but the better you get in them, the better you will ride. Try practicing track stands and small circles in either direction. Getting out of the saddle is night-and-day when it comes to balancing. You also gain stability with speed.

Breitest24 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2011, 07:30:26 PM »

Actually the point of this was for more travel. Im gonna hang on to my bike a little longer just got some elixir 5s this morning off flea bay. Also got parts to convert the HT to a 1x9. hitting up alafia after work on thursday withe the HT maybe i just belong on flat pedals.

mellowme17 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2011, 08:16:15 PM »

if you think you are going to fall clipped in you will... personally i cant ride platforms very well anymore...
dont fall for the marketing but what you want and what you like...test out as much as you can

chisel · « **Reply #16 on:** July 26, 2011, 07:04:06 AM »

26er for a more nimble ride.

i do believe the 29ers are faster but not as stable in the tight stuff. fight fight fight!!!!

Darrinw2001 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2011, 07:16:46 AM »

Quote from: chisel on July 26, 2011, 07:04:06 AM

26er for a more nimble ride. i do believe the 29ers are faster but not as stable in the tight stuff. fight fight fight!!!!

Not true, some of the newer 29er's are more tuned for tight stuff... My Scott handles the tight stuff better than my 26" Trance X3 did.... More aggressive shorter chain stays and properly angled headtube pretty much eliminate over steer and handling issues... the Specialized Stumpjumpers and Rockhopper 29er's also have these features...

Alan · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2011, 07:17:44 AM »

Out of curiosity, why are you looking to go with more than 80mm rear travel? Seems that is more than enough for just about anything.

Breitest24 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2011, 08:33:00 AM »

Im 230lbs. I got my rear shock at I think 230psi and I can still bottom it out. I tried putting more air but it keeps on leaking out by the time i unscrew the damn pump.

I do believe 26ers are more agile on the tight stuff but im sure the 29ers have cought up by now like the specialized. Im going to see if AJs has any in stock.

ClintonRH · « **Reply #20 on:** July 26, 2011, 08:50:40 AM »

Your shock shouldn't be leaking. If it is then you need to get it serviced.

It's normal for shock pumps to release air when you unscrew them. It's just the air in the hose unless your shock pump is garbage. Also if you screw the pump back on after taking it off it will read 10-20 psi less than when you took it off because air rushed out of the shock to fill up the tube of the pump when you reconnected it. Any time you check pressure you have to add air to compensate for this.

Bottoming out is not encouraged but it's not the end of the world if it happens occasionally. If your suspension is tuned for your weight already then bottoming out frequently is a sign that you need to work on your riding form. Get your butt off the saddle and let your knees work as extra suspension.

Darrinw2001 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 26, 2011, 08:54:16 AM »

get a shock pump like this with a pressure stop feature - http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/PocketShockDXG it makes it so you don't lose any psi when un-screwing

kj · « **Reply #22 on:** July 26, 2011, 09:05:11 AM »

Are your forks capable of 100mm if you remove spacers? Removing the spacers could effectively slacken your headtube angle about .5~.75 a degree and lengthen your wheelbase thereby providing more stability. At 230lbs you have to get off the seat and let your knees absorb forces. Pumping that shock up to 230 seems excessive, did the suspension setup guide recommend 1:1 ratio? I suspect your problems could be sorted with a correct suspension setup and a tweak to your riding style, why not give it a shot before spending money only to find the problem just might follow you to the next bike?

Breitest24 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 26, 2011, 09:08:56 AM »

I dont always bottom out some times I dont even realize it until I look down and the rubber o ring has fallen off. I do have a topeak the question is where the hell did i put it. Ive been using the stupid sram pump which bites but oh well. theres a pretty good thread on MTBR where the guy Is looking at similiar bikes in the 29er section. When I do jump Im always out my seat.

Breitest24 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 26, 2011, 09:17:19 AM »

Quote from: kj on July 26, 2011, 09:05:11 AM

Are your forks capable of 100mm if you remove spacers? Removing the spacers could effectively slacken your headtube angle about .5~.75 a degree and lengthen your wheelbase thereby providing more stability. At 230lbs you have to get off the seat and let your knees absorb forces. Pumping that shock up to 230 seems excessive, did the suspension setup guide recommend 1:1 ratio? I suspect your problems could be sorted with a correct suspension setup and a tweak to your riding style, why not give it a shot before spending money only to find the problem just might follow you to the next bike?

My reba is at 100mm the front suspension is fine. The rears I did per instructions with the sag and all that. It just so happened to match my weight I guess. Dammit I want a new bike maybe im making up excuses.

Redriderpro · « **Reply #25 on:** July 26, 2011, 04:30:04 PM »

I suspect that those clown type shoes are what is causing the issues ( aren't circus clown shoes required?)

If that is not it, I'd suggest as many test rides as you can get, ask people you see on the trails, from my little experience with them clown bikes, I have seen very different turning capabilities from brand to brand.

If all else fails, come back to normal wheel with 5.5 or 6" of travel and be happy!

Albe23 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 31, 2011, 03:57:35 AM »

Trek/Gary Fisher Rumble Fish is a great 29'r for the tight stuff. First time I rode one was for the Alafia Classic 6hr and it performed really, really well in the tight stuff. Heck it even loved the drops. This should carry some weight coming from me because my bike is a Dartmoor Hornet which is for 4X racing and AM/free riding.

steve · « **Reply #27 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:43:56 AM »

You can also call me tomorrow 863 688 2126 We have Specialized,Giant,Cannondale and Lynskey

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Author Topic: Need help deciding on a new 29er. (Read 752 times)