Topic: Need help deciding on a new 29er.

[mellowme17]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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