29er recommendations

[trz]

Hi, do you have any old 29 inch mtb to recommend ?

 

[brocklanders023]

How old and how much mate?

A good place to start is the On One Inbred as it was sold for many years in 29". After that, depends on budget and if you want full suss or not?

 

[ishaw]

I've got my old felt 29er carbon frame and various parts in the garage. It was my first foray into the 29er wheel size and was a great bike that got me back into and enjoying riding again. I ended up graduating to a ti frame and had planned to simply swap everything over, but I ended up starting from scratch and oy used a few parts so have most of it left (Sid forks, x0 2x10 gearing, wheels etc). I think the only parts I don't have are disc brakes iirc.

 

[The Kilt]

+1 for the inbred. Brilliant frame with some compliance. The frame looks quite simple but is built to last. I used mine for commuting through the forest and went down all the trails I took my PP Shan down and still got good times on the runs. Thing is now on one/Planet X don’t do the frames anymore and people are asking a lot for the frame. Worth grabbing a bargain on a full build. I wish I never sold it to be honest.
Other recommendations Genesis, Cotic etc. If you want an alloy frame, look for some of the originals like Yeti big top, Santa Cruz High Ball, and if you can find one Intense Hard Eddie.

 

[joglo]

you said "old",
what about a Gary Fisher, first production 29er in 2001 (and GF had also the Sphinx with 700C wheels already in 1990)


just those early 29ers from GF are at least where I live rarely available on the market...

 

[dyson]

I'd go for a Genesis High Latitude. The latter ones with their own brand tubing are a bit dull but the Reynolds on earlier versions maybe better. What I like about mine is that with a longer fork, -2 degree angleset and some other upgrades they are fun and capable bikes at a bargain price.

 

[albash82]

Depends what you want to do with it, but the older 29ers had bad geometry. Try and get one made in the last 8 years or so.
My first 29er was a tallboy LT. Loved that bike. Think it was a 2012 model... I believe that was around when the first big steps were made to improve the geo.
I had a niner air9. That was lovely and light. Bit racy for what I used it for, but a high handlebar helped.
Santa Cruz chameleon v7 or any version of the tallboy, version 2 onwards are highly revered.

 

[wroclaw]

 

[scant]

I totally agree with that, it took a while to get 29er geometry sorted, the newer the better