Re:
...my 2 penneth. I have ridden the same old routes on my MTB's for the last 20 odd years and have ridden many bikes over that same old terrain. For me nothing has come close to riding my 29er! The routes are XC with a technical edge of windy close tree dodging sections, bomb crater roller coaster sections and really rooty windy parts too. The 29er performs the best on all of them! Or does it? For me its not that it is a faster bike, more that is allows me to feel more confident therefore I am on the brakes less. As a taller chap (as you are too Neil) I have found the geometry and just general feel of the bike more suited to me. I do really notice that it rolls better over the bumps and roots that my 26er wheel bikes. And I don't really notice that its not as flickable/agile, it does take more effort to lift the front wheel but once you adjust to that I haven't noticed it. For me it feels more stable to ride, more reliable and grounded feeling.
So much so that the 26" Rock Lobster I had built for this winter, just doesn't do it for me. So this weekend I have taken the cheaper components off the Lobster and but them on the 29er along with some mud tyres and took that out today in the muddier trails that are now upon us! I don't know much about the 650b wheel size and have not ridden one. But what I do know is that at the 2 bike events I have ridden this year I would say 75-80% of bikes are 29ers. Call that a fashion trend?...or call that evolution? Also I know of many fellow retro bikers who hold a fondness for the retro bike but when they have a couple of hours to go for a spin choose their 29er. For those who don't get it...why not try it? Its not for everyone, but it could be a revelation!
Doug
