Who's got a 29'er?

[NeilM]

Yes, yes, I know this is not retro in any way shape of form, but as a pretty rufty tufty bunch of regular riders, I thought someone might have some experience.

I was considering a new road bike in the spring, but to be honest I'm really starting to 'get' the RSP, so maybe I'll treat myself to a 29'er instead, having seen a very slick looking Niner (rigid) at Haldon last week.

Now I can't possibly afford a Niner, but ON-ONE / Planet-X have some pretty well priced bikes, so that's a possibility.

So, anyone have one, ride one, hate them, love them, meh.

NEED INPUT!

 

[JamesM]

My mate is selling this 2012 Kona Honza for £770ono. He's in W-S-M so you could pop round for a look if your interested. Drop me a PM if you are.

 

[kaiser]

Love them! I'm on to my second one and the future is pretty much 29er from here on in. I've had loads of discussions on here about them and I'm not going to tread over old ground but I'll say I only know one person who has owned one that hasn't liked it all the rest are converts. My advice perversely is to seek out information elsewhere, go to MTBR's 29 forum and have a read around the '29 inches' site. Don't believe the myths and form as much of an educated opinion as you can, a test ride doesn't really reveal the capabilities of the bigger wheel after a life of 26.

 

[NeilM]

Thanks for the info guys.

This has all come really, after my roadie fanatic son bought himself a single speed cyclocross bike, on which he's having a hoot. We then had a technical discussion about the pros and cons, and then we saw the Niner, which was absolutely as cool as a cool thing in the freezer, but at over £3.5k, is way more than I would ever pay for a bicycle.

I'll go find those other sites, and James, I'll drop you a PM, if it ever stops raining :roll:

 

[brocklanders023]

Two of my mates have swapped full suss 26ers for ht 29ers and both love 'em and don't regret it. Both have On-One Inbreds.

Having had a go on one my size I've gone from being dead against to now seeing the point. They defo roll better and are very quick. I plan on having a test on the Orange 5 29er when it comes out and may well get one.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

I love my Karate Monkey and have barely ridden anything else off road since I got it in April.
The one time I went back to my 26" modern was only because I needed gears, and I wished during the ride that my monkey had more than one!

The 2013 Kona Unit looks pretty decent for the money if you want ss, but Charlie the Bikemongers site has some no bad deals at the moment as well.

 

[NeilM]

Oh Lordy, I've been moved

I rather fancy 2 x 10, as that what I am using on my Roberts BD build.

I'll have a look at Charle's site later.

My worry now is that if I get one and like it as much as you guys do, what am I going to do with all my retro bikes :roll:

 

[firedfromthecircus]

My worry now is that if I get one and like it as much as you guys do, what am I going to do with all my retro bikes :roll:

That can be an issue, but the way I look at it is this.

Retrobike is as much a state of mind as it is about the actual bike IMHO.

You will still love your Roberts, you just might save it for special occasions. The rest of your collection will depend on circumstances, but loving 29ers or fatbikes or both does not mean Retrobikes don't have their place. It just means you can't be one of those 'holier than thou' types who 'only ride retro'. And that is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[clunker]

My Seven Sola....

Got another two in the making at the moment too

 

[NeilM]

It just means you can't be one of those 'holier than thou' types who 'only ride retro'. And that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Ain't that the truth.