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Larger wheels a fair trade for suspension?

WestRider7

WestRider7

Chimp
Feb 19, 2006
43
0
Boise
I have been thinking about what my next all-mountain frame purchase will be and have been considering a few different models in the 5-6 inch range, Intense 5.5, Trek Remedy, Pivot Mach 5, but something occurred to me after finishing a day riding some DH trails.

I endo'ed my SX Trail on a burly rock roll that day, and it go me thinking how well my Karate Monkey's larger wheel diameter handle rock gardens, even though the bike is fully rigid, and I am picking through them, it does an amazing job at getting over an obstacle from a very high angle.. From this first hand experience I was thinking about adding the Niner R.I.P. 9 to my list, I can sacrifice a little suspension, gain a larger wheel size, and maybe end up with a pretty solid all mountain ride, think Super D steed.

A couple things that I am concerned with having never rode a FS 29er: The whimpy'er linkage bearings on this bike inducing more flex compared with the 26" bikes I listed, the larger wheel diameter laying into corners slower, and inherent in their design, the longer chain stay of the 29er.

I have read plenty of reviews on 29ers and have the KM, but I just wanted some rider opinions any performance or efficiency gains, or losses, from trading suspension in for larger wheels.
:think:
 
Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted

Monkey
Aug 21, 2006
305
0
Waterloo, IA
Well, just to add to your dilemma, there will be several more choices in long travel 29"ers coming quite soon- one of them from Niner actually.

So, that said, if you are doing high speed technical cornering, then I can certainly understand your aversion to the big wheels gyroscopic effects. Most times though I think you would find that the gyroscopic effect will actually be a benefit in keeping your bike more stable. Chainstays don't have to be all that long. LenzSport has theirs at about 17.5" on their 5 inch travel Behemoth. That said, longer chainstays on a 29"er aren't a hindrance if the design is done right.

In terms of suspension travel, the jury is still out as to just how to compare 26"ers to 29"ers. The one thing you can take away from it, they are very different in how they ride, and the big thing is the way they roll over bumps and how the 29"ers exhibit more stability. Travel in inches isn't a directly comparable thing.

Niner's RIP 9 is a great rig. Check out Bike 29 and ask George Wissel there about it. He rides one pretty regularly up there in Vermont. He's also spent a fair amount of time on an Intense 29"er. Turner also has one readily available. LenzSport is another great rig, but a bit harder to get your hands on.
 
MMcG

MMcG

Ride till you puke!
Dec 10, 2002
15,457
12
Burlington, Connecticut
Stay tuned for a Voodoo Canzo FS Review here on the Monkey in the not too distant future as well. So far reports are on the plus side for how this rig performs from our Monkey test pilots!

More will follow in a few weeks.

Best,

Mark
 
WestRider7

WestRider7

Chimp
Feb 19, 2006
43
0
Boise
I started thinking too about suspension packing out on rides and realized it has no relation to wheel size, so getting a 29 FS is just about liking the riding characteristics of the wheel and maybe picking up a little extra weight over a 26. I just don't know if I can own two 29 bikes and no 26, I am still not completely sold on the idea.
 
Arkayne

Arkayne

I come bearing GIFs
May 10, 2005
3,738
15
SoCal
I'd invest in a 3-7 day mtb skills course instead of a new bike. That way you'll never endo on a rock again! Plus, your riding mojo will go up 300%.

If you are set on a 29r, maybe your lbs will let your demo one out for a week.
 
MMcG

MMcG

Ride till you puke!
Dec 10, 2002
15,457
12
Burlington, Connecticut
Arkayne said:
I'd invest in a 3-7 day mtb skills course instead of a new bike. That way you'll never endo on a rock again! Plus, your riding mojo will go up 300%.

If you are set on a 29r, maybe your lbs will let your demo one out for a week.
Click to expand...
Take some time and read a little more carefully to his orignal post. It might help.
 
sanjuro

sanjuro

Tube Smuggler
Sep 13, 2004
17,373
0
SF
As I love to point out, Harlan Price came in 9th in the Downieville DH on a 29er, the highest placing for a hardtail as well.
 
WestRider7

WestRider7

Chimp
Feb 19, 2006
43
0
Boise
Thanks for the "skills course" suggestion, it was my first time down the course though and I missed the tyranny coming over the rock It just got me thinking about the angles of different size wheels approaching obstacles. I have the course dialed now though, thanks.
 
N

nalaregeork

Chimp
Aug 23, 2008
2
0
Yorktown, NY
MMcG said:
Stay tuned for a Voodoo Canzo FS Review here on the Monkey in the not too distant future as well. So far reports are on the plus side for how this rig performs from our Monkey test pilots!

More will follow in a few weeks.

Best,

Mark
Click to expand...
Love to see that review, looks like an interesting frame to work with.
 
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