I ride very technical, rocky, northeast singletrack, and my Paradox works great there, too. So it wasn't due to the smooth CA trails- the bike is tons of fun.
I'd ridden a few 29er's and HATED them until I demoed a Paradox with a dropper post and 20mm thru axle fork. The bike flat out ripped singletrack and killed it on the downs. I have NO interest in getting rid of my 5 inch travel 26er fully- but the Paradox I built up has been a fantastic addition to the stable...
my yelli
Always a good idea to be relative. "Very technical, rocky" in the NE is totally different than "very technical, rocky" in the Rocky Mountains. Eastern US mtns are old, round and short. The grade is gentler, the rocks smoother and rounder. Tougher riding than the flats of Oklahoma, but....
I don't like 29ers much but your logic is several flawed, rock type/formation is more critical than geological age alone and can vary tremendously within the same region. The youngest rocks in the Continental US are some of the weakest (sedimentary rocks like shale) and sedimentary rocks can offer some of the best grip (see Moab's sandstone formations). Sustained elevation changes alone don't have much to do with how technical a trail is.
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Don't be pedantic with me, Junior.
I grew up on the East Coast and rode all throughout it. Know the Appalachain mtns quite well. Live in the Northern Rockies now and have ridden throughout the Rockies.
They don't compare.
I'm sorry it makes you feel emasculated enough to play at fake scholarship, getting all professorial.
NE is "technical" in its own way. As I said.
And it's "more technical" than flat-arse Oklahoma or Iowa.
But it's nothing like what I've ridden in the Rockies. Not even close.
Citing grippy sandstone on Little Creek Mesa? Dude... I didn't have Gooseberry or Little Creek in mind when I talked about what is technical in the Rockies, even if that's where your mind jumps.
You have no clue where or what I've ridden, so don't pretend that YOU are the authority here.
Lots of rocks at a 15% grade (i.e. Jim Thorpe PA) is techie, but it's nothing like the same amount of rocks at 35% grade for over 1,000 feet vert.
Again, don't get all rice-d!cked. It is what it is. The difference isn't an assault on your masculinity -- it's just how things are.
************
Why do some tards find it necessary to interpret every MTB discussion as an assault on their Studliness?
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As JK points out you've earned your misguided rep, and there is tremendous various in rock formations/trails conditions often even within one state.
As far as the Rockies go I've literally lived on them (in wilderness areas for 10 weeks straight). Sustained elevation does not have direct relation to how technical it is.
35 degree slopes on 29ers for a 1000 ft vert, give me a break. Most people on MX would have have problems, you'd be pushing.
I've also lived and ridden in areas geological younger and less technical than either area in question - Costa Rica and New Zealand. Too steep to ride isn't the same thing as how technical the ride is.
As far as the Rockies go I've literally lived on them (in wilderness areas for 10 weeks straight). Sustained elevation does not have direct relation to how technical it is.
35 degree slopes on 29ers for a 1000 ft vert, give me a break. Most people on MX would have have problems, you'd be pushing.
I've also lived and ridden in areas geological younger and less technical than either area in question - Costa Rica and New Zealand. Too steep to ride isn't the same thing as how technical the ride is.
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Wow! People in this thread should read Seb's article on Bike and take a chill pill. There is no right thing for everyone, let alone every trail or region...
I get just as sick of the 29 hate as I do with the "29 is the only way" crowd. Someone said it earlier in this thread... just like 26 bikes, there are bikes that ride great with 29 wheels and there are bikes that don't. Which ones YOU think ride great requires some ride time. If you rode a 29 in the past it might be worth it to try again before passing judgment. New fork offsets, new tires, and lots of minor changes that make a big difference in how a bike rides. Make up your own mind...
I get just as sick of the 29 hate as I do with the "29 is the only way" crowd. Someone said it earlier in this thread... just like 26 bikes, there are bikes that ride great with 29 wheels and there are bikes that don't. Which ones YOU think ride great requires some ride time. If you rode a 29 in the past it might be worth it to try again before passing judgment. New fork offsets, new tires, and lots of minor changes that make a big difference in how a bike rides. Make up your own mind...
Don't get pedantic with ME, junior. And don't get your panties in a bunch about syadasti's generalizations - you just did the exact same thing. Southern and mid-coast Appalachians are VASTLY different than the northern Appalachians, and if you'd ridden both, you'd know that. Lots of different types of terrain around here, just like there is out west.
Anyway, the moral of the story here is that the Paradox, Yelli, and the modern flock of 29ers are really fun, and there are plenty of equally fun 26" bikes out there. Ride what you like and don't let dip**** zealots tell you what to do, in life or on bikes.
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my problem with 29'ers is that you're never gonna hit a 13" bb height without having almost 3" of bb drop
Man, you are one high-strung dude. My use of "should" was just a part of a 10-second response in my daily 2 minutes scan of ridemonkey. I didn't spend half my day editing my post and deciding to strategically use the word should. Everyone should ride the bike that is right for them. Period. For me it is mostly 26ers but I really enjoyed my time on a trail-oriented 29er so I ordered one. It will be the bike I ride most of the time. It doesn't mean I gave up on 26ers and am now part of the 29 evangelical crowd. I will still have 4 26ers. I could care less what others ride.
By the way, Jones is a terrible writer but at the same time I love reading his articles. Once you translate his English in real English there are always a few good nuggets in the articles.
Figured I should add this bike to the thread. One of my best buds just had the boys at tonic fabrications weld him up a 29'er hardtail, they are built to order. In his case, tight wheelbase, slack, and lots of tire clearance...
even with Cedric the entertainer at the helm?
this is mine
2012 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo 29er HT
short stem, big bars (Easton Havoc 750mm), lock-on grips, flat pedals = feels wicked to ride in anger!
2012 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo 29er HT
short stem, big bars (Easton Havoc 750mm), lock-on grips, flat pedals = feels wicked to ride in anger!