So I know talking about 29ers is a bit like kicking a beehive, but I've been thinking about it lately and was curious. The few that I've ridden with a setup that meshes well for me (wide bars and a short stem, tight cockpit and long wheelbase) have felt really really fun. I've ridden a few that felt awkward and gangly, but I've ridden a few 26inch XC bikes that felt the same way. Straight lining through rock gardens was a revelation, much less pinging, and I held speed better; there were no problems with pumping and flowing the terrain. I think most people who have ridden 29ers with a descent oriented cockpit somewhat agree with that assessment.
But the place that everybody complains about I also felt it (the one I have the most experience on is the GF rumblefish) was better, were corners and flowing the terrain. Particularly, getting loose in the corners is/was phenomenal, as the tire has so much more contact patch that it drifts way more predictably, with much less skittering then a 26. I had no problems getting it layed over, and felt that once I did lay it over, it was much easier to right it and have it catch where I wanted it to. I don't think it would be better for a pumptrack (or perhaps I've only ridden pumptracks suited for 20inch and 26inch wheeled bikes), but pretty much everywhere else I thought it was better (at least in the realm of a trail bike). And it made me really curious/want to try a 29er DH bike, with slacker angles and a lower BB, a stiffer fork and rear end, with 2ply tires.
This is a pretty different experience from a lot of people who ride 29ers and who also ride fast/hit jumps/etc etc.
I'm curious why. I could just be a hack, that's entirely possible, but I'm also wondering how much height has to do with it, and how much the right cockpit makes a difference. I have long arms, I'm 6'1 with a 75inch wingspan. Is it a matter of 29ers simply cross a threshold, and only make sense for taller riders, or do I just need to get better so that I can feel where they're coming up short?
But the place that everybody complains about I also felt it (the one I have the most experience on is the GF rumblefish) was better, were corners and flowing the terrain. Particularly, getting loose in the corners is/was phenomenal, as the tire has so much more contact patch that it drifts way more predictably, with much less skittering then a 26. I had no problems getting it layed over, and felt that once I did lay it over, it was much easier to right it and have it catch where I wanted it to. I don't think it would be better for a pumptrack (or perhaps I've only ridden pumptracks suited for 20inch and 26inch wheeled bikes), but pretty much everywhere else I thought it was better (at least in the realm of a trail bike). And it made me really curious/want to try a 29er DH bike, with slacker angles and a lower BB, a stiffer fork and rear end, with 2ply tires.
This is a pretty different experience from a lot of people who ride 29ers and who also ride fast/hit jumps/etc etc.
I'm curious why. I could just be a hack, that's entirely possible, but I'm also wondering how much height has to do with it, and how much the right cockpit makes a difference. I have long arms, I'm 6'1 with a 75inch wingspan. Is it a matter of 29ers simply cross a threshold, and only make sense for taller riders, or do I just need to get better so that I can feel where they're coming up short?