[4130biker]

I'm suprised I haven't seen anything here on this subject yet, so I thought I'd bring it up. I've seen the modified 40's and home made 29'ers in the past, but this is interesting to me because I want to know who is working on 29'er frames they refer to in this pinkbike press release.

I know there are advantages and disadvantages to each wheel size, but I don't know how anyone could really tell without a decent 29'er dh tire to test the idea.

Also, do you think these will be intended for a dh application, or more of an all-mountain 29'er type thing?

 

[Jeremy R]

Finally an answer......
to a question that nobody is asking.

 

[Iridemtb]

Also, do you think these will be intended for a dh application, or more of an all-mountain 29'er type thing?

I think that fork has 8 inches of travel...

 

[4130biker]

Finally an answer......
to a question that nobody is asking.

I don't know, flat bars look stupid, too. But turns out they have a purpose and are well on their way to being "cool".

 

[syadasti]

Most people figured out hybrid bikes sucked long ago

 

[4130biker]

I think that fork has 8 inches of travel...

Not necessarily for the 29" version.. They'd probably have to raise the axle to crown height or reduce the travel.

 

[buildyourown]

BCD had a full on 29er DH bike. It was only 6" travel, but his rational was that a bigger wheel made up for the lose of travel. He was getting some decent kenda tires, but nobody makes a try DH tire yet.

 

[bizutch]

Now that DH bikes are under 40 pounds, they gotta find a way to push something. I'd ride one at Mount Snow. Here in the south east, it would about as useful as a humidifier.

 

[Dogboy]

WTB is making a 29'r DH tire next year. Pretty silly if you ask me, but whatever floats your boat.

 

[Hesh To Steel]

There's a thread on MTBR started by a guy who's doing testing on a Lenz DH 29er. 7" of travel front and rear, DH appropriate geometry. He's running a lowered 09 dorado out front, and I think some one-off 29er DH tires/wheels if I'm not mistaken. Supposedly people that have tried it have loved it.

If you go to the MTBR.com DH/FR forum the thread is titled "don't hate it because it's beautiful".

Raises some interesting questions about DHing with a 29er.

 

[sikocycles]

Lenz makes one
Walt works makes one.
Maybe a few other companies soon

 

[Sverre]

This looks pretty cool imo.
I guess they´ve limited the travel a bit to prevent the tire from hitting the crown. (Frame has 140mill travel).

EDIT: Yep, here´s the full info. http://twentynineinches.com/2009/07/30/niner-pushes-envelope-with-w-f-o-9/

 

[djjohnr]

Hypothetically speaking...

29" wheels could makes sense for DH. They roll over terrain easier and DH riders are more likely to accept rotational weight gains in favor of higher speeds through rock gardens. Lots of hurdles would need to be overcome to make them a new standard though.

 

[yuroshek]

ill keep my dorado set at 8" and with a 26" wheel in it. thanks tho!

 

[Hesh To Steel]

Here's the bike being talked about in the MTBR thread:

Here's the thread: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=551146

 

[wanabe]

29 front 26 rear? If they make a wheel and fork combo that keeps the crown to ground height the same, you could just up grade your own bike. Most DH bikes should have the clearance. How awsome would my Shocker be?! <cough..cough see the classifieds