26" or 29" new trail rig?

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by jamisjake

5' 17" huh? sweet!! That means we be right about even!

By the way. I have a RIP 9 as well. It's a great all around bike!

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Chewyeti

deezee... i have seen the light. I lost the reba in favor of 120mm fox. Damping and stiffness is a night and day difference....

the price is close.... and i would say fox.

The Fox is better than the old Reba but the Reba is a better value (IMO)

The word on the street is the New Reba 120mm is

FWIW I love Fox stuff

Back OT The OP is 6'5" I say 29'er no question. Stong set of wheels and maybe an Astrix Monk

PM Burner and see how he is liking his

http://www.astrixsports.com/monk.html

[2wheel_lee]

To the OP, although there are advantages to the 29er, there are also some significant drawbacks - especially for aggressive riders. There have been quite a number of aggressive riders who built up 29ers only to find that they don't fit their riding style. There's a great example of one of these in the Marketplace. Until bike formats change to allow significantly wider front hubs, the 29er wheels simply aren't that durable. You'd also need a frame that allows 150 mm rear hubs...if you want an almost reasonably strong rear wheel.

You may want to find someone who has a sacrificial 29er that they're willing to let you test-ride.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

To the OP, although there are advantages to the 29er, there are also some significant drawbacks - especially for aggressive riders. There have been quite a number of aggressive riders who built up 29ers only to find that they don't fit their riding style. There's a great example of one of these in the Marketplace. Until bike formats change to allow significantly wider front hubs, the 29er wheels simply aren't that durable. You'd also need a frame that allows 150 mm rear hubs...if you want an almost reasonably strong rear wheel.

You may want to find someone who has a sacrificial 29er that they're willing to let you test-ride.

Agree with Lee here. When disc brakes hit the market the industry made the hub narrower instead of making the frames and forks wider

However you can still build a "aggressive trail bike".

Front hub 20mm or if you want standard a 9mm through bolt.

Rear 10mm through bolt or Fun bolts (Chris King).

Would love to see a 135mm wide front hub and 150mm rear with 36 holes
Rear

[mr.plow]

mmhmm

[guero]

please elaborate on your aggressive riding tendencies. does this include doing drops? if so, i've yet to see anyone out of my group of riders hit a drop on their 4" 29er f/s bikes, but havent ridden with anyone who has a 5" travel 29er (i dont think). if you plan on doing drops i'd suggest getting a 26" set up. lee brought up many valid points.

[Rockinthecasbah]

I dropped my 29er but it wasnt as fun, I dont know if they make a a true all mountain 29er other then the lunchbox, but like lee said, and I constantly say 29ers arent great for people riding aggressive.

[2wheel_lee]

Also part of riding aggressively is not just doing drops, but also launching off every little jump in the trail, including landing a bit sideways (if you've ridden with me on the Fullerton Loop, you know what I mean). A smaller-wheeled bike (26") is much easier to launch off things in the trail as well as throw around than a 29er, and as a result, more fun (I think). Although I know a 29er wouldn't be as fun for me, I have doubts that one would hold up very long for me even at the Fullerton Loop.

If you're looking for basic no-frills or thrills cross country riding, then a 29er may be a better choice.

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

Check out a RIP 9! Jeff Sims rides one and he is about 5'17".

I abuse this bike and take it off jumps/drops whatever... I had an issue and broke the seat tube after a year and change



however niner stepped up with no questions asked and had a new ft triangle in the mail in less than 24 hours.... Huge props for their customer service



They even sent a Blue one at my request...

If you want to take it for a spin I ride Aliso a bit during the week when I am home so send me a PM and we can see what we can set up

J

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

I abuse this bike and take it off jumps/drops whatever... I had an issue and broke the seat tube after a year and change
J

Too funny...So that's Jeff going...ahem..."big" on his 29er (oh, you got 16" of air?).

This is what he does on his 26er:

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Too funny...So that's Jeff going...ahem..."big" on his 29er (oh, you got 16" of air?).

This is what he does on his 26er:

The take off is not even in the frame, I was on my way back to the ground granted nothing like the M6 in Mammoth thanks for the Pic

[Patrick]

IMO, the 29er trail bike.

[jamisjake]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Also part of riding aggressively is not just doing drops, but also launching off every little jump in the trail, including landing a bit sideways (if you've ridden with me on the Fullerton Loop, you know what I mean). A smaller-wheeled bike (26") is much easier to launch off things in the trail as well as throw around than a 29er, and as a result, more fun (I think). Although I know a 29er wouldn't be as fun for me, I have doubts that one would hold up very long for me even at the Fullerton Loop.

If you're looking for basic no-frills or thrills cross country riding, then a 29er may be a better choice.

Definitely not looking for a "no-frills cross country bike". Too boring for me. Much like you Lee, I try to hop off of EVERYTHING on the trail, from jumps to small rocks. I didnt even think about the fact that the 29er would downgrade that ability. However, it was actually that picture of JSims that got me to seriously consider a 29er. I still have a 26er(and am building another one) for DH, so i definitely wouldn't be taking the 29er off the Flow drop or anything.

[CPATCRASH]

I've seen people drop a couple of feet on a 29er hard tail. I think the RIP 9 could take it. Just not with me riding it.

The only thing I drop is the kids off at the pool in the morning.