Any Mountain Bikers on Here?

[jstim]

So my boss who rides bikes more than any man I know..(a cyclacross, road racer, and cross country racer) is trying to get me to buy a Specialized Enduro 29. I have ridden his Epic 26, and 29...still kind of out on how I feel about the 29er. Since I like to ride singletrack, and huck myself off drops, and see how hard I can tail whip my bike through the air(just a Diamondback hardtail). So what do you guys know about the Enduro 29s? Looking for something that is going to be nimble, and can handle speed, downhills, hucks, and just about everything....

 

[Jhalko]

Best part was this from my friend- quote
" Dude, are you OK?! Can I say something without you getting mad? You look so @#$ing cool right now, I gotta take your picture!!"

Thats a good friend, I mean you have to document that stuff!

I have a garage filled with nice bikes and still ride a ton, mountain bike season is relatively short up here though.

I once went so hard at the start of a mountain bike race that I blacked out, still recovered enough to finish in the top 75% though! I've crashed so many times it's not even funny.

 

[Jhalko]

So my boss who rides bikes more than any man I know..(a cyclacross, road racer, and cross country racer) is trying to get me to buy a Specialized Enduro 29. I have ridden his Epic 26, and 29...still kind of out on how I feel about the 29er. Since I like to ride singletrack, and huck myself off drops, and see how hard I can tail whip my bike through the air(just a Diamondback hardtail). So what do you guys know about the Enduro 29s? Looking for something that is going to be nimble, and can handle speed, downhills, hucks, and just about everything....

You give up a little turning ability for faster rolling and it is easier to roll over roots. When I ride a 29er in NC I always like it on he gravel and rooty sections but hate it in the tight turns. Great bike though, ride a few others for comparison and see what feels best.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

So my boss who rides bikes more than any man I know..(a cyclacross, road racer, and cross country racer) is trying to get me to buy a Specialized Enduro 29. I have ridden his Epic 26, and 29...still kind of out on how I feel about the 29er. Since I like to ride singletrack, and huck myself off drops, and see how hard I can tail whip my bike through the air(just a Diamondback hardtail). So what do you guys know about the Enduro 29s? Looking for something that is going to be nimble, and can handle speed, downhills, hucks, and just about everything....

http://mtbparks.com/Mountain-Bike-P...-Ride-|-Canfield-Brothers-Balance-Review.html

I might be biased but I ride the old balance from 2007 and can't get enough. It's worth taking a look at in any case.

 

[Limbwalker]

So my boss who rides bikes more than any man I know..(a cyclacross, road racer, and cross country racer) is trying to get me to buy a Specialized Enduro 29. I have ridden his Epic 26, and 29...still kind of out on how I feel about the 29er. Since I like to ride singletrack, and huck myself off drops, and see how hard I can tail whip my bike through the air(just a Diamondback hardtail). So what do you guys know about the Enduro 29s? Looking for something that is going to be nimble, and can handle speed, downhills, hucks, and just about everything....

Its a big bike, so its gonna be a little less nimble, but a 6" travel 29er will absolutely eat technical terrain and do it fast and very well. Enduro 29 is a monster. I ride a Camber Comp 29 and its badass in its own right. A little biased...I havent ridden 26" wheels in 4 years

 

[Jimmy_D]

Looking for something that is going to be nimble, and can handle speed, downhills, hucks, and just about everything

I've been riding mountain bikes since very shortly after they first appeared on the market. I founded the mountain bike club in Dallas (DORBA), which is one of the largest clubs in the country. I spend my summers & falls in Crested Butte so I spend a lot of time on a mountain bike. From my experience, for normal trail riding, you simply can't beat a 29er (I ride a Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon). When you throw downhilling into the mix you obviously want to consider going to a longer travel suspension (140mm +). From everything I've gleaned, going to a longer travel suspension on a 29er necessitates some suspension design compromises. Not that they won't work well, they just won't work quite as well as they do with a shorter travel design. Thus, if I was planning on doing what it appears you want to do I think I'd take a serious look at the longer travel 27.5" designs. You get most of the advantages of larger wheels without having to sacrifice anything in the way of suspension design.

 

[1fast_e]

^
Jim, we need to go ride sometime. I am at Legacy and LBH every chance I get.

 

[Dpassmore]

So my boss who rides bikes more than any man I know..(a cyclacross, road racer, and cross country racer) is trying to get me to buy a Specialized Enduro 29. I have ridden his Epic 26, and 29...still kind of out on how I feel about the 29er. Since I like to ride singletrack, and huck myself off drops, and see how hard I can tail whip my bike through the air(just a Diamondback hardtail). So what do you guys know about the Enduro 29s? Looking for something that is going to be nimble, and can handle speed, downhills, hucks, and just about everything....

I would go with a 26 or 650b if you're the hucking type... lol
I'm a 26'er, but if I ever go up, it'll be a 650b. I have a BMX background and like jumps etc. and the 26" feels better to me.

 

[Dpassmore]

The 21lb Scandium/Carbon Salsa.

Simply Stupid was an awesome bike that was stolen

 

[paddlenbike]

There are some very nice bikes in this thread.

I must not be a cool kid because I don't like the cool kid bikes--I do not like 29ers, I have a hardtail and a single speed that I no longer ride; my favorite bike is my full suspension 2006 Rocky Mountain Element 70. I would entertain the idea of a 27.5" for my next bike, but the 29ers just don't do it for me; I must be old and lame.

Wife rides an 03 Kona Kikapu Deluxe:

And before you give me crap about my roof rack, it has been removed and I'm building a hitch rack as we speak.

 

[Jimmy_D]

we need to go ride sometime

I normally get back to Dallas around the middle of October (depends on what the weather does here in Crested Butte that time of year). My favorite trial in Dallas is Big Cedar. I spend a lot of time at Harry Moss because I can ride there from my house. I also hit Northshore, Rowlett Creek, Boulder and Oak Cliff Nature Preserve from time to time.

 

[KidVermicious]

I must not be a cool kid because I don't like the cool kid bikes--I do not like 29ers, I have a hardtail and a single speed that I no longer ride; my favorite bike is my full suspension 2006 Rocky Mountain Element 70. I would entertain the idea of a 27.5" for my next bike, but the 29ers just don't do it for me; I must be old and lame.

I'm gonna hazard a guess that you're not a large guy? Everybody I know who likes a 29er is 6 foot plus. Everybody I know that hates them is short. I'm 6'4", and I can tell you that for me, stepping into my first 29er was a relevation. I didn't know how awesome mountain biking really was until I set myself down between those two giant rims - I'm back on a 26 now and I hate it. I'm convinced that it's a size thing, you gotta ride what fits ya.

 

[1engineer]

I'm gonna hazard a guess that you're not a large guy? Everybody I know who likes a 29er is 6 foot plus. Everybody I know that hates them is short. I'm 6'4", and I can tell you that for me, stepping into my first 29er was a relevation. I didn't know how awesome mountain biking really was until I set myself down between those two giant rims - I'm back on a 26 now and I hate it. I'm convinced that it's a size thing, you gotta ride what fits ya.

I too am 6'4" 250 lb. I love to ride and been riding for years. I thought I loved 26's until I first rode a 29'er. Fell in love and have not looked back. Currently riding a hardtail singlespeed and life is good. I ride 5X/week on singletrack, so about 50-60 miles a week. I just put my 2nd set of pads on this season. Usually I will go through:
3X brake pads
Several rear spokes (up to 8 so far this year)
Maybe 1/2 dozen tubes
A new rear tire every season
Usually some bearings too, bottom bracket, wheel, etc.

Yes, I ride a good bike. It's a Trek "Rig" with Fox front suspension. Why do I go through so much stuff? Again, I am 6'4" and 250 lb. Imagine the stress the rear spokes, brakes and bearings go through. I know I could get higher quality rims but hey, spokes are cheap lol. For the record I also ride a Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail with different rims and still go through spokes and pads. Both bikes have the Avid Elixir hydraulic brakes and I run Maxxis tires on the rear. I usually go 1200+ miles/season on singletrack. I have fun and will ride until I can't ride anymore. My riding partner is five years older than me (he's 57) and we have a bucket list of rides.
Moab
Boulder Co. Thursday night ride through town
One end of Long Island NY to the other end.

 

[youngr]

I'm gonna hazard a guess that you're not a large guy? Everybody I know who likes a 29er is 6 foot plus. Everybody I know that hates them is short. I'm 6'4", and I can tell you that for me, stepping into my first 29er was a relevation. I didn't know how awesome mountain biking really was until I set myself down between those two giant rims - I'm back on a 26 now and I hate it. I'm convinced that it's a size thing, you gotta ride what fits ya.

I am only 5'-8" and I recently switched from a 26" Trek Fuel to a 29" Santa Cruz Highball. I think its the best decision ive ever made. The standover is edging the high side of "perfect" but other than that the ride is AMAZING.

 

[MONTYMTB]

I'm gonna hazard a guess that you're not a large guy? Everybody I know who likes a 29er is 6 foot plus. Everybody I know that hates them is short. I'm 6'4", and I can tell you that for me, stepping into my first 29er was a relevation. I didn't know how awesome mountain biking really was until I set myself down between those two giant rims - I'm back on a 26 now and I hate it. I'm convinced that it's a size thing, you gotta ride what fits ya.

I have a good friend who is 5'2" and she loves 29. [MENTION=9596]paddlenbike[/MENTION] - how long has it been since you've ridden a 29er? They've really improved the geometry on them over the past few years.

 

[MONTYMTB]

Usually I will go through:
Maybe 1/2 dozen tubes

Any particular reason why you're not running tubeless?

 

[4x4mike]

I have a good friend who is 5'2" and she loves 29. [MENTION=9596]paddlenbike[/MENTION] - how long has it been since you've ridden a 29er? They've really improved the geometry on them over the past few years.

29'ers are very popular in my region no matter the size of the rider. I race with many 5 foot tall women and high schoolers that are all on 29'ers. The fit is a big thing with any sized bicycle and like clothes, some fit better than others.

It also comes down the style of riding and terrain you ride. 29'ers aren't for everyone, nor are 26'ers or 96'ers, gears, no gears, etc. As such I've got several mountain bikes that all fit differently. Some have derailleurs, some don't, some have small wheels, some don't.

 

[1engineer]

Any particular reason why you're not running tubeless?

Briars.... I can put a new tube in in just a few minutes. Tubeless? A bit longer lol.

 

[Millerad1651]

I'm 6'1'' about 250 and I didn't like the 29er I tried. IT felt too clumsy for the tight trails we have around here.
I bought a used Kona 26" and converted it to 650B...I love it. Still as responsive as it was as a 26'', but a little more easier rolling for me. Once this one goes down, I'll buy an actual 650B bike...

 

[KidVermicious]

I am only 5'-8" and I recently switched from a 26" Trek Fuel to a 29" Santa Cruz Highball. I think its the best decision ive ever made. The standover is edging the high side of "perfect" but other than that the ride is AMAZING.

I have a good friend who is 5'2" and she loves 29. [MENTION=9596]paddlenbike[/MENTION] - how long has it been since you've ridden a 29er? They've really improved the geometry on them over the past few years.

I guess that shoots that theory in the head.