29er?

[kccougar]

I still haven't purchased my Christmas present, mainly because I haven't decided once and for all if I want a road bike or a mountain bike. Tonight my neighbor told me that he's going to sell one of his mountain bikes and it seems like a good price. But it is a Specialized 29er. I've never been on one.

For those of you who have, do you like it and does it take long to adapt from riding a 26-inch bike?

[ERCougar]

I still haven't purchased my Christmas present, mainly because I haven't decided once and for all if I want a road bike or a mountain bike. Tonight my neighbor told me that he's going to sell one of his mountain bikes and it seems like a good price. But it is a Specialized 29er. I've never been on one.

For those of you who have, do you like it and does it take long to adapt from riding a 26-inch bike?

Last fall, I went from a hardtail Stumpjumper that was $2100 new in 1997 (which I got for $900 a year later) to a full suspension Gary Fisher Rumblefish (29er). For cross-country stuff and slickrock, the 29er is a big improvement. Stuff that might catch a 26" tire before disappear. Ledges are easier to negotiate. The extra few inches of clearance matter more than you think. Everything smooths out.
The drawbacks: 1) Maneuverability - it's just bigger. I haven't noticed a huge difference here, but Fisher is kind of the pioneer of 29ers and I think has mitigated this problem somewhat more than others (if I believe reviews). 2) Climbing - Worse because of the heavier wheel and the higher gear that automatically comes with a larger diameter wheel. I didn't think about this before I bought it and it's the reason I haven't sold my old bike yet. The trail that I ride the most has a couple of really gnarly steep climbs that you just have to do in your granny gear and there are a couple I have to clip out on on my new bike.

Overall, it's been a lot of fun. It shines on the slickrock in St George and I'm anxious to get out to Gooseberry to play around. The climbing is the only real drawback. Pretty much everyone is switching over these days, it seems.