Dad's new 29er's

[dave66]

just came from the GF website and looked at the new class of 29er call dual sport.
these just glorified hybrids or can ya really bash one around on the trail?
/Dave

[Billleigh]

I just bought a 229 last weekend and Id say the jury is still out!
The bike comes with slicks and Im a tiny 6'-3" 250# and the coils in the fork need upgraded to x-stiff. and the wheel set sould be different/stronger. I have to true my wheels after every ride. but perhaps its me and not the bike?? As I said the jury is out, but Ill keep you posted


Bill

[Mauriceman]

hmmm, did the shop properly tension and true your wheels before selling you the bike?

[Billleigh]

"M"-man

I asked them to do just that, and they said it was completed...but you know how that goes!


I want the tires you have for sale.

[benwitt11]

Dave,
The fisher 229 is somewhat of a light mountain bike. unless you are a 160# rider, i wouldn't do serious off roading without buying a different wheel set. with an inherantly weaker 700c wheel, a paired spoke front/rear wheel is going to be much weaker that a "normal" 32 spoke 26 inch wheel.

Bill,
i am going out on a limb to play devils advocate. as a mechanic i know how the "final check" goes when someone buys a bike, don't blame your mechanic. The wheels that come spec'ed on the 229 are going to be too weak for a person of your size. with the low spoke count you WILL have problems unless you keep to the road. what type of wheels have you ridden in the past? for someone in your situation i would change wheels fast. if you are having to true your wheels after every ride something is wrong. if i were you i would switch the stock wheels for a pair of 36 spoke salsa delgado X rims lace to a good 14/15 gauge spoke, (dt or wheelsmith,) and a pair of xt hubs. with that set up you should have no problems with your wheels. my boss and i just built almost that exact wheel set for his fisher 29, he's no small guy either, and they work great for him. just a suggestion, but a strong one from someone who knows about paired spoke wheels.

[Billleigh]

You know I asked the store owner and the store mech. about these paired spoke wheels and they told me that they are engineered for off road! So when you tell me not to blame the mech...I’d say not everyone is Going to be 100% honest if they can make a sale!

I did order the exact wheel set you mentioned, but that’s only part of the problem. The front shock even with the heaviest spring is not rated for my weight. And I even asked them the same questions about this as well!

So my point is with out up grading a brand new bike to the tune of $600-900 depending the front fork…..would have you sold me this knowing my size and where I was going to ride? That’s why I’m pissed. I would have spent $1200-1500 plus to make the 229 a mountain bike that would work for me.

I bought a Sugar 293 (from another bike shop) Spent $1200 and that’s what they should have sold me in the first place. And know I have a spare set of salsa delgado that I oreder from speed goat! And the bike is sweet….no pun intended!

[benwitt11]

you're right. if you came to my shop, i would have never suggested you by that bike. i don't recommend paired spoke wheels for anyone over about 200 lbs, no matter what the intended purpose is. i didn't mean any offense to you, i just get a lot of crap from people angry at bike mechanics and salesmen, all i'm saying is, we're not all bad. the problem with some of those shops is that the guys work on comission. they don't care what you buy, just that you buy something. the nice thing about working in a little shop like i do is that i don't work on comission. when someone comes in to my shop, i try to get them the bike that will best suit their needs. i don't think everyone is that way though. you made a good choice on your current bicycle, i have a sugar and i really like it. that wheelset should make your riding much better, at least better than your old bontragers. have fun! keep the faith!