I'm one of these big wheeled folk now

[Raymo853]

I was indecisive on getting a 29” bike or not. At only 176 cm tall, I was unsure if it would be an overall benefit. Pushing my 38c cross/touring bike into rougher places convinced me the hype had some validity. This week the guys at my local shop, MNWW (http://www.mtnittanywheelworks.com/) arranged for me to get a real test ride on a Rig. I took it and my converted SS, a Voodoo Bizango, out to the local trails. I rode part of the upcoming SS WC course, Tussey Mountain trail, that I have ridden dozens of times.

I was not blown away, but was impressed. If I had been blown away, I was going to get a 29” Paragon to be my gearie and leave to Bizi as a SS. Since I like it and wanted a real SS, I got a medium Rig. There were other variables between the bikes causing me to think the 29 thing was not the cat’s pajamas. The Bizi’s flexy Skareb Super vs. the solid Reba, wider bars on the Rig, disk brakes vs. Avid 7 linear-pulls, and nearly worn out 2.1” Conti Vapors vs. the Rig’s 2.2” Bonti ACX tires. On the Bizi’s side it weighed a bit less than the Rig.

I’ve had two 2-hour rides on my Rig sofar, one alone and one with four speedie guys. The group ride was funny, there was one of each of the Fisher 29ers, my Rig, a brand new Paragon and a few months old X Caliper. These two rides have made me further impressed with the bike. It is so stable when descending over rough stuff. There is a bit of extra smoothness and a feeling of almost extra help though rock gardens. I traded bikes with one of the guy’s on a baby wheeled bike and he is now looking for extra cash to get a Rig too. He usually rides an older Ti hard tail that he describes as super plush and felt the Rig was equal in smoothness.

[Drevil]

So you've had two solid weekends on the rig. What are your impressions of the 29er and the Rig in particular?

I switched to 29er after a single ride on a Karate Monkey through one of our area's best trails (Elizabeth Furnace). I was extremely impressed with the handling, the traction, and the comfort. I bought my own Monkey a couple of days later, and sold off three bikes. I don't think I'm ever going back.

[Raymo853]

I still love my rig. It has about a total of 20 hours on it so far. I've been riding my road bike and doing trail work the last weekends so my rides have been limited to the weekdays.

I was fearful the 29" would make me feel too tall and clumsy but it is the inverse of that. My 26" feels less nimble. Honestly I have not gotten my 26" geared bike back together 100% yet. The 29” does make dealing with rock gardens here in central PA much easier, however they can not make up for my lack of skill going over logs. UYea I can go over more and easier but I still scrub off way too much speed doing it. This is my biggest problem in races and the 29” have helped a little but not eliminated the problem. Big tires do not make up for lack of skill.

I had problems with the EBB, but that was due to my lack of knowledge about the apparatus than any design problems. I am fully convinced of disk brakes and never will buy another MTB or cross bike with rim brakes. Actually I do not understand why anyone ever would.

[Raymo853]

I took my Rig on its first real dowhill track yesterday. I can say it was easier than on my 26" hardtail, however, it was still tough. My impact absorbing leg muscles are not up to strength yet nor have I done much rocky downhill stuff. I was able to get over rocks easier but still was getting beat and bounced around a bit.

It hardened my plan to get a dual squishy some time next spring. Probably a Stumpjumper FSR, Epic or Blur.

[Raymo853]

A full month now and i am still loving the Rig. I've been riding both it and my geared 26er a lot the last four weeks. I can see how they are different and it what places I prefer the one bike over the others. Primarily when on the 26er I am always surprised by the extra effort needed to get over things. Normalizing for the geared vs SS variable, I think I would always rather be on the 29er. The 29" just give me that bit of extra help in the rocky stuff, climing on sketchy things and those low speed situtations where I always feel very clumbsy on the 26er.

I was torn between making my next bike a dual squishy 26er or a geared 29er. I now want the 29er. I do not think a dual squishy 29er would make much sense for me. However a 29er softail might just rock. Maybe if big bags of money fall into my lap I'll go get a Moots YBB 29er.

[Cloxxki]

Glad to hear it's worked out so well for you?

Why do you think and FS29 would not be for you?
There have been some extremely good reports on the Lenz Sport Leviathan. A bit over 3" of travel, but it feels like more, they say. Very light (beats most 26"ers), efficient and plenty stiff. If I had only half a bucket of money, I'd get one. That, or it's big brother, now in prototype stage, the Behemoth. 5" of travel, and still a capable climber.

Can you find the strength to sell the 26" bike while it's value is still worth it? I never sold a 26" bike, though I don't ride them anymore either. Memories...

Keep enjoying your new bike!

J

[Raymo853]

I just see no reason for a dual suspension 29er. But then again, I see little reason for dual suspension 26ers. I know they are faster, but just having to deal with all that stuff is really not for me. I want it simple, dealing with a geared bike is already taxing. Yea a soft tail will need a little more attention than a normal hardtail, but not much.

A 29er already smooths it out a bit IMHO. Yea it does not allow seated powering through rock gardens like a Blur or something, but that is not all I do.