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Bit of an odd one this and probably impossible to answer but I thought I'd ask anyway.
I'm thinking of replacing my Yeti SB5c, which is still a great handling bike, with a 29er full suss. I've finally realised that I'm not an enduro rider so don't need loads of travel, I love the downhills but don't really hammer it but I also really want to ride to the top of every hill as well. It'll mostly be used in the Lakes and Dales (where a hardtail will suffice most of the time).
I've narrowed it down to a Transition Spur and an Ibis Ripley, due to the fact that they both get great reviews for handling and are light. I really like the Spur because it's light (I'm getting old and weak) and has a very simple suspension system but only goes up to 29x2.4. I like the Ripley because it goes up to 2.6 and I can't find anything negative about the pivots.
I'm leaning towards the Spur because of the simplicity (which, rightly or wrongly is a big deal for me at the moment), plus it looks great, but I'm worried that I'll miss the option of trying larger tyres. I've used 27.5x2.8 and whilst I liked the extra comfort and grip I wasn't keen on the self steering and weight.
Has anyone got any thoughts on tyre size for 29ers and pivot life for Ibis and Transition please?
You don't need 2.6" tyres so don't base your decision around that.
Guessing you're not that bothered by the price difference but you'd have enough left over to pay for a lot of bearings with the Spur. And it's an amazing bike. Am sure the Ibis is as well though!
Also, I guess if pivot life is important to you then Santa Cruz has a lifetime warranty on them.
All things being pretty equal though, what can you get stock of in your size and preferred spec?
Get the Ibis. I put 2.6" tyres on my Occam 8 months ago and absolutely love them. The difference on rocky surfaces is amazing. Would hate to go back to 2.4s now.
The fork takes a 2.6 though, yes?
29er 2.6 DHF front and 2.4 DHR2 rear is a good combo.
You don’t need 2.6″ tyres so don’t base your decision around that.
Do you think yhey are over rated?
thebunk
Full MemberGuessing you’re not that bothered by the price difference but you’d have enough left over to pay for a lot of bearings with the Spur. And it’s an amazing bike. Am sure the Ibis is as well though!
Also, I guess if pivot life is important to you then Santa Cruz has a lifetime warranty on them.
All things being pretty equal though, what can you get stock of in your size and preferred spec?
Good point!
I'm not too bothered about spec as I'll build it up myself. Stock is a different issue but I'm not in a rush.
I think 2.6" tyres are fantastic, they are not the answer for all situations but can provide a lot of comfort that various other expensive parts can't match. I test rode a Bird Am9 with a friend and one had 2.3" tyres, the other had 2.6", we switched wheels halfway through the day and it was amazing the difference they made to comfort.
It's not just comfort. You can ride significantly more rocky stuff with wider tyres than you can narrower ones. I love them.