[Closed] Are 29er's dead ?

Got one and I love it. Great for my xc style of riding. No intention of changing!

🙂 Got one and I love it. Great for my AM & DH style of riding. No intention of changing.

With Giant (allegedly) dropping 29er's, i was curious as to whether other manufacturers will follow suit ? Will there be an obsolete pile of 29" wheels/forks/frames in the not too distant future ????

I think there are many more frames and forks etc for sale lately on here and PB.

I haven't met a live one yet.

Nope. Giant is just one manufacturer, that thankfully I have no interest in. There's a huge choice of 29ers out there for every discipline, and the majority of them are now fully sorted geometry wise and are great fun to ride.

Mine's in the shed. It's not moving but I don't think it's dead. I think it's hibernating, while the fatbike takes over for the winter.

@yetiman, curious as to where you ride your DH and AM. Genuine question as I rarely see any ion steeper / jumpier Surrey Hills trails or in Alps

Got one and I love it. Great for my xc style of riding. No intention of changing!

Mine lives in the Lake District - although is in hibernation until life sorts itself out a bit more again and/or the days get a little longer.

Just thinking of finding a second one to join it... torn between a Unit, High Latitude or possibly a Honzo at the moment.

Seems to me there are as many/more 29ers than ever. Don't be sucked into believing that 650B is "half-way" between 26 and 29 (i.e. 27.5). There's enough of a difference for both sizes to co-exist.

Will there be an obsolete pile of 29" wheels/forks/frames in the not too distant future ????

No.

My main bike is a FS 29er and is great. I'm also going to rebuild a 26" HT I've got this year. Might try a 650b FS at some point in the next year or two but if I do I'd buy a 29er HT frame and move the parts across.

I dont think one manufacturer changing its tune can be an indicator of the whole market. I think there will always be a market for 29ers now. I love mine and having had lots of 26" bikes over the years, none felt quite right due to my height. As soon as I rode a 29er I knew it was the bike for me; I wouldnt buy another type of MTB again 🙂

I have a SS and HT 29ers and 26er FS AM bikes - love them all and and are perfect for the kind of riding I do. I think there is a place for all wheel sizes all suit all sorts of riders and terrain, so all to their own, rather than let manufactures telling us what they think we should be riding....

I'm racing XC next weekend on my 29" HT, I'll also be racing DH next month on my 29" FS.

Tried 27.5, didn't feel any different to 26.

Seems to me there are as many/more 29ers than ever.

Yeah more and more people I know are getting a 29er. They're still gaining momentum (pun intended) among "normal" riders I reckon.

In contrast I don't think any of my riding buddies have gone 650b.

I love my HT 29er and think my next AM machine will be a 29er as well but thats a couple of years off yet as my 2011 Endro has plenty of life in it yet 🙂

I'm lucky, as I have a 26 HT, 26 FS and a 29 HT and all are very good in their different ways. However, if I was only able to have just one MTB it would be a 120-130mm full sus 29er without a doubt. Spec Camber is a VERY good allrounder, and I dont normally like Spec, but I now have 3 friends with various versions of the camber and they just suck up the XC miles, go down as well as they do up....almost a no brainer.

Unless you do a lot of technical down hill, then for the UK I think a 29er is perfect...but I do fancy a go on a 650b HT...hmmm.

Unless you do a lot of technical down hill, then for the UK I think a 29er is perfect...but I do fancy a go on a 650b HT...hmmm.

A big manufacturers choice of offerings is based on what will make them the most money, not what's the best tool for the job...surely. 😕

We should all be greatful that there is so much choice available these days. There are some truly great bikes available these days, in every wheel size. If it means everyone gets a bike that closer fits their style, without compromise, then that's ace

takisawa2 - Member
We should all be greatful that there is so much choice available these days. There are some truly great bikes available these days, in every wheel size. If it means everyone gets a bike that closer fits their style, without compromise, then that's ace

I'm liking liteville's style of view more and more when it comes to wheel size. I.e me on a medium FS should be 26 rear and 650b front.

No where near dead to me. I love my 29er HT for xc duties and mile munching (hopefully some bikepacking too) but I also love my 26er FS for chucking around / trail stuff.

It will be v interesting to see how giant respond at the end of the year. IMO they are a good insight into overall sales trends.

Don't get me wrong, i'm not knocking 29er's, i.m just curious as to whether the market can accomodate all wheel sizes ? But, i can guarantee you, if i bought one, they'd become obsolete overnight.... 8)

Short answer.... NO, 29ers are alive and kicking.

The guys buying new bikes in our various local groups all seem to be picking up deals on decent 26ers or getting a 29er as a second bike. Only seen one 650B bought so far and that's only because she needed a size small which comes in 650B for that particular bike whilst the larger sizes are 29er. Alot of new purchases seem to be 29er hardtails for winter duties, but maybe that's just down the the weather over the last two months.

Nah, there were loads of them on the Dyfi Winter Warmer last weekend, I'd say around 60% were big wheelers compared to last year when it was maybe 20% at most.

When are Giant dropping them, according to their website http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bike-finder/men/offroad/?level=all they still do the Anthem, XTC, Trance & Talon
in 29" for 2014

29ers are not dead, the revolution is just starting to pick up speed. Now geometry and equipment is making them suitable across all types of riding it's only a matter of time until 26 and 27.5 become for the shorter of stature only... like 20" and 24" is for kiddies bikes.

You read it here first... 😉

Remember the uk is quite a niche market. In the USA 29 is king.

Yes they're f****d !!!! 🙂

29ers rock for me used to have an Anthem 26" the. Progressed to Anthem 29 after a trip to Vegas inc MTB Ing in the Redrock mountains....never looked back .... now got Trance 29 and Tallboy both great machines and well sorted for virtually any terrain.... Giant have stated that they are phasing out 29ers otherwise I may have got the 2014 Trance carbon but they're only putting out a few of the lower models.......all marketing BS in my mind.....2-3 years time they'll be back

Giant is just one manufacturer, that thankfully I have no interest in

No not dead, I have had one of these www.bikefrenzy.co.uk its a "little Bastard" by Raw, they only do a 29er love it, not interested in swapping it out

[URL= http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/snmvaio/20131128meissner_rawbastard236_zpsae4be254.jp g" target="_blank">http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/snmvaio/20131128meissner_rawbastard236_zpsae4be254.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Got two 29er's and love them, one fully rigid and singlespeed, just pings along, and a 100mm full suspension, it's a weapon on a climb. No plans to change.

That 29er carbon above ^^.

Very interesting website, looks like an off the shelf Chinese Carbon frame, circa £200. Shipped to the UK and 'hand finished', which looks like they pop some stickers on.

Maybe chase a face, then slap £299 on top.

Hats off to them for starting up a UK company, but you could do it yourself much cheaper. Even get Slik Graphics to knock up some of your own stickers.

29er = Betamax. good but hated.

26"= vinyl, best playback if your equipment is up to it.

650b = mini disc, great but died eventually

Probably.

dantsw13 - Member

Remember the uk is quite a niche market. In the USA 29 is king.

The UK bike market is one of the biggest in the World. Including kiddies bikes 3 million units were sold in 2012. In Europe only the German market is bigger.

Talking of which, the Canyon website gives an idea of what's going on with medium sized manufacturers. The 26" hardtail range is deleted. New model ranges of Nerve FS and Spectral are available in both 650b and 29er. Specialist DH bikes are still 26" for now.

Have you got one ? Are you changing to 27.5 anytime soon ?

I will not give up my 29er, best bike I've ever had.

Including kiddies bikes 3 million units were sold in 2012.

Giant's take on it may be to do with how many bikes they sell in Asia. I'm guessing though.

I'm covering all bases by having a 26, 27.5 and 29er mtb.

Rode enduro today so pulled out the 27.5 and my bright yellow jacket.
Will do xc tomorrow so Lycra and 29er.

Not dead here all the guys I ride with are all on 29er's. Best thing I've done with regards to MTB's ,now enjoy riding again

I remember the minidisc it is probably the greatest invention that should have come ten years earlier (we would all be still buying them from amazon rather than the awkward cd)and to be honest the analogy of the minidisk compared to to wheelsize is about right for me ive had such great fun on 26ers and they taught me all I know about trail fun but when I realised that I only needed a "one bike to rule them all" an sc highball was an absolute revelation!!!! im a big guy who commutes on a ss 29er and could never feel comfortable on a number of 26ers (9 to be precise majority fs) but my latest 29er as I age still keeps me smiling both xc and trail
I suppose my next fs build will be27.5 and I'm looking forward to it but more of an intellectual exercise but I'm ready to be dazzled!!!!
Betamax rules!!!!!!

29ers never really took off outside of murica, the inflated sales figures for 29ers are because everyone and their dog buys them on cycle to work schemes to plod up and down cycle paths, outside of xc races and surrey they are a bit of a rarity among proper mountain bikers.

Loving my 29er for what I do (XC mincing) and who I am (6 foot bloke). Think it is great there is a choice in wheel size now, hope that there always is TBH. Feels like we are coming out the dark ages TBH!

[quote=dantsw13]Remember the uk is [s]quite a niche market[/s] always 5 years behind the USA. In the USA 29 is king.

FIFY

Pick a wheel size and be a dick about it.

So are 29er's for tall guys/gals, or are some of you average height (5'9/10"), or shorter ?

With Giant (allegedly) dropping 29er's, i was curious as to whether other manufacturers will follow suit ?

IIRC Giant 'clarified' that statement to say they wouldn't be dropping 29ers, and one of their marketing people had been misquoted.

I always say oooo clown bike good naturely when I see one. Scarily on natural/rocky trails I dont see many.

b45her - Member
29ers never really took off outside of murica, the inflated sales figures for 29ers are because everyone and their dog buys them on cycle to work schemes to plod up and down cycle paths, outside of xc races and surrey they are a bit of a rarity among proper mountain bikers.

Quite the opposite for me, there's loads of them where I ride and with who I ride and we're not all XC junkies

ratherbeintobago - Member

IIRC Giant 'clarified' that statement to say they wouldn't be dropping 29ers, and one of their marketing people had been misquoted.

Yep, it's fairer to say that they said their 29ers aren't that good, and that all the marketing push to get you to buy them over the last few years was cobblers... but you can still buy them if you want.

29ers never really took off outside of murica, the inflated sales figures for 29ers are because everyone and their dog buys them on cycle to work schemes to plod up and down cycle paths, outside of xc races and surrey they are a bit of a rarity among proper mountain bikers.

That's not actually true though, is it?

Taking a stroll through Cannock today and saw more 29ers and fat bikes than anything else really.

Taking a stroll through Cannock today and saw more 29ers and fat bikes than anything else really.

Does that mean I'm "niche" on my 26" wheeled bike ?

26 may well be all but dead for new bikes, all the 2014 Carrera MTBs (inc. Subway) are 27.5, and Halfords already do a £150 29er. I know you lot don't care about such things but if the biggest bike retailer in the country is going 27.5 then it says a lot. 26 will still be supported obviously, there's so many of them about.

Bloody hope not, just spent 1500 quid on my first 29er. Had a 26 before but didn't and still don't see much point in 650b/27.5's

Interesting times. The 26 everyone generally feels warm and fuzzy over. 29 has polarised the market. 27.5 who knows really what people think? They all have their intended application.

Just made the leap to 29 wondering where it's been all my life. Interesting thing is what I like about it so much is what is supposed to put people off - no more bloody trail buzz 🙂 I now only feel what I need to not every little root branch & pebble. Also Epping forest was almost all 26 but out walking the trails with the kids today seen at least half & half on 26 & 29

hora - Member

I always say oooo clown bike good naturely when I see one. Scarily on natural/rocky trails I dont see many.

they are great on the pebbles at Cannock though

Fizzles, sizzles, smokes aargghh dont mention my Kryptonite

Rode my 29er FS (Trance) into the top 25% of my second ever Gravity Enduro last weekend. It was ace and very much alive.

All my mates ride 29ers, none of us want to go slower so they'll be here to stay in our west country enclave.

Got a Rigid 29er. Would only choose 29 for a rigid.

Would quite like a 650b trail bike though…

29ers never really took off outside of murica, the inflated sales figures for 29ers are because everyone and their dog buys them on cycle to work schemes to plod up and down cycle paths, outside of xc races and surrey they are a bit of a rarity among proper mountain bikers.

it is where i live and ride, and just about every distributor i spoke to at corebike and bikeplace last week said the same thing, 29er trail bikes above about £1000 simply dont sell outside of the south of england.

Got three 29ers, one of them is geared ht,the other two rigid single speed, love big wheels. Haven't used geared one since October.

South of England are either early adaptors or buy the next fad-types.

Who knows which. Time will tell

Scarily on natural/rocky trails I dont see many.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Manchester, I see increasing numbers grinding up the hill past my house, in the general direction of Lee/Cragg.

Seen a lot up here tbh- I think once everyone got over the "they're for XC" thing and realised they're good for smashing over rocks. Watching the MTBCut guys on their Five 29s is just ridiculous.

maico - Member
dantsw13 - Member
Remember the uk is quite a niche market. In the USA 29 is king.

The UK bike market is one of the biggest in the World. Including kiddies bikes 3 million units were sold in 2012. In Europe only the German market is bigger.

But compared to the USA?

Been out on my 29er HT today, long uphill drags and fast rocky descents both dealt with easily. I still love my Cindercone and Reign 26ers. Don't think i need or want a 650b.

Plus i am average height 5/10 and fits me fine 🙂

it is where i live and ride, and just about every distributor i spoke to at corebike and bikeplace last week said the same thing, 29er trail bikes above about £1000 simply dont sell outside of the south of england.

29er's, Clown bikes... Proportions all wrong, just don't look right..
650b... Coz that's what the manufacturers/media folks "reckon" we need !
26...ain't much wrong them is there ??

Ive seen a few out in the wild, but not that many, out of a group of 20 or so riding mates I only know 1 person who had one (rumblefish) and he sold it for an SB66C Id quite like to try one, maybe a nice fast hardtail for xc type stuff.
Trouble is my new 650b bike is so much fun Im in no rush to do so
infact my poor 26in dh bike is not seeing any action these days either
with 2 kids my commuter sees the most action and off road ive committed to a lot of enduros, megavalanche etc this year

my rambling point is that my mtbing time is relatively restricted and a tweener [shudderrs] bike seems to fit the bill even if it might be compromised for some stuff

who needs wagon wheels!

[img] [/img]

saying all that I reckon i might look out for a s/h dh bike and 29 hardtail on the cheap

it is where i live and ride, and just about every distributor i spoke to at corebike and bikeplace last week said the same thing, 29er trail bikes above about £1000 simply dont sell outside of the south of england.

Good for you.

I live in the North and can confirm that there's plenty of 29er trail bikes above about £1000 on the moors and at the trail centers round here.

Don't confuse me with a fan boy either. I have 29er trail bikes above about £1000 as I fancied a change from my 26" and was bored of getting dropped by my friends on 29ers. I'm yet to be won over as it's brilliant 95% of the time but I miss the 5% where the 26" was better.

I use to look at 29ers and think they looked all wrong, but I really rate my Unit. I also enjoy razzing about on my Pitch.

Wheel size alone does not maketh the bike.

650b won't kill 29ers if it takes off as a wheel size . It will be mostly replacing 26". I suspect that Giant going into 650b so heavily was because the major US brands all had been doing 29ers for a fair bit longer and had better and easier to sell 29ers than Giant who then had the choice to play catch up or roll the dice with 650b .

A 650b will always be a compromise to a 29" so if common sense prevails they'll be around for good,

Mine's in the shed. It's not moving but I don't think it's dead. I think it's hibernating, while the fatbike takes over for the winter.

Well done you, what's your next pointless buy that'll revolutionise your riding going to be?

Just seen this topic 8 months on from the last comment. It's easy to be smart in hind sight, I can see where the majority are coming from when looking back. Just wondering where attitudes stand now when it is obvious that 650b (whether through clever marketing by the manufacturers or because we the buyers did find them to be to our liking) is now 9 months on from this debate kicking off, very much the "here and now" wheelsize.

Being completely honest 2 years ago I had a 26" and bought a 29er, ran the two, loved the scenario and thought 650b fell between the two stools so not for me. Two years on I have sold the 26" (no surprise there I can here a few of you say) but I have also sold the 29er, a Santa Cruz Tallboy LTc, very much the dogs do-dahs 2 years ago and now run just the one bike. After attending a demo day I was instantly taken with 650b and still love the wheel size. Will I go back to 26"? never! Will I go back to 29? maybe but only as a short travel hardtail I suspect.