[Closed] Bike advice... 29er or P7

will I regret not going for the 29er

try the 29er, you may like it.

What era is the P7? There's a few versions...

probably, and the P7 probably weighs as much as your 5...
( former P7 owner and 5 owner )

I was in a similar position but went for a Marin nail trail 6 29er

I wouldn't get a smaller-wheeled HT again myself, have you tried a 29er before?

It's a current P7 and is pretty light due to the build. I have ridden a first generation trek stache 29er and a couple of fs 29ers and always thought that was the way to go....... but this P7 looks lovely

If it's a really good price then go for it, and if it doesn't work out then you shouldn't lose too much on it.

They do look like good bikes and it might fit you much better than a Scout, reach-wise?

I'm 6'4", I had a P7 for years. Great bike, but I prefer the handling characteristics of a 29er. Going back to try small wheels again confirmed it for me. And the 26" wheel bike looks very small, almost out of proportion.

Try a 29er, they are different.

And there's a reason the P7 is a good deal....

The current P7 is very different to the old 26" ones, apart from having bigger wheels!

THe P7 looks like a Five but without the rear travel; go for a short forked 29er as a good compliment to the Five.

OP - answer to question is no

Thanks all. The P7 is longer than the scout but I guess it's the 27.5 vs 29 thing it's just in my head that it 'could' be better!! I hate making decisions!

I have the new P7 but I am struggling to see how:

THe P7 looks like a Five but without the rear travel

At 6'4 you will definitely need an XL P7, all this talk about bikes being really long these days is nonsense, they are just finally making bikes the right size instead. At 6' the L is perfect, not too long and not to short. It's a pocket rocket, I use mine for exactly what you want and I also use mine sometimes here in the Lakes for big rides so it's as tough build with proper tyres so not very light. It's a brilliant bike.

Thanks duir that's exactly what I think I was hoping to hear! It is an xl bike and it felt great round the car park!

THe P7 looks like a Five but without the rear travel

And this is a bad thing, why?

My full-sus and hardtail look so similar in shape and build that a lot of the time no-one notices which one I've turned up on - and that similarlty in stance means the hardtail rides so much better when it gets gnarly.

I love 29'ers and have a Five 29 but I recently bought a P7 to try out as I like to have a hardtail for the winter months. I've tried a few HT's and never really gelled with them. However, the P7 is great and a lot of fun to ride. It's not as fast as a 29er hardtail would be so not an ideal xc bike but it sure is a lot more fun when it's pointing down or pushing on through single decent single track. I took mine over to Surrey Hills recently and had much more fun than I thought I would on a hardtail, in fact I would happily do it again and I used to swear that I would never ride a HT there!

Personally I think 29er hardtails are the best hardtails. They just seem right for some reason and I can't imagine going back to 26 for a hardtail. Never tried the middle sized wheels though.

Cheers for all the advice. I think I'm going to go for the P7. I'll report back after the weekend!

duir - Member
I have the new P7 but I am struggling to see how:

THe P7 looks like a Five but without the rear travel

Slack, long, heavy etc. etc. Like a full sus but not as good.

I'm 6'4". My orange five 29 is my first wagon wheel bike. Ill never go back. Sat in not perched upon. Great to have a bike that fits properly.

Slack, long, heavy etc. etc. Like a full sus but not as good.

If you ever rode one you'd understand. Handles like a full-sus but reacts to the ground like a hardtail.

Not as heavy as a full-sus anyway, not unless you're comparing a blinged up carbon full-sus with a steel hardtail.

i used to own one. it was heavy and a bit dull. then it cracked.