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F26:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p5390/CANNONDALE-F26-3-%28FLASH-CARBON%29-2013
F29:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b65s155p5411/CANNONDALE-F29-5-%28FLASH-ALLOY%29-2014
I plan to get a light hardtail for the local woods / tame trail centres.
Above are the two options.
26" is apparently dead, but I can't help but think a carbon frame, and XT / SLX gear is worth the extra couple of quid?
Someone talk me out of buying this 'dead' wheel sized bike.
Plan would be for either bike, to convert to a 1x10 setup to shed a little weight.
The 26" I'd sell the Avid Elixir's and buy some XT stoppers,
where the 29" comes with Deore's and I'd probably be happy enough with these (much prefer Shimano over Avid for brakes!)
Which would you go for?
Is the wheelset any better on one or the other?
Or should I just find another £400 somewhere and go for this:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5413/CANNONDALE-F29-CARBON-3-2014
Cheers Singletrackworld!
In the wrong section.
But always get a 29er 🙂
Thanks for pointing that out, perhaps a mod could move it for me - apologies for putting in the wrong section!
29 didnt do anything spectacular for me. i can see both the advantages and the disadvantages but i think 26ers are far from dead. get yaself to a bike shop and try them both out hopefully the same bike in different sizes. its the only way to make your own mind up rather than listen to the BS spouted from either camp.
Hopefully the mods will move this thread, however...I recently tested the F29 in the Lake District (my usual stomping ground), and whilst I loved the way this bike climbs, flying up Garburn for example, it's fork makes it feel quite limited going down and the big wheels just feel clumsy on the tight, techy woodland sections. It's clear why the manufacturers are steering towards 650b but if you can find a full carbon 26 for cheap money, and it's more an xc bike you're after, I'd say go for it; it's certainly quick and fun to ride.
not all 29ers ride the same though, plenty of bad riding 26ers and 27.5's about... you cant just generalise an entire wheel size based on one bike!
I'm looking for more a fast XC bike,
Am I mad for thinking that for £200 more I should neglect 29" and get a carbon 26" frameset with XT / SLX?
Incidentally Crouchingpig, it was this model I tested - http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/cannondale-f-si-29-carbon-1-2015.html?gclid=CKSbkfCw_sYCFSgGwwodBloEKw
Unfortunately the purse strings won't stretch that far catcher! If they did, a Supersix Nano would be in the fleet! 🙂
I had a flash 29 last year and can say it was the best ht I have ridden. Having ridden a fair number of 26 and 29ers I would always go towards a 29er. I'm 6ft and feel far more comfortable on them. I do not believe the wheel size slows me down on technical trails. I've got a cannondale trail 29er (al) as a winter bike and if possible would advise going for the carbon model.