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Any good? Fancy something a bit shorter travel than my AM9 and if I can find a frame, this may suit. Just under 5'10 so either a medium or large I guess, AM9 is 475 reach so shorter medium might be a better option to keep it feeling different enough.
Are the bearings prone to wear? Seems to be a common complaint with some of the newer models although I believe they do free replacements for life (original owner)
What sort of tyre clearance does the boost version offer? Aware older ones were 2.25 max
2017 one you’ll get a 2.35” in the back. They’re pretty reliable generally, have known a few bearing issues with bikes regularly jetwashed or washed regularly with Muc-Off (please use a pH neutral cleaner, Muc-Off is nasty stuff!). But even if not the original owner, the bearings are common sizes and cheap.
bearings no better/worse than others, but yes they're free to owner, but even then, they're not exactly expensive.
I’ve had a go on one and it was ok (I’m not a 29er fan tbh). Pedalled well enough and I got a few pbs along fairly pedally flowy trails etc. I’ve not ridden an AM9 though - only an Aeris 145.
Ian who is also on here had both but has just swapped the t129 for a t130 for a change. His observations were the t130 accelerates out of corners better and is more poppy and manually - but is slower into and through corners and keeps momentum less well than the t129.
So if more lively and fun is why you’re looking for a 2nd bike the t129 might not be a game changer - but if you’re looking for something to cover ground quicker than the AM9 when it’s less technical terrain then the t129 could be the one.
I don’t think tyre clearance is great on any of the t129’s is it?
I've got spare wheels and forks from the AM9 hence I figured it could be a cost effective n+1. However it would probably benefit from lighter wheels and forks (Pikes instead of Ribbon coils perhaps) to get the best from it so perhaps I should just broaden the list of contenders! T130 has a huge fan club it seems!
Dug mine out of the garage for lockdown. Might be the older model that 2017. It's nowhere near as much fun as the T-130 but it covers miles well. It used to get used as my do everything bike, it'll cope with most things you throw at it but definitely more suited to the big day out type riding than pointing it down enduro stages.
The double chain ring one is quite flexy, I'm not a light rider and I'd buzz the tyres off the frame way too often - haven't done that at all through lockdown, maybe being about 2 stone lighter than when I used to ride it has helped!!
If it's cheap enough it's a great option for the right type of riding.
My 2017 T129 is back on the market, buyer decided against it. I've mailed you.
I've also got an AM9 and I've just replaced the t129 with a 2016 t130. Mainly as I do about 2/3 of my riding with my son, and he is still pretty young so a bike that does more at less speed is more fun for me. The t130 looked like it would be easier to throw about a bit than the 129, and I think that is true, and it seems a bit better on steep stuff than the 129 too. I also had 4 29ers, so I thought a change may be good!
I'd say the T129 is a faster bike than the t130, and a far better/more fun bike uphill and on flatter or more mellow trails than the AM9, which is a bit of a beast. I ran a minion ss on 25mm ID rims on the t129 with plenty of clearance.
Also worth noting that when Joe up there tried out my 129 we didn't change the shock pressure, and he is a bit (sorry Joe) heavier than me. I think he'd have enjoyed it a lot more if it had not been at about 40% sag - it's a sporty feeling bike, not a plush one!
While I think of it - I also ran a 2.6 27.5" rekon on the T129 on a 35mm ID rim. That was a pretty fun set up with a 2.6 minion DHF on the front
Also worth noting that when Joe up there tried out my 129 we didn’t change the shock pressure, and he is a bit (sorry Joe) heavier than me. I think he’d have enjoyed it a lot more if it had not been at about 40% sag – it’s a sporty feeling bike, not a plush one!
Yeah in comparison to Ian I’m a bit lardy 😝
Are the bearings prone to wear? Seems to be a common complaint with some of the newer models although I believe they do free replacements for life (original owner)
What sort of tyre clearance does the boost version offer? Aware older ones were 2.25 max
No bearing issues so far on my 2015 model. Not doing mad miles granted. Ardent Race 2.2 on the (non-boost) rear is tight but not problematic. I think it's a fantastic bike. Bit of a rocket ship. Later models probably more so.
Consider the Orange Stage 4 in large as well.
Similar proposition but most-probably lighter and with good rear clearance. Very sparky and entertaining to ride.