Last year we put out a web video called “
Can You Freeride a 29er?” which got passed around pretty well and generated a lot of discussion. Since then we’ve seen a massive paradigm shift in terms of people’s attitudes towards 29ers, especially in the all-mountain/enduro segment of the population. And yeah, the bikes are a ton better as well.
Niner Bicycles liked the last video and sent a WFO9 over for us to put through its paces. Andrew Sherry & Geoff Pendrel from Oak Bay Bicycles put in a solid amount of saddle-time, and came away pretty impressed.
For the film shoot we shot Geoff at Hartland in some pretty nasty conditions. While the bike wasn’t as fast as the full-blown XC bikes that excel at Hartland, it climbed surprisingly well. Andrew then took the bike out to Tzouhalem and some local bigger-bike lines to see how the bike did in the air.
More info on the WF09Niner BikesWhat do you think? Will the current breed of long-travel 29ers be the answer for folks who want a do-it-all bike?
The question is, how do you like to ride and what makes it the most fun? For me, it is just having 'a decent bike' to actually ride and then, 'being able to actually get out and ride'.
I agree with your philosophy. Ride what you want to ride (while also letting other people ride what they want to ride).
Why don't 29er evangelists ever talk about this?
Of course, you'll want to make wheels and tires as light as possible without sacrificing strength. That said, I'm willing to bet that at out current level of technology (materials and manufacturing processes), and everything being equal, we still can't make a 29" setup as strong as a 26" AND STILL have enough of a weights saving over the 26" to overcome the disadvantage of additional unsprung weight.
Now I'm not saying that 29s suck. As a matter of fact, I can understand their claims and can seem them as having advantage for XC riding, but I'm not convinced for a dead serious aggressive DH, FR, or AM rider.
I personally am into DH, AM, and Super D racing. For my style of riding, the benefits of a 29er do not out weight it's drawbacks.
I love my WFO...it shreds like crazy and it is rock solid!
www.pinkbike.com/photo/7281121
“If you like big rocks and are the type of rider that would rather plow through or muscle through an obstacle than go around it, the W.F.O. 9 is pretty much ideal for you.”
I find that very revealing.
www.pinkbike.com/video/255711
The well informed debate is about which types of riding work better with different geometries and wheel sizes. My dirt jumper's seat is low. My downhill bike has 26" wheels to remain agile while still having vertical room left for travel. My x-country bike will soon be 29er. My f-around bike on logs and stunts, still 26.
Koolaid? Yeah, I'll take every flavor offered, 20, 26, 650b, 29.
But, they take that certain something out of the trail.
It is just like riding a 2.35 ST single ply high roller for XC..... you would never race that tyre, so why ride it, XC is far more fun with an Aspen, racing ralph, race king etc on.
I have tried a niner, tallboy etc. When it was very technical on the climbs (the stuff that 99% cant ride) the 29" wheels were found wanting (back to back test). It just could not cope with being picked up when riding up rock stairs, followed by 1 or 2 power strokes, as the inertia was just too high.
I have also tried a fatbike (snowbike) now that was different and fun,,,
It is an individual choice, that is the great thing about mountain biking.
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