To all you 29er's out there!

Is that an 18.5? A a pal of mine might be interested.....but it's only speculative! What sort of pennies? I've got the stache 5 and love it...

It most certainly is, all stock apart from some 203mm floating hope rotors (have taken the 4 pots off).

Probably want something between 900-1000, but not really sure. Was going to list it on the 'bay tomorrow but can always pull it down if needs be.

Standard boast post, picked up my Stanton Sherpa Ti yesterday that's replaced Trek Stache. I knew it was going to be lighter and a bit more confidence inspiring on the descents, but bloody hell, this thing's an absolute missile!

![]

Hopefully i can behave myself on it for long enough to not end up in a heap at Mountain Mayhem this weekend.....

forgot to post in here. new tubeless setup :-)

Looks well fast

Hi,

I've got a Singular Swift 29er (orange, mark 1). I bought the frame second hand and built it up with some new (but cheap) 29er wheels (cup and cone bearing, not terribly wide rims). I've never much liked the wheels and am going to treat myself to something better. So far I'm thinking this:
http://www.hopetech.com/product/hope-tech-xc-pro-4/

Question is should I go 29er or 27.5? Bike is fully rigid and I'd like some more comfort. But will 27.5 change my geo much?

Or alternatively (considering the bike is rigid and I weigh approx 15 stone/95kg) should I go with these:
http://www.hopetech.com/product/hope-tech-enduro-pro-4/#tech
For added strength with a weight penalty. Also not sure if to get 29 or 27.5

Riding will be nothing too strenuous. Toe paths, muddy lanes, maybe Swinley forest once in a while. Not exactly extreme MTBing.

Most likely going with J bend spokes, never much liked straight pull spokes. Are they any better (strength wise)?
Standard QR front and rear but I believe I can convert a front Hope Hub to bolt thru at a later date (should I choose to get new forks).

Id definitely go for the wider rims if it must be from those two choices. Much better tire profile, and less squirmy at low pressures.

Stick to 29" ;) going 27.5 would be bad news. Super low bb, different handling, etc. Even going from 29x2.4 to 27.5+ makes substantially lower. Too bad the early models dont have clearance for plus tires!

I mean it doesn't absolutely have to be those but I like my other Hope wheels so figured these are good too (plus so much stuff is bolt-thru or boost only nowadays). Don't really have the time to build some myself. My other Hopes are machine built and they're fine.

What would you buy if not those?

Iv got a set from superstar components that im very pleased with. "Fuel" hubs with 60 POI and quite loud, swapable end caps, cartridge bearings. Theyv got some different rims to choose from, mine are 28,5mm external and i wish i bought some wider. I run 2.4 tires. Great value for the money imo :)

Definately stay 29" though... I don't care what anyone who has bought in to the 27.5" thing says, they're better at everything a normal mtb'er does. If you're a tricky little jumpy person, maybe something else, but normal xc and faffing about stuff, for anyone taller than about 5'7", it's 29 all day.
Boom, flame me if you want, but you know I'm right!

Cheers. Sounds interesting. I'm buying them on trade so don't think I can get Superstar at trade. Although I've looked at Superstar in the past and they look good.

I've been looking at Halo wheels as a cheaper alternative. Not convinced by the rims though. Not quite as wide. Also I've had Halo stuff before and its not bad but its not anything like Hope stuff.

Thanks. This is what I wanted to hear. Just get a bit caught up in all the new stuff.

I'm 6'6" so bigger definitely is better.

I'm only 6' but have long legs...basically, when I sit down I look short! I just think that 27.5" is a compromise and a bit of a myth, perpetuated by the bike press.....shorter people maybe.....anyway, I love the swift!
Here's my salsa spearfish, to keep you enervated!

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Yea idono. I think it makes sense when it comes to rider height, terrain, weight, style of riding, etc. That goes for all wheel sizes tho. But i agree for a XC mtb for a big guy at 6'6, 29" makes a lot of sense. Id love to see a picture of your swift at some point @tallsam Presumably an XL?

Heres mine (also one of the first models)

more in my cp thread: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/286701/?offset=175#comment13712536

I'll try and get some pics this weekend. Rest assured mine is far less attractive than yours.

All day, 29er beast bike.

Santacruz hightower frame in XL with 135mm rear travel, 160mm fork, 150mm drop transfer post.

I'm about 6'2 fwiw and this thing rules, even in the twisties.

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so nice, looks well fun. how tf do you afford all this shit?

It's true... even the downhillers are switching to em. That machine coupled with you riding it scares me a bit though...
😂

That machine coupled with you riding it scares me a bit though...

It's ok. I watched him riding it last weekend, and it just bounces off of trees.

Id definitely go for the wider rims if it must be from those two choices. Much better tire profile, and less squirmy at low pressures.

Stick to 29" ;) going 27.5 would be bad news. Super low bb, different handling, etc. Even going from 29x2.4 to 27.5+ makes substantially lower

All of this ^

Bit of a dredge but where's that pump track at?

Magic money tree innit.

😂

Many downhillers (Hart, Brannigan, Fairclough to name just a few) are switching back to 27.5" for Vallnord, a notoriously technical steep track. They will be on 27.5" for the rest of the season. Familiarity with the smaller wheels may play a role for many riders (some cited as much) but the different wheels sizes may simply suit some riders styles and stature better.
Gwin won in Leogang on a 27.5" where everyone thought Minnaar would definitely have it.
Troy Brosnan smashed Crankworx Les Gets on a 27.5" where many thought a 29er would deffo win.

It remains to be seen at the highest level whether one is really faster than the other for anything except XC, where 29ers are the shit. It'll take until the end of next season until this is sorted out for the downhillers, it will be fascinating to watch. In the end one of the most underrated aspects of downhill, simple bike fit, will most likely help super tall riders like Minnaar and Moir win races rather than any potential advantages from the wheel size.

EWS champions like Richie Rude are still on 27.5", so too Jared Graves.

But as you say for general XC and larking about for the average rider 29er's are a good way to go.

Absolutely true...I still think that now the big boys are on board, the design team can implement some tweaks. I know some are still sticking with 27.5, but just from personal experience, the average joe, ie me, would be quicker with the big hoops.

It helps that I'm a chunky fucker too, as gravity helps with momentum!