Back Seatpost 26 inch vs 29er - What are the pros and cons of each? Can you get a 29er Full Suspension Mountain Bike?
I have a bad back but am looking at strictly mountain bikes. My previous question the community chose a best answer and the Trek 620 is not a mountain bike. I am inclined to look more at full suspension but I want light weight as well so maybe a hardtail with a front shock and a thudbuster seatpost would work. I am currently riding a FUJI Tahoe SX but want to et something with Disc brakes as well...my old FUJI while a great bike is not disc compatible. My finances will allow for up to $1K for the bike. I will be riding mostly level desert type landscape with some small hilly sections, mildly technical singletrack and fire roads and trails. Please help me out. I have looked at Trek, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Specialized (My favorite but too expensive), Haro, FUJI...and Iron Horse. I have seen a couple of options that might work but need some input outside of the sales people who can be biased towards the product that they sell.
26 inch:
Pros:
Better acceleration
The wheels can be made stronger
There are more tire and rim options, etc...because 26" has been the standard for years, although 29er production has increased
Better cornering ability
Cons:
Less stable at high speeds
Not as much bump absorption
29 inch:
Pros:
Can roll over larger obstacles than a 26er because of a lower angle of attack
More stable at high speeds
According to a study by Pepperdine University Department of Sports Medicine, "larger circumference wheels improve mountain bike performance during climbing and cross-country riding, with no detrimental effect on cardiovascular (heart rate) or muscle function (power output). Superior momentum? I guess....
Cons:
The pros of the 26er except not.
Oh, and smaller riders might find it hard to find a bike that fits them.
It will be hard for you to find a good full suspension bike for a grand, let alone a 29er full suspension. Hard yes. Not impossible. MOST companies sell their full suspensions msrp for mucho dinero. Here's some examples of bikes that break that trend...
However, you'll always be able to get better components if you go to a hardtail. You could use a thudbuster on a hardtail, but don't think of it as a replacement for full-suspension. It's no where near as good as suspension in the frame.
Here's a 29er hardtail. I've yet to see any FS 29ers for less than 1000$, and I'm sure it would have bad components...
http://ibexbikes.com/Bikes/SEC-29-Details.html
The most important thing though, especially for you, is proper bike fit. If I were you and were going to buy a bike online, I'd go to the bike shop and test ride bikes until you find one that you like the feel of (be blindfolded, not literally blindfolded, just don't look at the components). Ask the manager to measure the top tube and stem length, or do it yourself. Then record the seattube height.
Take into account the cost it will be to build a bike that you buy online. The shop should do it, but they might charge a bit. By the way, there is a lot more that goes into building a bike than most people think.
You may also want to look and post your question here....
http://forums.mtbr.com/
theres lots of knowledgeable folks at ^^that^^ website.
Review of Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance
Product Description
In 'Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance', Lennard Zinn explains and demonstrates how to completely and properly maintain every component of a mountain bike, including chains, derailleurs, shifters, wheels, brakes, cranks, bottom brackets, pedals, saddles, seatposts, suspension systems, handlebars, stems, headsets, forks, and frames. He describes and rates every repair and counsels the novice bike mechanic how to decide whether or not to take the bike to a bike shop for professional attention. Extensive line drawings show how parts fit together and illustrate the tools required for every type of bike. Completely revised and updated to include the most recent information on state-of-the-art mountain bike components, emergency on-trail repair tricks are also explained.
Review
Whether you have a shiny new mountain bike or one that has been on more than a few trail rides, this book is a must to have in your collection. Mountain biking is a little different than most sports, you're usually out in the wilderness, miles away from the nearest phone or road, and putting yourself (and your bike) through a pretty gruelling workout. In Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance, Lennard Zinn does a great job of making sure that if the bike part of the equation fails, you'll know what to do. From suggesting what tools you should carry with you, teaching you how to use them, and giving you a quick lesson on how each work, this book covers it all. The book uses illustrations instead of photos, so it's easy to tell what's going on, and it covers all the different types (and eras) of components that you'll find. Coverage ranges from the basic (changing a flat tire) to the complex (changing your fork or bottom bracket) but is clear throughout. I highly recommend this to anyone who's doing serious riding and wants to learn more about how to tune and fix their bike. As your bike grows older and you take longer rides, things WILL break or wear out, and knowing what to do in those cases is well worth the price of the book. Verdict Hands down the best bike repair book out there. Make sure you get the latest version so you'll be up to date on the latest componentry.
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