From a spectator perspective, I'm not that fussed about 29ers in UCI DH.
As a park rat, I'm upset because DH bikes are already a tiny market segment that is questionable as far as profit generated to bike companies. I'm pretty skeptical that bike companies will be able to offer DH bikes in 27.5 and 29\. My worry is some companies will throw up their hands and stop making DH bikes while others will transition to 29 only (similar to what Trek did with the Session, they sold 26 and 27.5 for a few years and then stopped the 26).
29er is not appealing to me for a park bike. I'm not that tall of a guy so rear wheel buzz, low speed handling/tight turns and jumping are real issues, especially since I suck balls compared to the WC guys. To be fair, I haven't tried a 29er DH but I have ridden 29er trail bikes and personally prefer 27.5.
June 9, 2017, 3:23 p.m. - grambo
From a spectator perspective, I'm not that fussed about 29ers in UCI DH. As a park rat, I'm upset because DH bikes are already a tiny market segment that is questionable as far as profit generated to bike companies. I'm pretty skeptical that bike companies will be able to offer DH bikes in 27.5 and 29\. My worry is some companies will throw up their hands and stop making DH bikes while others will transition to 29 only (similar to what Trek did with the Session, they sold 26 and 27.5 for a few years and then stopped the 26). 29er is not appealing to me for a park bike. I'm not that tall of a guy so rear wheel buzz, low speed handling/tight turns and jumping are real issues, especially since I suck balls compared to the WC guys. To be fair, I haven't tried a 29er DH but I have ridden 29er trail bikes and personally prefer 27.5.