So, I've done the exact opposite, and likely most unrecommended way about doing things: I sold my Remedy last month, and I've now ordered a 29er up, and I've never ridden one.
This will be arriving in about a week:
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mountain/singletrack_trail/rumblefish/rumblefish_pro/#
Essentially all my 29er research has been done on NSMB, have spoken to a bunch of guys, and have tried to get out on one (no luck, thanks Connor and Chris for trying to hook up w/ me to give one a go, wasn't to be). I did go down to the shop and swing my leg over a couple, though. :rolleyes:
I've been on Trek bikes for the past few years now, so I'm brand loyal, and the Rumblefish- spec and angle wise- matches up well w/ the Tall Boy. As of now, it will be at least three more weeks before I can even try one out, and those of you who know me know patience isn't one of my better traits…so Sunday I said fuck it and pulled the trigger.
So…I guess we'll see, and report back here. I suppose I need to learn how to ride "in" the bike and carve corners now.
same here, sold my Devinci Dixon and bought a Stumpy Evo "blind" (no test ride), got one of the first into the UK
only ridden a 29er once before, last season in a muddy sh*tfest at the Forest of Dean in Wales, UK
it was an Ellsworth Evolve with minimalist Specialized Fast Trak LK tires and I was very impressed with the traction in mud compared to my old Devinci Hectik running knobbly all-mtn tires
have not drunk any cool aid, or become an evangalist for the 29er movement, its another bike of a different style (I also have a BMX and a Specialized Crosstrail commuter) with its own merits
what is definitely is, is great fun to ride, and I am having a blast again which is all that matters
its not that different to ride, it rolls over rough ground better and the most important thing I have learned is to keep the big wheels rolling as fast as possible as they feel slower to accelerate and de-accelerate than my previous 26" wheels
but I am not having any issues with cornering or cumbersome handling which is what I was led to believe by many riders who have had "test rides" on various 29er
I am 5'10" and the medium (17") Stumpy fits like a glove, have installed a shorter stem (Thomson X4) 70mm and wider bars (Easton Havoc 750mm) and flat pedals