Are 29ers overpriced?

deandean

I'm looking seriously at buying a hardtail 29er MTB, the published price for what I want seems to be around €1700.

When I compare a 29er with a similar spec 26" MTB (i.e. similar fork & crankset) the 29er seems to work out about €300 - €500 more expensive.

I'm wondering is the increased cost justified - does a 29er cost more to make - or is there a much higher profit margain on them? The extra cost is putting me off some.

Thanks,
Dean

Morgan

I wouldn't have thought there would be that big a difference between comparable bikes. 29ers may be a bit more expensive at the moment as there would be fewer produced and sold (but that looks like it'll change).

Looking at the Giant XTC1 and the Giant XTC 29er 1, the 29er is €200 more expensive but it also has a slightly better spec.

Which one are you looking at?

deandean

Well, whatever about the price I took a demo bike from Cycleways, a Specialized Carve, took it for a good long spin yesterday.

Long story short, I loved it. I found it better in every section of trail (it is a higher spec than my own mtb). I was going a lot faster, especially on rolling & downhill section where I stayed off the brakes and rode over what I'd normally be braking for. Overall the 29er just 'rolls better'.

Anyone thinking of a 29er, I recommend you take out a demo bike for a day or two. A couple of hours in the saddle tells you a lot more than 3 nights reading online reviews LOL.

Next stop, Bank Manager.

Ah_go_on

Just buy it, I've had a rumblefish for over a year and it is amazing.

Tenzor07

29ers are great for Large size frames/taller bikers 6ft and over, too much of a compromise on Medium and small frames in terms of geometry/handling... Whatever you may think you gain on flat fireroads you will loose on uphill techy or switchback climbs and descents...

Ah_go_on

Tenzor07 wrote: »

29ers are great for Large size frames/taller bikers 6ft and over, too much of a compromise on Medium and small frames in terms of geometry/handling... Whatever you may think you gain on flat fireroads you will loose on uphill techy or switchback climbs and descents...

You are correct about sizing and the advantages for taller people, but they are brilliant for descending and technical uphill as they are more stable and have much more grip/traction.

Look here if you don't believe me:p
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/video-29er-mountain-bikes-the-complete-series-33325/

Lumen

Ah_go_on wrote: »

Look here if you don't believe me:p
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/video-29er-mountain-bikes-the-complete-series-33325/

The comments are good.

Did we trust magazines before the internet existed? I can't remember.

Ah_go_on

Lumen wrote: »

The comments are good.

Did we trust magazines before the internet existed? I can't remember.

Good point but I've been on one for a year and can honestly say its made me a better rider (or should I say has made some trails easier:))

Very tight switchbacks are a bugger because of the longer wheelbase though...

Tenzor07

Golden rule for Wagon Wheelers....a.k.a 29ers is if you look awkward on a 26er then a 29er is for you...

...but for me the compromises in Geometry on medium and small frames is way too much to have any benefit over a 26er...

...The big wheels defo roll better once they get moving, after all they are heavier...:rolleyes:

I shall await the release of the MTB with the 650b wheel size!