I have been thinking about what my next all-mountain frame purchase will be and have been considering a few different models in the 5-6 inch range, Intense 5.5, Trek Remedy, Pivot Mach 5, but something occurred to me after finishing a day riding some DH trails.
I endo'ed my SX Trail on a burly rock roll that day, and it go me thinking how well my Karate Monkey's larger wheel diameter handle rock gardens, even though the bike is fully rigid, and I am picking through them, it does an amazing job at getting over an obstacle from a very high angle.. From this first hand experience I was thinking about adding the Niner R.I.P. 9 to my list, I can sacrifice a little suspension, gain a larger wheel size, and maybe end up with a pretty solid all mountain ride, think Super D steed.
A couple things that I am concerned with having never rode a FS 29er: The whimpy'er linkage bearings on this bike inducing more flex compared with the 26" bikes I listed, the larger wheel diameter laying into corners slower, and inherent in their design, the longer chain stay of the 29er.
I have read plenty of reviews on 29ers and have the KM, but I just wanted some rider opinions any performance or efficiency gains, or losses, from trading suspension in for larger wheels.
I endo'ed my SX Trail on a burly rock roll that day, and it go me thinking how well my Karate Monkey's larger wheel diameter handle rock gardens, even though the bike is fully rigid, and I am picking through them, it does an amazing job at getting over an obstacle from a very high angle.. From this first hand experience I was thinking about adding the Niner R.I.P. 9 to my list, I can sacrifice a little suspension, gain a larger wheel size, and maybe end up with a pretty solid all mountain ride, think Super D steed.
A couple things that I am concerned with having never rode a FS 29er: The whimpy'er linkage bearings on this bike inducing more flex compared with the 26" bikes I listed, the larger wheel diameter laying into corners slower, and inherent in their design, the longer chain stay of the 29er.
I have read plenty of reviews on 29ers and have the KM, but I just wanted some rider opinions any performance or efficiency gains, or losses, from trading suspension in for larger wheels.