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Would I benefit from a 29 XC bike if I own a 27.5 Trail bike?

22 posts & 15 voices | Started 10 hours ago by 22jeffers | Latest reply from shermer75

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22jeffers - Member

Hi

I own a Whyte T-130s (front fork extended to 140mm, rear shock is 130mm). I have Conti Trail King’s F2.4 / R2.2 on it. Great bike, I love it.

I do a mix of casual/recreational XC riding (15miles) and visits to my local bike park.

I have to admit, I struggle to keep up with the group I go XC riding with (suss locked out).

Would I benefit from having a 29er XC hardtail with 2.2 tyre F and R. Would I notice much improvement in my ability to keep up or do I simply need to spend more hours getting fitter?

Posted 10 hours ago #
jonnyboi - Member

Depends how much training you already do, compared with the xc group. A 29er isnt a magic bullet

Posted 10 hours ago #
Rorschach - Member

You would benefit from getting fitter.

Posted 10 hours ago #
chakaping - Member

What bikes are your pals riding on these XC rides?

Posted 10 hours ago #
bigwill - Member

Getting fitter will make the biggest difference...

but if this is really n+ 1 justification to buy a new bike go for it .

Posted 10 hours ago #
molgrips - Member

Would I notice much improvement in my ability to keep up or do I simply need to spend more hours getting fitter?

I think you already know the answer if you really think about it!

Posted 10 hours ago #
22jeffers - Member

Small group of riders on a mix of 29 and 27.5 bikes, all hardtails.

I guess I was just looking for a greater advantage as I’m struggling more than the others. Just not sure if one would differ that much to what I already have (and wasting my money).

(Plus bigwill’s comment might be exposing my inner desire too!! Lol!!)

Posted 10 hours ago #
molgrips - Member

If you've got the money and feel like it, then do it - always nice to have different types of bike. It might make you slightly quicker on the climbs, it'll probably feel better up them - but then you'll be slower on the way down.

I once set a PB at Cwncarn on my XC bike. I went back on my trail bike shortly after and I was 2 mins slower on the climb and 2 mins quicker on the rest of it.

Posted 9 hours ago #
andreasrhoen - Member

group I go XC riding with

important to have fun with the group and not "struggling" to keep up.

Full suspension trail bike 27.5": I try to use mine as often as possible. Of the bikes I have: this 130/130 bike is the fastest on the trail... I like the bike for going "up and downhill".
Uphill: much more traction than the hardtail...

My 29" hardtail, 2.25 inch tires: I use that only for really "long (much more than 15 mi) and easy" tours. Forest roads. And downhill, on these forest roads: there the bike is definitely faster than the 27.5 inch full suspension bike.

But fun?
If I didn't had the 29 inch bike I wouldn't miss it...

Your mtb group: possible to get your friends riding more demanding trails...?
They would soon end up with 27.5 trail bikes..?

Posted 9 hours ago #
22jeffers - Member

Thanks guys. Some thoughtful advice.

Posted 9 hours ago #
chakaping - Member

Swap bikes with one of your mates for 10 minutes and see if it feels much easier, and if you like it.

Personally I don't see any downsides to having another bike, especially if you already have a ready-made use for it.

Maybe try a bit of XC racing as well?

Posted 9 hours ago #

fifeandy - Member

Surprised nobody has mentioned it yet, but tyres will make a big difference. The difference in rolling resistance between a pair of trail kings and an xc tyre could easily be 30W of wasted power.

Posted 8 hours ago #
andreasrhoen - Member

If you like to risk only 0.5 k:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-mountain-bike-2016

Bizango in winter sale.
Great bike.
But: move from hardtail to full suspension is easy.
The other way: difficult to say if you will like it...

Posted 8 hours ago #
Rockape63 - Member

Surprised nobody has mentioned it yet, but tyres will make a big difference

Indeed, that’s what I was going to say! Winter tyres are so slow compared to my 29er Racing Ralph’s!

Posted 8 hours ago #
Rockape63 - Member

oops double post!

Posted 8 hours ago #
theraggyone - Member

Tires and bike weight make a huge differance after fitness . Im much faster on my carbon cube xc bike with 2.2in xc tires and 100mm fork than i am on my steel hardcore hardtail with 2.5 in trail tires and 150mm fork . The xc bike wieghs 20ib though where as my steel hardcore hardtail is 31Ib with slacker geo. i still leave the cube at home most rides , i love my steel hardtail.

I can ride harder for longer on the cube and climb much better/faster but the steel bike is so much fun and better for downhill and jumping.

I made the mistake once of taking my hardcore hardtail on a xc group ride with some roadie buddies , next time im taking the xc bike as that was hard work lol

Both my bikes are 27.5 , im short and dont like 29ers

Posted 7 hours ago #
dyls - Member

I would say yes as well. The whyte bikes are not really light, my xc carbon hardtail is probably 9lbs lighter than my whyte t129rs. It will be quicker on everything except on really rough stuff.

I have a carbon xc, giant anthem and whyte t129. They are in order of light to heavy, and in order of how fast I can complete a lap of the marin. Now CYB is i different matter though!

Otherwise just spend a lot of time riding and building fitness.

Posted 7 hours ago #
philjunior - Member

Faster tyres will make a good bit of difference to keeping up, and you don't want to have to swap them all the time. Plus another bike is always good.
Without knowing more details I can't comment on more detail, bit of course if you get fitter it'll be easier, but if it gets a bit easier it sounds like you'd do it more and get fitter! ☺️

Posted 7 hours ago #
summitchilterns - Member

I have that Whyte and a Voodoo Bizango. I’d say it depends, if you lose a few pounds and get fitter that would help a lot. It will be lighter, but I’d say fitness is more crucial tbh. However if you can afford it then go for it! As Chakaping says, borrow your mates and see if you notice a difference? Good luck and enjoy!..

Posted 7 hours ago #
harvey - Member

i bought a 'new' geometry full sus last summer and love it. however as the winter progressed i got fed up spending half an hour cleaning it each time i rode.
so i got a 29 hardtail. it is easier to maintain, quick on the flats, the ups and great fun on the way down. maybe just not able to swallow the big tech lines, and not just as forgiving. worth getting a modern geometry frame and a 120-130 fork

Posted 6 hours ago #
shermer75 - Member

Of course you need a hardtail. Why are you even asking?!?!??!

Posted 2 hours ago #
shermer75 - Member

Ps also have Racing Ralphs, they are nice and quick whilst still being grippy if it isnt muddy, but fragile! Prob ideal for xc stuff..

Posted 1 hour ago #

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Would I benefit from a 29 XC bike if I own a 27.5 Trail bike?

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