FS 26 or HT 29er

[brianW]

On the lookout for a new bike. I ride mostly in the CSRA and enjoy longer 2-4 hour rides. However sometimes my lower back gives out before my legs. Thinking it may be my age sneaking up.

So which would be better for thy back a FS 26 or a HT 29er.

FS 29er is out of my budget.

[nitro]

I have had chronic back pain for 20 years, so I know what it feels like to suffer on those longer bike rides. While proper bike fit has helped with that pain, I still suffered on my HT 29er. Once I got my FS -- wow, what a difference! I have heard some people say that a 29er HT feels like 1-2" inches of suspension. This is BS. I would go with the FS 26, hands down.

Have you considered a Thudbuster? When I only had my HT, I eventually broke down and bought one. This actually made quit a difference with my back pain. I used it for a year while I saved for a FS bike. I was then able to turn around and sell the Thudbuster for $30 buck less than what I paid for it.

[mhanna]

If your are doing 3 hour plus rides I would go for FS 26. I think a 5" travel trail bike is perfect for that type of riding. Tad bit more upright, plenty of travel for all situations even if you go to Pisgah and loads of fun.

Personally think that HT are for shorter rides, racing and younger folks.

MH

[wala]

I'm voting for the FS 26. I've never ridden a HT 29'r, so I may be a little biased. I can tell you that going from a HT26 to a FS26 was a big improvement in comfort.

[azdrawdy]

I find it sad that people are continuing to compare 29er HT to 26" FS. No comparison.

A hard tail is a hard tail is a hard tail. Period. Ride a properly setup 26" FS over a 2" root, seated. Hmmm....No root. Continue pedaling. Ride a 29" HT over the same root, and your azz gets kicked off the seat. No suspension equals, SURPRISE, no suspension.

Brian, find yourself a good FS design that is backed by an LBS. Cannondale, Specialized, Giant and Santa Cruz have some great offerings for two grand or less, with decent components and well-thought-out designs. Fox brought the single pivot design back to reality with their platform shocks.

Most of the LBS will also have something you can take out and ride for a day or two. There may be a small fee involved, but that can usually be subtracted from the purchase price. There are some absolutely fantastic offerings out there for $1600-2200. That wasn't the case five years ago.

MD

[dgaddis1]

Try and ride both, that's the only way you'll know what's best for you.

I agree that a HT29 is not the same as FS. But I also really like the way a HT handles.