With flying colours, the large bikes have won over a broad target group in Germany. Fans swear by the elevated riding position and praise the stable handling. The bestsellers are the bikes in the 1500 euro class. Eight models in the test.
Of course, manufacturers are also dependent on suppliers. Example: wheels. Lightweight wheels are more fun than a lightweight frame. They best compensate for the sluggish handling of the bikes due to their design. While in the early years, values just under the 5-kilo mark (for wheels including tyres, cassette, brake discs) were the rule, the current 29ers roll over the trails with 500 grams less. This compensates for the acceleration disadvantages compared to 26-inchers and even qualifies the super-athletes in this test field - such as Rose or Bulls - for marathon use.
Another sore point in the past: unsuitable translations. Here too, the product managers have learnt from the mistakes of previous years. Not even cross-country or marathon pros can pedal 44 teeth on the large chainring in mountainous terrain. The right choice of the smallest gear is more important for touring riders. A 24 t chainring combined with an 11-36 t cassette makes even steep, long climbs conquerable for everyone.
The 29 hardtails in the test:
Bulls Copperhead 29 Plus, http://www.bulls.de
Cube Reaction Pro 29, http://www.cube.eu
Ghost HTX Actinum 2972, http://www.ghost-bikes.com
GT Zaskar 9R Elite, http://www.gtbicycles.com
Poison Lithium T XT, http://www.poison-bikes.com
Radon ZR Race 29er 8.0, http://www.radon-bikes.de
Rocky Mountain Vertex 930, http://bikeaction.de
Rose Mr Ride 2, http://www.roseversand.de
