Those of you who already get Bicycling magazine have probably already noticed that they have declared 2010 th “year that 29ers become normal. My initial reaction was to be offended that having wholly adopted the big wheeled way of life I was somehow not “normal,” but then everybody who knows me knows that ‘normal’ hardly fits me. But really I think they’re on to something. Every major fork manufacturer now offers something in 29, same with tires, and frames. While I think most companies still haven’t quite figured out the right fit and feel for 29ers their market penetration cant be ignored. Anywhere you look you can see the evidence of this:
A recent trip to the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) revealed how the small guys are working with the big wheels. I saw 29ers made from every material you could imagine, and with details which were true examples of artisanship.
I saw more evidence that 29ers had have been fully accepted by the market on a recent ride. I sometimes join the local junior team on their team rides. Some of the young’ns are pretty cool and a few of them are pretty fast. There are a few juniors on 29ers but what really stuck out was one of the newer kids had a 29er he got from Wal-Mart. Now I should saw that I only noticed because it was put together terribly, as nearly all department store bikes are, but the fact that even Wally-World carried wagon wheel bikes blew me away!
All of that said I feel confident throwing a leg over what I believe to be the best 29er brand out there every time I o out to ride my Fisher. I remember lusting after the first 29ers Gary ever rolled out and before that I remember seeing Gary’s custom 29er with road wheels and cyclocross tires. Point is no matter how crazy the 29er arena becomes (just remember the 1990s era Mtb scene) I know my Fisher will be there rockin it.
