Yeah, 36ers. You will never get them around a switchback, they aren't flickalbe, no Freeride parts, no choices in suspension forks, no tire choices, wheelbase too long, you can't bunny hop them...
Wait... isn't that exactly what they said about 29ers 10 years ago?
Yeah, not as if all of a sudden the world is banging down the door.
Improvement or not over other wheel sizes, unless it reaches a critical mass, it's a way vertical boutique one-off kinda thing.
Too bad. I would love to try one out. I'm just not sure how much real world use I would give it. I think there is exactly one 36er in the whole NorCal Bay Area. My chances of riding one are practically zero unless I win the lottery and have one custom built.
Heh... 36er 'site'. Any bonehead with 10 year old computer and dial-up can get a blog site for free these days.
On one of those 36ers there is some kind of shock built in the fork there. What is it?
Interesting hub for dual rotors up front.
Oh and those haters forgot that 36ers are flexy, heavy as hell and turn like a tanker.
ps. guys believe me or not but 36ers will go the way of 29ers. 36ers now are like 29ers in 2002.
When first fork will appear? Reba 36er? Nanoraptor 36"? Dual sport bike 36"?
Duh... why? Because it looks like a freakin' blast to ride. I mean, define 'best' bike, right? I personally don't have much desire to ride whatever JHK won the World Cup on, because I never ride like that. I just like to go ride and have a good time. No d*** measuring involved.
Smiles per hour.
I would seriously like to spend some real time on one.... see for myself how I like it. When I first rode a bud's 29er, it immediately made me want to go out and buy one... which I did like two weeks later after selling off a couple 26er bikes I never rode. Then, I wanted to sell off all my 26er stuff and completely convert the quiver over to 29ers. I only have one bike left to go.
That said, I tried a Surly Pugsly on a real 15 mile trail ride, and kinda ended up hating it. This was after a parking lot ride where I thought it was the coolest thing ever.
I've always been a little confused by the 26" wheel bashing in the 29er forum, but now it's clear that anyone who shows interest in smaller or larger wheels is a heretic.
Enjoy. Let's make the 36er trend take off! The next big thing? 36ers
Looks cool, but question it's mass appeal.
At 6'2" I'm probably too short, and doubt that <5% of avid riders can create a demand.
Please keep posting pix, as I always enjoy new trends.
Ignore red chicklets, be brave.
Looks cool, but question it's mass appeal.
At 6'2" I'm probably too short, and doubt that <5% of avid riders can create a demand.
Please keep posting pix, as I always enjoy new trends.
Ignore red chicklets, be brave.
I've ridden one for a few months. It's one of the two that were first built out of Milltown Cycles.
The materials technology would necessarily need to be amped way up before I would consider actually owning one. The wheels especially are pretty far off the back when it comes to how much better they could be.
Funny thing was that in the three months or so that I rode this, only a couple of people even noticed it was something unusual. If I ride my fat-bike, I get three looks and exclamations on every ride. I just mention that for the "gotta-have-something-unusual" crowd that may be into this idea.
But yeah, these could be pretty rad bikes, its just that technically they are waaaay off the back in terms of rims, spokes, and tires. Pretty much everything that defines the niche.
The tires are atrocious, the spokes are very flexy, and the rims are nothing special. Until those things could be improved upon, this niche is going to be stuck in 2002 compared to what the other mtb wheel sizes enjoy for wheel tech.
I don't understand why we would go straight to 36". Shouldn't the next logical size be 32"?
Also, from personal experience I know that the 29er's increased traction and grip and the ability to simply roll over stuff more than make up for any lack of nimbleness or strength; as long as we're not talking 6' drops, of course (which I couldn't do on a 26er, anyway). So, assuming that they make the 36" or 32" wheels out of materials that can handle the additional stresses associated with a larger rim, I would expect the bike to be a load of fun on the right trail. Right tool for the job and all....
I don't understand why we would go straight to 36". Shouldn't the next logical size be 32"?
This is a rare case of unicycle technology being adapted for bike use instead of the other way around. 36" unicycles first showed up in 98 and slowly evolved until 2008 when the evolution of the big wheel unicycle got a huge boost in the form of "Ride The Lobster" a 800km unicycle race in which 36" unicycles were by far the most competitive size.
Right now I would say that the rims are actually quite decent if you like wider rims on your bike. Not ideal if you are making a 36" road bike but I would think acceptable for trail duty.
I am not sure what Ted means by "the spokes are very flexy." 14g spokes have become the norm for 36ers. If you want stiffer spokes you can probably still find the old 12g spokes but for the future I would much rather see some nice double butted spokes to loose some weight in that department.
If you want a stiffer wheel you can use a wider hub like Nimbus and Coker do on their 36" unicycles.
Yup the tires suck. They are heavy and stiff but there are people working on getting some much lighter grippier tires made. I wish them luck.
32" might be a great size for bikes but that wheel size will have to come from your side of the fence. There was a bit of talk a while ago about a new wheel size to fit the gap between 29 and 36 for unicycles but it became apparent that there is more interest in a even larger wheel (42-48") than 32 so I can't see it happening in the next few years.
@Guitar Ted what is the bottom bracket drop on that 36er? Specialized lists their epic 29ers like 34mm and 26er like just 1mm. A short person on or might I say IN a 36er must feel the extra low centre of gravity.
Any other geometry specs you know? TT, WB, standover, CS?
@cragsj that 69er/27,5er forum is a bit underviewed and more for those kiddie wheel riders. 36ers ought to stick to 29er forum as 29ers riders wrap their minds more around even bigger wheels and 584mm rim lovers have little interest in 36ers. They even can't ride a 29er properly, even the best one out there.
Now if someone can just wedge a pair of 13 inch travel moto forks and rear sus under a 36er, or maybe a Boyesen link, then chuck a 500 cc ripper engine in there somewhere, and while I'm thinking of it I want a snow going 36er with tires that are 25 inches wide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@cragsj that 69er/27,5er forum is a bit underviewed and more for those kiddie wheel riders. 36ers ought to stick to 29er forum as 29ers riders wrap their minds more around even bigger wheels and 584mm rim lovers have little interest in 36ers. They even can't ride a 29er properly, even the best one out there.
The 29er forum is for 29ers. This thread had utterly nothing to do with 29ers and no one cares about your petty contempt for other cyclists.
If we want to evoke interest in 787mm rims it is here, not where the 584mm rim is beloved. Potential interested persons are more likely to be found here, as those ones already made a switch for a heavier, less nimble and sluggish bikes like 29ers in the early days. 27,5er lovers rely on omnipresent 26er stuff like forks and they complain unduly about 622mm in mtb. They are stuck in 2004.
This thread shares the pproliferation of 29ers in 2002 with 36er one in 2012.
With you promoting it, it will be still born. If you want it to have any chance at success step back and quit posting since you alienate most anyone that reads your posts.
... is the point. I mean, what is the point of all of this, right?
sure but im asking for the technical benefit. thats why new tech gets developed. im sure dw wasnt sitting at home and thought, "man, mountain biking sure is fun but do you know what would make it even better, a new suspension system". fun is good but if all something offers is fun and nothing else, well, i can have fun an have an edge too.
Now if someone can just wedge a pair of 13 inch travel moto forks and rear sus under a 36er, or maybe a Boyesen link, then chuck a 500 cc ripper engine in there somewhere, and while I'm thinking of it I want a snow going 36er with tires that are 25 inches wide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sure, a 36er would be a pretty interesting thing to try but i cannot imagine doing anything else than cruising easy trails with it.
Maneuvrability is everything here, i love my 29er but its pretty much at the limit of wheel size for steep trails and jumping.
I often get tire to ass encounters on my 26 inch DH bike riding the steeps and a lot more on my 29er! My ass would not handle a 36er for MOUNTAIN biking, probably resulting in serious injuries or even death!
He was referring to body size-wheel size. You know like the thinking that someone under 5'-8" is too short to ride a 29r. Me being an exception ofcourse at 5'-6"......
Yeah, 36ers. You will never get them around a switchback, they aren't flickalbe, no Freeride parts, no choices in suspension forks, no tire choices, wheelbase too long, you can't bunny hop them...
Wait... isn't that exactly what they said about 29ers 10 years ago?
I know you say this in jest. I'd already disagree with you on the bunny-hop. I clear 10-12" logs pretty easily and the wheels never touch. You should see the responses it generates from riders behind!
Ya, it's not flick-able, you ride it like you ride a motorcycle. I still navigate tight trails, but it's not as easy to overcome a bad choice of line mid way through.
And fun, yes it's the best money I've spent on a bicycle in a long time. I have enough disposable income and all the other bikes that I 'want' to justify a novelty such as the 36er. I walk past my '06 Gary Fisher rig and '11 epic 29er to ride it. If I'm going with a fast group, the Rig is my bike of choice. Mostly because I'm not man enough to keep those big wheels rolling at speed and need the lighter bike to get the job done.
If anyone is in the N. Texas area, they are more than welcome to give it a spin. It took me about 50 miles to figure out how to ride it quickly on a trail. A 10 minute 'test spin' is likely to do nothing but discourage someone. I'd compare the differences to be in the vicinity of comparing it to a BMX vs 29er. Both will get the job done, but how you go about it will be VERY different.
I know you say this in jest. I'd already disagree with you on the bunny-hop. I clear 10-12" logs pretty easily and the wheels never touch. You should see the responses it generates from riders behind!
Ya, it's not flick-able, you ride it like you ride a motorcycle. I still navigate tight trails, but it's not as easy to overcome a bad choice of line mid way through.
And fun, yes it's the best money I've spent on a bicycle in a long time. I have enough disposable income and all the other bikes that I 'want' to justify a novelty such as the 36er. I walk past my '06 Gary Fisher rig and '11 epic 29er to ride it. If I'm going with a fast group, the Rig is my bike of choice. Mostly because I'm not man enough to keep those big wheels rolling at speed and need the lighter bike to get the job done.
If anyone is in the N. Texas area, they are more than welcome to give it a spin. It took me about 50 miles to figure out how to ride it quickly on a trail. A 10 minute 'test spin' is likely to do nothing but discourage someone. I'd compare the differences to be in the vicinity of comparing it to a BMX vs 29er. Both will get the job done, but how you go about it will be VERY different.
Great post, I agree 100%. Although I still attempt to ride mine with the fast guys and generally struggle to keep up but I don't think a different bike would matter much with me at the helm. I think 10-15 miles gives you a pretty good taste but to really get used to the nuances your 50 mile number sounds about right. I can do almost everything on my 36er that I can do on my 29er and numerous things I can't do on my 29er (BIG step ups, faster on flat rooty trails, etc).
Some people are just haters and would rather rant in forums with no experience to back it up than go out and ride. If anyone's in central NC hit me up for rides as well. The smile is worth any extra effort.
I've ridden one for a few months. It's one of the two that were first built out of Milltown Cycles.
The materials technology would necessarily need to be amped way up before I would consider actually owning one. The wheels especially are pretty far off the back when it comes to how much better they could be.
Funny thing was that in the three months or so that I rode this, only a couple of people even noticed it was something unusual. If I ride my fat-bike, I get three looks and exclamations on every ride. I just mention that for the "gotta-have-something-unusual" crowd that may be into this idea.
But yeah, these could be pretty rad bikes, its just that technically they are waaaay off the back in terms of rims, spokes, and tires. Pretty much everything that defines the niche.
He was referring to body size-wheel size. You know like the thinking that someone under 5'-8" is too short to ride a 29r. Me being an exception ofcourse at 5'-6"......
...Impy at 5'2"
Originally Posted by mbeardsl
Some people are just haters and would rather rant in forums with no experience to back it up than go out and ride. If anyone's in central NC hit me up for rides as well. The smile is worth any extra effort.
True, and that was my original point. If you post anything 'different' you'll get a long line of folks bagging on it. They will have their 'opinions' of why it won't work, often just parroting what other folks have parroted from other folks.
Great post, I agree 100%. Although I still attempt to ride mine with the fast guys and generally struggle to keep up but I don't think a different bike would matter much with me at the helm.
I believe you would do much better with say a carbon rims ~600 grams and 48x7 super light spokes. ~3 kg carbon frame and 120mm suspension. ~3 kg 120mm fork. Glossy black or spark blue hue for ya?
There is much potential in the wheel size but not in crappy Walmart parts.
ps. as for bunny hops vidoes or they never happened.
True, and that was my original point. If you post anything 'different' you'll get a long line of folks bagging on it. They will have their 'opinions' of why it won't work, often just parroting what other folks have parroted from other folks.
Yes! I think that this is awesome. I would love to ride on one of these. Riding up stairs! Who could not think that that is cool? Who is to say that the 29er is the biggest you can go? This is America (for most of us) and we can always go bigger.
Yes! I think that this is awesome. I would love to ride on one of these. Riding up stairs! Who could not think that that is cool? Who is to say that the 29er is the biggest you can go? This is America (for most of us) and we can always go bigger.
you can always look worse.
WTB: Bomber Z2 1 1/8 steerer, in good to excellent shape OR bomber rebuild kit.
There appears to be a lack of 36er sites so I setup one: 36er.net.
It's just a forum right now but I'll be adding more features in the following weeks.
Add pictures on the main site. Also someone with the best, lightest, greatest 36er out there may want to "donate" the bike to the bike magazine for extensive testing. That would mean something and give some insight as to what could be improved. That bike must be more like M not XXL, with short TT, extra low stanover, upsidedown or dropperbars with flipped stem like -40 deg plus a chin pad to protect the face from head set stack. Long offset for the fork 100mm or more to avoid toe-overlap. Summarizing a good well thought out 36er not a prototype like the Fisher in 2001.
Add pictures on the main site. Also someone with the best, lightest, greatest 36er out there may want to "donate" the bike to the bike magazine for extensive testing. That would mean something and give some insight as to what could be improved. That bike must be more like M not XXL, with short TT, extra low stanover, upsidedown or dropperbars with flipped stem like -40 deg plus a chin pad to protect the face from head set stack. Long offset for the fork 100mm or more to avoid toe-overlap. Summarizing a good well thought out 36er not a prototype like the Fisher in 2001.
I can't tell if you're serious or joking (or just stirring the pot). You don't need -40 deg stem and drop bars unless you're trying to time trial the thing... Seen ANY pictures recently of a 36er?
Dislike those who dictate what another should give as a gift. Also sounds like you're confused by the holidays, in the USA tomorrow is Thanksgiving.
Am thankful for many things this year, and relieved to know that our village has located it's idiot..
Originally Posted by Davidcopperfield
Add pictures on the main site. Also someone with the best, lightest, greatest 36er out there may want to "donate" the bike to the bike magazine for extensive testing. That would mean something and give some insight as to what could be improved. That bike must be more like M not XXL, with short TT, extra low stanover, upsidedown or dropperbars with flipped stem like -40 deg plus a chin pad to protect the face from head set stack. Long offset for the fork 100mm or more to avoid toe-overlap. Summarizing a good well thought out 36er not a prototype like the Fisher in 2001.
Do you ever reread what you post? I see for red squares in your future, I'm psychic like that.
Originally Posted by Davidcopperfield
Add pictures on the main site. Also someone with the best, lightest, greatest 36er out there may want to "donate" the bike to the bike magazine for extensive testing. That would mean something and give some insight as to what could be improved. That bike must be more like M not XXL, with short TT, extra low stanover, upsidedown or dropperbars with flipped stem like -40 deg plus a chin pad to protect the face from head set stack. Long offset for the fork 100mm or more to avoid toe-overlap. Summarizing a good well thought out 36er not a prototype like the Fisher in 2001.
Heh... 36er 'site'. Any bonehead with 10 year old computer and dial-up can get a blog site for free these days.
Originally Posted by AZ.MTNS
One page does not qualify as a "site".
Hi guys,
I'm the one behind the 36er page. Yes, "page", cause I was out of the country for medical reason and unable to update the page I quickly set-up.
My intention wasn't to post it here before I finish to gather the pics of 36re's owners who gave me authorization to use them.
My goal was more to show the paper I wrote for the french magazine VeloVert, in order to thank all the builders that gave me time to chat about their creation.
There will be more this week now that I'm back behind my computer (time that I'll spend not riding !)
cheers
Enjoy. Let's make the 36er trend take off! The next big thing? 36ers
Don't get it. Great roll, but impossible to ride in tight singletrack? Alos, impossible to use any suspension. Danny McAskill himself would have trouble doing a manual on such a contraption.
Old enough to know better. And old enough not to care. Best age to be.
Don't get it. Great roll, but impossible to ride in tight singletrack? Alos, impossible to use any suspension. Danny McAskill himself would have trouble doing a manual on such a contraption.
Sounds like he needs more practice.
Duh... if you want to do trials, this is most likely not your bike.
and if you don't get it, its not a bike for you. That's cool. Chocolate and vanilla. I personally wouldn't want a 9" bike with the seat slammed all the way down. Sounds like the best way to ruin a ride. I can see why somebody else would ride one if hucking off mesas in Utah. I just don't ride like that myself.
If I had the space to store it and the disposable income to buy one, I would be very interested.... at least to try it out and see how I like it in the real world.
I like it on ALL the levels remaining!!!! If you havent ridden one you fellers dont know
what your missin!!! Im starting 36er number four soon I need an AMP fork to get
the correct axle to crown height.
PAYASO 36er.....Live the Circus
MR. 36er TROLL
I'm sorry what part of "BIGLY" didn't you understand?
Yep, I think the 36er bike's world is too small to start categorizing it (yet)...
And mtbr is the first (and only?) place where we can talk about it, be it mountain 36er or not exactly...
PS: that said I wish I could take this cruiser on a gravel road (maybe with normal bars)!!!
JNL1105: who makes that bike? I don't recognize that tire. I've been wanting a couple of cruisers for myself and the wife. Was thinking the Coker monster, but might look into something else if it were available.
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At last a 36er site!
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Originally Posted by pimpbot
Nanoraptor 36"? Dual sport bike 36"? 
