I mtb through NICA (scholastic league). Although I haven't done an off-road triathlon yet (doing my first this summer), from what I hear and have read the courses are like those of NICA-untechnical and pretty fast, usually where a 29er shines. There is no need for FS-just adds weight and ends up giving you lower-end components all around for a price point. It also can absorb some energy that you put in the pedals to the shock-depending on the bike and suspension set up and ability to lock out.
The fit can be a huge ordeal. Like you, I am petite 5'3.5" but with a 32" inseam. Ideally, I would have chosen a 650b (27.5") for maneuverability, to make picking tricky lines at our local single track park, switchbacks, etc a bit easier, as well as a bit of weight savings. Because of my budget and the bikes available to me through team/league sponsorships (Specialized, Felt, Trek, Breezer, Cannondale), the most financially-sound options were 29ers (I was adamant about carbon).
That said, after trialing half a dozen different bikes, I settled on a Specialized Fate Comp in a medium to fit my legs-the small was a bit too squished. It is amazing. When I first got on it, my first thought was "This is special" vs the other bikes "This is a nice bike". It is a 29er carbon HT, which is great for the untechnical, fast courses I race. But if you are 'limited' in options as I was, a 29er can do really well, get a fitting(!!!) and if you are a typical short torso/long legs woman, a women's model may be good for you.
The Fate feels like an extension of my body at this point (average 90 miles/week on it) and I absolutely love it. At my race yesterday, the girl who won was on a Fate Expert (5'2" small bike), I was just behind her on my Fate Comp, and third place was on a S-Works Fate (5'4.5" med bike). They are great bikes, and I would very highly recommend it. It is a climbing beast, and covers my mistakes on downhills-things that my other bike a Trek Superfly does not do nearly as well.
This is what my teacher told me when I was shopping. For reference, he is about 6' on a large Ibis Mojo 26"
Part marketing hype, part performance advancement. And there is always a down-side to every decision. A hardtail is lighter but not automatically a better climbing bike than a full suspension bike. Full suspension can climb more efficiently since it soaks up those little bumps that jolt you as you climb. I ride a 26er and I don't worry about how much faster I can roll over stuff. I'm an advanced rider and I can roll over stuff anyway. For twisty single-track and switchbacks, I like a shorter bike with smaller wheels. But I'd consider at my height getting a 27.5, if it didn't compromise the quick handling I enjoy. I'll show you when we ride somewhere. Have you ridden at Tamarancho?
The fit can be a huge ordeal. Like you, I am petite 5'3.5" but with a 32" inseam. Ideally, I would have chosen a 650b (27.5") for maneuverability, to make picking tricky lines at our local single track park, switchbacks, etc a bit easier, as well as a bit of weight savings. Because of my budget and the bikes available to me through team/league sponsorships (Specialized, Felt, Trek, Breezer, Cannondale), the most financially-sound options were 29ers (I was adamant about carbon).
That said, after trialing half a dozen different bikes, I settled on a Specialized Fate Comp in a medium to fit my legs-the small was a bit too squished. It is amazing. When I first got on it, my first thought was "This is special" vs the other bikes "This is a nice bike". It is a 29er carbon HT, which is great for the untechnical, fast courses I race. But if you are 'limited' in options as I was, a 29er can do really well, get a fitting(!!!) and if you are a typical short torso/long legs woman, a women's model may be good for you.
The Fate feels like an extension of my body at this point (average 90 miles/week on it) and I absolutely love it. At my race yesterday, the girl who won was on a Fate Expert (5'2" small bike), I was just behind her on my Fate Comp, and third place was on a S-Works Fate (5'4.5" med bike). They are great bikes, and I would very highly recommend it. It is a climbing beast, and covers my mistakes on downhills-things that my other bike a Trek Superfly does not do nearly as well.
This is what my teacher told me when I was shopping. For reference, he is about 6' on a large Ibis Mojo 26"
Quote:
There's an ad for Giant Bicycles that explains the benefits and trade-offs for each wheel size. I'll see if I can find it for you. A few things to think about though: bikes last a long time and the bike industry always needs something new to sell that is "much better" than what you already have. Twenty-niners came out ten years ago and everyone bought one. Bikes don't wear out that fast. Now the bike industry needs you to buy something new and we have the 27.5 bikes. In a few years there will be something new that's better than 27.5, that's my guess. Part marketing hype, part performance advancement. And there is always a down-side to every decision. A hardtail is lighter but not automatically a better climbing bike than a full suspension bike. Full suspension can climb more efficiently since it soaks up those little bumps that jolt you as you climb. I ride a 26er and I don't worry about how much faster I can roll over stuff. I'm an advanced rider and I can roll over stuff anyway. For twisty single-track and switchbacks, I like a shorter bike with smaller wheels. But I'd consider at my height getting a 27.5, if it didn't compromise the quick handling I enjoy. I'll show you when we ride somewhere. Have you ridden at Tamarancho?