Semi-OT: Ritchey P-29er ride reports?

[PeregrineA1]

I need (need) a new mountain bike and am considering the Ritchey P-29er and maybe the equivalent Rock Lobster. I've got tons of MTB miles in So Cal. This one will be for the SF peninsula.

Please share your experiences.

TIA.

[austex]

FWIW, there's a P-29 Large, red/white/blue on Austin craigslist.

http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/5609747411.html

[jmal]

Have not ridden one, but they do not have thru axles, and the HA is a touch steep. Also, no replaceable derailleur hanger. TT is on the short side too. A lot of small details that add up.

[adamhell]

fwiw, tom ritchey lives on the peninsula, off of skyline blvd in the hills above silicon valley. i think the p29 would be great for the bay area. lots of fast beautiful singletrack, fireroads, and more fire roads. the rides are not typically insanely technical so they can be pretty fast. i've never ridden a p29 but i would look into it more if i were in the market for a new mtb. (i live in sf and come down to palo alto & ride once in a while). i'm on a krampus now but i think i would appreciate the lightness of the P29 compared to the overbuilt surly.

[oldpotatoe]

I need (need) a new mountain bike and am considering the Ritchey P-29er and maybe the equivalent Rock Lobster. I've got tons of MTB miles in So Cal. This one will be for the SF peninsula.

Please share your experiences.

TIA.

Don't know your size and I know you asked about the Ritchey, but Jim at Vecchio's has a really pristine SoulCraft 29er he'll be willing to part with.

jim@vecchios.com

[Gummee]

I don't have the P29er, but I *do* have a P650b.

I like it.

I get more compliments on that bike (r/w/b paint) than I do anything else I ride.

If you have a choice, get one with a tapered headtube. Mine isn't and finding a fork for it was a PITA

M

[josephr]

The Steel-is-Real movement has really produced a lot of great hardtail options (as you can tell from the other suggestions) and now starting to see them on the used market a bit more. Coming from a full-suspension bike I've had to re-train myself on the hardtail but I'm not second guessing the decision. This is my first steel hardtail in 20+ years, so happy to report the steel is more 'cush' than I remembered. I don't thrash the downhill sections like I used to, but I find keeping momentum through the single-track easy and the bike just likes to climb. There's one section at Oak Mtn which would kill me every time before but the P-29er gets me up to the top before I realize I'm there.

Ritchey p-29er, SoulCraft, Niner SIR9, etc....all going to be great options and while I've not ridden the other suggestions, I don't regret my P-29er at all.

The pic is my first ride before getting it dirty -- :beer:

[jmal]

Don't know your size and I know you asked about the Ritchey, but Jim at Vecchio's has a really pristine SoulCraft 29er he'll be willing to part with.

jim@vecchios.com

I would look into this option. I have a Soulcraft and it is the best hardtail I've ever ridden.

[Peter P.]

I don't have personal experience with Ritchey, but I DO own a Rock Lobster 26" mountain bike, full rigid. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

I'll second the recommendation for a Soulcraft as well. I own a Royale, and Sean Walling was great to work with. He offers a stock 29'er in his Tradesman (http://www.soulcraftbikes.com/frames.php?frame_id=10) model for a great price, and his Holy Roller (http://www.soulcraftbikes.com/frames.php?frame_id=3) is his custom 29'er.

Ritchey has just upped the appeal of their frames, offering some cool "Heritage (http://ritcheylogic.com/heritage-custom-paint)" finishes to go along with their frames. Even with the fancy paint jobs, the prices are really attractive.