Are 29er's in France?

Question

I'm thinking of getting a 29er and I may move to France in a year or so. Are people riding 29er's in France yet? I don't know if I want to bring something over that I wouldn't be able to get parts for.

Answer 1

I've been cycling for 40 years.....

I have no idea what a "29 er" is.

later:  Just looked into it a little. Personally, I'd stay away

from them. They don't look like they offer any real benefit,

and like you were thinking- you might have a hard time

finding parts, even in the States.

My wife (being small) rides a road bike with 650 wheels.

She has a h**l of a time finding tires for under $55 bucks.

Shoot- I can buy a car tire for that money. Yet I can find

700 tires for my road bike for 15 bucks on sale.

Go figure.

Answer 2

Other than wheels, fork, tires and tubes, and frame, 29ers are ABOUT (I may have missed something)the same (ie. an XT RD on a 26 will be the same as an XT RD on a 29er).  I dont know if the French are riding 29ers, but assuming they are not you would have to order 29er specific parts from somewhere that uses 29ers.  Just a thought that you might want to think about:  I've never ridden a 29er, but I know that the people who have them swear by them; however, they might be good at going over stuff in the trail, but I know that 26ers climb much better and in the mountains any little bit helps.  The choice is yours, and I cant say if the French are riding 29ers or not, but if you really want to have one there, there should be no issue (Just bring a bunch of innertubes and tires, and perhaps a spare wheel set).  Also, if you are well versed in French, you might ask a question on a French MTB forum.

Answer 3

Yes 29er's are available in France. But who knows how long they'll be around. Part's aren't that widely available in the US, and I assume it'd be the same in Europe... ceratinly not like the standard 26" and 700.