what make 29ers sooo expensive, as compared to other bikes?

Quality never comes cheap - period. You want a cheap 29'er? Go to Wally World.

They are not more expensive than similar quality 26" wheel mountain bikes. The reason they seem expensive is that nobody yet makes cheap junky ones. 29r frames are not any different from regular mountain bike frames except that frame and fork are sized for the larger wheels. In principle, 29" wheels are not quite as strong as 26" wheels, the smaller diameter of a 26" rim makes it more rigid. Rim width would be similar and spokes are the same except for being a bit longer than spokes for a 26" rim. The big advantage 29" wheels have is that they roll better over irregularities on the trail than a smaller diameter wheel. The disadvantage is that the rim and tire are a bit heavier making them a bit harder to accelerate

if you don;t have any goal in mind for a change, why do it? i would say no anyway 26 is fine 29 is bigger, hard to maneuver, heavier, wheels are heavier, bike is heavier, less tire options, on and on why do it? wait it sounds like you are talking road bike anyway road bike is always 700c of course same rim diameter as mtb 29er, but the 29er tires are taller and fatter there is no 26" road bike also a 29er can be ok for really tall people but 5'10 is totally normal, not really tall at all wle

I agree; they aren't any more expensive than other bikes w/similar components. About the cheapest decent 29'er are from Redline; I have the d440 1x8 for my commuter/winter bike and it retails for about $550. The Mongoose line WM sells is a good way to try it out, then buy a real bike when you get hooked on the big hoops.....

Try bikes direct 29er's haven't been popular until the last few years. The prices reflects their demand most places they are not in demand. Most people like the lighter 26 inch bikes.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/29er_bikes.htm

Here ya go. Mongoose Deception 29" Men's All-Terrain Bike. Found it on Walmart's website. Only $199.00.

You had to rant & rave - "old hippy, what makes you think your answers are of any value?"

His success rate at answering questions is 46%. Considering the amount of people that answer questions here, that's quite high. I noticed yours is only 13%. Mmmm... 13% or 46%? Which is better?

Even on Bikes Direct, they are more than $800 for a good one. What makes a good one? Things like Hydraulic Disc Brakes, 100mm travel front forks or more, WITH lock-out, doublewall rims, cassette & freehub instead of a screw on freewheel hub. Happy now?

i think they are more specialty item so parts and construction tend to be high end

nothing about just having that wheel size, forces them to be expensive

wle