Spy images of Giant's 29er!

Due to the fact I don't have a facebook page, I had to steal these images from twentynineinches.com. What you're looking at is drawings of Giant Bicycles' XTC 29er. Yep, you read that correctly. Here's what the guys had twentynineinches.com had to say:

"Indeed, Giant is introducing a 29″er hardtail, at the least. The Giant produced sketches, which first appeared on their Facebook page, show a rendering of a hardtail frame with what appears would end up being all hydroformed tubing. The seat stay bridge appears to be a forged type piece. It appears that the seat tube may be slightly bent, ala Specialized’s 29″ers, as well. We can also see that the frame will have an integrated or semi-integrated head set and the 1 1/8″th to 1 1/2″ steer tube. We fully expect that the fork will be the new Marzocchi 44 model with the tapered steer tube, which is already in production. Also noteworthy is that Giant’s Facebook page indicates that there will be a single speed option as well. Giant typically doesn’t introduce new models until later in the summer, but we will keep our eyes peeled for anymore news on this or any other 29″er model being worked on by Giant."

So why did it take Giant so long to start working on a 29er? Giant Bicycles does everything on a global basis. They pool resources, design, and intelligence from 13 different countries (G13) to come up with the best bikes on Earth. When all the G13 members get together to discuss the bicycle lines, the US is the only country that has the demand for a 29er. The other 12 countries say there's no need for the 29er and 26" wheels are the trailboss choice.

What do you think is the best option? Leave your comments below.