Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Joe Gardner
03-27-01, 07:56 PM
Advantages:
Ø Bigger wheels have a more angular momentum, which is more mass at the bigger radius, therefore faster spinning.
Ø Basically superior gyroscopic stability and handling at high speeds.
Ø Great angle of attack for the tread in driving and braking – more like a conveyor belt, less like a scoop.
Ø Bigger wheels means bigger tires and therefore, longer contact patch which decreases psi (rolling resistance). They have twice the tire footprint on the ground for more traction.
Ø A bigger gear on the high end, and the low end is just the tiniest bit harder.
Ø More fun to ride, feels better.
Ø Bigger wheels go over logs, bumps and divots easier.
Disadvantages:
Ø Bigger wheels are heavier.
Ø They accelerates more slowly.
Ø Steering response is not as nimble as a 26-inch wheel.
Ø Bigger Wheels are less stiff and strong laterally.
Ø Less component choices to match the bigger wheels: rims, tires, frames etc
Ok, what do you think? Will we see more of these 29" wheel mountain bikes in the future, or is it just a fad? Have you tried riding a 29" wheel bike?
Ø Bigger wheels have a more angular momentum, which is more mass at the bigger radius, therefore faster spinning.
Ø Basically superior gyroscopic stability and handling at high speeds.
Ø Great angle of attack for the tread in driving and braking – more like a conveyor belt, less like a scoop.
Ø Bigger wheels means bigger tires and therefore, longer contact patch which decreases psi (rolling resistance). They have twice the tire footprint on the ground for more traction.
Ø A bigger gear on the high end, and the low end is just the tiniest bit harder.
Ø More fun to ride, feels better.
Ø Bigger wheels go over logs, bumps and divots easier.
Disadvantages:
Ø Bigger wheels are heavier.
Ø They accelerates more slowly.
Ø Steering response is not as nimble as a 26-inch wheel.
Ø Bigger Wheels are less stiff and strong laterally.
Ø Less component choices to match the bigger wheels: rims, tires, frames etc
Ok, what do you think? Will we see more of these 29" wheel mountain bikes in the future, or is it just a fad? Have you tried riding a 29" wheel bike?