Mountain Biking - Endurance: 26 or 29

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paloewi
07-29-06, 02:29 AM
I love endurance mountain bike riding. The first mass start race I ever won was a 12 hour race and I love it. I am thinking of getting heavily into endurance mountain bike racing, but first, I need a new bike. So, should I roll on 26 or 29 inch wheels? Is it truely just preference, or would the extra couple of inches (3) really help that much over the hours?

thanks a heap

Peter

diff_lock2
07-29-06, 03:07 AM
i got a 29er (http://www.raulhellberg.fi/mallisto-bigfoot-bigfoot-x29.htm), after driving if for a few weeks 26's feel SO small. Dont know any performance gains but i like the way it rides, more than the way the 26 rides...

feels faster and easy to drive, but im not sure its realy any better, it might be more confortable, for me at least.
willtsmith_nwi
07-29-06, 08:02 AM
I love endurance mountain bike riding. The first mass start race I ever won was a 12 hour race and I love it. I am thinking of getting heavily into endurance mountain bike racing, but first, I need a new bike. So, should I roll on 26 or 29 inch wheels? Is it truely just preference, or would the extra couple of inches (3) really help that much over the hours?

thanks a heap

Peter

Endurance racers are tending to 29ers. The reason is simple, they don't get beat up so badly going over rough terrain. The larger wheels just roll better over irregular surfaces. And, the larger volume tires soak up more bumps.