Mountain Biking - 29er Revolution Article & Review

My LBS put out this interesting article about the history and benefits of the 29er. Thought some of you might find it interesting.

http://bicyclesportshop.com/page.cfm?pageId=1522

Hmmmmm, I can't find any benefits to a29r.

I just bought my Fisher Rig the other day and have been out on it twice. I must say the ride is sweet! I'm not going to brag it up just because I have one, but it appears to be working for me just fine. I will say it is taking a bit to adjust to single speed, but that will just take time and many rides. As far as the 29" wheels go, I would say that I did find it a bit different in the handling area when dealing with technical and slow parts of trails. I will say that I feel like I'm floating on that bike. Part of it being able to use lower tire pressures and also probably the geometry of the bike. I would definitely buy another one, and probably will look at the new carbon Fisher single speed in a couple years.

After getting my MotoB Ti, I've decided that my 29'er will be my "camping bike". Heck, I may take it to the trails tomorrow. But it's so hard to go from that tank to my ultra quick, fast climbing, geared 26".

Hmmmmm, I can't find any benefits to a29r.

Have you actually ridden one??

I just bought a niner HT. Now, I'm not a rabid "you gotta go niner" type, but I have found a couple of definite advantages.

1. Before I went FS, I was able to ride about an hour on my 26HT before by lower back cried uncle. I've been 2 1/2 hours on this one with no issues whatsoever.

2. Where I had, say, 2 lines through a tricky section before, I now have 3 or 4 because of the way the wheels roll over things.

3. Baby heads and loose boulders are easier.

4. Sand? I'm fairly big guy and sand would grab my front wheel no matter how I weighted (or unweighted) it. With the big wheels, I just roll through even the deepest sand with only minimal grabs of the front wheel.

5. I don't find it to be slower accelerating than my small wheels. Then again, I'm a slow rider, so probably wouldn't notice this anyway. I do climb faster now... but that might be the HT as much or more than the big wheels.

6. Switchbacks seem easier on the niner. Is it the enthusiasm of a new bike or the stability? Since the newness is wearing off and the switchbacks are still easier, I'm going with the stability.

7. I feel more a part of the bike than on my 26er. i felt this before I read about greater BB drops, placing you lower on/in the bike and effectively lowering your CG, but it makes sense and most definately makes it feel like I'm ore a part of the bike than just sitting on top of it.

Am I ready to ditch my SJ FSR for a 29er FS bike? No, not yet. But I will be testing out some FS niners to see if that may be the way to go for me. I haven't found anything yet that would be too tight or technical for a 29er with good geometry.

Give one a try, you might surprise yourself!!

Have you actually ridden one??

Give one a try, you might surprise yourself!!

No, I just thought I would throw that out there without ever being on one..........

Yes I've spent some time on more that one and I hated the freakin' things. I can see where they would be great to ride gravel roads but I'll take my small frame 26r for fun trail riding. So I guess I should rephrase that.... for me they would be OK on gravel roads.

Not everyone will like the same bike. Good thing we have alot of choices.

Hmmmmm, I can't find any benefits to a29r.


I feel the same way about 26ers. To each his own.

1. Before I went FS, I was able to ride about an hour on my 26HT before by lower back cried uncle. I've been 2 1/2 hours on this one with no issues whatsoever.
That's a geometry problem with your 26" hardtail. A 26" hardtail that fit you wouldn't give you that problem.


6. Switchbacks seem easier on the niner. Is it the enthusiasm of a new bike or the stability? Since the newness is wearing off and the switchbacks are still easier, I'm going with the stability.
I haven't ridden a 29er, but I'm able to take much sharper turns on my 24" than my 26". I assumed it was because I was on a more agile bike with a shorter wheelbase. However, I would assume that the longer wheelbase on the 29er is what's giving you that added stability. Interesting.

someone on the trail the other day had a 29 on the front...and a 26 on the back...

i have yet to try one, but i believe what's been said about the advantages. to me, the disadvantage is the weight and, heck, SIZE! i like the response of a 26...

When I run my 29'er whip, I feel it's not as flickable on the epic trails.

Booyah! - made a point and used overly-used forum phrases!

How's that feel? That's your head exploding.

That's a geometry problem with your 26" hardtail. A 26" hardtail that fit you wouldn't give you that problem.


Well, that's possible. I was still pretty new, but did research on the bike before I bought it. Also, it wasn't a cramped, not feeling right back pain, but more that the trail vibrations felt like they were going right up the seat stays into my back.

A similar geometry FS solved the problem. Maybe i could have found a better fitting HT... I'm not sure. But this 29er is very, very comfortable.

Well, that's possible. I was still pretty new, but did research on the bike before I bought it. Also, it wasn't a cramped, not feeling right back pain, but more that the trail vibrations felt like they were going right up the seat stays into my back.

A similar geometry FS solved the problem. Maybe i could have found a better fitting HT... I'm not sure. But this 29er is very, very comfortable.

suspension seatpost?

7. I feel more a part of the bike than on my 26er. i felt this before I read about greater BB drops, placing you lower on/in the bike and effectively lowering your CG, but it makes sense and most definately makes it feel like I'm ore a part of the bike than just sitting on top of it.


29ers do not have a lower center of gravity.

someone on the trail the other day had a 29 on the front...and a 26 on the back...I'm waiting for a DH-able 650b rim so I can try my 650b/26 combo experiment.


When I run my 29'er whip, I feel it's not as flickable on the epic trails . . . .Must . . . resist . . . urge to . . . BAN . . .this . . . user . . . ..

Interesting article and I learned something new ... a 29er actually uses the 700c road bike wheel adapted to fit.

http://bicyclesportshop.com/page.cfm?pageId=1522



The "standard" off road sized wheel was 26" for years. It was adopted by the pioneers of modern, California style off roading as a reasonably tough, cheap, and conveniently available choice. The 26" wheel worked out alright from a standpoint of availability, price, and toughness, but the early California pioneers of the MTB didn't have a research lab to see what would make the optimum wheel size for off road adventures. They made their choice based on convenience and product availability.

The term "29er" was born in 2001 with the release of the first mass production big wheeled mountain bikes, Gary Fisher's "Two Niner." However, the concept of the big wheeled off-road bike traces back to the 1980's and the basic technology involved dates back even further. While some may think that a 29er involves a new rim size, it actually utilizes a 700c size rim. While this wheel size had been used on road bikes for decades, it took a number of innovations to make the 700c applicable to a true mountain bike.

29ers do not have a lower center of gravity.

Hmmm... maybe I didn't express it right.


In addition, the rider on a 29ers wheel bike has a lower center of gravity in relationship to the wheel’s axle. Think of it as riding “in” the bike, instead of on top of the bike.

I guess that's a better way of putting it. It actually does make sense that a 29er wouldn't have an overall lower CG and in fact, with the bigger tires, it would be logical for it to be a bit higher or, if the geometry puts the rider lower on/in the bike, the same.

Must . . . resist . . . urge to . . . BAN . . .this . . . user . . . ..

*tee hee*

I'm gonna take my big wheel out in a little bit. I know it's gonna suck compared to what I've been riding these past few weeks, but oh well.

I'm gonna ride with a guy this week on his 29er, he's in way better shape, and know's the subtle nuances in the trail way better than me. But, I'm pretty confident that I can roll anything he can roll, I can Climb anything he can climb, I can go down anything he can go down, and in the end i'll be right beside him when we reach the parking lot.
Does that make a 26 better? or a 29 better?

Alright, I'm back. After not riding that thing for a month, I feel I can give a fair assessment.

Here's the deal: full rigid (full riggie?), SS, cheapest 29'er on planet earth (MB Outcast 29'er), low-tech brakes, cheapo cheapo cheapo. Oh, and my grips were doing full 360's on my bars. I hate non-locking grips on MTB's. So set aside the lack of travel, lack of gears and slipping grips for a sec.

Now, I don't know if it's the efficiency on the SS, if it's all in my head, or I just had POWAH today, but the sucker seemed easy to ride, climbing and rolling was a little better. Standing up and climbing ruled and I can outright feel the difference in lower rolling resistance. It felt like I had a nice wind blowing from behind and pushing; it just rolled better.

The downside to the 29er is you really can't turn the thing as quickly as the 26" and I did test the "29'er ability to roll over things easier" and I can't really say there is a night and day difference... maybe because my 26" has a suspension fork and my 29'er is rigid.

Eventually I'd like to replace that frame with a Karate Monkey and a nice suspension fork, still keeping it a SS.

I don't think I'd replace my 26" with a heavier 29'er, but it sure is nice to have as a back-up or a change of pace. I liken it to riding my road bike and riding my fixed gear.

I feel the same way about 26ers. To each his own.

you see no benefits of a 26" bike?
seriously?
i guess no one else did either.....that's why they were the standard for 20+ years right....???!!!

Having switched to a Niner EMD9 in May, I will never go back to small wheels again.

For my style of riding, the Niner corners and turns well enough - but the big wheels have ratcheted up my ability to clear technical sections by one or two whole notches. I can now easily clear stuff that would make me dab or go endo on a 26er. The only downside is that on steep extended climbs, I could use smaller gearing (I am talking a 30km ride up from 11,000 to 17,000ft, for example) - and the big wheels are notably harder to re-start if you stall on a slope.

V.

They aren't for everyone.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=491856

Some like them, some don't. I ride with a couple people who love them, and a couple others like me who've tried them and disliked them. The 29er zealot types that try to push them on others and deride 26" stuff just seem like ******** to me, and would probably be so no matter what they ride. I don't get why they get all pissy about someone else not digging their wheel size.

I think we should all "progress" to 24's with 2.6" tires.

I am not a mountain biker, but recently helped my son do the research on a bike for him. He's 6'1" and about 220 lbs. The shop we went to said a 29er would be a good bet for him. The reading we did said that they provide some of the benefits of a full suspension 26 bike with less complexity at a lower weight because of the longer wheelbase and larger diameter wheels. The wheels also provide for better stability and traction because of higher angular momentum and footprint. The drawbacks are higher weight and slower turning compared for a front-suspension-only 26.

Thank you sced. What a good informative post.;)



How is a 29'er gonna react when I bust off the next lip and tweak it out in the air? How bout pumping rollers? Seems a bit long/husky to be doing that crap.


People seem to have a hard time getting outside their little world of mountain biking when recommending a bike to someone. When I ride...I basically use the trail as a pump track/bmx playground. I try to catch a little air here and there and flow turns and rollers.

When some other guy rides...he just likes to spin his cranks and keep his butt planted on the saddle.

If I see a rock garden coming...I prefer to use the first rock to propel me over the rest of the mess. What good is a 29'er gonna do me there?

29'ers are a fantastic idea for a sit'n'spin type of person who wants to roll over everything. That's just my perception though. I've test ridden a few 9'ers and would prob. own one as a tertiary bike. Just doesn't seem to me to be a wonderful aggro'bike. I think I'd prefer 24's...but how can I say 24 or 26 is better when I'm talking to someone who rides the trail like say B2B only 6'3"? That's a perfect candidate for a 29'er.

The guy B actually mentioned (if I'm on track) uses the 29'er to its max potential. He's about as XC as they get. No air time, nothing fancy...just wants a light, efficient ride to cover alot of trail w/o getting the fillings knocked out of his teeth.



You gotta be pretty narrow minded to think 29'ers are for everybody. You gotta be equally as dense to think 26'ers are the answer to every trail rider.

chelboed,
You make alot of sense.

29'ers are a fantastic idea for a sit'n'spin type of person who wants to roll over everything.

That's pretty much me. I don't jump, I like to climb and I like riding 25-30 miles at a time. I love my 29'er :love: I think a big part of it is the geometry of this frame compared to that of my 26" bike. I'm just more comfortable on it down the steep stuff, but also in pretty much any other situation as well (again as compared to my 26" bike). I also think the big wheels look cooler :p

Your bike looks cooler...period, nacho.

Thank you sced. What a good informative post.;)



How is a 29'er gonna react when I bust off the next lip and tweak it out in the air? How bout pumping rollers? Seems a bit long/husky to be doing that crap.


People seem to have a hard time getting outside their little world of mountain biking when recommending a bike to someone. When I ride...I basically use the trail as a pump track/bmx playground. I try to catch a little air here and there and flow turns and rollers.

When some other guy rides...he just likes to spin his cranks and keep his butt planted on the saddle.

If I see a rock garden coming...I prefer to use the first rock to propel me over the rest of the mess. What good is a 29'er gonna do me there?

29'ers are a fantastic idea for a sit'n'spin type of person who wants to roll over everything. That's just my perception though. I've test ridden a few 9'ers and would prob. own one as a tertiary bike. Just doesn't seem to me to be a wonderful aggro'bike. I think I'd prefer 24's...but how can I say 24 or 26 is better when I'm talking to someone who rides the trail like say B2B only 6'3"? That's a perfect candidate for a 29'er.

The guy B actually mentioned (if I'm on track) uses the 29'er to its max potential. He's about as XC as they get. No air time, nothing fancy...just wants a light, efficient ride to cover alot of trail w/o getting the fillings knocked out of his teeth.



You gotta be pretty narrow minded to think 29'ers are for everybody. You gotta be equally as dense to think 26'ers are the answer to every trail rider.

Yes. I did hit a couple of the local kickers and it SUCKED with the 29'er. I didn't think it was possible to catch less air than the jump is tall. :notamused:

If I see a rock garden coming...I prefer to use the first rock to propel me over the rest of the mess.
.


Ed you really sghould bring B and come this way in the fall.

Ed you really sghould bring B and come this way in the fall.

Beleemee man, my two "wanna-go destinations" are in your and Doug's back yards...I can't get away from Kansas long enough to take a dump since I got my wife her "van-car" thingy. I'm hoping next year will yield me more..."FREEDOM!"
http://www.joebrower.com/PHILE_PILE/PIX/TRT/TRT-Braveheart.jpg

you see no benefits of a 26" bike?
seriously?
i guess no one else did either.....that's why they were the standard for 20+ years right....???!!!

I see no benefits to me and will never buy another 26 inch wheeled bike. If they benefit you then ride one. That's why I said to each his own. Just because a 26 inch wheeled bike doesn't work very well for me doesn't mean you have to ride a 29er.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/repackrider/avatar235.jpg (http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/mtbwelcome.htm)
2retro4u (http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/mtbwelcome.htm)
Marin County, Cali

Wes Williams of Crested Butte was the first I know about to make a 29er bike. As others have pointed out, there are comparable sizes on European bikes, and the reason 26" became the norm is that it was the only size available for balloon tires until recently.

My 29er does not get compared against every 26" wheel bike ever made, only the one I had before I had the niner, and it kicks a$$ on that one. I can ride everything I could ride on the old bike, and I have ridden a few things that I couldn't before. It's a better climber, and I couldn't tell you why, it just is.

Perhaps the preference for wheel size is a function of the size of the rider. There are lots of short women who ride 24" wheel bikes, and it stands to reason that over a certain size a bigger wheel might be appropriate.

But I don't analyze things like that too deeply, because it cuts into riding time, and one subject that does not hold my interest is what everybody else is riding.


________________________________________________
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/repackrider/FTF_logo3.jpg

Thank you sced. What a good informative post.;)

You are welcome. I'm a ME and can see why a 29er may be a better choice for larger guys and more in-the-saddle riding styles.

29'ers are a fantastic idea for a sit'n'spin type of person who wants to roll over everything. That's just my perception though.

You gotta be pretty narrow minded to think 29'ers are for everybody. You gotta be equally as dense to think 26'ers are the answer to every trail rider.

Hmmm.... getting close to the pot calling the kettle black here.

Saying 29ers are for the sit'n'spin with butt in the saddle is pretty shortsighted, too.

I ride mine pretty much like I ride my 26FS. I'm mostly an XC type of rider and don't "huck", but I do ride ledges, steep stuff, loose, baby heads and of course "roots and rocks".

You're probably right that a 29er wouldn't make a good pump bike, but in places where trails don't lend themselves to pump style riding, they're awesome. A lot of the trails I've enjoyed can't be ridden bmx or pump style. Rock gardens? I'm at a loss how you use the first one to propel yourself over the rest of the mess... rock gardens are typically longer than you can jump!

And, I bet a good rider could use a 29er bike on a pump track and do it well! I've never tried and don't claim to be that "good rider", but I'm sure someone is!

Hmmm.... getting close to the pot calling the kettle black here.

Not really...just saying that a 29'er isn't much a gnar-shredder. I wouldn't go jumping off any staircases with one or taking it to the BMX track. On the other hand...if I wanted to cover alot of bumpy trail fast...I'd probably say a 29'er is a good choice. It just depends on the type of rider.


Hmmm.... getting close to the pot calling the kettle black here.

Saying 29ers are for the sit'n'spin with butt in the saddle is pretty shortsighted, too.
You are correct...an exaggerated example on my part. AM Hucker vs. XC rider sorta thingy, I guess...but I see what you're saying.


I ride mine pretty much like I ride my 26FS. I'm mostly an XC type of rider and don't "huck", but I do ride ledges, steep stuff, loose, baby heads and of course "roots and rocks".
Definitely capable for your described riding, I can't argue that. I'd say I'd be more inclined to launch over your described terrain on a 26 or 24" bike (while stylishly cranking my bars to the side with a Lightning McQueen KaCHOW!) than rolling through it. Thus the "riding style" part. I ride with a dude who goes the same places I do...but he pretty-much keeps his wheels planted as much as possible. I pretty much don't. He rides a 9er..I'm on a 6er.

Really though...maybe a better way to say it is if the wheels are going to be in the air...keep 'em small and if they're staying planted...keep 'em big. What's the point of those big ol' hoops if you're not taking advantage of the intended design I guess...eh?



You're probably right that a 29er wouldn't make a good pump bike, but in places where trails don't lend themselves to pump style riding, they're awesome.

agree...unless you're riding scrublovers "rock-crawly" trails...then I'd still want a 6'er with big meats


And, I bet a good rider could use a 29er bike on a pump track and do it well! I've never tried and don't claim to be that "good rider", but I'm sure someone is!

Totally agree 100%...a good rider on a walmart bike would most likely have me for lunch eventually:lol:



I'm at a loss how you use the first one to propel yourself over the rest of the mess... rock gardens are typically longer than you can jump!
Again...another misconception that your terrain is typically going to be like mine...and liberal use of the term "rock garden" on my part, I suspect. Rock gardens in Kansas are well...varied is a good word. We're accustomed to growing corn in our gardens...not rocks. Ours are probably not as long as yours. If they are...I don't clear them. I'M NOT SUPERMAN YA KNOW!! Most of the time I stick to the same couple of trails with a visit here and there. My normal trails are fairly smooth and flowy for KS...but when a section of rough trail comes up that has rocks or some other bumpy terrain that is short enough for me to clear it...I try. Heck there's a section of fast trail that just starts to head up an incline...it has 2 small log/limbs across it only about 5 feet apart, heck IDK...I'm usually going fast enough through there that I use the "BOING" from my front tire kissing it to propel my whole bike across the second one w/o hitting it. Now...back when I had my dually...I would just plow through that crap. I'd say if I were riding a 9er...I'd most likely do the same thing.

I know that if I lived closer to (3 trails come to mind)...instead of the ones I frequent...I'd be on a 5" 26'er or some type of 29'er b/c it's like 6 miles of rock garden, ya know?

Like I'd be on a 9'er living 'round here:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h28/chelboed/Bike/IMAG0068.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h28/chelboed/Bike/IMAG0071.jpg

But I live here, so I'm on a 26":
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h28/chelboed/Bike/n501173445_107583_5058.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h28/chelboed/Bike/DSC01310-3.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h28/chelboed/Bike/tweakcopy.jpghttp://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h28/chelboed/Bike/n501173445_110481_3092.jpg

Not really...just saying that a 29'er isn't much a gnar-shredder. I wouldn't go jumping off any staircases with one . . . .Ya, what the heck was Alex thinking?

http://www.littermag.com/techno/bcd29er/8.jpg

yah...wat a frikin mohrahn

29er seems more comfortable to me. I'm 6'0 though. I can ride a 29er for long distances comfortably. I don't think I'd be as comfortable on a 26. So I think if you do long rides...50+ miles over multiple types of terrain...this is where a 29er will shine. If you do short distances and just want to jump, skip, and hop over stuff get a 26. Oh and I mostly ride in the saddle but have no problem getting out of the saddle for climbs.

20'er FTW

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2095/215/97/1626676832/n1626676832_100469_70.jpg

Flat land rules!

I remember my first flat land video's...that freakin' song "Jumpin Joe!":lol:

Classic

Why stop at 20"? If you're really gnarly, go 12" - means you can go bigger, right?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/3893092964_f6078b48b6.jpg

I crash more in flatland in one day than I do in one year riding my other bikes.

Here's our little vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EioZLNc9Dw4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C30D6ZXnFBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no0eDgGtdKo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlCOcZjPsz4

Nor-Cal flatland FTW.

29er seems more comfortable to me. I'm 6'0 though. I can ride a 29er for long distances comfortably. I don't think I'd be as comfortable on a 26.

wtf?

Prob. talking about rolling over bumps'n'crap...at least that's how I took it.

So I've just ordered a 22T fixed gear cog for my Outcast. If you don't hear from me after my first ride, tell my wife I love her.

I'm going pure, biazataches! Rigid and fixed - sounds like a medical problem, but we're talking bikes here.

Good luck...and may the Force be with you.

20'er FTW

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2095/215/97/1626676832/n1626676832_100469_70.jpg

Bonus points for the "Club Homeboy" shirt. :thumb:

I miss Freestylin' mag.

My LBS put out this interesting article about the history and benefits of the 29er. Thought some of you might find it interesting.

http://bicyclesportshop.com/page.cfm?pageId=1522


It isn't a new idea. If it's so revolutionary, why didn't it catch on in the early '90s when the concept was first introduced?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/Zanetti7/overdrivecomp3.jpg


"Larger diameter 700c wheels and Panaracer Smoke tires roll over, not into, off-road obstacles, making this Supercross mountain bike truly all-terrain." :roflmao2: True marketing horse-s**t.