Mountain Biking - Why would somebody get a 29er?

Hi guys, I'm looking to get myself a mtn bike and have been reading about and trying to find as much information before I go out and make a decision. One thing that I haven't been able to find is why somebody would want a larger set of rims vers a smaller set? Can somebody shed some light on this for me?

Thanks!

Because it's fashionable.

Becuse they want bigger rims......old folks dig em'.

bigger wheels means you roll over stuff easier, you go faster, the 29er is great for tall people, and it's sort of like extra suspension.

also, bigger wheels means bigger penis.

bigger wheels means you roll over stuff easier, you go faster, the 29er is great for tall people, and it's sort of like extra suspension.

also, bigger wheels means bigger penis.

How do you go faster?

I bet you can find all you ever wanted to know about 29ers over here: http://forums.mtbr.com/

pros of bigger wheels = lower center of gravity, longer contact patch for increased traction, ability to roll over obstacles easier, feels softer (as noted above, almost like suspension)

cons of bigger wheels: heavier, wheels aren't as stiff, handling may not be as suitable in tight sections (largely depends on the bike)

Why would someone want smaller wheels?

How do you go faster?

pedal harder....

oh, you mean with the 29er....the larger wheels means you cover more ground per pedal stroke, or something. larger wheels are faster than smaller wheels.

The 29er is six percent faster on uphill courses and three percent faster on cross-country courses than 26-inch mountain bikes, according to a study conducted by Pepperdine University.

How do you go faster?

That's a silly question. Larger wheels rotating at the same rate as smaller wheels will travel faster. The difference may not be noticeable to 99% of people who compare the two, but the difference is still technically there. Think large scale differences: You've got a pair of scooter wheels rotating at the same rate as a pair of monster truck wheels. Which would be moving faster?

What I've read so far is if you can't go over stuff with 26" wheels, you should get bigger wheels. So, to me that means if you're a hack get the 29er. If you're not a hack, get a 26er.

pros of bigger wheels = lower center of gravity

Bigger wheels giving you a lower center of gravity? Does not compute. Unless the BB is made of lead.

The fast guys that I've ridden with over the years are fast no matter what size wheel they ride. Technical ability and fitness will beat wheel size every time.

That's a silly question. Larger wheels rotating at the same rate as smaller wheels will travel faster. The difference may not be noticeable to 99% of people who compare the two, but the difference is still technically there. Think large scale differences: You've got a pair of scooter wheels rotating at the same rate as a pair of monster truck wheels. Which would be moving faster?

If you're using identical gears, then sure, you'll go further per revolution on a 29er, but you don't get it for free. The bigger wheel increases your gear inches, so its going to be harder to pedal the 29er if the gear ratios are the same. Its one reason we're seeing 36 tooth cogs out back now. You have to lower the gear ratios on a 29er to get the same overall gear inches as a 26er. On the opposite side, look at the huge gear ratios people use on folding bikes that have smaller wheels.

If you're using identical gears, then sure, you'll go further per revolution on a 29er, but you don't get it for free. The bigger wheel increases your gear inches, so its going to be harder to pedal the 29er if the gear ratios are the same. Its one reason we're seeing 36 tooth cogs out back now. You have to lower the gear ratios on a 29er to get the same overall gear inches as a 26er. On the opposite side, look at the huge gear ratios people use on folding bikes that have smaller wheels.


^---This... 29ers have yet to be able to break the laws of physics, though I hear it's in the works.

Like for the scooter/monster truck comparison, of course the monster truck will be traveling faster, but they also have blown 502 (or 572 or something) V8s over the 50cc weed-whacker engines...

Bigger wheels giving you a lower center of gravity? Does not compute. Unless the BB is made of lead.

In relation to the wheels' axles, a 29er's BB is lower than a 26er's BB. This creates a lower center of gravity and a more stable feel.

Is this gonna circle back around to ability and ftness again?

Is this gonna circle back around to ability and ftness again?

who needs fitness or ability? the wheels are 29 freakin inches!!!!! after everyone is used to the 29ers, the next cool thing will be 32 inchers. eventually you will have weak people who can't ride off a curb on 45 inch wheels cleaning everything!

Yeah!!!!! 45er.....I'd like to see the granny on that thing.

who needs fitness or ability? the wheels are 29 freakin inches!!!!! after everyone is used to the 29ers, the next cool thing will be 32 inchers. eventually you will have weak people who can't ride off a curb on 45 inch wheels cleaning everything!

As long as they don't have to turn, accelerate, climb a hill...................

My take on the 29er trend - if your fast and have mad skills on a 26" bike then you'll probably have close to the same (maybe a hair better, or worse - depending what your trails are like) on a 29er. If you suck on a 26" bike and you move to a 29er, you'll probably suck a little more or a little less - but you'll still suck.

In relation to the wheels' axles, a 29er's BB is lower than a 26er's BB. This creates a lower center of gravity and a more stable feel.

I see. That would be when compared to their respective axles. When compared to each other?
But yeah I get how they could create a feel. Didn't know that, thanks.

.......... If you suck on a 26" bike and you move to a 29er, you'll probably suck a little more or a little less - but you'll still suck.

Woe is me.......

Woe is me.......

Yea, I know - big secret. There is no magic bullet when it comes to riding a road bike, mountain bike or any bike - the more you ride, harder you ride, and the more you push the envelope (without going outside it) - both physically and mentally - the better you will become. Riding a bike with bigger wheels will make about the same difference in overall speed as taking/not taking a huge dump before a ride. There is a local trail here that has some technical features - I have ridden it with both a 26" and a 29" wheeled bike and cleaned it fine on each, I just prefer the 26" - but the thing that really gets my goat is when my skill is related to my bike - I have had people say they could clean a section if they had a bike like mine - totally disregarding the fact that I ride 14 hours + a week and have ridden that particular piece of trail over 100 times.

Stop...you're shooting down all my good excuses.

Stop...you're shooting down all my good excuses.

Riding your road bike to look at the autumn leaves doesn't count as cleaning a section!

Riding your road bike to look at the autumn leaves doesn't count as cleaning a section!

It does if the leaves are wet - or if you are actually sweeping up the leaves.

^^ You do an autumn leaves ride on your road bike here, that might be downright manly . . .

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t162/dminorwa/Whistler%20Fall%202009/IMG_1420.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t162/dminorwa/Whistler%20Fall%202009/IMG_1412.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t162/dminorwa/Whistler%20Fall%202009/IMG_1414.jpg

^a creek runs through it? When I was there that thing was RAGING

What I've read so far is if you can't go over stuff with 26" wheels, you should get bigger wheels. So, to me that means if you're a hack get the 29er. If you're not a hack, get a 26er.

I don't like feeding your ego by quoting you; but based on the information provided in the thread, I would have to agree.

The fast guys that I've ridden with over the years are fast no matter what size wheel they ride. Technical ability and fitness will beat wheel size every time.

Very true. My smart ass remark was inspired only by small technicalities that 99% of mountain bikers (myself included) don't even notice.

^a creek runs through it? When I was there that thing was RAGING:lol: Yeah, except for the wet and some leaves, the intimidation factor wasn't what it could be.

What I've read so far is if you can't go over stuff with 26" wheels, you should get bigger wheels. So, to me that means if you're a hack get the 29er. If you're not a hack, get a 26er.

You're a hack if you can't ride over stuff with a little girl's bike with 12 inch wheels. You pansy.
Real men ride tiny rigid bikes with little wheels. Suspension and wheels larger than 12 inches are crutches for crappy riders.

You're a hack if you can't ride over stuff with a little girl's bike with 12 inch wheels. You pansy.
Real men ride tiny rigid bikes with little wheels. Suspension and wheels larger than 12 inches are crutches for crappy riders.

Glad we're on the same page. I'll be taking my Princess Barbie bike out a little later. I'm going to attempt this 60' drop with it. I'm not going to wear a helmet either. It will just distract me and increase the likelihood of injury.

Yea, I know - big secret. There is no magic bullet when it comes to riding a road bike, mountain bike or any bike - the more you ride, harder you ride, and the more you push the envelope (without going outside it) - both physically and mentally - the better you will become. Riding a bike with bigger wheels will make about the same difference in overall speed as taking/not taking a huge dump before a ride. There is a local trail here that has some technical features - I have ridden it with both a 26" and a 29" wheeled bike and cleaned it fine on each, I just prefer the 26" - but the thing that really gets my goat is when my skill is related to my bike - I have had people say they could clean a section if they had a bike like mine - totally disregarding the fact that I ride 14 hours + a week and have ridden that particular piece of trail over 100 times.

It'd annoy me, too, if I'd wasted all that time training.

It'd annoy me, too, if I'd wasted all that time training.

Who said I was training - I'm spending that time riding my bikes.

pedal harder....

oh, you mean with the 29er....the larger wheels means you cover more ground per pedal stroke, or something. larger wheels are faster than smaller wheels.

The 29er is six percent faster on uphill courses and three percent faster on cross-country courses than 26-inch mountain bikes, according to a study conducted by Pepperdine University.


That study has no scientific basis whatsoever because they refuse to share the details. It's likely they made the whole thing up or left out a critical piece of information - like they may have run the 26" group at night with no lights.

Why don't they run the test again, maybe three times to end this wheel size debate? If 29" wheels really are faster, what are they afraid of finding?

Because it's fashionable.

+1

Haha.

Next we'll be asked why would somebody buy a rigid single-speed bicycle for $1500+

That study has no scientific basis whatsoever because they refuse to share the details. It's likely they made the whole thing up or left out a critical piece of information - like they may have run the 26" group at night with no lights.

Why don't they run the test again, maybe three times to end this wheel size debate? If 29" wheels really are faster, what are they afraid of finding?

Sounds like we need Myth Busters to get involved.

Sounds like we need Myth Busters to get involved.

I agree.

Seems to me we all need 650B wheels.

I do . . . I want one - - at least 32mm wide. Oh, and a 2.5 to put on it.

I have a couple of 29ers. They seem to work fine.

You have to ride something.

Great points about the basic physics involved. Remember the 69'er bikes? Not that... this:
http://www.carverbikes.com/images/homeimages/96ergreenhome1.jpg
http://www.mtnbikeriders.com/2007/05/15/why-a-69er/ (http://www.mtnbikeriders.com/2007/05/15/why-a-69er/)

it's always going to be a compromise - between wheel strength, gear inches and rolling over obstacles versus maneuverability.

I think if I were going to get another atb/mtb, I wouldn't get either the 26 or 29er. I want a Surly Pugsley for really going anywhere.

Great points about the basic physics involved. Remember the 69'er bikes? Not that... this:
http://www.carverbikes.com/images/homeimages/96ergreenhome1.jpg
http://www.mtnbikeriders.com/2007/05/15/why-a-69er/ (http://www.mtnbikeriders.com/2007/05/15/why-a-69er/)

it's always going to be a compromise - between wheel strength, gear inches and rolling over obstacles versus maneuverability.

Interesting, but this concept was explored and then abandoned, in the 80s. BMX cruisers used to have 26" wheels. When 24" cruisers were becoming popular, a few companies tried building some with a 24" wheel in the back, and a 26" wheel in the front. The idea was to get the acceleration of the 24" and the stability of the 26". In the end, they were little more than a passing curiosity.