Mountain Biking - Fitness level for 29er vs 26er

Is there a difference in how physically challenging it is to ride a 29er vs a 26er? Will one get you out of breath more quickly than the other, or are they about the same? I'm not sure which to go with, but I need to get back into shape so I'd like to get the easier of the two.

This will be interesting.

I hope so. "Interesting" always trumps "not interesting"

Indeed...maybe we can just keep this banter up until someone with a 29'er comes in.:lol:

Hopefully within the next hour so I can go impulse-buy a bike

Here I come....though I do have 26er(or two).

It really depends on what the trails are like, how you ride, etc. Fitness level is gonna be the same regardless of the bike you choose. Just get out and ride something. Considering you are a beginner, and assuming the trails are technical XC trails, you may be more comfortable on a wagon-wheel....I dunno. But the key to getting fit is putting time in the saddle.

All my bikes are 26", so I'm gonna have to say that you need to be tougher, stronger, and in general just more badass to ride 26" - so definitely get a 29er. :rolleyes:

All my bikes are 26", so I'm gonna have to say that you need to be tougher, stronger, and in general just more badass to ride 26" - so definitely get a 29er. :rolleyes:

Yeah, I'm pretty much a wuss. So that's one vote for 29er.

All my bikes are 26", so I'm gonna have to say that you need to be tougher, stronger, and in general just more badass to ride 26" - so definitely get a 29er. :rolleyes:

+1 I've only ever owned 26" MTB's also so I have to agree with this :lol:


As for the OP......... :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

EDIT: If you are interested in 29ers. START HERE (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/766947-29er-FAQ...a-great-place-to-start.). BTW ED, why isn't this a sticky yet? I've never ridden a 29er and only been on the forums for a about 4-5 months and I've already seen so many threads on 29er questions from first time posters!

The placebo effect is a powerful thing.

Ok, now I'll take a stab at being serious (I try not to make a habit of it though).

Generally speaking, the 26er will spin up (accelerate) and climb easier, the 29er will maintain momentum better on straight and level hard surfaces.
So as ncfisherman said, it depends on what you're mostly doing with the bike.

One of the comparison threads in the link above said they'd essentially behave the same if the weight of the wheels is the same. Interesting.

One of the comparison threads in the link above said they'd essentially behave the same if the weight of the wheels is the same. Interesting.

And for that to be true the 29er would have either more expensive wheels, or flimsier ones - either way there's a trade-off.

Is there a difference in how physically challenging it is to ride a 29er vs a 26er? Will one get you out of breath more quickly than the other, or are they about the same? I'm not sure which to go with, but I need to get back into shape so I'd like to get the easier of the two.

29'ers are more difficult to keep upright due to the larger Coriolis effect. This is not a problem near the equator, but at higher latitudes it's a real problem with the design.

No not interesting....highly subjective. Just grab something decent(that fits, both size wise and riding style/terrain wise) and get out there and ride. That's the only way you are going to know what works for you. Demo some bikes from the local bike shops, if you can.

Get a 69er.

or go '49er . . .

http://cyclebordeaux.co.uk/uploads/CMS/Images/Cycling_goldminer_1895%20or%20the%20proprietor.png

29ers are for wimps;
Real men rider 36ers: http://mtobikes.com/black-sheep-bikes-zamer-36er-mountain-bike-review/

29'ers are more difficult to keep upright due to the larger Coriolis effect. This is not a problem near the equator, but at higher latitudes it's a real problem with the design.

I can't tell if this is a joke or not.

I picked up a 26er on craigslist. It will do nicely.

Good one Doug!

Can we ressurect the 29er sex thread and merge the two?

http://www.bikeforums.net/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by corvuscorvax http://www.bikeforums.net/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=13318738#post13318738)
29'ers are more difficult to keep upright due to the larger Coriolis effect. This is not a problem near the equator, but at higher latitudes it's a real problem with the design.
I can't tell if this is a joke or not.
No joke. 29ers are harder to pedal in clockwise circles in the northern hemisphere.

No joke. 29ers are harder to pedal in clockwise circles in the northern hemisphere.

:rolleyes:

Get a 69er.Those worry me . . . I have a hard enough time without having a bike I'd almost always be pedalling uphill.

Get a 69er.
Meh, the whole 69 thing is overrated. I'd rather ride a Stiffee.

What? This thread isn't complete without pics? Scroll down, but I gotta warn you, it might be NSFW (Not Safe For tWenty-niners)!
























http://covebike.com/wp-content/themes/twentyten/images/catalog/Cove_Stiffee_2011_small.jpg

Those worry me . . . I have a hard enough time without having a bike I'd almost always be pedalling uphill.

That one made me spew Mtn Dew laughing! Good one :roflmao2:

If you put a 26" tire on the front or a 29er you reverse the uphill effect Dminor refers to and end up enjoying a downhill slant 78% of the time. Its kinda like the 70's muscle cars.

Whew, this thread holds the entertainment value of the ice melting in my water.

:roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:

69er downhill all day everyday!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/5802672966_2c631047d8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesterofpuppets/5802672966/)
Black Baron Day 8 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesterofpuppets/5802672966/) by Lester Of Puppets (http://www.flickr.com/people/lesterofpuppets/), on Flickr

The placebo effect is a powerful thing.

Some days i suspect the entire bike industry is based on it. I once had somebody honestly telling me 0.5 degree change in HTA means that bicycle is for a whole other type of riding!

I think you should get a 24"
http://www.sportechblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/colin_bike_finished2.jpg
nice bracelet.

But no Road ID? :eek:

But no Road ID? :eek:
Or helmet.

I owned a couple 29ers untill I realized im only 5'6" and belong on a 26" wheeled bike.. A 29er will be more often heavier and take a bit more umph to get ya goin with the bigger wheels.. I found the 29er more of a workout because of those factors... I may be a wuss also, but I do zip around alot more easily on my 26" bikes..

Well, what about road bikes then, with their super skinny tires? They must be so super easy to ride that they don't require any level of fitness, or result in any real exercise.

I roll junior roadbikes. Them skinny 24s spin up like nobody's bidness!

http://www.bikyle.com/images/PinJuniorRacer.jpg

Well, what about road bikes then, with their super skinny tires? They must be so super easy to ride that they don't require any level of fitness, or result in any real exercise.

If you were to go the same speed on the road with a 13lb roadie that you did on a 28lb 29er...you are correct, you wouldn't get much of a workout. If you tried to ride said roadie on the same terrain that the 9er was designed to roll...you'd get a heck'uv'a workout. As already stated in this thread (and the other hundreds) depends on your terrain and riding style.

Thanks for the replies. I'm still unsure about this whole Coriolis effect thing.

BTW, someone sent me a private message. Thanks, but the forum won't let me reply.

I'm still unsure about this whole Coriolis effect thing.

It was a joke (sorry ed, I just couldn't take watching this guy suffer any more).

*this message brought to you by scyclops, the unofficial BF narrator* :D

Or helmet.

helmet would mess up his perfect hair

Thanks for the replies. I'm still unsure about this whole Coriolis effect thing.

BTW, someone sent me a private message. Thanks, but the forum won't let me reply.

It's a tool to keep spammers down. You must post at least 50 times before you can send a PM. Go welcome some noobs in the "Introductions" forum. You'll get there quickly.

it was a joke (sorry ed, i just couldn't take watching this guy suffer any more).


WHAT???:eek:
Now you tell me.:(

Hardcore fitness routine:

Road bike on MTB terrain
MTB on long road rides (centuries...)

It was a joke (sorry ed, I just couldn't take watching this guy suffer any more).

*this message brought to you by scyclops, the unofficial BF narrator* :D

Awe...you have such a big heart. (ducks out to go pick on somebody [prolly D])

Awe...you have such a big heart.

Well, you know what they say, big heart, big....

...arteries?

^^As a co-worker used to tell me: "You're all heart . . . or something that rhymes with that."

Bike rides so sweet. It's like 26 inches of sex.

.... It's like 26 inches of sex.

have you been to prison?

eh, just get one with disk brakes so you can swap out between 26" and 29" wheels and decide for yourself.

It's all about how hard you pedal it... haha