IMO, this is the most relivent information in this thread. I ride neither 26 nor 29, but I've been doing a lot of research about the subject because I am in the market for a better commuter than on 700x23c (which I've put in waaay more places than I should be). From what I've read heard people talk about, the acceleration and effort from a dead stop is night and day with 26" vs 29". Another negative that I find for 29er is the extremely limited tire choices, availability, and cost. You can go to any Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, etc 24/hrs store and pickup a 26" spare... you can not for a 29".