Recently did a test of 29 and 26 bikes. I liked the 29's better but it depends on how tall you are. I'm 5'10" and for someone under 5'8" or so they might be better off on a 26, honestly. Just my 2 cents and YMMV of course. Don't mean to open up that debate here. Just saying you probably need to ride some current designs of equivalent bikes in both sizes and do your own test rather than be swayed by hype.