Originally Posted by
iain.dalton
What's the advantage of yet another size of wheel? I mean, to the consumer, not to the marketer. I still don't understand "29-inch" wheels, which are by no stretch of the imagination that big. Weren't 26-inch wheels good enough?
I used to think this as well but then I rode a 29er and found that there was quite a difference in feel (smoother ride) as well as speed. Gary fisher claims a 2-3% advantage over 26 inch wheels (all other things being equal). THis does not sound like much but consider yourself and a buddy rolling along at top speed and every 100 feet that sucker is another 3 feet out in front. Then, the difference is apparent.
I do not own a 29 and certainly would not buy a silly 650b equipped ride. But I just completed a mountain ride with a buddy over the lunch hour. I was on my cyclocross bike (700c) and he was on his mtb (26 inch). There was not question that mine was gaining on his when all other things were equal.