Advantages:

Ø Bigger wheels have a more angular momentum, which is more mass at the bigger radius, therefore faster spinning.

Ø Basically superior gyroscopic stability and handling at high speeds.

Ø Great angle of attack for the tread in driving and braking – more like a conveyor belt, less like a scoop.

Ø Bigger wheels means bigger tires and therefore, longer contact patch which decreases psi (rolling resistance). They have twice the tire footprint on the ground for more traction.

Ø A bigger gear on the high end, and the low end is just the tiniest bit harder.

Ø More fun to ride, feels better.

Ø Bigger wheels go over logs, bumps and divots easier.

Disadvantages:

Ø Bigger wheels are heavier.

Ø They accelerates more slowly.

Ø Steering response is not as nimble as a 26-inch wheel.

Ø Bigger Wheels are less stiff and strong laterally.

Ø Less component choices to match the bigger wheels: rims, tires, frames etc

Ok, what do you think? Will we see more of these 29" wheel mountain bikes in the future, or is it just a fad? Have you tried riding a 29" wheel bike?

Not sure if it's the wave of the future. Like you stated Joe, there are a lot of compatibility issues. But only time will tell.

For 2002 Gary Fisher is selling several 29" wheel mountain bikes. We'll see how well these bikes sell. If there is a strong enough demand for them then maybe the fork manufacturers will be willing to mass produce forks for 29"wheels.

It's all up to the market demands.

In the UK, people were building off-road bikes with 700c in the 1970's. This was more a branch of the Rough-Stuff Fellowship, than Cyclo-Cross racing.
Probaly the main reason they didnt take off is that sunny California has more marketing appeal than damp muddy Wales.

Do you have any links or info on the 29" wheel bikes. Are they a new wheel size, or some variant of 700c ?

I tried it, didnt like it.. The turning did it in for me. They are scary fast though..

Hi Folks,

I was recently reading a German MTB mag and the new thing here are the 24" wheels with the massive 26x2.6" tires on em. Of course, these were marketed for the DH crowd. I guess the future here is smaller and thicker!

To see a bike outfitted with these wheels, follow this link: http://www.votec.com/deutsch/news/t5.htm

Thing is, if you ride disk brakes the only compatibility challenge lies in having the massive treads pass through your frame. All of the VOTEC bikes for 2002 will be flip-flop 24"/26" compatible.

I personally don't like changing the standards in any direction cause it means more money in the bike industry's pocket cause you have to buy the new standard to buy tires or something equally rediculous.

Sun's out today, I just might leave work early to get some km's in...