26 in or 29er???
#26
Te mortuo heres tibi sim?
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 0
From: East coast
Bikes: hardtail, squishy, fixed roadie, fixed crosser
Wow. Those 29er Bonty tires would suck balls for much of where I like to ride.
Try both, buy whichever you end up liking more. Anyhow, this thread will go just like all the prior 26 vs. 29 threads...
Gave a 29er with several setups for gearing, suspension/rigid, and geometry a good try and hated it. Yes, it rolls over stuff very well, and once up to speed just steamrolls right along. I very much disliked it for every other aspect of what and how I like to ride, however.
https://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=491856
Still open to the idea. If I were to get a test spin on a bike that felt as good to me on some of my usual trails as my 26" wheeled rides do, I'd likely buy one.
Try both, buy whichever you end up liking more. Anyhow, this thread will go just like all the prior 26 vs. 29 threads...
Gave a 29er with several setups for gearing, suspension/rigid, and geometry a good try and hated it. Yes, it rolls over stuff very well, and once up to speed just steamrolls right along. I very much disliked it for every other aspect of what and how I like to ride, however.
https://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=491856
Still open to the idea. If I were to get a test spin on a bike that felt as good to me on some of my usual trails as my 26" wheeled rides do, I'd likely buy one.
Last edited by scrublover; 11-25-10 at 06:11 PM.
#27
I'm giving your my opin. on what is my favorite tire. If you dont like it, dont buy it, and most certainly dont ***** about, becasue this a friggin bike forum, not a sandbox. Its your problem to see if the tire fits your needs.
#29
Pint-Sized Gnar Shredder
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,549
Likes: 1
From: Somewhere between heaven and hell
Bikes: '09 Jamis Komodo, '09 Mirraco Blend One, '08 Cervelo P2C, '08 Specialized Ruby Elite, '07 Yeti AS-R SL, '07 DMR Drone
Looks like there's a 26" version: https://bontrager.com/model/07797
If you're really concerned about lowering tire pressure, going tubeless will help you a lot more than the wheel size (which shouldn't effect how much pressure you can run).
I'll accept your point that they keep momentum longer and acceleration is something you have to get used to, but I'm going to contest your point that they jump well. How well a bike jumps is dependent on its geometry and its responsiveness. Beyond that, little wheels generally jump better since the bike is smaller and easier to throw around (if you need proof, watch what the guys on 20" BMX bikes can do). That's also why some jump bikes are 24" (and while some are 26", you pretty much never see a 29", other than the huge BMX bikes SE has out).
If you're really concerned about lowering tire pressure, going tubeless will help you a lot more than the wheel size (which shouldn't effect how much pressure you can run).
I'll accept your point that they keep momentum longer and acceleration is something you have to get used to, but I'm going to contest your point that they jump well. How well a bike jumps is dependent on its geometry and its responsiveness. Beyond that, little wheels generally jump better since the bike is smaller and easier to throw around (if you need proof, watch what the guys on 20" BMX bikes can do). That's also why some jump bikes are 24" (and while some are 26", you pretty much never see a 29", other than the huge BMX bikes SE has out).
#30
Still kicking.


Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 47
From: Annandale, New Jersey
Bikes: Bike Count: Rising.
I'd listen to what '66 says, just because you like a certain tire doesn't mean everyone else will like it . I've tried the 26" wheeled version of said tire and found it to be awful. The handling on them isn't as dialed as compared to tires with a similar tread design(Kenda small block eight, Maxxis Larsen TT, DMR moto diggers.) Felt that the XR-1's when cornering felt flimsy. Durability wise, after a single hard session on them, had knobs that were close to being ripped off, only other tire I've managed to do this to were the dual compound Michelins.
As far as 29er's being good at jumping, I am yet to be sold on that, seeing first hand @ the pumptrack how cumbersome they are on there, especially on the jump lines.
As far as 29er's being good at jumping, I am yet to be sold on that, seeing first hand @ the pumptrack how cumbersome they are on there, especially on the jump lines.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#31
Momentum is great if you're traveling in a straight line at a constant speed, but it's your worst enemy if you have to start, stop or change speed and direction frequently. It's the reason 26" bikes will always dominate the technical riding genere of mountain biking - downhill, dual slalom, freeride, obvserved trials and technical singletrack.
From an engineering standpoint, you always want the smallest, lightest and strongest wheel you can get away with. If a 26" wheeled bike isn't holding you back, there's no reason to go bigger.
From an engineering standpoint, you always want the smallest, lightest and strongest wheel you can get away with. If a 26" wheeled bike isn't holding you back, there's no reason to go bigger.
#32
Redheaded Stepchild
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 1
From: GA, USA
Bikes: A fat tire & a skinny tire & two others I loaned out
So please, with your never-ending source of knowledge, tell me what the best tire would be for my style of riding based on the complete lack of information I've given you about myself & the trails I frequent.
#34
Moar cowbell


Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,480
Likes: 7
From: The 509
Bikes: Bike list is not a resume. Nobody cares.
Wow. There's some guys on little wheels who can get over some pretty big stuff. So you're saying 29 inches can get me (proportionately) over even BIGGER stuff? Awesome! Sign me up.
Heck, that's nuthin' - - I can recommend a tire just because a sponsor makes it
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Originally Posted by Mark Twain
"Don't argue with stupid people; they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
#35
Looks like there's a 26" version: https://bontrager.com/model/07797
If you're really concerned about lowering tire pressure, going tubeless will help you a lot more than the wheel size (which shouldn't effect how much pressure you can run).
I'll accept your point that they keep momentum longer and acceleration is something you have to get used to, but I'm going to contest your point that they jump well. How well a bike jumps is dependent on its geometry and its responsiveness. Beyond that, little wheels generally jump better since the bike is smaller and easier to throw around (if you need proof, watch what the guys on 20" BMX bikes can do). That's also why some jump bikes are 24" (and while some are 26", you pretty much never see a 29", other than the huge BMX bikes SE has out).
If you're really concerned about lowering tire pressure, going tubeless will help you a lot more than the wheel size (which shouldn't effect how much pressure you can run).
I'll accept your point that they keep momentum longer and acceleration is something you have to get used to, but I'm going to contest your point that they jump well. How well a bike jumps is dependent on its geometry and its responsiveness. Beyond that, little wheels generally jump better since the bike is smaller and easier to throw around (if you need proof, watch what the guys on 20" BMX bikes can do). That's also why some jump bikes are 24" (and while some are 26", you pretty much never see a 29", other than the huge BMX bikes SE has out).
#39
Assuming that you are moving forward after your jump, you dont know how or where exactly where you will land, therefore the bigger tire will help you in the case that you land closer to a rock or ditch. Imagine jumping a scooter and a bmx. Which one will land better?
#40
Redheaded Stepchild
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 1
From: GA, USA
Bikes: A fat tire & a skinny tire & two others I loaned out
Assuming that you are moving forward after your jump, you dont know how or where exactly where you will land, therefore the bigger tire will help you in the case that you land closer to a rock or ditch. Imagine jumping a scooter and a bmx. Which one will land better?
It's just the initiation for becoming a true member of the forum. We both still deal with it from select members (66 & 01 mostly).
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 0
From: East coast
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Expert, Cannondale R700, Specialized Langster, Iron Horse Hollowpoint Team, Schwinn Homegrown
#42
#44
#45
Firm Believer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Washington
Bikes: Rocky Mountain Element Race, Azonic DS1
#48
Redheaded Stepchild
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 1
From: GA, USA
Bikes: A fat tire & a skinny tire & two others I loaned out
We don't just get it for calling out nonsense. We get nitpicked. If a fellow veteran has a typo in a post or says something without foundation, it's overlooked & accepted as truth. If we do the same, we're called out to explain ourselves.
Here's an example right here: Just waiting for an opportunity to call me out of giving advice even though I've only been on a mountain bike since early this year. If I didn't have a video to better explain the terminology I have yet to learn, others likely would have joined in on the fun.
Don't get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with calling out newbs when they start dishing out advice. We have no credibility for our advice to be accepted. I'm just saying a part of gaining credibility is getting called out on your BS, & that's exactly what happened to this guy.
And I agree with never. Without poking fun at people from time to time, we're no better than pre-Fagerlin mtbr.
Here's an example right here: Just waiting for an opportunity to call me out of giving advice even though I've only been on a mountain bike since early this year. If I didn't have a video to better explain the terminology I have yet to learn, others likely would have joined in on the fun.
Don't get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with calling out newbs when they start dishing out advice. We have no credibility for our advice to be accepted. I'm just saying a part of gaining credibility is getting called out on your BS, & that's exactly what happened to this guy.
And I agree with never. Without poking fun at people from time to time, we're no better than pre-Fagerlin mtbr.
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