Please don't yell at me for this thread. I'm sure it has been covered. But, what are the advantages and disadvantages of a 29er. I've been a road rider for many years. I've ridden mountain bikes but, not very seriously. I'm riding a rigid bike and getting beat up pretty bad. So, now that I getting in to mountain biking a bit more, I'm thinking of buying a new modern bike.
I really have a hardtail in mind. Someone suggested that I look at the 29ers. Not knowing what there all about, I thought I'd ask.

Thanks for your comments,

Bob

It has been covered. Excessively. Better rolling resistance, better ability to roll over objects. Fun.

Well Bob, I ask myself that question all the time.



Try searching for the bucketloads of opinion-filled threads (low on facts) prior to a whole nuther thread that's just going to be derailed and locked down.

The fact is that my opinion of 29'ers is low...for myself.



edit: and I sorta agree with mze's description...except the part about riding style and obstacles which is often overlooked.

Sorry folks. I'll search.

Because of what mzeffex said. As for me, it fits me better than any bike I've got, but that's maybe just me and I'm 5'8". Mostly because:
"Hey, another bike...another reason to ride!" just sayin'

like napoleons syndrome bigger wheels can make up for smaller other things.

Jealousy is a stinky cologne.

In the grand scheme of things, they're just another flavor of the MTB world. Some people like this flavor, some don't. You'll have to ride to decide. Is vanilla better than chocolate?

Right now they're selling very well, even in a down economy, so the hype is at an all time high. No one in the bicycle industry wants to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, so it's rare you'll hear anything bad about 29ers in the mags or on the web, and people who dislike them are often scorned and mocked.

Truth be told, a 700c MTB isn't a new idea. They first appeared (and died) around 1992, but it took an industry giant and their nearly bottomless marketing budget to bring the idea back to life as we know it today.


From the 1992 Diamond Back catalog:



"700c wheels and tires roll over, not into off-road obstacles"

Sound familiar?

That is stinkin' AWESOME! I mean sure it's not gonna be "agile" like it boasts...but that's freakin' cool!


I'm going to go start a new thread now.

Great post, Svr.

Someone at the shop has an old Bianchi 29er he found. It's cool. Tires rub the paint off, but hey, it works.

Here's another scan:




And let's not forget GT Bicycles. They always had to be different. 700c wasn't cool enough for them, so they went with 700d.

From 1991:

It's not a Project-5, is it? (Just one of many early 90s "29ers")

It is! His is all blue though. Found it on the side of the road missing a front wheel.