Is there a difference in how physically challenging it is to ride a 29er vs a 26er? Will one get you out of breath more quickly than the other, or are they about the same? I'm not sure which to go with, but I need to get back into shape so I'd like to get the easier of the two.

This will be interesting.

I hope so. "Interesting" always trumps "not interesting"

Indeed...maybe we can just keep this banter up until someone with a 29'er comes in.

Hopefully within the next hour so I can go impulse-buy a bike

Here I come....though I do have 26er(or two).

It really depends on what the trails are like, how you ride, etc. Fitness level is gonna be the same regardless of the bike you choose. Just get out and ride something. Considering you are a beginner, and assuming the trails are technical XC trails, you may be more comfortable on a wagon-wheel....I dunno. But the key to getting fit is putting time in the saddle.

All my bikes are 26", so I'm gonna have to say that you need to be tougher, stronger, and in general just more badass to ride 26" - so definitely get a 29er.

Yeah, I'm pretty much a wuss. So that's one vote for 29er.

+1 I've only ever owned 26" MTB's also so I have to agree with this


As for the OP......... :::

EDIT: If you are interested in 29ers. START HERE. BTW ED, why isn't this a sticky yet? I've never ridden a 29er and only been on the forums for a about 4-5 months and I've already seen so many threads on 29er questions from first time posters!

The placebo effect is a powerful thing.

Ok, now I'll take a stab at being serious (I try not to make a habit of it though).

Generally speaking, the 26er will spin up (accelerate) and climb easier, the 29er will maintain momentum better on straight and level hard surfaces.
So as ncfisherman said, it depends on what you're mostly doing with the bike.

One of the comparison threads in the link above said they'd essentially behave the same if the weight of the wheels is the same. Interesting.

And for that to be true the 29er would have either more expensive wheels, or flimsier ones - either way there's a trade-off.

29'ers are more difficult to keep upright due to the larger Coriolis effect. This is not a problem near the equator, but at higher latitudes it's a real problem with the design.

No not interesting....highly subjective. Just grab something decent(that fits, both size wise and riding style/terrain wise) and get out there and ride. That's the only way you are going to know what works for you. Demo some bikes from the local bike shops, if you can.

Get a 69er.

or go '49er . . .

29ers are for wimps;
Real men rider 36ers: https://mtobikes.com/black-sheep-bike...n-bike-review/

I can't tell if this is a joke or not.

I picked up a 26er on craigslist. It will do nicely.

Good one Doug!

Can we ressurect the 29er sex thread and merge the two?

No joke. 29ers are harder to pedal in clockwise circles in the northern hemisphere.

Those worry me . . . I have a hard enough time without having a bike I'd almost always be pedalling uphill.