29er riders, would you go back to 26" or 650 wheels?

I’ve recently been given a specialized enduro 29er to ride and I can honestly say in disbelief how it has changed my riding for the better, yes I know this is very old news now but I have just discovered how something as simple as bigger wheels has made my strava times even faster that it really does feel like I’m cheating! Even the most technical descents feel a breeze just rolling over and flattening everything in its path!
It really does feel so much easier on the technical downs that even a full on downhill bike with the extra long travel just doesn’t float over everything like the 29er. I’m wondering when we will start seeing more downhillers use these bikes as their chosen weapon, as its pretty obvious how much faster they are once you try one, is it just down to the fact that the downhill industry has put too much money into the 26″ downhill bike that they will lose out if they start using a 29er as their downhill bikes? I’d like to hear from those of you who ride 29ers and what you now think, would you go back to smaller wheels now you know how easy it is riding bigger? And why would people now buy the 650b when it’s clear the 29er rides better?
I myself am now completely turned and could never go back to something that is obviously more of a struggle riding.

Must be nice having all that time on your hands.

Few months ago I went 29er hard tail 1×9 just to try it out.
Loved it
Just built up a full sus to join it.
Love it too

No no no I’m not going back

is it just down to the fact that the downhill industry has put too much money into the 26″ downhill bike that they will lose out if they start using a 29er as their downhill bikes?

do you not understand the concept of ‘racing’?

This has the devilish hand of an STW big hitter all over it…

I’ll be going back to 26 or possibly 29er for trail riding. There’s no question that 29ers are quicker for xc for me, but for trail riding I just don’t enjoy riding them as much as smaller wheels.

For reference I’ve had a camber 29er, a kona hard tail, a kenisis ff29er and not got on with any of them

(ignoring the massive and obvious troll potential of that post)

When the DH world championship is won on a 29er, then i think we can say they are “faster” than 26ers DH. Until then, i think not.

I’ll probably have to when it comes to replacing my Anthem 29er, if Giant decide to dump out of 29ers altogether. 650b does make more sense on more trail focused bikes though, and id like to get my hands on a Trance X 650b at some point.

i went from a Bluepig 26er to a Inbred29er that i loved except for the mud clearance, now i have Krampus which is ‘kin awesome. However i have learned with these bikes that wheel size has no bearing on the amount of fun you can have on a bike. if i was competing then i’d have no choice but to go for the bike/ wheel size that gave me the edge on a competitor but i’m not an athlete so it doesn’t matter.
if i go full Susser i’d have no problem going 26er and in the future i will still use my Bluepig.
Wheel size is honestly immaterial, performance wise for 95% of the people on this forum, its down to personal preference or justifying N+1.

He shreds the gnarrrrr around Leith Hill…

I was about to post a sensible reply but luckily I spotted who started the topic

bikeind will be along in a minute…

Oh no, now he has a 29er nobodies KOMs are safe! Sell your bikes people.

I am guessing you get given bikes all the time as you work in the bike industry?

Errm, isn’t xc and trail riding the same thing?

I own an E29 but I was disappointed to not see a link to the Specialized site in your post Rich.

If the Bike and price were right then of course.

I reckon if you have a 29er going back to 26 would be stupid – just try looking for tyres or forks in 26″ size…

Went from Rigid 29er SS to HT 26er SS. I didn’t die. In fact the geometry of the two bikes is similar and they ride about the same. The addition of front suspension was a bigger change than the reduuction in wheel size.

They are just bikes at the end of the day.

takisawa2 – Member
This has the devilish hand of an STW big hitter all over it…

The OP has nothing whatsoever to do with the brotherhood of Big Hitters.

Go away.

I reckon if you have a 29er going back to 26 would be stupid – just try looking for tyres or forks in 26″ size…

Not an issue. I’m still riding a 20 year old Explosif, and I can get parts for that very easily.
Trek, for instance, are still listing more 26in tyres than 650b

I just sold my 29er scandal and I am considering going back to 26″. hard to manual and the wheels feel to big and clumsy sometimes. maybe it was that bike and shouldnt rule out all 29ers???????

I have just gone to a Jamis Dragon 29er and my speed difference was noticeable after riding for 10 minutes. I still have my Scale 20 but really loving the change at the moment, my bars are way to wide for me so after some changes I will give a better report.

Not an issue. I’m still riding a 20 year old Explosif, and I can get parts for that very easily.
Trek, for instance, are still listing more 26in tyres than 650b

Then tell me where I can get a 120-130mm fork for a 26″ wheel with a QR9. Please!

When the DH world championship is won on a 29er, then i think we can say they are “faster” than 26ers DH. Until then, i think not.

because WC DH is all anyone rides in this country of course

5 years on various 29ers here, i’d not go back to 26″ but i’m definately 27.5 curious

Mogrim, Rebas on Merlin?

Been riding 29ss for years now,dont think i would go back to 26.
Also have a 69er, best of both??

When the DH world championship is won on a 29er, then i think we can say they are “faster” than 26ers DH. Until then, i think not.

Doubt we’ll ever see it due to travel limitations/wheel strength. EWS might be another matter though.

Then tell me where I can get a 120-130mm fork for a 26″ wheel with a QR9. Please!

Seriously ?

Sektor? Reba? Or don’t u like Rockshox?

I stopped reading at ‘weapon’.

Horrible.

Mogrim, Rebas on Merlin?

Thanks for that – I hadn’t got round to checking Merlin, they have some pretty good prices – the full RRP is much more than I wanted to spend, but with a decent reduction it’s an option.

(Doesn’t completely invalidate my argument, though – a couple of years ago there were loads of 26″ forks available, these days the number is dropping fast…)

From richmtbguru’s profile

I suppose I’m like the ray mears of the biking world!

Proper lol.

He was outed as who he really is a few months ago. I’d say physically he’s very similar to Ray Mears…

He was outed as who he really is a few months ago.

Ooh missed that. Any chance of a link/summary please?

He was outed as who he really is a few months ago.

Ooh missed that. Any chance of a link/summary please? [/quote]

Me too but I assume he looks something like

The only 26″ forks getting rare are straight 1 1/8″ steerer, loads of taper stuff about, in all axle sizes.

That’s the most ridiculous thing, 3 steerer tube standards, 3 handlebar sizes, 3 wheel sizes, 3 axle sizes.

That’s the most ridiculous thing, 3 steerer tube standards, 3 handlebar sizes, 3 wheel sizes, 3 axle sizes.

… not forgetting seatposts.

He was outed as who he really is a few months ago. I’d say physically he’s very similar to Ray Mears…

Any pics?