Death of 26 inch wheel Mountain Bikes?

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Death of 26 inch wheel Mountain Bikes?

86 posts & 39 voices | Started 2 years ago by shoefiti | Latest reply from Ti29er

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Mr Agreeable - Member

A 35mm 29er rim like a Salsa El Gordo weights about 700g, compared to about 500g for a fairly burly 26" rim like a DT Swiss 5.1. I would guess that 29er tyres weigh another 1-200g more than their 26" counterparts, then you've got the extra weight of the longer spokes, plus the weight of a 135mm rear hub as opposed to a front hub.

Even for a 26er you have to spend some serious money to drop 3-400g per wheel, and I would imagine that 29er parts are comparatively even more expensive. I know some people off here have 29ers with wheels that are almost as light as their 26" bikes but some serious spanking of the credit card is required.

Also, the idea that even an extra 200g at the wheel's edge wouldn't make a noticeable difference to weight or acceleration is pants.

Posted 2 years ago #
mike-at-dialledbikes - Member

Is there any point in arguing the advantages/disadvatages of 26 -v- 29?

It's either "for you" or "not for you" (I know it's not for me). If it's "for", cool, you've found your niche. If it's "not for", then stick with what you've got/know.

Maybe I am guilty of not looking at the bigger picture, but for me, riding a bike is about how it feels (i.e. if it feels good, it is good), rather than over analysing what one bike does over another one or how it should/shouldn't perform.

Posted 2 years ago #
29erKeith - Member

mike-at-dialledbikes

Ahmen!!

Posted 2 years ago #
Ti29er - Member

If you've been riding at say Bonty 12/24 or this weekend's SITS you'll know that without a doubt that 29ers are invading & doing really well at the events.
If you doubt it, check out the stats.
Plus they look so right on the trails - some riders on 26ers just look like their riding their son's 24er now you have the 29ers to compare them to!

I bought an OnOne Ti29er after trying them out in a 2x part MBR bike magazine article a year ago.
I rode my 26er this w/end at SITS, and wished I had the 29er, I really did.
There are so many rides that I enjoy now where as before I would simply ride.
It's a little difficult to explain, but out on the SITS trails on Sunday, I did what I do on the 29er, get on the gas, get her up to speed (read: momentum), snick her down another cog & pick out the next rider to overhaul. The problem was this did not happen. As soon as I was at speed nothing more happened! Really odd - it was like the Turner and I no longer speak the same language.

I predicted a while ago on another forum that 29ers would make up the majority of sales within 5 years. My timings will be out, but I see no reason to revise this statement.
Of course such derision and malace was heaped upon me, but that's ignorance for you!

Witness the number of main-stream manufacturers now embracing the 29er way of doing things. Check out Spec' 2010 line up - and of course Fisher's Superfly must surely be on every bikers' Wish-list.

If you have never tried one, you're in for a very pleasant surprise, you really are, but THE best thing is that every ride is such a blast; and you don't need to be tall to benefit from this "revloution" in mountain biking.

ps - just read the bit about MBR doing a review but I don't need to read it to know so many journos have still found it difficult to "get" the 29er experience. Try "What MB" for a refreshing change of heart by some journos who are more than happy to admit they were completely wrong about 29ers.

If you are in any way curious, go and try one, don't let others tell you what you should be thinking of the 29er revolution (says he telling you to test ride said bikes!).

Would I now sell the £3.2K XTR Turner Flux for another 29er?
Yes, I probably would!

Posted 2 years ago #
nickc - Member

My reasons for not wanting to get a 29er are pretty prosaic TBH, I've recently bought a Chameleon, and it's **** ace, I'm really loving riding it, and right now, I don't want another bike. Now in couple of years or whatever I might be ready for something different, I may try a 29er. Secondly, and this one's admittedly flaky, but I don't like the look of them, dunno why, they just don't look right to me, and that kind of prejudice is hard to overcome, and if I'm honest, is the thing that puts me off the most.

Posted 2 years ago #
clubber - Member

Witness the number of main-stream manufacturers now embracing the 29er way of doing things.

You're right, they can spot a marketing opportunity when they see one. Let the other brands do the hard work in promoting them then jump on when they're getting popular. Makes sense to me. Proves nothing other than how companies work

Anyway, I'm all for encouraging people to try 29ers but I've done exactly that and consistently been left feeling disappointed by the experience. I'm still open to it as I mentioned above but only for quite a specific use/purpose since that's what I think they suit.

FWIW I think 24hr races probably do suit them pretty well actually but then they're either not that technical (I haven't actually ridden the 24/12, mind, but going on comparisons other riders have made with other 24hr courses that I have ridden) or they're more about going fast than having fun.

Mike, is there any point arguing - well, I guess not but then that could be applied to most topic of conversation. I just don't like hearing that 29ers are inherently better because they're simply not. Incidentally much as I don't like hearing that 26" is the perfect size either (as I've also defended on the side of 29ers earlier above).

Ride what you like - that's exactly what I've been saying.

Posted 2 years ago #
Chevin - Member

Good imagining and guessing but here you go,

Bontrager Rhythm Elite 26" 1845g & £300 pair 29" 1937g & £330 pair.
Bontrager ACX TLR 26 x 2.2 605g 29 x 2.2 625g - both the same money!

Small difference in weight due to the obvious, difference in cost due to numbers made.

Other than the forks/tyres/wheels though all parts are the same regardless of wheel size........

Matthew

Posted 2 years ago #
clubber - Member

Quoted or real weights, Matthew?

Posted 2 years ago #
Chevin - Member

Digital scales in the shop! Hence the delay to Mr Agreeables post.

1st time the actual weights were the same as the quoted weights....

Posted 2 years ago #
mike-at-dialledbikes - Member

Just because "mainstream" manufacturers are pushing the 29'er doesn't necessarily mean that 29'ers are better than 26" wheeled bikes or that they are the way forward.

Profit is No.1 priority to these mainstream companies (execs to pay, shareholders/investors to keep happy) so of course it's in their interest to keep reinventing the wheel to open up new revenue streams.

Posted 2 years ago #
RepacK - Member

There is a compelling argument for a 29er (the GF marketing blurb is really quite interesting) if you are over say 5.9 anything less than that & I reckon the bike will feel big - so at 5.8 and a bit I probably wont bother with it..However, I have mate of mine who is 6.2 and then some & hes just getting into biking I would recommend he looked at one.

Posted 2 years ago #
RepacK - Member

Double post oops

Posted 2 years ago #
Mr Agreeable - Member

Good imagining and guessing

The rim weights in my post are the manufacturers' figures, not a guess. Some 29er wheels and tyres are very similar weights to their 26" version but some aren't. Also, when you up the size while keeping the weight and materials almost the same, doesn't that suggest to you that a compromise is being made somewhere?

I know lots of people who absolutely love 29ers, ride them all day, do well in races on them, etc. etc. Bizarre how people then have to go a step further and say that they are the ultimate bike for off-road, handling, weight and strength isn't an issue, and all sorts of other questionable statements.

Posted 2 years ago #
Chevin - Member

Interesting interview.
http://www.cyclingdirt.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235486-us-pro-xct-5-mount-snow/197617-willow-koerber-post-race-mt-snow-2nd

Posted 2 years ago #
Chevin - Member

I hope I haven't said they are the ultimate bike! I'm pretty passionate about them,Own a couple, and we do sell lots - (I'd love to say 29% of bikes sold but thats not true!) We have had very few people who test ride them and not buy one. If you don't like them fine I'll happily sell you something you feel happier on or is more suitable. It just amazes me how many people will dismiss something they haven't tried or because a magazine says one thing or another. Try convincing old school roadies that Sram is a viable alernative to Campag or Shimano......

Matthew

Posted 2 years ago #
UK-FLATLANDER - Member

Not tried a 29er yet, would love to do a comparison some time. However, the vast majority of 29er's I've seen do look ugly and out of proportion - IMO.

Posted 2 years ago #
Ti29er - Member

I was photographing SITS and once you start pointing out the 29ers to people standing near by your photo position then you / they start noticing bigger people on 26ers and the contrast is marked - visually it looks plain wrong being on a 26er if you're 6ft or over. Why ride a bike that's very clearly the wrong size?

I'm 5.10 and ride an 18 frame (M). OnOne make a 16, 18, 20, 22 (I think) ergo it's not only tall people who ride 29ers.

http://www.velonews.com/article/95579/mtb-nats-the-death-of-traditional-cross-country-bikes

Also, on the last page on this thread there was talk about "better". If you go down the "my bike is better than yours" you're simply in the wrong place. No one says these things beyond being 11 years old.

Posted 2 years ago #