I am as the PC crowd would say vertically challenged (5'7" in old money) and I am considering a new bike.
But would I be better of sticking with a 26'er due to 'compromises' in a small 29'er?
So what are the little people's thoughts?
Mrs MTG is 5'7" and prefers a 29er. Kona Big Unit medium, since you ask.
650B obviously.
FYI - the [i]average[/i] height of a male adult in the UK is 5'9". Assuming that a bike manufacturer based a [i]medium[/i] frame around this then it should fit a rider of around 5'6" to 6'0" fairly well depending upon riding style.
A quick look at the sizing/geometry chart for a Salsa El Mariachi (as an example) http://salsacycles.com/bikes/el_mariachi# shows this to be the case. Note that two smaller sizes of frame are also available.
The only 29'er that I have sat on was a Specialised Rockhopper in a small but gave me very little clearance and that was on flat ground. Probably not helped by me riding a 16" Kona for last 15 years!
Me! 5'3 and three quarters, converted to 29" last year (men's small spesh epic). I do find the head angle on the full suss a bit scary steep on really techy stuff but its so confidence inspiring elsewhere that more than compensates, and the way it climbs is awesome! For the sort of riding I like to do (long Lakeland xc style rides rather than hardcore downhill) 29er is perfect. Having said that, the bike was unbelievably goodgoing down some hillsides in Sierra Nevada, so apart from having to work harder to get the wheels up to speed vs. my old stumpy I'm a total short arse convert.
You will look like an idiot on clown wheels. If you only mince you might get away with it.
I'm 5'6" and ride a medium inbred 29er (small would have been too short in the reach as I am flexible and lean forward a lot apparently)
not had any problems or people pointing and laughing (well once but that was more to do with the amount of mud I was wearing! )
Try one if you can. I'm 5'7" and didn't like the ones i've tried I found them cumbersome, i'm not against 29er's they just aint for me.
I'm 5'8" and didn't like the ones I've tried (several including spesh camber, scott scale carbon comp) I found them hard to steer quickly although the full suss did mop up the rocks well and the Scot rolled well. Both suffered from poor fork lock out, but that's nothing to do with wheel size. I loved the dropper posts
They don't all ride the same. My Niner doesnt feel like the Inbred I had before, yet (weight aside) on paper they were quite simmillar. If I'm honest I'd say it reminds me of a Cotic Soul I had years ago. And Niner actually do a 14" frame.
You'll be fine on a 29. 26 is dead (to me).
You'll be fine on a 26er or a 29er. Don't get hung up on wheel size, find a bike you like that suits the riding you do
I am going the clown wheel way as I want an adventure machine. I will still have my 26" full suss for gnarrrrrrrrrr
