[Closed] Are 29ers really the future?

I have both, like them both. It just adds another dimension to riding...

Got one but tbh the other characteristics of the bike (being steel and Alfine geared) are at least as apparent as the wheel size when ridden. It's not a life changer. Currently I also have a 26" fs too and in a way that's a pita as I can't swap components about as much as I used to, have to remember which inner tube size is in my bag etc. Long term I'll probably look to go one way or the other just for simplicity.

It strikes me it was also an unimaginative wheel size choice (just ripping off the road sizing) to bring in as a "new" innovative concept and no more thought through that the "original" 26 inch rims size.

that'll be it then. you can build any bike to be twitchy but a larger wheel will - everything else being equal - be less twitchy.

Indeed, but what I can't imagine is that there'd be any need to make my 29"er any more twitchy and nimble. As I say, my 26" wheeled bike is custom, and I asked them to build it for what I like, which is the Chilterns. I ride lots of ewok-chase forest fast bendy singletrack, and the 26"er is brilliant in it, but the Karate Monkey is pretty much as good. So much so that I wish I'd built the custom bike as a 29er.

Okay, one important disclaimer is that I'm 6'7" so to be honest, my 29" wheels are the same as a non-mutant-freak's 26" wheels anyway.

I'd love to have a spin on that ormondroyd if we ever meet in the flesh - sounds like a 29er I could love!

sometimes i feel like bilbo baggins. i have been all the way to mordor, but now i feel safe and warm back in the shire.

well, I am new to the 29'er and actually sold my 150mm all-mtn FS bike because I was bored of it, and wanted a new bike to stoke my fire

I've been riding MTB's since the mid 1980's, and this is the most interesting bike I have ridden for some time...

[img] [/img]

its very fast, handles beautifully and most of all, is huge fun to ride - which is all that matters, really?

I am 5'10" and this medium Stumpjumper Evo fits me perfectly with 70mm stem and 750mm bars

I bought the bike "blind" without test riding because I wanted to see what all the fuss, hype and negative comments were about, and have not found any issues relating to slow / cumbersome bike handling from the bigger wheel size?

Yes. 🙂

no, they're a daft idea for old giffers who are trying to re-discover their rebellious yoof or appear to be individuals (ss clown bikes in particular as riding and beer man, yeh fk the system and your rooolz)

only sad tw@s ride big wheels

FACT

😯

😆

Just don't get any of this jibberish

Bikes are great. We can all agree on that. They are whopee dooo fanf**ingtastic, and for that reason I can understand those who say "chill out, it's just another type of bike" and "more variety is better" and "they are better for taller riders" etc etc etc.

They are relatively inoffensive viewpoints and in a way there is a bit of truth to that but, and I have a few big buts here...I feel there are some very serious issues which are being overlooked/ignored.
First and foremost there is the simple issue of them being different. Different forks, different wheels, different frames, rims, spokes, tyres....we are constantly being told by hand ringing bike companies and distributors that economies of scale and complex distribution channels are to blame for exorbitant bike prices. 29ers, should they get to equal 26" wheels in terms of proliferation represent further diversification in basically every major bike component out there. Which obviously can be seen as a reason/excuse for price hikes or lack of price drops.

Secondly, and on a somewhat related tone lets again assume that 29ers become as prolific as 26", and lets assume there are 160mm and dh platforms with wagon wheels. Am I the only one who can envisage a situation where some bike company comes out with a "new" standard for hubs and axles to deal with the added forces generated by 29" wheels and large volume 2ply tyres. 2 inch head tubes, 30mm front hubs.....etc etc and so on. More diverse standards, more expense. just a thought. the main problem I see with 29ers is further fracturing of standards, further complexity, further cost. And for what?

This whole issue hangs on the premise that 29" wheels are better than 26", the implication therein that 26" wheels are deficient in some way. When I think about how far and how well 26" wheeled mtbs have advanced in my time it's staggering - my two full sussers, 120mm and 180mm blow my mind they, are so good. I am literally gobsmacked by them. I can scarcely imagine improving them. When someone comes alonng and claims "x is much better than y", when y is already incredible, I have to view it with some skepticism. Thus far the only riders I know who claim to have experienced benefits of the big wheel are people who frankly can't ride, and are looking to buy skill. That's the truth of it. The tall (and very tall riders I know) who are decent bike handlers don't seem to suffer this lingering suspicion that 26" wheeled bikes are somehow wrong for them.

In terms of personal experience I've recently been out for rides with some fairly handy riders on 130mm 29er protypes and standard bikes with less travel and there was precious little, if anything to choose between them. The fastest riders up the climbs where the guys who were fastest up the climbs regardless of the bike, and the same guys were quickest down, regardless of the bike. At the end of the day it'll always come down to the rider, not the bike. it's just a shame that bike companies seem ruthlessly focused on making sure that the bike has big wheels and most people are falling for it hook, line and sinker.

When you really get right down to the bones of it i think it's impossible to view it as anything other than a huge marketing ploy. I'd much rather have a 26" wheel bikes that's half the current price than have the choice of 26 and 29.

I'm amused that some folk think "29ers" are for trail centres, not [i]proper[/i] XC and other folk think they're crap for trail centres and should be devoted to XC.

druidh - Member
I'm amused that some folk think "29ers" are for trail centres, not proper XC and other folk think they're crap for trail centres and should be devoted to XC.

+1

I'm also amused that there are people who don't realise that any bike can be ridden anywhere - it really all comes down to the rider.

So let's start knocking riders who don't have beards instead. Makes as much sense.

Same old horse-shit dullard debate - just insert the subject matter; gears v ss, 29er v 26er, FS v HT, Al v Fe v C...

I swear to God I don't think I could bring myself to ride with anyone who thought this was a topic worthy of getting wound up over.

It's just bikes. It's just riding. What else matters?

🙄

29ers are still horrendous looking though. 🙂

29ers are still horrendous looking though

I really like them, to my now warped view bikes with little wheels just look all out of proportion 😀

it's all good dirty fun though so who cares?

muddyfunster, where have you seen these 26" bikes that are half the price of 29ers?

What muddyfunster said. Also to return to the OP's link this is what Dickon Hepworth of Santa Cruz UK said:

The entry level hardtail will predominantly be 29in. This will lead on to an increase in most riders first mountain bike being a 29in model. This is a significant factor as these first time riders will not be comparing them to a 26in bike’s riding characteristics, which is the source of most current negativity.

Lots of stereotypes being thrown about here presumably by people who haven't ridden a 29er but spend too much time reading about them in mags and forums.

I left Aus 2 years ago to come here and could only really afford to bring one of my 4 MTB's which include 26 6inch FS duelly, 29HT, 29 4inch FS duelly, 26HT.

I chose the 29 4 inch FS (Niner RIP9) cause I enjoy riding it the most, and it's probably the best suited to be the one bike to do everything on.

It's another bike thats all but it can do trail centres, local woods, open moorland, long all day epics.

The only thing it doesn't do well is be a pub bike cause it draws too much attention to itself - I had to buy another bike for that!

It's like watching rats trapped in a maze with no exit.

The only thing it doesn't do well is be a pub bike cause it draws too much attention to itself - I had to buy another bike for that!

Were too many people pointing and laughing at the funny wheels? 😉

They are all just bikes.

Chose your weapon, make a choice and keep grinning.

I've test ridden 12 bikes over the last 8-10 weeks and most have been 26 but 3 were 29. One was a Tallboy. I found that yes they are a slightly different bike to ride but you just get used to it and ride.

So, just shut up and ride what you ride 😉

Choice is a good thing

Personally, I have no desire or even mild curiosity about changing my bike to one with bigger wheels.
They are fab just as they are. I don't need [i]more[/i] fun, [i]better[/i] rolling, or any of that stuff they are supposed to offer.

I'm still riding a 2006 bike and can't think of any reason to change it to get more enjoyment out of riding. Whether it's bigger wheels, better suspension, stiffer front/back end, whatever. Just don't need it!

If you do need to get different stuff out of riding that a 29er will offer, then maybe they are the future, for you..

joao3v16 - Member
I expect the most difficult people to convince of the 29er are those, like me, who've grown up riding 26ers ... people new to, or rediscovering, MTBing will probably be more open minded ... I should probably test ride a 29er one day, just to see

Couldn't be further from the truth in my case - rode 26" wheeled bikes since the late 80's. Tinkered with 700c disc wheels and cross tyres in the late 90s. First I heard about 29ers it seemed like a good idea and once I tried one I was sold. Perhaps some people are less open to new ideas and/or more resistant to change.

29ers are now, just like any other wheel size.

Hover bikes are the future as any fool knows 😀

well they are not in my immediate future as I've just ordered a Cannondale Flash 26er

Looking at this I'd say yes...

Saw this on the Plush Hill Cycles facebook page, prototype Saracen 29er. It looks well nice. I like that they're making them look like normal bikes now.

[img] [/img]

I no longer believe the exploding wheel argument either - [url= http://www.pinkbike.com/video/242619/ ]Josh Bender 29er road gap[/url]

They are predominant in the US, we were in the minority in Colorado in riding 26. I doubt Emily batty chose 29, more likely driven by her sponsor and the set up had been butchered to make it fit, at extremes of rider height it seems obvious to change wheel as well as frame size.

Never owned one, no desire to do so. Most of my riding buddies with them love them, another kept his for just a few months before selling it so it appears there are noticeable differences and they're not for everyone.

Had a 29er for over 3 years & used to ride it a lot,but got fed up with other 29er riders wanting to talk to me about how wonderful they were & how 26" wheeled riders don't understand.....It's just a ****in' bike.Still got it but only use it when it's dark now..... 😯

LOL @ emac - I know what you mean. Same with SSers mind. Less so nowadays as it's not niche any more.

I borrowed a friends, I thought it felt weird in the air, ungraceful and cumbersome. Possibly I didn't spend enough time getting used to it. I've poured all my bike funds into a BFe setup I love riding and one that suits the riding that I do. I will get my money's worth out of that before I look at them again. Happy though to give them another go.

I ride the South and North Downs twice a week, and head over to Wales 4-5 weekends a year, still rarely see a 29er out on the trails. Not bothered either way really, the sport needs to evolve to keep the all the bike brands in business, not sure if 29ers are real progress or just another option, but with the bike media behind them they're here to stay I think.

[b]I did it.[/b] I have had a 26" and 29er now in close succession.
And for a change quite comparable: both being steel rigid SS with similar enough geometry (Soul and Inbred29).
[b]So I can tell![/b] 😛 At least for me... 😕

Based on my experience and as mentioned by a few people before there's not so much to hate and some things to love about 29ers. In the end - surprise! - a question of personal preferences. Mainly based on rider size (5'10 here), riding style (CC with a pinch of fun here) and terrain (flat'n'twisty here). Apart from things like budget and interchangeability between bikes.

Both are great in their own way, then again not THAT different. If at all it's about tendencies: the 26" Soul being more fun/chuckable/more in the air, the Inbred29 more steady/stable and has substantially more grip (same tyres on both). Saying this I am absolutely sure that you could find a steady/stable 26" and a fun/chuckable 29er and claim that it is just the other way round.

And that's not surprising because while wheel size does make a difference, so do other things that define a bike (geometry, material, tyres, forks etc.). So it can't ever be just a 26" or 29er decision. Thus it shouldn't be just a 26" or 29er discussion.

Still the tendencies apply and wheel size can help to emphasise the character you want to achieve. In other words: if you can ride like this BMX guy in the nice video above you can make almost any bike look chuckable (and I don't doubt a second that the Cooker is!) but I'd argue that [i]this[/i] trail in [i]this[/i] style would be (even) more effortless for most of us (and him) on a 26".

[b]My[/b] bottom line: If pressed [b]I[/b] would prefer the 26" for [b]my[/b] fun-biased CC riding on tight, twisty singletracks and for being the more universal bike for [b]me[/b] (might be [i]different[/i] for [i]someone else[/i]).

If not being pressed too much though I will be looking to have both. In which case I wouldn't build them up that similar again but have one as the fun and chuckable "1 hour in the woods" tool and the other one as the more universal "do it all" bike for longer trips and holidays in more demanding terrain. Still not sure which one for which though. Because somehow the 29er qualities lend itself to be the geared and suspended long-distance weapon of choice. On the other hand it's a great basis to go rigid and SS.

Which in a way proves my point: [b]it's not so much about the wheel size but what you make of it.[/b]

P.S.:

So now why do we have the lovers and haters if the differences are tendencies more than anything else?
Well, many of those who hate just seem to try to defend their personal choice (or lack thereof). Some 'hate' for the sake of arguing. Very few based on personal experience (because those in the know don't see it that black and white).

And then there are those who always like to blame "marketing" for all the bad things that happen around the whole world. Keeping bike companies and bike shops in business is a good thing. Selling more bicycles is a comparatively good thing, too. Introducing people to sport in general is a good thing. If the dreaded marketing works and the 29ers (re-)introduce more people to the sport that's a good thing, too. Getting people on bikes more is a very good thing (beyond the sport). And if 29er give more confidence to those who are new to the sport - great!
Marketing is a means of communication to sell (the right) bikes (to the right target group). Forums like this help to make customers more informed and less likely to fall for the odd marketing bubble blah that tries to sell (the wrong) bikes (to the wrong target group) by all means. Happy days!

Evolution and innovation is a good thing. Choice is a good thing, too. Even if it creates some complexity and multiple standards. We had this before 29ers. Some come, some die, some stay. It's a normal process. Am I a little upset that my 1" Syncros Cattleprod is pretty much obsolete these days? Yes. Would I want everyone to still ride around with 1" steerers? No.

Stop arguing and start enjoying the variety and choice: go for a test ride!
If you like it, go buy a new 29er and support your LBS.
If you don't indulge in the increasing numbers of 2nd hand 26" bikes on offer. 😉

P.P.S.:

I see a future where we will have both sizes alongside each other. Some companies will offer certain sizes of the same model only in 26" and other sizes of the same model only in 29". And/or certain types of bikes only in one or the other wheel size. Others will specialise in this or that wheel size to underline their overall approach of more technical trail fun or more CC efficiency.

650B or what it's called? I'd still have to understand why. With the differences between 26 and 29 not being THAT big I don't see the point for a 3rd format. It could be the golden mean (or gold mine?!) but going back to only one wheel size would mean less choice.

By the way: I am still hankering after a 24" jump bike!
So my ideal bike shed could look like this:
- 24" jumper
- 26" HT (or cross-country biased FS)
- 29" rigid SS.

That's [b]3[/b] different wheel sizes! 😀

Might as well sling a picture of mine up, love it I do, cracking bike.

It does everything I ask of it without complaint and lets me get away with stuff that a 100mm 26" HT wouldn't (I think anyway)

[img] [/img]

I bought it as a frame only as my first venture into big wheels, and it's got me hooked. Kinda looking at a Niner EMD now 😆

Would be interested to hear from people who switched from Inbred26 to Inbred29 with the same set-up.

And first impression from people who switched from Soul to Solaris.

The 29er would still look rubbish though 😉

Yawn GG yawn. 🙄

switched from Inbred26 to Inbred29 with the same set-up.

I did that, slight different set up the little ss inbred had 130mm fox's on it and the big one had 100mm reba's on it. funnily enough the 29er was just a capable in north wales mountains and the peak district with an inch less squish in the fork, but the extra gas pipe was a more noticeable in SS guise on long climbs.

I felt that there was definitely something to the big wheel thing that needed looking at a bit more. The answer was to go for a lighter big wheel frame and pimp wheels and then there was no weight penalty of penalty to pay in terms of acceleration or cornering.

now have a 21lb 29er with a boingy fork that I get consistently better race lap times on than my lighter 26 race hardtail

Some good points there Hock. Agree with all of it.
I think this is spot on.

650B or what it's called? I'd still have to understand why. With the differences between 26 and 29 not being THAT big I don't see the point for a 3rd format.

My ideal bike quiver would be slightly different though.
I'd have:
26 HT for mucking about urban riding
29 3 inch FS 29er for events and epics
29 5 inch FS 29er for trail riding
Fatbike to mix it up a bit