At the velodrome pump track there's a drop off that you need to manual off. Otherwise you'll faceplant. I watched a 29'er roll it easily.
The 29'er may make it easier but do you really want such a talent compensator? Where's the fun if it irons out a rough terrain?
I take it you ride a rigid bike with canti brakes then...
The 29'er may make it easier but do you really want such a talent compensator? Where's the fun if it irons out a rough terrain?
Bigger wheels, but less suspension travel = faster on the dull bits, similar on the singletrack and still challenging on the rough stuff.
Like Renton, you [i]really [/i]need to try it before you can form a worthwhile opinion.
Got to echo the sentiments of getting out there and trying different wheels sizes, types of bike, etc.
For me, personally I like big wheels. The ones I've ridden just feel 'right' to me. Hence my 'go to' bike is a steel 29er ht.
I think...
Well, like renton, I have a pretty old 26" wheel bike. But I flippin love riding it. Don't care what size the damn wheels are, it's fab and fun and makes [i]me[/i] come alive.
Now, if I [i]didn't[/i] love that ol' bike and was therefore looking to change it, I would most definitely demo some 29/650b bikes because that is what the bigwigs are selling us now and it's not that easy to find a 26" wheel bike equivalent to my current one.
And I would choose the one I like the most. That has worked for me in the past. (Which sort of puts my POV out because if it hadn't I wouldn't still love my old bike. Hmm.)
As many have said, the only way to know is to test some. I was a 29er skeptic until I rode a one and was amazed by the amount of grip and the momentum I could hold out of corners. I didn't like the high (perched on) position on that bike though so I rode a few more until I found one that I felt totally at home on and bought it. I'm only 5ft 7 so I wouldn't say that 29ers are exclusive to tall people. I wouldn't go back to 26" now, though I'd be interested to try 650b.
Ride a 26 HT and a 650b FS...have tried 29er version of each and while i wont deny the benefits of longer wheels (particularly in a race scenario) i just havent fund a 29er yet that has made me want to part with my cash.
For general riding around the woods i take the 26 HT as it feels lively and i have to think/concentrate more, for racing i use the 650b FS as i have more of a margin for error with that bike....i'm well aware that as a very average rider i'd probably be faster on a Spesh Enduro 29er or something similar but whenever i ride something like that i'm left feeling like a passenger, like the bike just did all the work and i merely steered it....some people love that about 29ers, i dont.
rOcKeTdOg - Memberthe people who have never ridden the wheel size still hate it.
Practically nobody hates the [i]wheelsize[/i]. What is there to hate, it's a perfectly good wheelsize, at least as good as 26. It's all the other bollocks people hate.
[i]It's all the other bollocks people hate.[/i]
Like the endless threads about the subject? 😉
I refuse to contribute to this thread. And I definitely haven't read it.
Has anyone mentioned 29+? 😀
DezB - MemberLike the endless threads about the subject?
I find myself with no comeback 😆
What sort of differences do the 650b wheels make do you think?
Well, having had a decent go on pretty much the same bike in all three sizes I can confirm that compared to the 26" version the 650b was considerably smoother and faster rolling. It didn't get as bogged down by rough ground, roots etc. To be honest I feel at the moment that the 650b was a bit of a compromise between the two others rather then the best bits of both. I'd have one over a 26" but would choose a 29" over both for now.
What ever your view of the pro's and con's, the different sizes are properly different.
Has anyone mentioned 29+?
Now's your moment.
While shopping for a replacement for my pinched 26er I test rode lots of bikes and ended up with a 29er. I really didn't want one but the proof of the pudding was in the riding. Made sense for most of my riding and I'm a lanky fella.
Hora is right that 29ers can make certain trails easier to ride, but you can still jump, manual and pop off drops. I know that drop off at Clayton Vale and yes it can be rolled but where's the fun in that? Just because you own a 29er doesn't mean you stop having fun. Biggest improvement for me was I suddenly felt I had a bike that fitted me properly, which gave me the confidence to try new things and go faster.
Boring answer but try some bikes and pick the one you like and suits your riding.
One of the best things about 29ers in my opinion is the way they are always trying to get away from you on not too gnarly downs and swoopy berms. Like a naughty dog straining at the lead.
Pop abit of WD40 accidently on your pads and you can recreate that feeling on ANY bike 😆
A road bike is the bike half of mountain bikers actually need.
no, that would be a Kinesis Tripster ATR with Salsa Cowbell bars and 40c tyres...
