I had a go on a 29er HT around the turn of the century, (I think it was a Kenesis), and it was a terrible unwieldy thing of terror. Put me off for years.
Gary Fisher was at one of the Sandwell Park Mountain Mayhem 24hr races once with his 29er, it was the really early days of them when basically just Gary Fisher were producing them.
I remember overtaking him in the night and he was bouncing off every tree in the forest trying to turn this great unwieldy thing around the corners. I mean, he may have been drunk as well but that was enough for me to think that 29ers were a load of shit that couldn't turn corners.
Best: Speed is your friend: nailed it!
Worst: Speed is your friend: medic!
I've also got a bee in my bonnet about 29ers...the ones I've tried haven't been as nice in the tight twisty stuff as smaller wheeled bikes. It has been a few years since I've ridden one and I'd hope the geometry changes have improved things, but I'm now not wanting to try them again in case they do work as I'm invested in 27.5 and don't have the desire or the bank account to change it all...I'm sure the physics still stack up and the larger wheel just won't be as nimble to move around, so I'm happy not to want to try and debunk my thinking there (and I'll ignore any proper physics chat debunking it as well as I can't afford a new bike!!!).
Here's a secret @DickBarton; wheel size is mostly a red herring. Sure they all have their pros and cons, but unless you're at the very pointy end of racing, its mostly irrelevant. If you rode a selection of bikes blindfold, you wouldn't be able to tell one wheel size to the next. and anyone who tells you they can is just justifying their choice.
I've a 27.5 full suss, and a 29 HT and honestly; wheel size is the least useful differentiator between the two.
Not done it blindfolded, but I can tell the difference on my 26 inch bike and my 27.5 inch bike on the first singletrack corner.
Suspect geometry is at play and it isnt all the wheels but the 26 turns quicker.
I coach kids who are on a range of bikes from 24" to 29" wheels and vary in size and age...I'm pretty sure my thinking is just in my head as they all manage very well...which I'm fine with as I can't afford a new bike anyway!
This again? Really?
If you rode a selection of bikes blindfold, you wouldn’t be able to tell one wheel size to the next.
I reckon under controlled conditions (same bike setup aside from wheel size, same trails) then I most definitely could tell the difference.
and anyone who tells you they can is just justifying their choice.
Yes you're right. I can tell. And it does indeed justify my choice. Because it's better for me.
The fact that they look better in big sizes also appeals to my vanity by the way 🙂
I’ve a 27.5 full suss, and a 29 HT and honestly; wheel size is the least useful differentiator between the two.
Erm yes. They're completely different types of bike?
Pain is your friend.
Best - ride with people better than you
Worst - let some air out and put in volume spacers
Best : go back and try that again.....
worst. a cross between speed is your friend and its a cheap hobby. both have cost me greatly over the years.
