| 29 inch mountain bikes are not going to revolutionize | | | | obstacles and a lower centre of gravity. A dually on |
| mountain biking the way suspension forks did, | | | | the other hand will hang-up on rocks, its suspension |
| however they do have their advantages and some | | | | will absorb valuable momentum and it will generally |
| people will swear by them. | | | | lurch around. |
| When it comes to choosing the right size mountain | | | | So does the 29er win the contest because it can |
| bike forget about the size of your frame, your crank | | | | match the performance of a more expensive and |
| length or saddle height. The first thing you need to | | | | advanced dually, or does tuneable suspension make |
| decide is: are you a 26er or a 29er? | | | | the 26er more versatile and the winner? Only you |
| I am of course referring to the size of the wheels on | | | | can answer that. |
| your bike. | | | | Why 29 inch mountain bikes? |
| The 29 inch mountain bike ride is different to a 26 | | | | The big wheels found on 29 inch mountain bikes can |
| incher. And it's good! | | | | be run at lower pressures and give a bigger contact |
| Riding with bigger wheels at lower pressures allows | | | | area with the ground. This gives much more grip. The |
| the wheels to absorb small bumps and holes in the | | | | extra weight and momentum they carry at speed will |
| trail and stick to it like a fly on maple syrup. The | | | | allow you to ride a straighter, more confident line. |
| downside? Weight! You will never be able to build | | | | They are however more suited to taller riders who |
| wheels on 29er mountain bikes as light as 26 inch | | | | find they get bigger frame bikes. If you are not one |
| wheels. And that extra weight is rotating mass so it | | | | of these people and you are suited to a XC, DH or |
| counts double. | | | | FR bike you are probably more suited to a bike with |
| A 29 inch mountain bike is actually very similar to a | | | | 26" wheels. It does however come down to your |
| long travel dual suspension trail bike. Both have extra | | | | personal preferences and how you ride. |
| weight and slow steering and are designed for similar | | | | If you were looking at full suspension mountain bikes |
| situations. So which is best? | | | | and are looking for a good quality trail bike but don't |
| Well, both types of bikes are actually very good at | | | | have lots of money to spend, seriously consider the |
| trail riding. A long travel dual suspension 26" bike will | | | | smoother ride you can get from cheaper 29er |
| take the 29er on rougher descents and descents | | | | mountain bikes. Of course you can always go for the |
| with tight turns but you will find a 29er to be more | | | | much more expensive and much heavier dual |
| stable and confident in technical situations. This is due | | | | suspension 29 inch mountain bikes, but that's another |
| to its rigid frame, wheels that easily roll over small | | | | can of worms. |