| A few years ago when I talked about 29" wheeled | | | | ability to hold a higher speed under a lot of varied |
| mountain bikes (29"ers) I got a lot of blank stares. | | | | conditions reduces fatigue on long rides which is one |
| Now more people are becoming aware of this off | | | | of the reasons they are so popular with endurance |
| road option. 29"ers are frames and forks built around | | | | racers. As well the higher axles on the 29" wheels |
| wheels that are 3" bigger than the average mountain | | | | make endos much less of a problem. 29"ers are a |
| bike. | | | | little heavier than a 26" built up exactly the same |
| The big wheels roll over obstacles faster and | | | | way due to the larger wheels but I've found the |
| smoother than 26" wheels because they have a | | | | advantages more than make up for it. |
| lower angle of attack. Choppy rooty sections can be | | | | For taller riders, the increase in wheel size really helps |
| attacked much faster as you'll hold your speed. This | | | | keep the handling of the bike balanced. As frame size |
| leads to less fatigue over long rides as you don't | | | | gets bigger the rider gets higher over the axles |
| have to accelerate as often. As well it increases the | | | | making the bike top heavy and endos more likely. As |
| safety factor as I've had plenty of times that I | | | | a side benefit the bike also looks better as you don't |
| missed an obstacle and the bump acted like a speed | | | | have this huge frame with tiny looking wheels any |
| bump rather than throw me over the bars. This is | | | | more. |
| especially important later in a ride as your get tired | | | | While they can be great for tall riders, shorter riders |
| and your reaction time is off. | | | | still enjoy the benefits. I'm 5'8" and I love how they |
| In mud and sand, the 29"er doesn't sink as much as a | | | | ride. I haven't owned a 26″ wheeled mountain |
| 26" wheel. It's kind of like a snow shoe in soft | | | | bike in 7 years because all of the 26" bikes I've |
| conditions. I find they track better in soft surfaces as | | | | tested since feel twitchy. |
| well. It's easier to hold a straight line allowing you to | | | | Originally you could only get them from Gary Fisher |
| take the shortest distance through sand without | | | | but now just about every company has 29"ers in the |
| auguring the front wheel causing you to lose | | | | line-up. They fall into a few different styles including: |
| momentum. | | | | Front suspension, full suspension and single speed. |
| The larger wheel size also creates a longer contact | | | | My personal favorites are from Salsa and Soma. The |
| patch which results in improved traction for hill | | | | Salsa Mamasita will build up into a 24 lb hard tail race |
| climbing and cornering. This is really noticeable on | | | | machine that is a rocket. You can attack hills like |
| those steep loose climbs that you spin out half the | | | | you're on a road bike but be confident and stable |
| time. The 29"er just cruise them. I find myself lead | | | | ripping on the downhills. |
| our group rides up the nastiest climbs because my | | | | If you are looking for a new mountain bike, |
| bike lets me get up them. In the corners you can | | | | investigate the 29"er option. It just might change the |
| safely carry more speed reducing the need to | | | | way you ride. |
| accelerate as much coming out of the corner. The | | | | |