| 29 inch mountain bikes are slowly gaining ground on | | | | easier on ascents, particularly if the trail is filled with |
| the traditional 26 inch mountain bike in popularity. It | | | | rocks and roots. |
| has only been in the last couple of years that "29ers" | | | | One of the knocks against the 29er is that it tends |
| have established any credibility in the mountain biking | | | | to weight more than a typical mountain bike. This |
| community. There are many advantages of riding a | | | | may be true but many of the newer 29ers are |
| 29er over a standard sized mountain bikes yet many | | | | getting quality frame upgrades with carbon fiber and |
| riders and manufacturers have been slow to catch on | | | | other exotic materials to make them lighter every |
| to this movement. | | | | year. Personally, the added weight does not |
| Mountain bike traditionalists have had a hard time | | | | overcome the benefit of larger tires being in contact |
| accepting the 29er. The 29er rolls big over the trail | | | | with the trail. What may separate the two bikes |
| and makes going over rocky and rooty terrain much | | | | apart is that on tight twisty trails a smaller bike might |
| easier than a regular sized mountain bike. What may | | | | feel more nimble, but certainly if you are doing most |
| take a good deal of finesse to make it over difficult | | | | of your riding on double track, forest service roads |
| terrain on regular mountain bike is made much easier | | | | or the like you will enjoy the larger wheel size of a |
| on a 29er. The big tires simply rolls over the trail like | | | | 29er. |
| a tank. | | | | Mountain bike pros are now embracing the 29er in |
| The 29er tends to absorb more contact with the | | | | races. In fact the both male and female cross |
| ground making the trail ride more comfortable. Add | | | | country United States national champs, Jeremy |
| dual suspension to the bike and you really have the | | | | Horgan-Kobelski and Heather Irmiger, rode 29er |
| potential for a plush trail bike. Critics charge that the | | | | hardtail mountain bikes to their respective wins. The |
| 29er weights too much to be a truly effective | | | | 29er is finally gaining some acceptance in the pro |
| mountain climber but there is no evidence to support | | | | ranks. Future races will no doubt show more |
| that the 29er does not climb as well as a compact | | | | professional riders opting for the bigger wheels. |
| mountain bike. Actually the big wheels tend to roll | | | | |