26 VS 29

[Wayne Potgieter]

Ok, I was asked by a mate who is new to cycling to help him choose a bike at my LBS.

 

When buying we looked at a bike that could be bought in either a 26 inch wheel or 29 inch.

 

He asked me what the difference was (other than size) I think he was asking which is better etc,

I myself have just switched over from road to MTB and realised, i dont know the answer.

 

So i thought i would post my newbie question here for some feedback.

 

Thanks

[TNT1]

use the search function? This has been debated to death here. Much like seal oil and sram vs Campag... (yes, I deliberately left out shimano...)

[Eldron]

Oi vey - I see another 20 pager coming on...

 

My take:

 

Best case scenario for a 29er: tall dude racing marathons who likes to push big gears.

Worst case scenario for a 29er: super short guy racing hectically technical XC style lap racing and loves to spin.

 

Peg where your mate is on that scale and then choose 26 or 29.

 

Personally I would say the split on the Eldron 26 versus 29er scale is 85% tend towards 29er with 15% area for 26ers. I'm a serial 29ophiler though

[Bike Mob]

Eldron is spot on..

 

I will also add that:

 

Full Sus = 26er

HT = 29er

 

i will make an exception to this rule for the S-Works Epic 29er

[Eldron]

Eldron is spot on..

 

I will also add that:

 

Full Sus = 26er

HT = 29er

 

i will make an exception to this rule for the S-Works Epic 29er

 

Plus you can get a much better specced 29er HT versus 26 full susser...

 

The industry "rumour" is that a 29er HT is like a 26 with 1 inch of rear travel. After many many miles on 29er I'd say that's more or less true.

 

Mmmm S-Works Epic......

[The Drongo]

Good grief.

 

I thought this was an old page, not a revival!

 

If his feet can reach the ground before his nuts reach the toptube, then go with what feels best.

[TNT1]

Good grief.

 

I thought this was an old page, not a revival!

 

 

 

My first thought was: " holy ancient thread, batman".... Then I checked when it was posted

[Wayne Potgieter]

Gees okes. Relax on the old thread stuff.

 

Thought this was the place we could ask questions.

 

End of thread, its explained.

[TNT1]

Gees okes. Relax on the old thread stuff.

 

Thought this was the place we could ask questions.

 

 

Are you new here?

[Paddaman]

Some basic maffs,

 

29er have bigger wheels, thus acceleration requires more effort, but once you have momentum this goe rwell.

29ers have a longer wheel base, thus sharp cornering takes a tad more skill (but only a tad more skill)

29er can have higher centre of gravity, making sudden changes of direction a bit more hair raising

 

The great debate is what do you want to ride, as most SA riders are undercover roadies, the 29er makes the transition to dirt easier. For a long enduro like crater cruise and transbaviaans, 29er are da bomb

 

For sabie, groenkloof and other hilly and technical stuff the smaller wheels accelerate better, cornering can be done more confidently and the wheels are stronger.

 

The other debate is whether you need a shock at all on a 29er. Some experiments have shown that a carbon or steel fork is enough, even at Groenkloof. Some finding show that STEEL is the best material for a 29er, but carbon and alu will do. Unfortunately a single speed 29er has been known to rip the legs of a jittery rider, the rule is "momentum is your friend, sudden stops lead to a sudden (legless) death".

[zappa]

If you want to be comfortable and not win anything, get a full suss 29er. Soaks up all the bumps and handles perfectly for me, and I just want to have fun.

[deanbean]

I was reading the March MountainBike Action, they suggest that for newby's the 29ers are better that 26, irrespective of your size as the bike companies have got the geometry sorted now.

[Superfly]

Having ridden both a dual 29er and 26er I can say that if you live in a area with a lot of mountains and you are not a real strong rider the 26er rules. I have gone back as it just spins a lot easier but that is only my 5 cents.