29er vs 26er Review - By a real person

[mark ellis]

I took my 29er out today for the first proper ride and thought some might find a normal persons review helpfull.

 

I am no race snake, built like a front row rugby player but did some provincial riding as a lighter lighty. Been riding bikes for about 18 years

 

Normally ride a S-works Stumpy, pretty light and have just got a Niner Air9 29er.

 

PLEASE NOTE: these are my oppinions and what I found, so not challanging anybody else or wanting to start a 40 page flaming session - If this happens I will find you and punch you right in the mouth!

 

29er Pros:

 

Riding this thing over technical rocky stuff is amazing! I had read this in many articles but never realised just how much of a difference the bigger wheels makes. I rode at Groenies today and sections that I had to hit just right on the 26er to clear, I rode through with no problems.

 

The major difference was being able to just ride over stuff instead of picking a path around stuff.

 

Riding downhill and is chalk and cheese, 29er hands-down wins this.

 

 

 

Cons:

 

Climbing - I was surprised how much slower climbing was on the 29er, it might be because it was my first time climbing it and I need to learn how to ride climbs on it but it was way slower than the 26er. I can see that I will need to do a lot more strength training to get the climing right.

 

All in all, I rode against my virtual partner on the garmin and in the end was faster on the 29er, it just makes you feel like you can ride much better than what you could before.

 

If you not a strong climber I am not sure if theis would be the way to go and in a race with long climbs, for me I would probably ride a 26er - Untill Im stronger and can climb it better.

 

MY personal choice......29er

Edited April 9, 2011 by mark ellis

[leeu52]

+1

[Big J-WP]

Thats cool info, thanks. I think wether a funrider that starts at the end of the field or a season pro. The info given should be the same. Would be quite interesting to see what your time difference percentage against a top class rider what there time difference percentage would be.

 

Any way enjoy the new ride

[GuyP]

Nice write-up Mark, from a real person

Edited April 9, 2011 by GuyP

[Trubie]

I echo yr thoughts Mark. Can ride power, so I find climbing easier - technical climbing that is.

[mark ellis]

yeah agree and maybe should have mentioned that, technical climbing is easier

 

the more I think about my ride today the more the 29er stands out

[flex]

mark, this is a nice write-up, thanks, but I'll only really believe it once you let me take that Air9 for a spin myself

[mark ellis]

mark, this is a nice write-up, thanks, but I'll only really believe it once you let me take that Air9 for a spin myself

 

Lol, I would let you, but Im not a nice person really

[Grondpad]

Hey Mark, I saw the Niner on your other post. Great looking bike! In my opinion the best looking bike around.

 

Just one thing regarding the XX. If you say you battle on the hills with the Niner, wont it be better to go for a 3 X 10 rather than the 2 X 10? Wouldn't you find the extra gears handy in the accents?

 

I heard that allot of riders that used 2 X 10 on a 26, prefer going for a 3 X 10 on a 29'r. Was just wondering? For when I one day get my Air 9!

Edited April 9, 2011 by Grondpad

[rock]

The most notable advantage when I had my 29er was definitely steep technical climbs, you could juts concentrate on turning the gear over and not worry about the line, or roots and rocks in you way....

 

Didn't find much strength in the sand argument, maybe I just suck at riding in sand.......

[Slowbee]

One of the things I really battle with is the front of the bike lifting when riding up steep hills.

 

Would a 29er let this happen more, or would it happen less?

[leeu52]

One of the things I really battle with is the front of the bike lifting when riding up steep hills.

 

Would a 29er let this happen more, or would it happen less?

 

For me it was the same, just more line to choose from....more forgiving

[NotSoBigBen]

Not gonna dispute what you say about the niner but 'real person' on the Hub

[Chain-L]

One of the things I really battle with is the front of the bike lifting when riding up steep hills.

 

Would a 29er let this happen more, or would it happen less?

 

Depends on the geometry and setup of the cockpit on the bike, can not say that one will lift easier than the other without taking other variables into consideration. Some guys with Spec Stumpy 29ers put negative rise stems on the bikes to keep the front down, but other brands might not have the problem to the same degree.

[Chain-L]

I also bought a 29er recently because it was time for an upgrade.

 

My opinion is: If you are in the market for a new bike, add a 29er to your short list, but don't go out and spend a lot of money if you bought a 26 dual or hardtail recently because you think the 29er will make your ride faster or your riding more enjoyable.

 

The time saving we are talking about is about 5minutes on a 9 hour ride, so 1min 40 on a 3 hour cross country race (take more water and make one less stop at the water point to save the same time). I also think that the change will be more noticeable for someone that used to ride a 26 HT as opposed to someone changing from a 26 Dual to a 29HT. a 29HT does not offer the same amount of forgiveness as a 26 dual as some people seem to think.

 

Few weak points I have noticed: slower to accelerate for a sprint or to pass slower people on a single track when you need a quick burst of speed. Handling on single track and tight turns are more difficult.

[bob]

With the comments made on how on a 29er makes the choice of line not important, would it be fair to say that 29er's suit those who are not technically skilled riders?