Which is easier............Seriously

[shawn]

I know this has been discussed on numerous occasions, but please enlighten me one more time.

 

Is it easier climbing hills on 26 inch wheels or 29 inch ??

 

Remembering i am a newbie and not very strong on the uphills.

 

I have ridden both and the 26 inch seems easier for me, or is it just a mental block ?

[hayleyearth]

[Cyclewizz]

It all depends who's riding the bike :whistling:

[Pieterg]

Epic climbing?????

[Mr SingleTrack]

There are a few things that will play a role e.g. Gear ratios on each bike and the surface of the climb

[shawn]

I know , i know........I am not strong on the hills, i just want to know which size wheels roll easier UPHILL

[Giant]

The lighter one,

Which rand for rand will be the 26er.

[Azonic]

I find that long rolling hills, a 29er works better. I find it easier to pushing a slightly bigger gear and keep it turning over. Super steep short hills, I'm sure a 26er would be probably be better.

[Mike Bike]

29er all the way....

[Red Zone]

Spez did a hill climb TT with a 29'er & 26'er, the difference was really, really marginal, in favour of the 29'er. Not enough to make any difference to all but a podium contender (if you want to be a podium contender speak to Enticement)

[scotty]

I think its rider specific but for me i find the 29'er easier supported by my last 2 races. Last week i did a hilly one on a 29'er and found i climbed easier than one i did on Sat on a 26 which did not have as many climbs.

[Helpmytrap]

Apparently a 26'er gets 'caught' more often than a 29'er on the technical ups.

[Wil6]

Interesting read from Tread Magazine, but still ride what your comfortable with.

 

http://www.treadmag.co.za/DisplayCustomLink.aspx?club=treadmag&name=Page%20Mag%208

[RockCoach]

Larger wheels need more momentum to keep rolling uphill but they will roll over obstacles easier. They also have more grip. In general the steeper the climb the easier it will be to keep the smaller wheels rotating and they will get through tight switchbacks easier and accelerate up to speed quicker out of the corners.

 

So if you are strong and fit and can use the extra grip and larger wheels to get over uphill obstacles and keep that momentum going then the 29er will be your weapon of choice. The 26er wheel can get 'stopped' on obstacles in inexperienced hands but will take less power to get over and going again.