MTB, 29 or 26

[LazyTrailRider]

surely the 29'r is going to make this even worse, seeing that she rides a 26.

Who said 29ers are faster?

[DR ◣◢]

A 29er is only faster in that the bigger wheels have better rolling ability over rougher terrain. Also once you get those big old wagon wheels up to speed to do roll nicely.

 

A lot of people are under the misconception that a 29er made them better riders. Chances are your old bike was heavy and had a heavy wheelset. Your new bike feels faster and rolls better. Keep in mind a light wheelset will make a very noticeable difference to your ride.

 

I can guarantee you that handing over a big wad of cash didn't improve hot fitness or skill. There is a reason people train on heavy bikes and race lightweight ones.

 

From personal experience you will most likely enjoy the 29er. Just keep in mind there are a few drawbacks. They don't accelerate as well as 26ers and they aren't are nimble in the tight and twisty stuff.

 

At the end of the day its your money and choice. Buy the bike you want and not what some random person told you to.

 

Also try and borrow a bike for a ride to get a feel for it. I was fortunate enough to have a 29er on loan for a week before I decided to build mine.

 

Funny how I do 70% of all my riding on my 26er though.

[YUMEYA]

I'm 1.86m and am riding a medium frame at the moment. its small, and I love it like that. (the FRAME).

 

[Jackes]

Funny how I do 70% of all my riding on my 26er though.

 

This is more the response someone with a question is looking for. Thanks

[DR ◣◢]

Make no mistake. I love my 29er. However it is a fully rigid SS. I love every second I'm out on the bike.

My 26er is a dual sus with lots of travel and 9 gears. It flies low and loves to go fast. I'm still very much a gravity addict.

 

Taking a geared 29er for tonight's ride. Will see how it goes and let you know.

 

Best thing to do is test a 29er and see if you like it. Take it somewhere nice and twisty with some quick up and downs. The normal riding like the back of Langenhoven, Bainsvlei and Hillsborough isn't going to cut it. Can one still get to the bottom of Seven Dams. Not the side with the old MX track. The other side out Pentagon Park side?

[RockCoach]

From personal experience you will most likely enjoy the 29er. Just keep in mind there are a few drawbacks. They don't accelerate as well as 26ers and they aren't are nimble in the tight and twisty stuff.

 

 

Add to that the extra power that a larger wheel needs to get up a steep bank and for general climbing. For the same spec wheel the 26" will be much lighter than the 29" - smaller rim, shorter spokes, less tyre - so the effort to accelarate is much less.

 

For the lesser skilled, the 29" wheels will roll better up technical climbs and will have better traction but that doesn't make the rider more skilled.