Does Size Really Matter?

[Cellar]

Here's a study that seems to suggest that bigger isn't better:

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/23/penis-size-infidelity_n_5200248.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

[johanpre44]

I upgraded my wife's bike from 26er to 29er (she is 1.72 tall, and fits perfectly on a medium Silverback Sola), she loves the 29er especially the added stability, but I have to add that her 26er was very twitchy/nervous (because of a very steep head angle).

 

Like some of the others said, see if you can get an extended test ride on a bike before you buy. My wife took the Silverback for a ride inside the Fourways Cyclelab for a couple of minutes which helped her make up her mind, but this was not nearly long enough to realize how uncomfortable the saddle was for her, which I replaced with a wider/shorter model a week or so later after the first longer ride.

Edited April 26, 2014 by johanpre44

[porqui]

Wheelsize MATTERS!

 

Wheelsize is not determined by how tall you are.

 

Wheelsize is determined by what type of riding you do.

[GLuvsMtb]

How many short travel bike manufacturers are still bringing in 26 inch wheel bikes? I am having trouble servicing my wifes 26inch (3x9 groupset) bike as the standard these days are 650b / 29er with 10 speed drive trains. A SRAM 990 cassette is more expensive these days (and not readily available) than a 1090. Same with chains and I suspect soon lightweight XC wheels in 26 inch would become a scarce commodity too.

[PhilipV]

imo the only reasons why a big wheeler will be hard to fit for a smaller lady is if the top tube is to high and too long. Stack height might play a role, but that is more of a racing snake issue.

That being said, my wife also a shorty, and she loves her 26, even after having ridden a 29er.

[PhilipV]

How many short travel bike manufacturers are still bringing in 26 inch wheel bikes? I am having trouble servicing my wifes 26inch (3x9 groupset) bike as the standard these days are 650b / 29er with 10 speed drive trains. A SRAM 990 cassette is more expensive these days (and not readily available) than a 1090. Same with chains and I suspect soon lightweight XC wheels in 26 inch would become a scarce commodity too.

Mr Gluv, sadly this is due to market pressure.

But that being said, 9spd parts of the deore and slx flavour are still readily available in stores, but above that and you struggle, later you will only find 9spd in the entry level ranges. I reckon the wheels will go on the same downward slope eventually.

[Brian Fantana]

Here are two wheel size videos. Both will make you want to ride that specific size:

 

 

 

Pick your poison and ride the hell out of it!!

[NixM]

I am 1,58m the only 29er that I could find to fit me was the spez fate hardtail. Been very happy with it. spez now also has the rumour a dual susp womans specific 29er.

[blondeonabike]

I bought a 2nd hand 26er spez epic comp to start off on. In the back of my mind I knew that in a few years I might want to change to a different wheel size or go carbon, but in the meantime Im happy. I love technical riding and the bike does the job. I dont see buying a 26er now as a problem, I have three kids and they will all get great use in the following years learning to ride on this bike.

[*Roxy*]

Only noticed this thread now after posting this in another thread earlier...

i am a weekend rider and

started mountain biking

almost 3 years ago on an entry

level 26" bike then i purchased

a Specialized Epic 29er. I only

ride weekends So i decided to sell the Epic and i bought my

cousins friends Morewood Zula

26" and Oh man is it a great

bike. I realized one thing, Any

of the 3 wheel sizes will get

you up and down the mountain with ease if its a

decent bike. Only the pros need

to worry about fast times and

all that as they do it for a living

not me :-) the rest is all just

marketing nonsense. To be honest I prefer my Morewood

Zula over the Epic 29er i had.

[Matchstix]

Generally a 26" bike is easier to handle for less experienced riders and even%

[gminator]

A wealth of info here, tanks for the replies.... We decided to go with the 26er based on her skill level (beginer) and budget.

 

In terms of the trails we do, its a mix between jeep and smooth - rocky single track , we rarely tackle anything much harrier than the single track through Lebanon Forest, the rest of the time is devided into places like Deer Park, Tokai, Contermans etc.

 

I currently ride a 26er Specialized Epic which has served me well. Was trying to keep up with a 29ner at Tokai yesterday, I actually had to work hard to hold them. Also had to scavange for decent 26er tyres a few weeks ago, so my next purchase is more than likely going to be a 29ner.

[porqui]

Generally a 26" bike is easier to handle for less experienced riders and even%

 

You're not serious!

 

Serialissly?

[Matchstix]

Sorry. Porqui working of my phone and something went wrong there.

What I meant to say was. That 29 er are a bit harder to handle when it comes to sharper corners and technical stuff(except that it rolls over certain things a bit better. Some guys I know didn't crash on their 26" bikes but since they have moved to 29" are crashing a lot more, the one almost wrote off his elbow after the second hard crash. These were on trails they regularly rode. Hope this clarifies what I meant to say

[Brassmonkey]

Sorry. Porqui working of my phone and something went wrong there.

What I meant to say was. That 29 er are a bit harder to handle when it comes to sharper corners and technical stuff(except that it rolls over certain things a bit better. Some guys I know didn't crash on their 26" bikes but since they have moved to 29" are crashing a lot more, the one almost wrote off his elbow after the second hard crash. These were on trails they regularly rode. Hope this clarifies what I meant to say

 

You can almost say that your error correction is much easier on a 26" bike. If you get into a wee spot of trouble chances are it will be on a technical section, and this is where the 26" still shines.

 

A 29" makes the boring stuff easier and faster, a 26" makes the fun stuff better, imho.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

My wife is 1,5. She does koeberg, lwr tokai kinda stuff. Bought her merida juliet 26er. Proper girlie bike, low top tube so she can stand comfortably. The handle bars are also slightly narrower cos women shoulders aint that broad. Perfect fit for her and it is a small, looks nice as well.