The Rise of the 29er
If you're planning to buy a new mountain bike, the decision making process just got a whole lot harder! It is difficult enough choosing which brand to go for and what type of frame/suspension/brakes/gears you should choose. Well, now you have the additional choice of 29 or 26inch wheels just to confuse you even more! Making the right choice is imperative, particularly with mountain bikes costing a substantial amount for a decent model.
29inch wheels, also known as '29ers', are becoming ever more popular with mountain bikers, for a number of reasons. The debate is rife with many people preferring to stick with the traditional 26er, whilst others are choosing to part with their cash for the 29er. There are plenty of pros and cons2 for each, and these need to be carefully considered before you make that all-important decision.
On first thought, you may think that there isn't a great deal of difference between the 26er and the 29er, but don't be fooled! You just have to put the two side-by-side to see for yourself just how big a difference there is. It may only be three inches, but this makes all the difference, in a number of ways. There is a huge debate for a reason!
One of the greatest benefits that riders get from 29inch wheels is that small rocks, bumps and other minor obstacles are tackled with the greatest of ease. Bumps and divots are practically unnoticeable and you get very much the same ride as you'd expect from a dual suspension bike due to the increased weight and decrease manoeuvrability. There are many people that have made the decision to trade in full suspension for the hard tailed 29ers.
29inch wheels can run at low pressure, which means that the surface area of the tyre increases, therefor giving you extra grip and a straighter ride. This extra grip and larger diameter means that it is more difficult to make tighter turns, particularly at speed. This means that if you plan to take technical trails with lots and twists and turns, the 29er is perhaps not the best choice for you. However, if you plan to take long trails with lots of obstacles, the 29er would be a great choice.
29inch wheels, also known as '29ers', are becoming ever more popular with mountain bikers, for a number of reasons. The debate is rife with many people preferring to stick with the traditional 26er, whilst others are choosing to part with their cash for the 29er. There are plenty of pros and cons2 for each, and these need to be carefully considered before you make that all-important decision.
On first thought, you may think that there isn't a great deal of difference between the 26er and the 29er, but don't be fooled! You just have to put the two side-by-side to see for yourself just how big a difference there is. It may only be three inches, but this makes all the difference, in a number of ways. There is a huge debate for a reason!
One of the greatest benefits that riders get from 29inch wheels is that small rocks, bumps and other minor obstacles are tackled with the greatest of ease. Bumps and divots are practically unnoticeable and you get very much the same ride as you'd expect from a dual suspension bike due to the increased weight and decrease manoeuvrability. There are many people that have made the decision to trade in full suspension for the hard tailed 29ers.
29inch wheels can run at low pressure, which means that the surface area of the tyre increases, therefor giving you extra grip and a straighter ride. This extra grip and larger diameter means that it is more difficult to make tighter turns, particularly at speed. This means that if you plan to take technical trails with lots and twists and turns, the 29er is perhaps not the best choice for you. However, if you plan to take long trails with lots of obstacles, the 29er would be a great choice.
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There are lots of 29er bikes and frames on the market. Take a look at some of the latest here.