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another MTB question

7

72Blazer

Rock Crawler
Joined
Jun 28, 2005
Messages
588
Location
Safety Harbor
Its been a while since I rode and am in the process of getting another bike but have a question. What are the pros and cons of a 29er vs a 26er?
 
72Blazer said:
Its been a while since I rode and am in the process of getting another bike but have a question. What are the pros and cons of a 29er vs a 26er?
Click to expand...

29er has a larger rolling diameter which means it'll smooth out bumps a little more but you get more rotating mass with that.

29er pro's smoother ride "rolls" over obstacles better, cool factor
cons: slower acceleration, not as nimble, (slightly) weaker wheels

Really, I think they ride just about the same and the cool factor isn't worth the extra price that bike companies are asking for the 29ers

Are you looking for a hardtail or a dual suspension?
 
Yup, the 29 will roll over obstacles easier, but you've also got more rotating mass to accelerate up to speed. The last I was looking at hardtails (a few years back), the model selection for 29'ers just wasn't that great.

I just didn't think it was worth it in the end. Also, since I run a small frame, I felt 29'' wheels would just look weird lol. So I stuck with 26'' - lots more parts and options available for it - and picked up a kona kula hardtail.
 
jsowens said:
I've never ridden a 29er, but love my 26er. Came across a couple of links you might find helpful, though.

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204397
http://www.mountain-bike-world.com/29-inch-mountain-bikes.html
Click to expand...
Thanks for the links,good info there

engineerjoe said:
29er has a larger rolling diameter which means it'll smooth out bumps a little more but you get more rotating mass with that.

29er pro's smoother ride "rolls" over obstacles better, cool factor
cons: slower acceleration, not as nimble, (slightly) weaker wheels

Really, I think they ride just about the same and the cool factor isn't worth the extra price that bike companies are asking for the 29ers

Are you looking for a hardtail or a dual suspension?
Click to expand...

Looking at hardtails,prefering a 26er.Trying to find something not too expensive ~ $500.Heres what I'm looking at now http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_700HT_2010.htm
A lot for the money.
 
Some things to consider are that there aren't as many fork options either for a 29r. So if you buy a complete and then later decide to upgrade the fork itll be a expensive PIA. I work in a bike shop and I personally think its all hype at the moment. Yeah they roll over obstacles better but they lack in acceleration and in maneuverability IMO
 
1BadJeepBruiser said:
Some things to consider are that there aren't as many fork options either for a 29r. So if you buy a complete and then later decide to upgrade the fork itll be a expensive PIA. I work in a bike shop and I personally think its all hype at the moment. Yeah they roll over obstacles better but they lack in acceleration and in maneuverability IMO
Click to expand...

That's why they keep winning races. Just like MOA is a waste of time.:mrgreen:

Bottum line for me is if you race 29 or are a XC geek do it.

Other wise hit up the 26"

I have both and am way faster on the 29er xc.


EDIT:
Buy a used bike for 500 you won't get much new for 5 bills
 
1BadJeepBruiser said:
Some things to consider are that there aren't as many fork options either for a 29r. So if you buy a complete and then later decide to upgrade the fork itll be a expensive PIA. I work in a bike shop and I personally think its all hype at the moment. Yeah they roll over obstacles better but they lack in acceleration and in maneuverability IMO
Click to expand...
Yeah I was looking what it would cost to upgrade down the road and its not worth the $$.Around here its mostly trails so maneuverability and acceleration is a priority.The bike I mentioned comes in a 17 and 19 frame but I'm hesitant and getting the 17 for fear of it being too small.Just hate not seeing a bike before buying.May just get the 19 and call it a day.
 
If you are tall, say 5' 10" or more, get a 29. Otherwise stick with 26. Or if you have a bmx background, definitely get a 26, that way you can still ride the bike, not go where the big wheeled bike wants you to......
 
Manning said:
If you are tall, say 5' 10" or more, get a 29. Otherwise stick with 26. Or if you have a bmx background, definitely get a 26, that way you can still ride the bike, not go where the big wheeled bike wants you to......
Click to expand...

Good point my wife will not ride a 29er she is 5'2'' just hates it. I am 6'3'' they are good for me.
 
How tall are you?

I'm 6'1", 190lbs and ride a 2008 Cannondale F2 29er. Absolutely love it.

The last mountain bike I owned was a Balance AL750 (aluminum frame, hardtail, 26" wheels, 19" frame, 23lbs) that I bought new in '96. Loved the way that bike rode (felt smooth on the road) even with aggressive tires WTB Velociraptors. We rode all over Hawaii, hitting the trails for a few miles then, usually, we'd have to bike back 10+ miles along the road to get back by dark. That bike was killer but I just felt cramped on it. Even with a longer stem the bars were a bit too close.

When I decided to get back into mountain biking I hopped on a Cannondale 29er with a XL frame. Perfect. Fits me better than any other bike I tried (and I tried several at a couple of different shops) and it rides like a fawkin' dream. Has Lefty up front with 80mm of travel. Damping can be adjusted as you ride and you can also lock out the front fork entirely. Heavy riders have complained that the Lefty deflects through the bumps on the trail but I have yet to notice it and I typically run 20 MPH on the trails. I have no issues with the Lefty. Smoothest fork I've ridden/tested when I shopped for a new bike.

2042171648_f79a0177da_o.jpg


What's been said about 29ers so far is true. A little more effort to get going than a smaller 26" wheel (basic physics) but once going they will roll over the same obstacle easier which means you can be faster through the same terrain than a 26" bike (again, basic physics).

While a 29er is bigger than a 26" it's still really nimble. Love it. After riding it a 26" bike feels like a kid's bike...just not the same.


I have a XL, but here's a L frame bike on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/CANNONDALE-F29-...ewItemQQptZMountain_Bikes?hash=item20af09db2b
 
Last edited:
Yeah, the trick is to find out what fits you by going to shops and then looking for an older model of that frame size online.

Craigslist, ebay, for sale sections on the forums, stuff like that. Can save some cash by not buying new.

JustZach here on the forums owns a bike shop in Utah.

He's sold bikes to folks on here. ;)

The bike in your link will probably do you well as long as the frame fits you.

*EDIT* Just noticed that bike is available in flat black. 8)

Also seems to get good reviews. "thumbsup"

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/29er/motobecane/fantom-29er/PRD_437376_1548crx.aspx
 
Last edited:
Read the reviews on it but is just a hair more than I want to spend but IF I can seel some stuff ...hummmm.I used to have a 17" Caloi years ago when I rode and liked it a lot.Now that I'm a little older I want a little bigger frame like a 19".Tried out a Trek 4300,19" and that seemed pretty comfortable.
 
Cole82 said:
That's why they keep winning races. Just like MOA is a waste of time.:mrgreen:

Bottum line for me is if you race 29 or are a XC geek do it.

Other wise hit up the 26"

I have both and am way faster on the 29er xc.


EDIT:
Buy a used bike for 500 you won't get much new for 5 bills
Click to expand...


I ride a IH Azure which was there XC race bike and I feel faster on that then on a 29r's that I have demo'd from my shop... I also come from a BMX back ground and like to be able to throw the bike around on the trail.

I will say, everyone does have a very good point that if you are taller then 6 foot you may find that you like the 29r better.

Best thing to do is, hit up your LBS and ride both "thumbsup" A good LBS will have demo bikes that you can test ride on a local trail.

Here on LI that is about the only going for us is our good MTB trails. My boss gets Demo's all the time from FELT and other guys for people to ride.
 
Last edited:
Here are the tires I ended up going with on my 29er, Continental Mountain King 2.4s. (yeah, I got the 2.4" width)

http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/continental-mountain-king-24-29er-tire-review/

The trails in Georgia had a lot of loose sand and pine needles. I wiped out a few times due to just not having traction (not because I was going too fast :lol: ) in the corners.

Switched to the Mountain Kings and never had another issue. They just find traction.
 
I have a bike store and have sold a few 29ers but my best advice is to get one out on a trail for a test ride because they are not for everyone. One of my salesmen talked me into one 2 years ago and after an honest try I sold it off to a guy who absolutely loves it.....I am 6'4" and I just didnt dig the feel of the niner.....I think it comes down to personal preference. Im back on 26ers and lovin it but I will try another 29er someday I am sure.
 
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