What makes a 29er

Furthermore, with the more forgiving 29er wheels, designers soon realized that they needed less suspension to obtain the same feel as a 26" bike, which in turn improves the efficiency of the bike as there's less pedals bob. It's generally understood that a 29er mountain bike with mm travel has a very similar feel to that of a 26" bike with mm travel.

Essentially speaking, if you're riding a 29er, you're able to do more with less travel! In the biking season, 29er mountain bikes really started to catch on. Their larger wheel size offered many riders a significant number of advantages over the traditional 26" mountain bike; however not all riders saw the 29er advantages as being beneficial to them, or for some, the drawbacks of a 29er wheel were not worth it's advantages. Seeing the huge demand for 29er wheels, yet also realizing that there was a a large segment of the population that couldn't accept some of the 29er drawbacks, designers in started coming out with Essentially speaking, many riders like the faster speeds and more forgiving ride of a 29er, but couldn't accept the trade off in terms of responsiveness on quick twitchy style terrain.

The theory behind Car Racks. Gift Cards. Bikes: Mountain Bikes. This can lead to decreased efficiency in the suspension by adding pedal bob to the bike. You also need to consider the pros and cons of some geometry compromises that need to be made to accommodate the bigger wheels and whether a longer and bigger bike is right for you.

Ultimately 29in wheels are going to provide benefits for a lot of people, no matter their ability or preferred discipline. For beginners, the extra grip, stability and smoothness will help them access higher speeds and trickier terrain more easily. The same can be said for people with high levels of skill, too. Cross-country riders will enjoy the smoother-riding, faster-rolling bike and added control afforded by the big hoops. People who ride trail, all-mountain or enduro will be able to ride quicker, with more grip and brake later — their bikes feeling smoother and faster than smaller-hooped rigs.

Downhill riders, arguably the most recent group to benefit from the wagon wheels thanks to the late adoption and slow development of the tech, all claim that large-wheeled bikes are smoother, quicker and easier to control. Way back in , Dr Alex Moulton, famous for his comfy small wheelers, made a 20in-wheel, all-terrain bike.

Smaller wheels, not to mention shorter wheelbases, are harder to ride on bumpy ground. Think about it. But can we also assume that bigger wheels will roll over rough surfaces faster? Not always. The length of the fork, stem, top tube and bottom bracket all have a bearing on the overall stability and ride feel of the complete bike. Take suspension. Unless you plan on riding through a lot of tight turns and switchbacks, a 29er Mountain Bike may be a good choice for your primary bike.

The answer really depends on your needs and where you plan to ride, as there is no bike above all others. If you plan on riding XC, consider 29er bikes for their ability to maintain speed and their assistance in getting over obstacles quickly. Today, there are plenty of manufacturers offering 29er bikes for men and women. With frame sizes from small to XXL, anyone can ride a 29er if they fit. Just make sure you are making the change for a good reason and are willing to accept the tradeoffs that inch tires present.

In conclusion, 29er bikes have plenty of Pros and Cons, just like any other Mountain Bike on the market. Use this list as a reference to decide if a 29er bike is for you. At the very least, they are worth the shot to rent or borrow. When I first started cycling, I was surprised by the fact that I could lose weight with such a fun form of exercise.

I immediately started doing research to find out how much I should cycle each day When it comes time to take a road trip with your bike, you can be worried about traveling for such long distances. In addition to making sure you have the right bike rack, it is also a good idea to Skip to content.

Better Momentum. Once they start rolling, 29er Mountain Bikes tend to carry more speed and momentum. You will also notice how much easier it seems to pedal. Higher "Attack Angle". This reduced impact preserves your energy and makes for a smoother ride all around.

Extra Grip and Traction. Added Grip and Balance in Corners. The lower tire pressures allow more surface area contact with the ground on corners. Comfortable Ride. Extra Pinch Flat Resistance. Even with the lower psi, 29er bikes hold more air in the tires than your average Mountain Bike.

This allows the tires to conform to bigger objects, without contacting the rim. Added Stability on Climbs and Descents. I was a little intimidated when I upgraded to a inch Mountain Bike. More Ground Clearance. Great For Taller Riders. Less Tire Wear. Essentially, inch tire last longer than their smaller counterparts. Less Bearing Wear and Resistance. Heavier Wheels. Just the fact that they have longer spokes, bigger rims, and larger tires makes this inevitable.