26 vs 29

[scarface]

alright guys, this may seem like a stupid question. But what are the differences of a 26 vs 29 wheel? < besides 3" :) >

-brett

[mtnbykr]

hey martini, chime in here...

first it's only 1 1/2" cuz you measure from the axle.

imo, a 29 will roll over rocks/roots/logs/etc better than a 26 due to the angle of the tire being taller from the axle to the ground. a 29 also rolls faster on the trails, and give you a gyroscopic effect [the wheel always wants to stay upright].

i don't see a smoother ride, altho some say it is.

k

[manitouman84]

When looking at its diameter, its still three inches :D . All of the aformentioned is different, but the larger wheel has greater rotational inertia, so its slower to accelerate and less nimble. Its all a trade off.

[mtnbykr]

"so its slower to accelerate and less nimble. Its all a trade off."

have you rode a 29 for any length of time??

k

[martini]

Yeah, really Jeff, have you put in good time on one of these? Or are you just quoting stuff you've heard people say, who've heard other people say it?

If you wanna get right down to it, the spokes are longer, and the rim is bigger(though, it IS the same size as a road rim, 700c). The tire, as mentioned already is 3" bigger in dia., but that measuremennt doesn't matter in this instance, it is the 1½" difference. Since the items in the wheel require more material, yes, they are heavier. Over all though, my bike doesn't weigh any more than my 26" does(right about 24lbs). The geometry of my bike is the same as the geometry of my WTB that I modeled it after. Consequently, it rides fantastically.

In order to truely reap the benefits of the 29" wheel, you need to ride it for more than one ride, at more than one venue. Take it to the Riverbottoms, and you'll be wowed by the speed you are able to attain and maintain through the whole ride. Take that same bike to Lebanon Hills, and you'll be hard pressed to ignore the fact that this bike will roll over all the logs, and comb through all the rock gardens much more smoothly (and may I add, faster ) than any 26" wheel does. THEN take it to Battle Creek(or the Farm) for some climbing, and you'll see that the bike maintains traction at the rear wheel like you wouldn't belive.

I know that there is no other bike that I would be riding now that I have my Hunter. I finally have a bike that FITS my lanky 6'-5" frame. I don't feel like I'm perched on top of my bike. I actually feel like I'm sitting in between the wheels. Like I imagine most you smaller folks feel like in your bikes! If you're tall, I don't think there's a better type of XC ride out there.

[scarface]

hmmmm, thanks for the replies. I'm 6'3" so I think i can handle the 29s. Sounds like fun to try. Anyone running 29" single speed?

brett

[martini]

I was. I recently went 1x8 though. Just for a change of pace, that's all. I've been riding SS for 5 years with only one interuption(chequamegon last fall). I know kurt is though. If you'd like to try my bike out, I'll be more than happy to lend it out for a few laps of Leb or something. We just have to set up a time, that's all. It should fit you OK.

[manitouman84]

Originally posted by mtnbykr
"so its slower to accelerate and less nimble. Its all a trade off."

have you rode a 29 for any length of time??

k

Touchy are we about our 29 inch wheels? I honestly have ridden them once, not enough to notice any differences. You guys DO know what you are talking about, I was just commenting about the properties of a larger wheel. A larger and "heavier" wheel can and will carry its speed better, but it is in fact slower to accelerate, probably not by much, but its true. Your "gyroscopic effect" is caused by rotational inertia, so if its keeping you upright so much better, then it is also not accelerating as fast either. Basic property of physics, you have a larger rim, displacing weight further from the axis of rotation, which is also carrying additional weight, which increases rotational inertia. The wheel will carry its momentum, better once it gets moving, but will be harder to accelerate. If you wanna argue that we can take it to my physics prof.

Pop quiz hot shot, why do you think BMX bikers can get goin so fast off the line?

[martini]

Originally posted by manitouman84
"so its slower to accelerate and less nimbles all a trade off."

Pop quiz hot shot, why do you think BMX bikers can get goin so fast off the line?

The less nimble part is what we have trouble with there, bub. I have no trouble keeping up with, catching, or dropping many riders in single track. The acceleration difference is so minimal, that I never noticed it. My bike climbs better, goes faster and handles better because of the big wheels.

Remeber, one ride does not an expert make.

[manitouman84]

Hey hey come on now, i never claimed to be an expert, im just offering input, and I do know one ride is not enough, I was trying to say that. I believe what you're saying about 29ers, I would consider the upgrade myself.

[martini]

Yeah, I guess we are a bit trigger happy when it comes to the properties of 29"ers. There's just too much mis-information going on about them. It's not like we have to do damage control, but there are times....Anyone on this board is welcome to try mine out sometime, to get a real taste of what they're like. That is, if you can fit on it!

[manual63]

A 29er is probably great for long distance and rolling over things, but would not be to good for technical riding. The higher CG and larger rotating mass would make it harder for me to do a lot of the technical stuff I do.

I think if you are looking for a cross country racing advantage, they might help out, otherwise, I don't really see the point in them much.

[martini]

Shad, you haven't seem me ride at Leb yet have you? :D Some day....

[scarface]

well I was looking at the surly karate monkey at freewheel, and I am tempted to set up a SS 29er...but, alas, I have to get my 26SS project done first.

I think I am taking the 26" rigid SS on her maiden voyage to lebanon friday. I'll guessing the fork will bend on the log drop, but thats what its all about:)


So many bikes, so little time....

-brett

[manual63]

Originally posted by martini
Shad, you haven't seem me ride at Leb yet have you? :D Some day....

Nope, but I would like to see your bike......oh and you too maybe....:)

[tmac]

Originally posted by mtnbykr
a 29 also rolls faster on the trails, and give you a gyroscopic effect [the wheel always wants to stay upright].


I think my wife would have to disagree on the "keeping you upright" part. :laugh:

Truly though - She is riding a fisher 29 and getting used to clipless pedals. Her only crashes have been due to lack of experience getting out of the pedals.

After just one mountain bike ride, I was amazed to see her clearing log crossings. Now a testament to the 29's benefits is that without ever lifting the front wheel, she is rolling over lots of obstacles.

I really view them as a cousin to the cyclocross bike - meant for trails that you can really push a gear on. There is no question that lots of riders out there are carving up the most technical single track with 29ers, but think about - it bikes with bigger wheels (road bikes) are great when a good roll is what you need. Bikes with smaller wheel (trials bikes) are great when you are hopping all over rocks and picnic tables.

Ty.

[martini]

Originally posted by tmac
I really view them as a cousin to the cyclocross bike - meant for trails that you can really push a gear on. There is no question that lots of riders out there are carving up the most technical single track with 29ers, but think about - it bikes with bigger wheels (road bikes) are great when a good roll is what you need. Bikes with smaller wheel (trials bikes) are great when you are hopping all over rocks and picnic tables.

Oh, man! What's up w/that! Show me a mtb trail(local, no north shore bs) where you're pulling trials manuvers consistently, and I'll go back to 26". In this argument you're talking about two totally different uses, obviously requiring two totally different bikes. Cousin to the cross bike. WHATEVER! These are mountain bikes, straight up. I know I'm getting suckered into this thing, but this information is just wrong.

edit to add: and thanks for buying your wife a 29". Now just imagine how smooth your riding will be once you get one!

[mtnbykr]

shad-
you need to come to the farm ride this saturday. i'll have my 29 and my bud will bring his. you can then get a first-hand view on what they can do. in tight, technical singletrack you'd never know you're on a big wheel bike. mine handles these trails as good as or better than my 26.

what technical things do you do and where?? i've rode leb on mine and not had any problems. but leb is kinda tame compared to the trails up here.

my 29 actually has a lower bb tham my 26. seems fisher likes them that way...

mm84-

who really cares about bmx bike off the line...[ps i [I]know the answer]. physics is why most mtb have gears. this helps some of you overcome the rotating mass and accelerate your bike. it took me awhile to figger out which gear to use on my 29 ss so that i could accelerate it as well as my 26 ss.

k

[socrates]

Originally posted by manual63
Nope, but I would like to see your bike......oh and you too maybe....:) I've seen his bike out at the Farm...it's cool...now if I could just afford 1 of every kind of bike I'll be all set

[manitouman84]

Originally posted by mtnbykr

physics is why most mtb have gears. this helps some of you overcome the rotating mass and accelerate your bike.
k

that and hills :D, sorry, im just trying to have some fun here

how much heavier are 29ers? 100 grams a wheel, or not even that?

[tmac]

Originally posted by martini
Oh, man! What's up w/that! Show me a mtb trail(local, no north shore bs) where you're pulling trials manuvers consistently, and I'll go back to 26". In this argument you're talking about two totally different uses, obviously requiring two totally different bikes. Cousin to the cross bike. WHATEVER! These are mountain bikes, straight up. I know I'm getting suckered into this thing, but this information is just wrong.

edit to add: and thanks for buying your wife a 29". Now just imagine how smooth your riding will be once you get one!

Actually I wasn't trying to argue. I think 29ers are great, I just thought I would mention two extremes to illustrate that I think different bike styles have different strengths. :eyeroll:

[martini]

ahh. ok gotcha. Sarcasm and other emotions are so hard to read on a screen! carry on, nothing to see here!

[sensorysonic]

Hey, thought I would spark the 29r discussion again. Marty, Kurt, do you guys ride your 29rs with a rigid front fork? I'm curious about how they roll over logpiles, etc., with a rigid fork. I've read articles stating that riders on 29rs are finding they don't need front suspension. I was just wondering if you guys have tried rigid, or ride rigid all the time on rock gardens like at Lebanon, and log piles.

[martini]

I've run/have both. I tend to swap it out every now and again. The bike handles better with the rigid on it, but the cush of the susension is nice too. As for the log pile thing, they are much smoother(but this is also depedant on your riding style-I've always been a pretty smooth, flowy rider). Case in point, I was showing a freind the new XX loop last summer and near the beginning there's a sereies of log rolls. The last one has a pretty tame front side, but the back side is deeper. I simply rolled over the pile, and down the back side and kept going. The freind was right behind me and nearly endoed cause he wasn't expecting such a large drop on the other side(he's on 26" wheels w/a 5" fork). His comment after that was that the bigger wheels made that stunt look like a cake walk.

So yes, the bigger wheels DO make things smoother. You don't really NEED a suspension fork on a 29"(for that matter, you don't need one on 26" either). They certainly do make the ride more comfortable if you do have one though.

[sensorysonic]

I just confirmed with Marzocchi that they are offering the Marathon SL 29er and the MX Comp 29er forks for 2004! There has been a rumor going around that they would only offer their 2004 29er forks as OEM. That is completely false. Sounds like someone started this stupid rumor. Marzocchi told me their 29er forks for 2004 can be ordered from any local bike shop this year!!