[Closed] 29er's mmm..

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In a

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Yes!

They are rubbish.
Wheels expolde.
Blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah

I've always been against the 29er, also having never ridden one either!

Sounds about as well thought out, as most haters opinions on the internet.
Try one, you might like it.

Try a demo bike both 650b and 29er, preferably on bikes that are set up similarly or from the same manufacturer so as to minimise the effects of other parts of the set up. Ride the same trail on both bikes and also your existing bike. See what you think.

Personally I couldn't tell much difference between 26 & 650b but the 29er felt considerably different.

Don't make me do it

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All 26/27.5/29ers are not the same. The 29ers I have owned have become progressively more 26erish (shorter stays, slightly slacker etc), and I'm now not tempted by anything else. I'm also convinced that as a pretty tall person, they suit me better. I'm also convinced they make me faster pretty much everywhere, but that might be something to do with a skills deficit.

I was surprised how much quicker my off road commute was on a 29er. Usually took 1hr 12 when I was fit on 26er. I have been off the bike for a while, bit of a gut, and now its 1hr 4.

PS. I like it on trails - for what I do.

I can keep up with a pro roadie on a 29er, the minute I get on a 26er now I get a craving for cake, put on three stone and start blowing out of my arse...

29ers are maturing nicely and the geometries on the newer longer travel trail orientated ones (ht & fs) no longer numb the trails (jk).

The way everyone talks about the pros and cons of 26, 27.5 and 29ers on the forums gives the impression they are on the podium every weekend.

The reality is very different for the average rider, try them all and you may be surprised.

26ers have had a long time to establish in design. I remember how average they were in the early to mid 90s but no one knew any different. 650b is closer to 26 imo so it benefits from the last couple of decades of design so has brought the trails alive much more readily and they feel more familiar to the typical rider.

I tried loads was going 650b but due to stock issues changed for a trail orientated ht 29er and don't regret it.

Your comparison between a 26" MTB and a 700C hybrid on tarmac won't be much of a reference to compare 26 to 29 off-road, but it's fair to say that a 29er can roll more efficiently on rough ground. There's more to going fast off-road than just rolling ability tho so whether it 'flows' better overall for you is impossible to say.

I do think the larger diameter offers more comfort over the smaller+faster 'chatter' bumps, but tyre+rim combo and pressures they allow can make as much difference.
(apologies for such a dull response with no scanners brain-explosion gifs etc)

Since the tyres on your 700X32 wheels are thin will they not be about the same diameter as your 26 inch wheel bike?

I have both and happy using both.

Since the tyres on your 700X32 wheels are thin will they not be about the same diameter as your 26 inch wheel bike?

Nope, touring tyres on 700c wheels are (roughly) 28"

It's been done to death, but one thing that brought it home to me was when we took my son's 20" wheel bike out of the shed a few months back. He's grown a bit and it was looking a bit small, so I told him to hop on his sister's 26" bike to check it out for size. He immediately shot off like a rocket and came back raving about how much faster and smoother it felt (and he's never even read a mountain bike magazine!). It made me realise that, between the ages of 4 and 8 he's gone from a 16" to a 26" wheel, yet at nearly 50 I've still got a 26" wheeled bike.

I've just ordered my first 29er frame, as I have a flat bar road bike I don't really like, or ride much, my local back roads are pretty rough and shitty, and there's a few old green lanes and cheeky trails I can loop into an evening ride, which aren't possible on the flat bar.

Now, I could use my 26" genesis for this, but that'd wear out my gnarly off road tyres too quick, and I'm on 120mm forks, plus a few other bits it seems a shame to be wearing out on the road......

So, a 29er it is, as it should, in theory be a little bit faster/nicer on road, and perfectly capable for the light off road sections (100mm fork with lockout). I'm not a weight weenie, being 15st myself, a kg off the bike is unlikely to make much difference, but I'm trying not to go too heavy with it, might enter a proper MTB event in the autumn.

26" will be staying for trail centre days out and proper off road riding.

I have been riding big wheels for 4 years now and currently have 3 - singlespeed, hardtail and trail full susser.

You won't die and your wheels won't explode.

You won't die and your wheels won't explode.

4 constants on my facebook feed

1) Pics of kittens and horses from horsey type friend.
2) Pics of teacup pigs from the Missus.
3) Closet racism from my ex-con, gun nut, UKIP voting 'friend'.
4) Andy's broken another wheel.

between the ages of 4 and 8 he's gone from a 16" to a 26" wheel, yet at nearly 50 I've still got a 26" wheeled bike.

Assuming an age related arithmetic progression you should be on a 131" wheel. Good Luck.

My commute is 3 minutes quicker on my 29.
Off road it certainly grips more than my 26.