Why 29" wheels

Dave_G

Hi,

Can someone please explain to me why 29" wheels are used on MTBs? Why do some bikes have a 29" front wheel and a 26" rear wheel?

What are the advantages to using these combinations of wheels?

thanks,

Dave

Johnclimber

29ers roll better over rough stuff but one on the front and one on the back accelerate slower.

but with a 26 on the back and it's faster but still rides the bumps as well as a 29er

ride_whenever

29rs hold momentum better but don't turn as well.

29" only really makes sense for bigger riders though as you tend to get toe overlap if you're runty.

Dave_G

Thanks for the replies - what is considered a bigger rider - 6ft plus?

Dave

ride_whenever

Round about that, yeah. But it is more to do with standover height and top tube length.

Dave_G

Ah I see... so much to learn!

Dave

Johnclimber

Dave_G wrote:

Thanks for the replies - what is considered a bigger rider - 6ft plus?

Dave

I'm 5'8" and very happy with my Gary Fisher Rig 29er Single Speed (small frame and no toe overlap)

Dave_G

John,

I just Googled the Gary Fisher Rig 29er single speed - looks great and just what I could be looking for!

Are there any UK frame builders who make single speed frames??

Dave

ride_whenever

on one...

John Stevenson

29ers give people who already have half a dozen bikes an excuse to buy yet another one.

ride_whenever

you mean yet another three or four, FS, rigid, singlespeed etc...

jmeadows

i seen my 29er for a sh*t hot price , liked the bike, it had good components etc so i got it.
if you like the bike and can make use of it then get it, and ignore any negative comments you may get

supersonic

Its just another option. Try a few, might like them!

The Big Cheese

John Stevenson wrote:

29ers give people who already have half a dozen bikes an excuse to buy yet another one.

ahhh.... the honesty