what is best 29er or 26er

terryowen

i want to get a new bike,and im thinking about a 29er,there are a lot of hills where i live.is a 29er better than a 26er for climing,i need a good climer.thanks

supersonic

They vary, so best to try a few models. One isn't better than the other.

Kiblams

Might be worth pointing out that 26" wheels are easier if you are in the lowest gear than a 29er (provided the same chainset/cassette on both) , beyond that I don't know.

Apologies if that was obvious :oops:

GHill

They make more sense if you're tall too.

RupertCommunicator

26ers are better for beginners due to the fact they are generally easier to come across, easier to upgrade and good for just starting off.

29ers are a bit of a niche and may turn out to be just the ticket once you know what you really want.

Climbing wise it depends massively bike to bike.

terryowen

ive had plenty of 26ers i was just wondering about 29er because there is so much talk about them now.i fancied a linsky 29er im only 5ft 6 tall.

John Moore

GHill wrote:

They make more sense if you're tall too.

This is an old wives tail again, I'm 5'8" and have 3 meduim sized 29ers, I call the big wheels my skills compensators as they roll over so much more stuff than I could on my 26" wheeled bikes.

Gary Fisher 29er team rider Willow Koerber is only 5'2" and came in 2nd at Dalby this year in the World Cup.

Mark_K

John Moore wrote:

GHill wrote:

They make more sense if you're tall too.

This is an old wives tail again, I'm 5'8" and have 3 meduim sized 29ers, I call the big wheels my skills compensators as they roll over so much more stuff than I could on my 26" wheeled bikes.

Gary Fisher 29er team rider Willow Koerber is only 5'2" and came in 2nd at Dalby this year in the World Cup.

+1 I'm 5'7 and ride a small framed Gary Fisher Super Fly 100 its also a myth that small framed 29ers have toe over lap problems, I try'd a few small framed 29ers and although some where close i found all the Garry Fisher bikes with G2 geo had no toe overlap problems at all ? But maybe i have small feet :oops:

GHill

John Moore wrote:

GHill wrote:

They make more sense if you're tall too.

This is an old wives tail again, I'm 5'8" and have 3 meduim sized 29ers, I call the big wheels my skills compensators as they roll over so much more stuff than I could on my 26" wheeled bikes.

You misunderstand me (or rather I wasn't very clear). Tall riders can be more comfortable on 29ers than 26ers, at 6'5 I know I am (even though all my bikes are currently 26ers). I have no experience of being shorter on a 29er though

John Moore

We'll let you off then, Mr Lanky ;-)

terryowen

hi thanks for the replys.i will have to try some out.i fancied a linsky 29er titanium.has anyone tried one out,or has anyone got one.and can tell me about it.thanks.

GHill

terryowen wrote:

hi thanks for the replys.i will have to try some out.i fancied a linsky 29er titanium.has anyone tried one out,or has anyone got one.and can tell me about it.thanks.

That's an expensive way to try one out I would probably approach it by buying a relatively cheap On One to see how the larger wheels suited. If you like it, then think about swapping the parts over to the Ti frame.

Take a look at the Niner frames too. I'd like to get an EMD, and I believe John Moore has the AIR 9. The Fisher range from Trek too.

John Moore

Terry, If you fancy trying a 29er PM, me with the rough area of North Wales where you live I'm just over the border. If you're not a million miles away you could try one of mine if you like.
Are you off mid week any time?

R+P+K

Forget about the "you have to be *this* high to ride a 29er". If it were a real concern, then we'd have 26" road bikes.

The different roll-over characteristics of the bigger wheels gives a different ride for sure. I have also found that in spite of the higher gear inches, I can climb trails now that would have had my back wheel spinning out on my 26er.

FWIW, I'm 6'2" and ride an 18" Kona Kahuna.

cavegiant

I ride a 29er and am a 100% convert, however I am very tall, some could even say a giant.

On my 6" FS 29er I can outclimb everyone I know