Pro's of 29er vs. 26er
29er
- Rolling resistance (by some 10%)
- Bearing resistance and wear (by some 10%)
- Tire wear (by at least 10%)
- Roll-over stability climbing and descending
- Overall comfort over a ride
- Grip and cornering balance
- Traction
- Pinch-flat resistance
26er
- Weight (300-400g lighter on the complete hardtail bike, all else being equal)
- Due to this weigth advantage : faster acceleration, by around 2%
- Wheelies are easier, the front lifts more easily
- Flickability in extremely tight corners (where walking would actually be faster)
- Wheel stiffness, at least when using hubs of equal flange spacing