Years ago the 26er camp of mountain bikers thought that 29” wheels were just a trend and the bigger wheel size, the 29er would be short lived. Extolled by many and detracted by a few, the verdict is now clear: Mountain bikes with 29-inch wheels are here to stay.
First off, 29ers offer several big advantages over their smaller-wheeled siblings:
The main issue is the stand over clearance. A 29er is often taller than a comparably sized 26-inch wheel mountain bike and may be too tall for smaller riders. Toe overlap with the larger wheel and an incorrect handlebar height are other potential concerns for shorter riders. Many 29ers are therefore available in medium, large and extra-large frames, with small frames and women’s specific frames just starting to catch on.
If you are under 5’6” tall, a 26-inch mountain bike is still likely to be a better fit. If you’re 5’6’ or taller, you should be able to find a 29er model to fit you. Riders more than 6’ tall can rejoice: You’ll definitely enjoy a more natural riding position with the size and frame geometry of a 29er.
The most common 29er are hardtails but full-suspension 29ers are becoming widely common as suspension and frame designs are fine tuned by bike makers.
The Pros and Cons of Bigger Wheels
First off, 29ers offer several big advantages over their smaller-wheeled siblings:
- Better momentum once rolling, meaning more progress for less effort and faster rolling over open terrain.
- A larger tire contact area on the trail, giving better traction and control when climbing or cornering.
- A higher “attack angle,” meaning the wheels roll over trail obstacles with less impact, reducing fatigue and smoothing out the trail.
Can everyone ride a 29er?
While there are many different sizes of 29er frames there are fewer sizing options for short riders (male or female). Why?The main issue is the stand over clearance. A 29er is often taller than a comparably sized 26-inch wheel mountain bike and may be too tall for smaller riders. Toe overlap with the larger wheel and an incorrect handlebar height are other potential concerns for shorter riders. Many 29ers are therefore available in medium, large and extra-large frames, with small frames and women’s specific frames just starting to catch on.
If you are under 5’6” tall, a 26-inch mountain bike is still likely to be a better fit. If you’re 5’6’ or taller, you should be able to find a 29er model to fit you. Riders more than 6’ tall can rejoice: You’ll definitely enjoy a more natural riding position with the size and frame geometry of a 29er.
Buying a 29er
Choosing a 29er is the same as selecting any bike: Know your riding intentions and how you want to use the bike. Not all 29ers ride comparably. As with any category of bikes, some models are lighter, faster and nimbler than others. Some 29ers are designed for racers, others for weekend enthusiasts and still others for occasional riders who want one bike to serve a multitude of purposes. The biggest difference is price and components, just like any other bike, road or mountain!The most common 29er are hardtails but full-suspension 29ers are becoming widely common as suspension and frame designs are fine tuned by bike makers.
