29er Mountain Bikes:
Strengths and Weaknesses

Advantages of 29er Mountain Bikes

• Larger wheels absorb bumps and obstacles better, providing a smoother ride and more stability going over obstacles.



• 29er mountain bikes are more stable and less likely to waver from your riding line.



• With larger wheels, you are able to ride at higher overall speeds, have increased momentum, and feel more stable at higher speeds.



• Riders of 29ers claim that they are less likely to sink in sand or mud.



• Larger wheels provide better traction because of their larger contact area with the ground (because they have less of an arc than smaller wheels). You can also ride with less air pressure in the larger tires without the risk of getting a pinch flat, which also helps grip the trail better.



• Longer contact area of tire helps with cornering at higher speeds.



• 29ers are less likely to endo.



• 29er mountain bikes are a better fit for taller riders who often require larger frames.

Disadvantages of 29er Mountain Bikes

• The larger wheels are harder to get moving than their smaller counterparts; therefore 29ers accelerate more slowly.



• 29 inch mountain bikes need more braking power to slow down.



• Theoretically, the wheels are not as strong as smaller wheels, so aren't able to take as much thrashing as the 26 inch wheels.



• The larger wheels require more force when climbing uphill, so they may not be as fast for climbing as the 26ers.



• Some say it isharder to pop up the front wheel on a 29er.



• There is a more limited selection of tires, rims, forks, and frames simply because 29ers have not been around as long as 26ers.



• When traveling at slow speeds, tight handling and steering response time is decreased.



• Issues with fit have been reported, such as toe overlap and high standover height, especially with smaller riders.

Some proponents of the 29ers feel that the claimed disadvantages of 29ers are not valid. Others believe that 29ers are a fad and show no major advantages.

Most who have ridden 29ers say they have improved momentum, stability, and traction and that they are simply more fun to ride. Riders often make comments that their 29er is like riding a 4x4 or a tractor and they feel like they can get over anything.

Some riders frown on the idea of buying a 29er as a first bike or your only mountain bike and that it is better for only some riding conditions. Others say it is the perfect bike for all riding conditions. Regardless, the 29er is gaining in popularity and presents itself as a viable contender that is not going away anytime soon.

Where to Find 29ers

96er or 69er Mountain Bike

The 96er mountain bike may also be a good alternative for a shorter rider because it allows for a smaller frame than the 29er. There are not a lot of 96ers on the market yet so they tend to be a little pricey, but as more companies start making them, prices will hopefully drop.

Is Bigger Better? Share your Opinion about 29er Mountain Bikes

Are 29er mountain bikes just a passing fad or are they the wave of the future? Tell us what you think about this controversy here!

Read What Other Mountain Bikers Say About 29ers

Click on the links below to see whether or not other riders believe 29er mountain bikes are superior and why...

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