A few years ago, when I talked about mountain bikes with 29″ wheels, I got a lot of blank stars. Now more people are taking notice of this off-road option. 29ers are frames and forks built around wheels that are 3″ larger than the average mountain bike.
Big wheels go over obstacles quicker and smoother than 26″ wheels because they have a lower angle of attack. Sections with choppy roots can be attacked much faster if you keep up the speed. “I don’t have to accelerate so often. Also, it increases the safety factor, as many times I have missed an obstacle and the bump acted as a speed bump instead of throwing me over the bars. This is especially important later in a mount when you get tired and your reaction time runs out.
In mud and sand, the 29″ wheel doesn’t sink as much as a 26″ wheel. It’s like a snowshoe in soft conditions. I also find that they track better on soft surfaces. It’s easier to keep a straight line, allowing you to take the shortest distance through the sand without losing momentum to the front wheel.
The larger wheel size also creates a longer contact patch resulting in improved traction for climbing hills and cornering. This is really noticeable on those steep, loose climbs where you turn half the time. The 29 just crosses them. I find myself leading our pack on the nastiest climbs because my bike allows me to climb them. In the corners you can safely carry more speed, which reduces the need to throttle as much out of the corner The ability to maintain a higher speed in a wide variety of conditions reduces fatigue on long rides, which is one of the reasons they are so popular with endurance racers Plus, the taller axles on the wheels 29″ make the endo much less of an issue. 29ers are a bit heavier than 26s built in exactly the same way due to the larger wheels, but I’ve found the advantages more than make up for it.
For taller riders, the increase in wheel size really helps keep the bike’s balanced handling. As frame size increases, the rider gets higher on the trucks, making the top of the bike heavier and more likely to get endos. As a bonus, the bike also looks better since you no longer have this huge frame with tiny-looking wheels.
While they can be great for taller riders, shorter riders still enjoy the benefits. I’m 5’8″ and I love how they ride. I haven’t had a 26″ wheeled mountain bike in 7 years because every 26″ bike I’ve tried since feels twitchy.
Originally you could only get them from Gary Fisher, but now just about every company has 29″ers in the lineup. They come in a few different styles including: front suspension, full suspension, and single speed.
My personal favorites are Salsa and Soma. The Mamasita Sauce will turn into a 24-pound hardtail racing machine that is a rocket ship. You can attack hills as if you were on a road bike, but with confidence and stability on the descents.
If you’re looking for a new mountain bike, check out the 29er option. It could change the way you ride.
