I wasn't really thinking about this, but I have been contemplating a new bike. I am not necessarily a newb, but just now getting more serious about biking after quite a bit of time off. (My son's are finally big enough to tag along on rides.)
I was talking to the guys at my LBS about finally replacing my 1990 MTB with a modern one. I was eyeing a 2006 Cannondale F600 and was almost ready to break out the checkbook because they had marked it down 20% to clear the floor for the new models.
The staff was telling me that for my size 29er was the way to go. I am 6'2" and really hadn't given it any consideration, but I am not a stubborn person. Anyway, I walked out without the F600 because I wanted to give some thought to the 29er. I lurked around in the 29er forum a bit, but their opinions aren't going to be unbiased. Are there any drawbacks to the big wheels???
I wasn't really thinking about this, but I have been contemplating a new bike. I am not necessarily a newb, but just now getting more serious about biking after quite a bit of time off. (My son's are finally big enough to tag along on rides.)
I was talking to the guys at my LBS about finally replacing my 1990 MTB with a modern one. I was eyeing a 2006 Cannondale F600 and was almost ready to break out the checkbook because they had marked it down 20% to clear the floor for the new models.
The staff was telling me that for my size 29er was the way to go. I am 6'2" and really hadn't given it any consideration, but I am not a stubborn person. Anyway, I walked out without the F600 because I wanted to give some thought to the 29er. I lurked around in the 29er forum a bit, but their opinions aren't going to be unbiased. Are there any drawbacks to the big wheels???
I'm not sure. I like the idea of a 29 for XC for bigger riders, not so sure on freeride or such. But I think that all 29er are more XC stuff than jumping/hucking/etc..
What I don't like about 29ers is that you'll have less choices on tires or forks if you decide to change tires later on. I think that the market is adapting and newer 29 tires are coming out, so this point might not be important.
I think that on the bikes, as in cycling, there is a balance, and everything you do, modifies the balance. You get very good things as a large rider on 29, but also, I've heard that sometimes, some wheels are flexier because they are larger. I think that they are using stronger rims and spokes, so as the last point, this might be not as big an issue as in the past.
Maybe you should try both bikes, and see how they feel. I think that the Cannondale bike is a very good choice, but it's worth a try to see which 29er you could get, and how it feels while riding it.
i dont have any first hand experience, but i like the question since ive been thinking about 29ers as well. i wonder how successful it will become, whether a niche market or a trend that dominates the industry. i lean towards thinking it will be the former, but i guess time will tell.
i went to the niner site and looked at their faq. it was good, but probably a bit biased. but i saw some things from salsas catalogue that i found helpful...
advantages:
#1 bigger wheels roll over obstacles more easily than smaller wheels
#2 bigger wheels maintain momentum better
#3 bigger wheels have more contact with the ground = more traction when breaking, steering and climbing
#4 bigger wheels will travel further in one rotation than smaller wheels, so more distance per pedal rotation
#5 bigger wheels smooth out rough terrain (ie, holes and depressions) better since the wheel wont go in as deeply
disadvantages
#1 bigger wheels weigh more = harder to accelerate and decelerate
#2 bigger wheels are not as strong because of longer spokes, greater torsional loads
#3 bigger wheels necessitate a longer wheelbase
#4 bigger wheels make fitting smaller riders more difficult
keep in mind, these pros and cons are considered with all else being equal. ive noticed that a lot of 29er folks will object to these disadvantages by citing better (lighter, stronger) wheel materials. but i think the cons listed are fair, assuming gains in wheel building would be realized for 26" wheels as well.
i second rzozaya, you should try them both and see what you like. hope that helps.
i dont have any first hand experience, but i like the question since ive been thinking about 29ers as well. i wonder how successful it will become, whether a niche market or a trend that dominates the industry. i lean towards thinking it will be the former, but i guess time will tell.
i went to the niner site and looked at their faq. it was good, but probably a bit biased. but i saw some things from salsas catalogue that i found helpful...
advantages:
#1 bigger wheels roll over obstacles more easily than smaller wheels
#2 bigger wheels maintain momentum better
#3 bigger wheels have more contact with the ground = more traction when breaking, steering and climbing
#4 bigger wheels will travel further in one rotation than smaller wheels, so more distance per pedal rotation
#5 bigger wheels smooth out rough terrain (ie, holes and depressions) better since the wheel wont go in as deeply
disadvantages
#1 bigger wheels weigh more = harder to accelerate and decelerate
#2 bigger wheels are not as strong because of longer spokes, greater torsional loads
#3 bigger wheels necessitate a longer wheelbase
#4 bigger wheels make fitting smaller riders more difficult
keep in mind, these pros and cons are considered with all else being equal. ive noticed that a lot of 29er folks will object to these disadvantages by citing better (lighter, stronger) wheel materials. but i think the cons listed are fair, assuming gains in wheel building would be realized for 26" wheels as well.
i second rzozaya, you should try them both and see what you like. hope that helps.
That is a perfect summary of the pros n cons. You just need to decide which applies to you more. Also, if your bike shop thinks 29ers are the go, get them to give u a test ride. It should be easy to decide then
One additional factor is bike fit, a tall person is in a better position on a 29er. Your center of gravity is lower relative to the wheels making you less likely to endo.
I am a self employed father of 5, so I don't do a lot of freeride, DJ, or downhill. I can't afford to be laid up too long and completely opposed to smashing my mellon. I ride more XC, some mountain and about 1/2 of the time the bike will be on paved paths with 2 kids en tow, 2 more on their own MTB, and one (hopefully this spring) joining on her BMX soon. I also have a roadie, but I can't ride that with the kids....it cruises way to fast for the boys to keep up.
Anyway my concern was with maneuverability. Typically what you get in stability you sacrifice in maneuverability. I guess I should just see if I can take one for a trail ride and see if I like it. I actually went to the LBS to pick up some parts for my sons build, and look at a full suspension. I really didn't like the squishy rear and ended up focusing on the F600 and started negotiating with the rep. Almost ready to commit when he suggested I look at the 29er. I liked the feel in the shop, but couldn't take it outside due to weather. Also, the 29er was a new concept for me and I kinda felt like it would have been an impulse purchase. I have made plenty of bad impulse buys in the past, so I thought better of walking out with a bike I hadn't intended on buying.
I have promised myself a new bike this spring, but I have to earn it by closing a couple deals first.
I'd not ridden a bike in nearly 3 years, then last August I bought a Gary Fisher Paragon 29er. I love riding it, so I guess I could be classed as a new guy going straight to a 29er
There are a billion threads about the pros and cons of 29ers in the 29er forum. I'm a newb, and had a 26" for a short time. I recently got a 29er, and I couldn't be happier. I love the fit and the ride even more now. I'm not particularly tall or heavy, so I think big wheels are great for anyone who can get one with a low enough stand-over.
As a newbie, I don't notice any of the negative effects of the 29er (I don't notice slower acceleration or sluggishness at all). I do notice that I can ride over bigger logs (which isn't saying a lot, but anyway.. )
I'm in love!
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