MTB Why are 29ers considered better then the legacy 26” or 27” tires?

Asked by: Pamela Rollins

What is better 27 or 29 mountain bike?

Simply put, a 29er offers more speed, efficiency and stability, while a 27.5-inch bike offers a snappier trail feel. So unless you are particularly tall or small then the choice of wheel size very much depends on the trail you ride and your personal preference for the ride feel.

Why is a 29er better mountain bike?

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.

What is better 27.5 vs 29ers?

27.5-inch wheels are typically quicker to accelerate when compared to 29ers, which is mainly a result of their lower weight that requires less effort to spin. This can be great if your local trails include a lot of slowing down and accelerating through tight turns and short uphill sections.

Why are 27.5 wheels better than 26?

Larger wheels hold more speed than smaller wheels due to rotational inertia, making the 27.5″ a faster ride than a conventional 26″ wheel. Once you get moving, it’s easier to stay moving.

What are the pros and cons of 27.5 vs 29?

In general, 27.5-inch mountain bikes accelerate faster, are more maneuverable weigh less and are more suitable for shorter riders. 29ers accelerate a bit slower but are better at maintaining speed, have more traction, weight a bit more and are better for taller riders.

Do 29ers climb better?

29ers are better up hills. Bigger wheels are heavier which works against you when climbing, so in this respect it’s a myth. However, if the climb is littered with rocks and steps, the bigger wheel will roll over these momentum sapping obstacles with less effort.

What is the difference between 26 and 29-inch mountain bike?

The difference between the strike angle of a 26-inch wheel and a 29-inch wheel (over the wooden block) is only about 5 percent, but the cumulative effect of rolling up and over a 5-percent steeper angle thousands of times a mile adds up quickly. The larger-diameter 29-inch wheel has noticeably less rolling resistance.

How tall should you be for a 29-inch bike?

If you’re 5’6″ or taller, you’ll be able to find a 29er bike that fits you well. So to answer your question, mountain bikers looking to ride a 29er bike should be at least 5’6″ tall. As always, remember to test ride several bikes before choosing the best fit for your height.

How much faster are 29ers?

In the end, the 29ers came in 7.5 seconds ahead of the 26ers—a 2.4-percent speed increase—without making the riders work harder, as there were no differences in power output, cadence, time spent coasting, work, or heart rate.

Which is better for trail 27.5 or 29?

Take test rides: As you consider 27.5 and 29 in. wheels, keep in mind that the best way to learn the differences is to feel them for yourself.



27.5” vs. 29er: Which Mountain Bike is Right for Me?

Are 29ers harder to jump?

29ers and 27.5 bikes tend to have comparable performance when it comes to jumping. 29ers carry more speed downhill, which offsets their slightly heavier weight on jumps. For climbing hills, 29ers may take more effort to accelerate, but they also roll over obstacles more easily, helping you maintain momentum.

How tall should you be for a 27.5 inch bike?

27.5 inch bikes are suitable for adults between 5’2” and 5’10”. That said, adults of all heights can ride this wheel size. Some brands claim that 27.5” wheels are especially useful for riders 5’7” and under.

What is the most popular MTB wheel size?

Most mountain bikes today are offered in one of two wheel sizes: 27.5˝ (also know as 650b) or 29˝ (called 29ers), with traditional 26˝ wheels reserved for dirt jump, freeride, and kids’ bikes.

How much bigger is 27.5 than 26?

“27.5in” rims are only 1in wider in rim diameter than 26in. They’re 1.5in smaller in diameter than 29in rims.

Can you wheelie on a 29er?

Registered. In my experience, 29ers wheelie just fine. In fact, I’d go as far to say they’re even easier to wheelie than a smaller bike. A short back end on a bike may make it easier to loft the front, but it does absolutely nothing to keep you in the balance point sweet spot.

Is 27 inch bike for what size person?

Road bike sizing chart

What is a 29er bike good for?

A 29er bike is a mountain bike with 29 inch wheels, a wheel size that has become the most popular and most capable for trail riding. 29er bikes are great for all types of rides and they offer lots of performance benefits that can make riding easier, faster, and more fun.

What is the difference between 26 and 29 inch mountain bike?

The difference between the strike angle of a 26-inch wheel and a 29-inch wheel (over the wooden block) is only about 5 percent, but the cumulative effect of rolling up and over a 5-percent steeper angle thousands of times a mile adds up quickly. The larger-diameter 29-inch wheel has noticeably less rolling resistance.

Is 29er faster than 26?

In the end, the 29ers came in 7.5 seconds ahead of the 26ers—a 2.4-percent speed increase—without making the riders work harder, as there were no differences in power output, cadence, time spent coasting, work, or heart rate.

Are 29er bikes faster?

The result was clear — riders’ times were, on average, 7.5 seconds faster round two entire laps on the 29er than 26in. That corresponds to a performance improvement of 2.4 per cent. Every one of the 10 was fastest on the 29er and each, before being told their times, had also rated the 29er as giving a better ride.

Are 26 inch wheels being phased out?

Unfortunately, the market decided 26 was obsolete before progressive geometry existed. Therefore, all 26ers are obsolete.