Wednesday, 28 September 2011

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

By Solomon Isaacs


If you're planning on buying a new mountain bike, the decision making process might not be as simple as you think. There's so much to think about. Which brand should you choose? Should you choose hard tail or full suspension? And now you have the choice between a regular 26 inch wheel or the larger 29 inch. All of these choices can be extremely daunting and it can be difficult to know what the best option is.

29inch or '29er' wheels are a relatively new idea that is fast making its way into the mainstream. There is plenty of debate flying around as to whether the 29er out-performs the standard 26inch wheel. There are many pros and cons for each and careful consideration needs to be taken in order to make the right choice. Before you part with your money, you need to make sure that you have absolutely made the right choice for you.

On first thought, you may think that there isn't a great deal of difference between the 26er and the 29er, but don't be fooled! You just have to put the two side-by-side to see for yourself just how big a difference there is. It may only be three inches, but this makes all the difference, in a number of ways. There is a huge debate for a reason!

One of the greatest benefits that riders get from 29inch wheels is that small rocks, bumps and other minor obstacles are tackled with the greatest of ease. Bumps and divots are practically unnoticeable and you get very much the same ride as you'd expect from a dual suspension bike due to the increased weight and decrease manoeuvrability. There are many people that have made the decision to trade in full suspension for the hard tailed 29ers.

29inch wheels can run at lower pressure than the standard 26inch wheel. This increases the surface area of the wheel, meaning that you get more grip and a straighter ride. However, this extra grip and the sheer size of the wheel mean that it is more difficult to turn on tight corners. If you are prone to taking to more technically challenging trails with tight, twisty tracks, then a standard 26inch wheel might be the better option. However, if you are looking for a more solid ride with the knowledge that you have the best grip available, 29er could well be the choice for you.




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