{"id":49475,"date":"2023-05-18T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=279611"},"modified":"2023-05-18T15:35:37","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T13:35:37","slug":"what-are-29in-mountain-bike-wheels-our-guide-to-29er-mountain-bikes","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/what-are-29in-mountain-bike-wheels-our-guide-to-29er-mountain-bikes\/","title":{"rendered":"What are 29in mountain bike wheels? Our guide to 29er mountain bikes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pros and cons of big-wheeled mountain bikes explained <\/p>

By Alex Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

29in mountain bike wheels, often referred to as 29ers, are a popular wheel size, offering higher rolling speeds and more stability than 26in and 27.5in wheels.<\/p>\n

Due to their fast rolling speeds, its common to see 29in wheels used in all mountain bike disciplines from cross-country<\/a> and trail to enduro and downhill \u2013 with the only notable exception being dirt jump bikes<\/a>, which use 26in wheels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While not as nimble as 27.5in<\/a> wheels, many manufactures take advantage of both wheel sizes by giving their bike a \u2018MX\u2019 or \u2018Mullet\u2019 setup<\/a>, where the front of the bike uses a larger 29in wheel and the rear uses the 27.5in size.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll cover everything you need to know about 29ers, including where they came from and their pros and cons.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is a 29in wheel?<\/h2>\n
\""YT\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
29in wheels are popular on trail bikes because they make covering ground easier.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

For the uninitiated, the stated size of a mountain bike wheel is the approximate diameter from tyre edge to tyre edge.<\/p>\n

Mountain bike 29in rims share their diameter with the road bike 700c wheels<\/a> standard that\u2019s been commonplace since our tarmac-loving brethren adopted the old 27in outer-rim diameter hoops as their standard wheel size.<\/p>\n

\""Maxxis\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Maxxis Minion DHF is available in a host of sizes, including for 29in wheels.<\/span><\/figcaption> Dan Milner\/MBUK<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Mountain bike 29in rims are going to be wider, stronger and heavier than their roadie equivalents, however.<\/p>\n

While you\u2019re unlikely to find a 26in wheel and tyre combination that\u2019s got a similar outer diameter to a 29er, some larger 650b\/27.5in wheels and tyres might come close.<\/p>\n

In reality, though, 29in wheels are currently the largest standard mountain bike wheel size available.<\/p>\n

What are the advantages of 29in wheels?<\/h2>\n
\""Male\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A 29in wheel size excels on bumpy trails.<\/span><\/figcaption> Man Down Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The main reason that bigger hoops roll more evenly is the angle of curve. Try rolling a shot glass along the table, then do the same with a pint glass. A pint glass is significantly easier.<\/p>\n

A shallower angle of curve isn\u2019t as affected by bumps and dips because it bridges the gaps that form hard edges. That\u2019s why riding a BMX down a \ufb02ight of stairs is harder than it is on a mountain bike.<\/p>\n

Taken to its logical conclusion, a wheel could be made big enough to simply \ufb01ll the hard-edged gaps that form a series of steps and roll the edges like a slope.<\/p>\n

\""MY23\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
29in wheels provide more stability because they can roll over obstacles easier and allow frames to have lower centres of gravity.<\/span><\/figcaption> Mick Ross<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

There are many factors to consider here. A typical 29er will feel more stable than your average 26in or 27.5in bike. That\u2019s partly because of the longer wheelbase and the longer back end to make room for the bigger wheels.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also because your bottom bracket is further below the wheels\u2019 axles \u2013 known as BB drop \u2013 than on 26in and 27.5in-wheeled bikes.<\/p>\n

Although the wheel axles are roughly 1.5in higher on 29ers than on 26in-wheeled bikes, a figure that gets smaller for 27.5in wheels, you\u2019re still sat lower between the wheel axles on a 29er compared to the smaller wheel sizes.<\/p>\n

\""DT\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Wheel radius has to take into account rim and tyre size.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

So, while a big-wheeler on its own generally has a higher gravity centre (think of the sideways tipping point) than smaller-wheeled bikes, a 29er with a rider on board is actually more stable because the person\u2019s body weight is on an axis that\u2019s below the wheels\u2019 axles.<\/p>\n

In terms of the way handling is affected by geometry, designers have made leaps and bounds since 29ers first launched.<\/p>\n

A 29er can now be as responsive and quick to corner and react as most 26in and 27.5in-wheeled bikes.<\/p>\n

What are the disadvantages of 29in wheels?<\/h2>\n
\""Polygon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The pros of 29in wheels seem to outweigh the cons.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

In short, it\u2019s becoming clear there aren\u2019t a huge number of disadvantages to riding a 29in-wheeled bike.<\/p>\n

However, bigger wheels and tyres do tend to weigh more, so they don\u2019t accelerate as well. And, while they roll over square-edged bumps more easily, they won\u2019t accelerate down the other sides as quickly.<\/p>\n

You also need to consider the pros and cons of some geometry compromises that need to be made to accommodate the bigger wheels and whether a longer and bigger bike is right for you.<\/p>\n

Who are 29in wheels for?<\/h2>\n
\""male\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A lot of downhill riders use 29in wheels for their speed and trail-flattening ability.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Behr<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Ultimately, 29in wheels are going to provide benefits for a lot of people, no matter their ability or preferred discipline.<\/p>\n

For beginners, the extra grip, stability and smoothness will help them access higher speeds and trickier terrain more easily.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re an intermediate rider, you\u2019ll find that you should experience the same benefits as beginners, but will be able to ride even quicker. The same can be said for people with high levels of skill, too.<\/p>\n

\""Laura\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Cross-country bikes are almost exclusively 29in.<\/span><\/figcaption> UCI Mountain Bike World Series<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Cross-country riders will enjoy the smoother-riding, faster-rolling bike and added control afforded by the big hoops. People who ride trail bikes<\/a>, all-mountain or enduro bikes<\/a> will be able to ride quicker, with more grip and brake later \u2014 their bikes feeling smoother and faster than smaller-hooped rigs.<\/p>\n

Downhill riders, arguably the most recent group to benefit from the wagon wheels thanks to the late adoption and slow development of the tech, often claim large-wheeled bikes are smoother, quicker and easier to control.<\/p>\n

However, if you\u2019re riding tight, 180-degree switchbacks all day long or just stick to riding dirt jumps and pump tracks, it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll benefit from 29in wheels.<\/p>\n

A history lesson: where did 29in wheels come from?<\/h2>\n
\""Hunt\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The bigger the better?<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Way back in 1986, Dr Alex Moulton, famous for his comfy small wheelers, made a 20in-wheel, all-terrain bike. Unfortunately, the Moulton ATB had a fairly fundamental \ufb02aw. Its 20in wheels were unduly disturbed by all the little dips and bumps you\u2019d barely notice on a 26er.<\/p>\n

So, despite the comfort and control of Moulton\u2019s suspension \u2013 in an era when most mountain bikes were fully rigid \u2013 his ATB wasn\u2019t around for long.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever ridden a BMX on a proper mountain bike trail, you\u2019ll know it\u2019s not a great experience. Smaller wheels, not to mention shorter wheelbases, are harder to ride on bumpy ground. Think about it. All other things being equal, a bigger wheel\u2019s shallow angle of curve rolls over uneven terrain more easily.<\/p>\n

But can we also assume that bigger wheels will roll over rough surfaces faster? Not always. Complications arise when you introduce stuff that plays with the \u2018all other things being equal\u2019 bit, because they never are.<\/p>\n

When the \ufb01rst mainstream 29ers rolled out, they showed potential but were hindered by a limited choice of suspension forks<\/a> and geometry that essentially tried to mimic that of 26ers.<\/p>\n

Gary Fisher\u2019s early Genesis measurements were promising, but it\u2019s only in the last couple of years that designers have truly started to understand the differences between ideal 26er geometry and ideal 29er geometry.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just down to tweaking frame angles. The length of the fork, stem, top tube and bottom bracket all have a bearing on the overall stability and ride feel of the complete bike.<\/p>\n

Take suspension. In theory, all forms of it, including big tyres, make terrain seem smoother. But \ufb01tting suspension around 29in wheels is more complicated than it is for 26in ones. Without redesigning frames, there\u2019s not enough room to \ufb01t things in.<\/p>\n

Bigger wheels will usually require a different frame geometry to make a bike behave at its best.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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