Just built a 29'er. Will I ever ride on 26" wheels again?

[Mr.Toad]

Re:

Just my 2 cents.

I have and ride a 26" (Indy Fab) and a 29" (Niner SIR).

Both steel frames, both rigid forks, both lightweight single speeds with similar gearing, and excellent handling machines.

I've spent enough time on each to see the pros and cons of each design and in the end there is certainly no right or wrong wheel size. I used to surf so I see these bikes in a similar way to surfboards. The Indy (26") is super agile and enjoys getting a little air, the Niner (29") cruises like a long board and just sticks to the ground.

What this means to me is any ride under 20 miles is usually more exciting and fun on the IF. Anything over 20mi the Niner is far more comfortable, in fact I rode my SIR on a 2 person 24 hour race which I would never consider on the IF.

The biggest challenge I have on the 29" are super tight switchbacks. The taller/longer bike can just be too much to hustle around a corner. Also the wheels are heavier of course.

Anyway both sizes are great!

 

[wookiee]

Re:

...looks like that makes me a longboard! To throw another analogy its like skiing or snowboarding. Skiing being more agile (26"), and boarders more cruising (29")?

I'd agree with that theory.

 

[The History Man]

Yep.

 

[Mike Muz]

Yep.

Is the mutt trying to hump your Rourke?

 

[PurpleFrog]

You can chose to disbelieve without being rude about the views and experiences of numerous others. It is this kind of ignorance I suggest GJW overcomes.

Saying that reported experience may not be accurate and that it could be altered by the placebo effect or otherwise misleading is not "rude" and still less ignorant. It is simply facing reality. See eg

http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/2008/01/ ... es-better/
Twenty subjects tasted five wine samples which were distinguished solely by their retail price, with bottles ranging from $5 to $90. Although the subjects were told that all five wines were different, the scientists had actually only given them three different wines. This meant that the first two wines were used twice, but given two different price labels. For example, Wine 1 was labeled as a $35 dollar wine and a $5 wine. The subjects sipped the wines inside an MRI machine.

Not surprisingly, the subjects consistently reported that the expensive wine tasted better. They preferred the taste of the $90 bottle to the $10 bottle, and thought the $45 bottle was more delicious than than the $5 wine.

What’s interesting is that the brain scans reflected these subjective reports.

That's how powerful the placebo effect is. Reading back I can't find anything objectionable. You might not like it, but no one is obliged to accept your subjective experience as gospel.

 

[The History Man]

Rude is rude. And that's subjective as well. And I know it's not just me who thinks it.

Pity really as this was an interesting thread until the views and actual experiences of a number of the contributors were dismissed so freely. Nice.

I'm out.

 

[GrahamJohnWallace]

Re:

You can chose to disbelieve without being rude about the views and experiences of numerous others. It is this kind of ignorance I suggest GJW overcomes. Or is he the only one in step? Whatever the reason, our experiences being dismissed in such a condescending manner is the issue.

It would appear that the idea that there may be a "placebo effect" involved in peoples assessment of larger wheel sizes seems to have hit a nerve. However, can not conceive how throwing such ideas into a debate can be considered 'rude', 'ignorant' and 'condescending'.

Throwing "left field" notions into discussions is what I like to do. It is intended to challenge pre-conceived ideas and to provoke thought, not put down the ideas of others. Often my random comments are flawed and lead nowhere. However, occasionally they take the discussion somewhere unexpected and interesting.

And larger contact area? I run 30psi in the 29er and have to be much higher for 26. This would improve 'feel' also.

If running tyres at lower pressures than other bikes is a common behavior amongst 29er riders, then this alone could explain the "rolls better" than experience.

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

I do feel that heated, passionate debate where peoples bickering takes prcedence over opinions is not for a furum such as this. That's what the house of commons is for.
We simply choose to ride the bike (s) that give us the most pleasure from the experience.
Whether that be riding 26", 650b, or 29", who's to say what we as individuals should ride?
So just get out on your bikes and enjoy it for what it is, FUN!

Mike

 

[stevet1]

Re:

FWIW I value GJW input on any thread, and this one is no exception. Those who have taken offence seem to have overreacted, almost as though GJW has hit a nerve
I firmly believe theres room for every wheel size and am happy that the choice is there. Just hope that choice will remain for my chosen wheel size.

 

[PurpleFrog]

So. Back to 29er geometry. I'm fairly sure, looking at the attack angle, that increased rollover based simply on wheel size can't explain what I'd call reasonably credible reports of the differences. Which shouldn't be surprising as all bicycle stability and cornering traits are the products of the interaction between wheels - forces from one wheel exert a critical effect on the other.