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

[Totoro]

I'm going to have to have a go on a 29'er as I'm looking for a second bike and I don't trust some of you lol.

 

[stevet1]

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.

I think 3 factors are combining here -
BB further below the wheel axles
larger wheel conserving momentum more (bigger flywheel)
longer wheelbase

All of which add up to a smoother, more stable ride.

 

[coomber]

Surely height helps as well? Front end high, more weight further back?

 

[Mike Muz]

Surely height helps as well? Front end high, more weight further back?

Unless you're riding on uphill technical stuff mate. Also not so good on REALLY twisty technical trails. simply feels more cumbersome then. Not massively so, but noticeable nevertheless.
All depends on where you choose to ride.

Mike

 

[coomber]

Re:

Yes of course mike, sorry didnt explain, I meant for the rolling better comments in general.

 

[suburbanreuben]

Re:

Do any of you phanbhoys have experience of a good modern 26"er or are you making the leap from ancient jalopy to modern bike that just happens to have 29" wheels...
...and fits you properly?
The number of 7 footers on here that claim an 18" frame is right for them... :roll:

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

Yes better for general stuff and definitely confidence inspiring on downhill sections. Something I am lacking in. Can't wait to see yours finished mister

Mike

 

[coomber]

Re:

Yeah I have had a few good modern bikes.. A good modern Kona and a few modern saracen zens upgraded a lot. They were good bikes.

Want to try something more slack and like big wheels. What's not to like?

 

[Minifreak]

Just spent the day cycling around the trails of the Cannop cycle centre in the Forest of Dean on a hired Cube hard tail 29er, I cannot believe the speed you can get on the larger wheels! As said before though, a 26er feels more at home in the twist and turns and certainly easier to man handle in tricky bits and jumps better.

This was only my first proper ride on a 29er and I think any modern bike I now have is likely to have the larger wheels. I recently bought a 2013 Specialized FSR comp carbon 29er which I've not had the chance to ride seriously yet. After today I cannot wait

 

[GrahamJohnWallace]

Re:

Here are some questions for other 29er owners, the answers to which may help me with my current direction of thinking...

When you pump up the tyres on your 29er, do you:

A/ use a gauge to set them to a specific pressure?

B/ pump them up until they look right when you put your body weight on the bike?

Another question is, are the recommended lowest tyre pressures written on the side of 29er tyres lower than for the equivalent 26" or 650b?