Are 29ers for the shorter people among us?
March 14th, 2006 by Tim GrahlI do know that there’s 15” frame bikes out there, but I keep hearing conflicting reports about “height restrictions” on 29ers. Some folks seem to be saying that shorter people would not enjoy or get as much out of the “29er experience” as they should, saying that basically if you’re under 5’9, you’re better off sticking to 26” wheels. These are, I have to say, folks who I do give serious props to when it comes to their knowledge. What are your thoughts on this?
– Gaz
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I think it’s more a matter of your riding style than your height. I’m 5′ 8″ and 145 lbs and will never go back to a 26″ wheel MTB. I feel more stable and comfortable than I ever did on a “regular” MTB. The biggest fit change I had to make was going to a wider bar (26 inch) b/c I ride a Rig Singlespeed and need the extra tourque for the climbs. The downhills are more fun with a wider bar too
I’m 5′8″ and I ride a 15″ Fisher Rig. I used to be on a 17.5″ Fisher Mt. Tam 29″ before that. I echo the comments above. Stability, traction and rollover ability benefit anyone who will fit it.
Height is not the ultimate factory, however it does need to be taken into consideration. Just like road bikes, when 29er MTB frame size decreases, so does room for wheels and standover height. At a certain frame size, it makes more sense to reduce wheel size rather than make crazy concessions to frame geometry. That’s one of the reasons why you see 650c wheel size on small road frames and touring frames. Even with sloping top tubes and “bent” seat tubes (ala Karate Monkey) you reach a point of diminishing returns. A 29er in a really small size can feel/look very much out of proportion.
There are folks who would argue that, but I don’t see too many short riders on 29ers for those reasons. Not too mention that your rider weight to bike weight ratio decreases as rider weight decreases. Anyone remember their 30 pound kid bikes from years ago? There’s a reason why the kid can’t maneuver the bikes deftly and it’s not just wheel size.
I went with 29ers because I’m a 6′ 210 gorilla who wanted something more comfortable and less squirrely. My other friends that ride are all 5′ 11″ - 6′ 8″.
Well, actually one of the biggest limiting factors on 29 inch wheeled bikes for smaller folks is the “fixed” rake figure used for suspension fork geometry. This is an arcane transposition from 26″ wheeled bikes. Because the forks offset cannot be manipulated, toe overlap issues become a bigger problem than they need to. This also adversely affects top tube length in smaller sizes as well. So, it’s a double whammy for small riders seeking out big wheeled benefits.
As far as custom rigid bikes go, they are not restrained by such concerns. I have seen a 29″er on mtbr.com that was made for a 5′2″ lady, and apparently, she loves it. If suspension fork manufacturers would consider an offset that was “29″er friendly”, it would do wonders for those seeking a traditionally suspended hardtail or full suspension 29″er in a smaller size.
This is not a big dealer. I agree with a large portion of these comments. But the long n the short of it for me is this.
5′8″, 30″ inseam more or less, ride a 15″ Rig. Love it. Do I love my 1×1, sure do. Do I love the 29″ ride? Oh hell yeah. I notice little to no difference in the geometry of the Rig vs the 1×1. Really. They feel quite similiar on that end.
Final note: A woman a friend of a friend knows rides a 15″ Rig. She’s 5-4 and won’t ride 26″ any more.
Giddy up!
so if i have a 27″ ( okay 26 1/2″ )inch in-seam , i am out of luck ? with the 15″ Rig , i am on either side of the top tube if you know what i mean . but i really want to get a 29″ .
The Rig has quite a tall BB. With 165mm cranks to match your legs, the BB could be 30mm lower and not cause any serious problems. Then, a custom 29″ frame with a curved top tube could offer even better standover clearance.
A Rig frame will sell for ~$300 when new, a simply custom steel SS frame with curved top tube might be around $700-800. Sell the Reba fork for $250-300, buy a used Surly KM fork for $60. Cheap complete custom bike!
I am 5-9 with a short inseam 29″. I am on a niner SIR 15″. This bike would fit a much smaller rider. I use a 9cm stem and a 410mm seat post. A shorter rider could go shorter on both and ride. I am a better rider on a 29er. I have a rig single speed as well. The only problem for a shorter person might be the genesis geometry with the long top tube. Try 29 and all will be fine!!!!!
i am 5′2″ . all ( both )will be painful because i am sitting on the top tube of a 15″ Rig . my Trek 26″ mtb has a 13″ frame . to make it worse i want a full suspension 29″ . but they wont make the fisher 292 anymore .
True, no 292, but remember there will be the Race Day series that will have 29″ versions.
I’m short…5-4″ My main ride is a One Niner in a size small frame. I don’t have any problems with standover or moving around on the bike at all. Actually, i’m currently trying to get a SIR 9′er in a medium size.
I have ridden bikes with frames that are “too big for me” all my life, so i’m used to it. As long as I can reach the pedals, that’s good enough for me.
29′ers are fantastic off-road. I don’t want to ever go back to smaller wheels.
R.
I’m 5′10″ and feel I’m just tall enough for a 29 in the dirt. See Titus for what they think. Sure smaller folks (low fives) love their bikes. There are always zealots….
look at the sizing scale for the fisher 292 vs. raceday 29″ . 26.9″ to 28.5″ is alot of a difference . must be because of the major sloping top tube on the 292 .
superdosser: Do you love your bike? If anyone loves any kind of bike, are they a zealot? Are you? This logic that people that are passionate about 29″ers are somehow “zealots” is baffling to me. Please explain.
Ted, I think the term “zealot” is meant to apply to people that take up a banner and wave it just to do it. And I do understand the notion. I have friends that have one of each major archetype of bike. One friend just got a ($2000) 29er frame custom built after never having ridden one. People like that who buy into certain things because of the buzz way be proscribed the label “zealot”.
Personally, I could really care less. Get out and ride!
i have a Soma Juice in 16″ which has a curved top tube.
Standover is 27″ which will fit a lot of short legs.
Price was 370.
Sizing for small riders is really not much of an issue.
Zealot “A fanatically committed person”
Not always bad. I’m a zealot about no-suspension. I’m I right/wrong? Who knows or cares — but I know I’m a little wacky from main stream on some issues…..
I’m a little to no suspension guy myself. Not passing judgment, just adding fat to chew on.
: )
I couldn’t help respond to the comment that the fisher 292 is no longer available. I am a trek/fisher dealer, and although it is true that this bike was left out of the ‘06 catalog, it, along with the 293, is back for 2006 and is in stock and orderable thru your friendly fisher dealer. You can see it online at fisherbikes.com. True, the genesis geometry’s longer toptube isn’t great for shorter riders, but the 16″ size 292/293 should have plenty of standover clearance (26.9″).
I ride a 2006 fisher paragon 2-9 ‘er and am 5′ 6″. It is a perfect fit. I had ‘99 Paragon as well which also fit perfectly even though the riding position is a bit different. The Genesis geometry is the primary reason I ride GF.
I’m really concerned that companies are selling ill-fitting bikes just so they can ride the cash wave of people buying into 29ers. There’s no question in my mind 29ers are a viable option for some people, but our general opinion over here is that shorter people are better off on 26″ wheels. That doesn’t mean that if you are 5ft 4ins and currently ride a 29er that it will seem okay to you, but I think it’s up to companies to raise the bar and do their homework in regards to the physical restraints 29ers put on fit and handling and not compromise quality of design just to make a buck. These factors are real - they’re not some attempt to ‘quell the movement’ or any such nonsense - they’re real world factors that we believe should not be ignored in the quest to design the perfect bike for the perfect application that suits the physiology fo the customer in the best possible way.
You’ll see most companies now offering their smallest models with top tubes around 23″ - that’s something we’ve always offered and represents what we think is the smallest top tube dimension that will work with the 29er platform, and that means riders under about 5ft8-9 should probably stick to 26″ wheels.
Sure, there are custom companies out there that will build you whatever you want, but if more and more companies are begining to realise that 23″ is pretty much the bottom figure for whats viable, you have to start asking yourself if there probably isn’t something to that conclusion.
As I was once 5′4″, and now shrinking with age to more like 5′ 3″, I’ve always had it with the market telling ME what to ride, wear, etc. but ultimately BUY. Sure, logically, maybe 29″ wheels roll over medium size holes and rocks more easily than smaller wheels; SO WHAT! Missy Giove on a Stingray will kick your sorry ass downhill, dude, get over it.
I will bet money YOUR tricked out 29″ ride will be made obsolete in
with all respect to Missy Giove ………………. i dont think she is that concerned about hitting her b–ls on the top tube , as i am .
I’ve got a 30″ inseam, and stand at 5′5″ and enjoy riding a 15.5″ x-caliber without an iota of concern towards bike fit, as it feels and rides perfect!. My prior ride for 5 years was a 14″ Devinci Phantom, I used to miss it alot, NOT ANYMORE and am glad it got stolen, the worst I can wish for the thief is that he never gets to ride a 29er. LOL.
The opinions here are rather humorous. take a ride.