Comments on: 29 inch wheels are better than 26 inch wheels. The end. http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/ 29er Bike Reviews, Rumors and News Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:57:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Vic http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3367 Vic Tue, 05 Sep 2006 02:06:07 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3367 This original post is nonesense and just the sort of thing that makes wheel size neutral people like myself annoyed by this endless boring, devisive debate. The post stinks of the sort of sour grapes that don't result in a tasty beverage. Semi scientific testing up to this point says that the 26" is an overall better choice. Seat of the pants riding brings mixed reviews where some find the 29er to be the greatest thing ever, others don't feel it. I personally think 29ers are great and so are 26ers. It is nothing short of mindless instigation to state that "29inch wheels are better than 26 inch wheels. The end." This is not to say that owning a 29er is a bad choice, if you like it, you like it and you ought to have a great time on your bike. My next bike may very well be a 29er, that does not make it better "the end" it just makes it my choice. Choices are good. So, lets stop declaring one thing better than another and stop worrying about comparisons. I ride Campy on my road bike, I like it, I don't care if anybody thinks its better or worse than Shimano, THE END. This original post is nonesense and just the sort of thing that makes wheel size neutral people like myself annoyed by this endless boring, devisive debate. The post stinks of the sort of sour grapes that don’t result in a tasty beverage. Semi scientific testing up to this point says that the 26″ is an overall better choice. Seat of the pants riding brings mixed reviews where some find the 29er to be the greatest thing ever, others don’t feel it. I personally think 29ers are great and so are 26ers. It is nothing short of mindless instigation to state that “29inch wheels are better than 26 inch wheels. The end.” This is not to say that owning a 29er is a bad choice, if you like it, you like it and you ought to have a great time on your bike. My next bike may very well be a 29er, that does not make it better “the end” it just makes it my choice. Choices are good. So, lets stop declaring one thing better than another and stop worrying about comparisons. I ride Campy on my road bike, I like it, I don’t care if anybody thinks its better or worse than Shimano, THE END.

]]> By: spanky http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3273 spanky Thu, 31 Aug 2006 12:34:43 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3273 I like Ken's refrence to the ski industry or skis. Twenty or more years ago the number of powder skis could be counted on one hand. Not that many poeple had them. If you wanted good skis you skied race skis. There wasn't the 20 genres of skis to choose from there is now. Bicycles are the same way now. Ski & ride what you want. Just have a good time . I like Ken’s refrence to the ski industry or skis. Twenty or more years ago the number of powder skis could be counted on one hand. Not that many poeple had them. If you wanted good skis you skied race skis. There wasn’t the 20 genres of skis to choose from there is now. Bicycles are the same way now. Ski & ride what you want. Just have a good time .

]]> By: zhifchik http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3243 zhifchik Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:10:59 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3243 It's interesting to read this thread and postulate on the many comments about a lower/higher CofG on a 29er. I think that the stability issue that etse mentioned is what's important. The "cockpit" or riding position on a 29er is more between the wheels than over the wheels and while this may make manoeuverability slightly more difficult it should add to the enjoyment (quality?) of the ride. I have been switching between a normal SS and a 29er SS over the last few weeks and have found the 29er to be more stable and and gentler to ride. On some of the very technical stuff around home, climbing rocky switchbacks with ledges and the like, it has been challenging on the 29er (but that's fun eh!), but I have found the overall ride has been more enjoyable. Maybe it's just because it's new and different, but I don't think so. It’s interesting to read this thread and postulate on the many comments about a lower/higher CofG on a 29er. I think that the stability issue that etse mentioned is what’s important. The “cockpit” or riding position on a 29er is more between the wheels than over the wheels and while this may make manoeuverability slightly more difficult it should add to the enjoyment (quality?) of the ride. I have been switching between a normal SS and a 29er SS over the last few weeks and have found the 29er to be more stable and and gentler to ride. On some of the very technical stuff around home, climbing rocky switchbacks with ledges and the like, it has been challenging on the 29er (but that’s fun eh!), but I have found the overall ride has been more enjoyable. Maybe it’s just because it’s new and different, but I don’t think so.

]]> By: 20.100 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3200 20.100 Thu, 24 Aug 2006 20:49:05 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3200 CG is not lower, this is not true. BB drop is bigger, and that's what matter for OTB. CG is not lower, this is not true.
BB drop is bigger, and that’s what matter for OTB.

]]> By: swedge http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3190 swedge Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:58:37 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3190 Pardon my poor spelling!! It should be more not moor... DOH!!! Pardon my poor spelling!! It should be more not moor… DOH!!!

]]> By: swedge http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3189 swedge Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:56:21 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3189 Hey lets go all the way with the Zealot stuff, somebody needs to make a 29er FS recumbent mountain bike!!! (joking) I never said they were the best thing since sliced cheese, but for larger dimensioned folks with corresponding larger dimension engines aka (leggs), it makes since to have larger wheels!! You don’t see Hummers the real H1 versions running around with 145/70 series tires mounted on them!!! 26� sized wheels are fine for smaller folks. Big human diesel machines NEED bigger bikes that come with BIGGER wheels!! Would it make since to mount Smaller BMX sized wheels for CC riding? They would be stiffer, they could take one heck of a beating, the bike should be moor nimble, and lighter. But do you think that would make a good CC rig? Heck No…. folks my size would SINK if we hit any sand or endo constantly! Or worst feel like we are going to endo constantly! Also why was 26� decided to be THE defacto tire size? I own a custom built for me FS bike, it’s a great bike I like it, but it was built with the then standard 26� tire size, EVERYTHING else on the bike was made larger to accommodate me, EXCEPT the wheels. So why should HAVE to ride the same size wheels as say somebody that’s 5’5�??? It doesn’t make sense people are different sizes shapes and builds. As was said choice is a great thing. If you don’t like 29ers fine don’t get one, stick to the Kid sized wheels!!! *L* trust me they look kid sized when you ride a custom XLG frame!!! Hey lets go all the way with the Zealot stuff, somebody needs to make a 29er FS recumbent mountain bike!!! (joking) I never said they were the best thing since sliced cheese, but for larger dimensioned folks with corresponding larger dimension engines aka (leggs), it makes since to have larger wheels!! You don’t see Hummers the real H1 versions running around with 145/70 series tires mounted on them!!! 26� sized wheels are fine for smaller folks. Big human diesel machines NEED bigger bikes that come with BIGGER wheels!! Would it make since to mount Smaller BMX sized wheels for CC riding? They would be stiffer, they could take one heck of a beating, the bike should be moor nimble, and lighter. But do you think that would make a good CC rig? Heck No…. folks my size would SINK if we hit any sand or endo constantly! Or worst feel like we are going to endo constantly! Also why was 26� decided to be THE defacto tire size? I own a custom built for me FS bike, it’s a great bike I like it, but it was built with the then standard 26� tire size, EVERYTHING else on the bike was made larger to accommodate me, EXCEPT the wheels. So why should HAVE to ride the same size wheels as say somebody that’s 5’5�??? It doesn’t make sense people are different sizes shapes and builds. As was said choice is a great thing. If you don’t like 29ers fine don’t get one, stick to the Kid sized wheels!!! *L* trust me they look kid sized when you ride a custom XLG frame!!!

]]> By: Name:este http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3188 Name:este Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:47:58 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3188 Looked in a mirror lately? Someone who is willing to argue over a quarter of an inch of bicycle tire could easily be labeled as such by others, and rightly so. The root of the problem however is perhaps less about the zealotry of those that find 29" wheels to their liking over their previous love affair with 26" wheels than the defensiveness of the naysayers which seems to be fueling a constant blaze? As has been said many times over the years. They're bikes, get on one and ride! And I'll take the fat powder skiis please as they can go plenty fast enough for me on the groomers also! In fact I was just manuvering yesterday for a new pair.... Looked in a mirror lately? Someone who is willing to argue over a quarter of an inch of bicycle tire could easily be labeled as such by others, and rightly so.

The root of the problem however is perhaps less about the zealotry of those that find 29″ wheels to their liking over their previous love affair with 26″ wheels than the defensiveness of the naysayers which seems to be fueling a constant blaze? As has been said many times over the years. They’re bikes, get on one and ride!

And I’ll take the fat powder skiis please as they can go plenty fast enough for me on the groomers also! In fact I was just manuvering yesterday for a new pair….

]]> By: Cloxxki http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3178 Cloxxki Thu, 24 Aug 2006 04:48:18 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3178 I'm getting tired of that standard zealot rap. Show me some of those zealots please? Those that you are indicating are probably the ones still owning/riding a couple 26" bikes, or looking at other "weird" bike stuff and non-existent wheel size or considering kinds of riding not commonly known in the bike world. I’m getting tired of that standard zealot rap. Show me some of those zealots please? Those that you are indicating are probably the ones still owning/riding a couple 26″ bikes, or looking at other “weird” bike stuff and non-existent wheel size or considering kinds of riding not commonly known in the bike world.

]]> By: Ken http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3177 Ken Thu, 24 Aug 2006 04:40:59 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3177 One of the most annoying things about the 29er zealots is that they have decided - usually without much evidence - that 29ers are the be-all, end-all of bikes and pretty much close their minds after that. I heard enough from the local "drank the cooaid" 29er crowd to get curious and picked up an Asylum and have been riding it for 9 months now. It is a great bike. So is my 5 Spot which shares the basic suspension design. The Asylum is nice for some things; the 5 Spot is nice for some things. The Spot (and 26" wheels) is more rigid and more forgiving handling - much better for gnarly, rooty, rocky, sketchy rides. The Asylum is great on snow, out to cruise and good in more moderate obstacles. The margin for error is bigger with the Spot. If I had to choose I'd keep the 5 Spot. But saying "29ers rule" is just silly - sort of like saying "GS skis are better than powder skis." If you want to ski powder, use a powder ski; if you want to haul ass use GS skis. But don't bitch when you sink like a bomb on GS skis . . . One of the most annoying things about the 29er zealots is that they have decided - usually without much evidence - that 29ers are the be-all, end-all of bikes and pretty much close their minds after that. I heard enough from the local “drank the cooaid” 29er crowd to get curious and picked up an Asylum and have been riding it for 9 months now. It is a great bike. So is my 5 Spot which shares the basic suspension design. The Asylum is nice for some things; the 5 Spot is nice for some things. The Spot (and 26″ wheels) is more rigid and more forgiving handling - much better for gnarly, rooty, rocky, sketchy rides. The Asylum is great on snow, out to cruise and good in more moderate obstacles. The margin for error is bigger with the Spot. If I had to choose I’d keep the 5 Spot. But saying “29ers rule” is just silly - sort of like saying “GS skis are better than powder skis.” If you want to ski powder, use a powder ski; if you want to haul ass use GS skis. But don’t bitch when you sink like a bomb on GS skis . . .

]]> By: rockhound http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3175 rockhound Thu, 24 Aug 2006 03:35:03 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/08/22/29-inch-wheels-are-better-than-26-inch-wheels-the-end/#comment-3175 They were 29ers if I put enough air in the tires! Calm down girls, they're only bicycles. Enjoy them all. They were 29ers if I put enough air in the tires!

Calm down girls, they’re only bicycles. Enjoy them all.

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