Comments on: Another Reason A 29″er Makes You Faster?

By: Monk3y Mike

Monk3y Mike — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:38:10 +0000

Amen. While I may have “felt” faster on a light race bike because it was so light, I never felt the confidence and solidity to rail at warp speed with no fear. My Karate Monkey was the first 29er I had. I felt indestructible on that thing and promptly cleared out all my high-end 26ers.

By: George Krpan

George Krpan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:19:23 +0000

The lighter a bike is the less mass there is to absorb vibration. Therefore, the riders body has to do it, slowing them down.
Makes perfect sense to me.
I think we all know this instinctively if not consciously. It is not expressed verbally but rather by the selection of heavier steel frames and heavier, bigger 29″ wheels in spite of the ready availability of lighter alternatives.
It feels better, we go faster, use less energy, have more fun, are less fatigued after a ride, etc.

By: Cloxxki

Cloxxki — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:11:12 +0000

I honestly feel that I’m faster on fatter tires, also on pavement.

In the flemmish classic bike races, riders go from 23 to 25mm tires, at slightly lower pressure. And that already is worth it on the cobblestones. I think they need to take it to 30 to 35mm. It’s not like they are going so fast that the air drag would be a factor. Cobble stones are the deciders there, so why try and ignore them?

With suspension on a bike, the damping is what can slow the rider down, the spring action gives something back in most cases. Lifting a wheel over a root is faster than letting the suspension do it for you.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:47:37 +0000

I’d have to agree. The smoother you and your bike are, the more comfortable you are, and the faster you have the potential to go. Look at all the tricks that are in effect for Paris-Roubaix to make the bikes more stable and comfortable (fatter tires, non-aero rims, double thick bar tape, longer chainstay frames…). Lennard Zinn has written some good articles on the benefits of fatter tires and modest pressure on road bikes, with regards to the suspension characteristics they provide by keeping the tire on the ground.

It seems every issue of BQ has some gem of information that is useful across the broader cycling spectrum.

By: Desert9r

Desert9r — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:17:25 +0000

Vibration dampening, just another reason why steel, also. just this week I started commuting on my XXIX, because I got tired of the harsh ride of my Jake.