Yes the debate still goes on. I get asked a lot why I don't ride a 29er. Believe me I have a tried a few with an open mind and still come out of it feeling the same way. I read an article in the latest MTB Action magazine that sums everything up. I couldn't have said it better myself. They were testing two Cannondales with the same specs but different wheels.
"If you are new to mountainbiking, the 29 is the runaway winner. Its not even a close race. The 29er does not require the skill set that a 26 rider has to develop to have a good time. The wheels make for a far more forgiving bike and slow up the handling enough to make it harder to make a mistake."
"Experienced riders will have a tough time giving up their 26ers, because once you have developed the skills, the 26er is a lot more fun to ride. It responds to pumping the trail; it springs out of G-out situations; it bonny hops subconsciously, and it dances around the trail like a puppy let off its leash."
To me its about having fun and a 26 is much more fun in every situation. If you have ever ridden with me (I ride 98% solo) I am always looking for the next tabletop or any variance in the trail to catch some air, the next rock to fly off or a banked turn to carry good speed through. If I am ever hell bent on winning a race again maybe I'll look into one...but for people to say the 26 inch wheel is dead is just retarded.
4 comments:
I agree. I'm beginning to like the 29er hardtail but 26 full suspension is by far the best way to go. Although, I'm finding it easier to rip the 29er HT as much as I did the 26 HT. Just takes a slightly different thought process.
Another situation where I think the 29er shines is when you run a rigid fork, although I don't know who in their right mind would do that. There, it's not just a matter of 'fun', it's that at 26 will down right beat you up. I agree that the 26" wheel is not going anywhere.
My bike is fun because it is a bike, 26/29./HT//FS/Rigid, whatever, fun. Shimano/Sram. Whatever, fun.
no better, no worse, just different.
evangelists on other side miss that critical point.
I prefer to ride a 30!
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