Bicycle thread

[Oznerol]

Originally Posted by pilot

I was bike shopping yesterday. Can someone tell me the advantages and disadvantages of 29s over 26s?

For what sort of riding?

I've owned a couple of 29ers, and a couple of 26ers.

29er advantages:

• Larger wheels can simply roll over larger obstacles, and smooth out the bumps when rolling over smaller ones (because the impact is spread out over a longer period), reducing rolling resistance
• More stable when leaned over in sweeping turns
• 700c rim diameter gives you access to a larger variety of pavement-oriented tires

26er advantages:

• Lighter wheels at a given level of durability, and wheel weight is closer to the hub, further reducing moment of inertia (less weight to haul up hills, quicker acceleration, quicker turn initiation, more responsive suspension thanks to lower unsprung weight)
• Can have shorter wheelbase, all other things being equal (makes for tighter turning radius, can more dramatically shift your weight to the front or rear to help navigate obstacles that are too large to just roll over)
• Can have more suspension travel, all other things being equal
• Still more the 'industry standard' for mountain bikes, meaning more options for tires, rims, forks, and frames. IMO this is really only an issue if you want a long-travel frame.

Most of my mountain biking is on fairly technical trails. For this riding, I strongly prefer the nimbleness of my 26ers; I do 95% of my mountain biking on one.

Take away the trickier technical stuff and put me on faster, smoother trails, and I'll have more fun on a 29er, railing through sweeping turns at high speed. I've eaten dirt a few times by washing out a 26er front wheel in a fast sweeping turn. I've never done that on a 29er, and I'm pretty sure that's not just because I've got less time on them than on 26ers.

[pilot]

The kid and I hit the trails today. I found out my "comfort" bike on single track is like riding my Versys on single track. I'm thinking 29s would be to awkward in the tight stuff we have. Thanks for all the insight. I didn't know if there was something other than rolling over obstacles.

Steve, my motor needs an overhaul, but it is starting to shape up a bit. 9.5 miles today. Climbing is getting easier.

[pierce]

if you're a large person on a large frame mtn bike, 29er might make more sense, too. scaling the wheels along with the rest of it... much as a petite road racer might be better off on 650c wheels instead of 700c.

"29er" are just wide 700c rims, which are really 622mm at the beads. "26 inch" wheels are actually 559mm at the beads... so we're talking a 1.2" difference in radius [(622-559)/2 mm in inches], assuming the same width tires...

[pierce]

Originally Posted by Oznerol

For what sort of riding?

I've owned a couple of 29ers, and a couple of 26ers.

29er advantages:

• 700c rim diameter gives you access to a larger variety of pavement-oriented tires

note there's at least one great 26" pavement tire, the Ritchey Tom Slick. These things roll fast and smooth on pavement.

These *used* to be available on 700c too, I've got a set of older ones in 700x38, but afaik, they are only made as 26x1.0 and 26x1.4 now.

[Oznerol]

Originally Posted by pilot

I found out my "comfort" bike on single track is like riding my Versys on single track.

Hah. Yeah, I did that a few times when I was first starting back on bicycles as an adult. My shins are scarred from those rides.

[goldan57]

I see my last post was deleted. Don't remember a 205? So...?

[EvilGenius]

Now I get antsy when I haven't ridden in a few days.

[Mr Head]

New parts perform nicely. Did 25 miles at about 16 mph average. Feels good. Amazing how flimsy that old cracked stem was.

[Steverino]

Originally Posted by EvilGenius

Now I get antsy when I haven't ridden in a few days.

Me too,tomorrow I head out to mtn bike at Massanutten. I better get my climbing shoes on.

[EvilGenius]

I think tomorrow I might try to do 10 miles with my kid in tow.

[rbrsddn]

Just got back from a 57 miler. 126 since Thursday. Fookin legs are killing me! Good pain though!

[jtemple]

Took the Rocky Mountain in the dirt for the first time today. I love it! It was a quick ride; about 4 1/2 miles of singletrack.

[Steverino]

Fun day...

[EvilGenius]

Originally Posted by Steverino

Fun day...

That looks like fun except for the 2000ft ev. part.

[Steverino]

Originally Posted by EvilGenius

That looks like fun except for the 2000ft ev. part.

Tell me about it...:phew