29er or 26er?

R

Rcflyer9

New Member
Hey everyone,
Here is a topic that everyone has probably seen thousands of times across the internet: what type of bike to buy (26 inch wheels or 29 inch wheels.) I've seen a lot of hype about both sides, how 26er's are more agile, lighter, easier to accelerate, and how 29er's are more durable, go over terrain better, smoother, and easier to keep moving. Now, I'm in the process of looking for a new bike and I have come down to 2 bikes: one a 26 inch and the other a 29 inch, each with great reviews. But I'm not so sure what to get. One thing I'm not so sure about it if my weight and height matter in choosing one or the other. I am only 14 years old, weigh 116 lbs and am 5' 7". Maybe it would be a better idea to get a 26er for my size? Also, my riding usually is on medium difficulty trails, such as in Allaire but I am moving up to doing more difficult riding, so you have an idea of what would suit me best... What do you all think I should get?
Thanks
 
Based on your screen name, I would recommend a 9er.

I wouldn't let your height dissuade you from a 29er. I'm 5'8" and ride a medium.
 
you're tall enough to fit on 29er frames with adequate standover clearance. Hardtail 29er will do you well on most of the terrain in the tri state area if your focus is XC riding. The only issue I've seen (I'm on a 26er) my 29er friends have is some minor issue with BB clearance on certain obstacles. My next bike will def be a hardtail 29er.
 
run now before the 9er fags take you and make you one of them
on a side note a 26 inch wheel is more durable, also lighter
 
Rcflyer9 said:
Hey everyone,
I am only 14 years old, weigh 116 lbs and am 5' 7". Maybe it would be a better idea to get a 26er for my size? Also, my riding usually is on medium difficulty trails, such as in Allaire but I am moving up to doing more difficult riding, so you have an idea of what would suit me best... What do you all think I should get?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Welcome to MTBNJ
Either bike would be fine. At 14 your next bike won't be your last. For right now I'd pick the more affordable bike, your probably still growing an will out grow the bike you buy in about 2 yrs. Enjoy what ever you buy.🙂
 
Most of the reasons agains 29ers were created by 26" die-hards. Check the websites of different manufacturers for dimensions. The Trek Gary Fisher 29" hardtails have 31.2cm BB clearance for all frame sizes, and the Trek GF 26" hardtails have a 30.7 for a small frame, and a 31.2 for the med-large. SO the BB excuse is just an excuse on some models.
And dont worry about your height, thats why they make different frame sizes. Ride some and you'll see.
 
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If you want to waste your youth away and mature overnite into a trendy old spandex snob, and eat gu, and measure proteins, complain, and drive in the slow lane, and record every thought and image that passes your mind onto a website, and only shop at 'one' shop, then go for the 29er.

If you think you ever plan on being a normal kid and try to get the wheels off the ground, ride dh, ride stunts, and eat candy bars, have a date for prom, and skid down the trail, and believe in santa, and be cool, make good videos, then get a 26er.

Hope that helps. 😀
 
Santa only hates 29ers because the wheels are harder to get down the chimney.

Be realistic about the terrain that you will be riding. If you are riding a park that has 150 of elevation gain over the entire park, and not a rock in sight, a 29er might be a good call.


If you are riding dirt jumps, jumping stairs, pump track etc.. than a 26er is the way to go. That is the terrain where I ride my 26". My .02
 
JB1 said:
Most of the reasons agains 29ers were created by 26" die-hards. Check the websites of different manufacturers for dimensions. The Trek Gary Fisher 29" hardtails have 31.2cm BB clearance for all frame sizes, and the Trek GF 26" hardtails have a 30.7 for a small frame, and a 31.2 for the med-large. SO the BB excuse is just an excuse on some models.
And dont worry about your height, thats why they make different frame sizes. Ride some and you'll see.
Click to expand...

My 2 buds are on Salsas, and I didn't look at the specs. And I think the 29 wheel size for better roll over and bump absorption make up for any minor deficits.
 
test them both and buy what's right for you...not what people here say is best for you.

that said, jay's explanation is pretty much spot on.
 
Has anyone given much thought to the notion that a 29er is a more "advanced" bicycle? (flame suit on etc). But at 14, shouldn't he be learning to do all the things J mentions with regards to a 26"? I spent my early mountain biking years trying to ride up staircases, catch air, jump up and down off park benches etc. I don't really do any of that goofy stuff anymore but it certainly laid the groundwork for my mountain biking today, 22 years later.

There are some really cool 26" dirt / trail bikes out this year. Is a race oriented 29er hardtail really a good choice for someone still learning the basics? I'm not saying it isn't, just throwing the idea out there.
 
dude, stop reading this....these opinions won't help they will just make you crazy.
try both- GET WHAT YOU LIKE!!
 
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69er!!

Don't listen to anyone, ride each for a day and decide what you feel best on.
 
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START with a 26er. Then as you get older (like 40) then get a 29er. Then when you are 40 you can turn around and say, "Silly Rabbit, 26 is for kids".
 
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