But hold on - former pro racer Chad Hummer says reports of its death are greatly exaggerated. Hummer is one of the faster riders you’ll find around Phoenix - and one of the more skilled. He frequents the potentially bruising National Trail in Phoenix.
“I tried the 29ers and I like them on smooth flat fast trails ... but I don't ride that s***!” Hummer says. “The technical side of mountain biking doesn't support 29-inch wheels. The other negative I felt to the 29-inch bikes: They have less travel than a 26-inch bike (larger wheel needs more space to travel). Ever see a long-travel 29er bike? Ever see a 29er downhill bike? The frames and pedals also have to be higher off the ground with a 29-inch bike, which doesn't allow for a lower center of gravity.”
Hummer also rides off-road motorcycles. That industry, he says, is headed the opposite direction: Wheels are shrinking for better handling in technical sections. His motorcycle has a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel. Downhill mountain bikes also tried this setup in the late 1990s, with some models using a 26-inch front wheel paired to a 24-inch wheel in the back. Today, that legacy lived on briefly with Trek’s discontinued 69er, which had a 29-inch front wheel and a 26-inch rear wheel.
There are other points against the 29er: A bigger wheel is heavier and weaker. The weight is concentrated on the outside edge of the wheel, which makes its affect more noticeable.
Without seeing the Men’s Fitness story, Hummer also made a strong point against it: O’Conner quotes top-level racers, leaving the everyday rider out of the equation. Why is that a factor?
“Many of the mountain bike races, plus endurance 24-hour races, are groomed roads and trails, in my opinion,” he says. So O’Conner’s choice of sources seems intended more to move products for the bike industry rather than reflect the needs of everyday riders.
The 29er is likely here to stay. But it’s not necessarily the ultimate solution for every rider, every trail or every situation.
“For now,” Hummer says, “I will stick with my stable 26-inch bike with five inches of suspension travel and walk into any store in the USA and buy a tire and tube for it!”
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Comments
I agree 29ers aren't for everyone or every trail. However, you didn't mention that 29ers generally fit tall guys better than 26ers. I'm 6'2". When I rode my first 29er, I realized that I was on the first bike that really fit me.
I've got another story planned to wrap up the 29er package, so I'll be sure to throw that in there. Thanks!
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