29 Vs 27.5 Mountain Bike Wheels | What Do The Pros Think?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ค. 2024
- It's the biggest debate in Downhill right now. 29 inch wheels or 27.5 inch wheels. The introduction of 29ers has caused huge controversy with only a handful of teams having them. Martyn has been round the pits to see what the pros think!
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It's seems like only yesterday the debate was 26 inch vs 27.5 inch, but the introduction of 29er Downhill wheels has caused far more of a stir. Martyn has been round the Fort William pits to see what the pros think and there are some VERY strong opinions.
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I'd say that banning 29" is not a good idea. I'd say that anything should be allowed, but the tracks should not be designed for the particular wheel size so that it really is about the rider and not the wheel size.
how are you gonna do that though? make the tracks to gnarly and the 29ers will have an obvious advantage over 27.5, but mellow the track out for the 27.5 guys will mean it'll be like riding on flat ground for the guys on 29ers
Make tracks interesting. And let the wheel size be the problem of the rider.
If they make new rules, should there be different divisions for all wheel sizes?
Yan Doroshenko What I'm saying is, is that you're proposal is basically impossible. Whatever you do, the track is going to favour either 29 or 27.5 either way. There can't really be a middle ground
Louis Glendining do they make they tracks while considering wheel size anyway?
2020: 37.5 vs 40
Egger not exactly 😂😂😂😂😂
Egger 2019 answering.
Still the same debate
Aged well
2020: 29er vs covid19er :(
2020: Corona vs humans.
when I began riding as a kid, I didn't care about the wheel size or the materials used to make the frame. I only cared about having fun. Still having fun 30 years later. Just Ride
Yes. Have fun. When you have problem to get 26 proper tyre for dh because all of those sheeps eager to have 27,5 or 29 because they think they must have them. Herd sindrome.
The thing I most like about 29ers is that it makes users of 26 ones look like they are on a bike from their childhood..
Ахахах
I think brendog and some of the privateers put it in a very good view along with trek. It's like formula one so obviously you want to go faster and we can't have a rule against that. But in reality normal people won't get the same advantages from 29" wheels, especially if they are riding tighter/lower tracks. I think instead of making a rule against 29ers, we NEED to have more tracks that are slower and more technical! The best way to regulate wheel size and keep it competitive is not rules on wheel sizes, but instead CHANGE THE TRACKS, to have a variety of tight tracks and some fast tracks, so that each wheel size will have advantages AND disadvantages.
NIce point!
Very good point!
Brendon is right. Leave 29er for XC.
Great video, agree with keeping the tracks a bit naughty rather than just easing them out for speed. I'm 6'2 and I prefer 27.5 all day, had a go on both, different bikes sadly but just got on better with 27.5, not doing a lot of dh was a mix of everything.
Great insights! I'm very much interested in this info for my next mtb. I rode a 29er enduro and was pretty surprised at how fast it rolled and the sensation that you're just riding over the small stuff and chatter without much drama. Will need to run it through a rock garden to see for sure though...
Nobody has to buy or ride a 29er. Until you get to elite level its more about the rider than what sized wheels your riding.
Auzboz Bicycle sorry i disagree. All the 27.5 bikes that the average rider are using haven't become shit over night just cos 29ers have come along. And in reality its only a few riders who can get the most out of their bikes and they'd be up the front what ever they were riding. As i said in my original post its only at the highest levels be that WC or just nationals where the best riders need to try and eek out the fractions of a second that it may become they actually need a 29er, not some weekend warrior who's just banging out the runs with his mates.
+Auzboz Bicycle no they aren't. I've got a 26, 27.5 and a 29 and they are all great fun. horses for courses
steveetienne I'm guessing the 29ers a xc bike
+Auzboz Bicycle yeah it is a hard tail xc. great fun and fast as hell
Its fun watching this in 2019 when 29" has become pretty much the default.
Henrik Sommerland haha true. I’m 4 10 so I’m left on 26 junior wheels 😂
29" sucks.
just bought a new xc bike. I'm sticking to 27.5 ;)
I'm currently on a 29er and I'm about to buy 27.5
Just ordered my trek remedy which is 27.5 inch
A few years back i was doing biketrial on a 26". I fell in love with that wheel size. I also had dirt jump and xc bike. People stood amazed of the way i was riding them because once you learn tecnique you can ride anything. I had to leave the bikes a few years because of a back injurie. Now that i came back i cant seem to find good fun affordable bikes. I live in Argentina so avalability of components is not good but when i look for them in big mtbbike name websites i find they are not making these anymore. Cannondale used to make the chase, giant the stp, specialized the p2 and p3. I see mountain bike manufacturers are leaning further and further from the bike basics and its turning almost into motorsport. It already happened in the x games
This was really cool to listen to. Some interesting points of view. Thanks!
Most in depth video on the wheel debate so far, good job
years ago people said that 29' on DH was impossible or ridiculus that 26' was the best for DH, now.......... things change
Love that you guys talked to the privateers! I'd enjoy seeing more exposure for the little guys on the channel.
This whole debate doesn't even matter for people who aren't racing WCs. Does a 2 second difference really matter when your going out for a casual rip on your local dh track? Unless you are trying to compete on the highest level, you don't have to worry about your bike becoming obsolete because there is such a small difference in time.
Quinn Brussel So this means that a downhill bike is a downhill bike, no matter what you'll change on it but it's all about the rider and how he or she is going to handle/drive it?
I like 26" bikes because I can fit them in the trunk of my Honda.
Enjoyed this video - thanks!
Some 13 years ago I dropped the seat on a 29" hardtail, rolled it down a 4X track with the flimsy wheels. Still it seemed instantly on par, (wheel)geometry wise. It sucks on really tight radius ramps though, the big wheels can just get hung up.
Anything bumpy or low on grip, 29" all the way.
XC I'd ride 32" if there were a viable option. I've even tried to budget such a project as a new startup.
Great little video exploring some of the issues and providing some context on just why this is such a divisive issue- which I had generally assumed was just the online echo chamber. I hadn't even considered the privateer scene and I could imagine that this sort of change, with the high cost impact, would be a real pain in the arse and potentially demotivating. Perhaps one thing that could be considered is a rule that enforced that all bikes raced must be available in a production run - while it may not eliminate the cost divide (and let's be honest, it will always be easier for funded team members) it keeps it feeling a little more in balance. For anyone with bike envy - we join the club, I get the same when I consider I can only afford to own and store one bike, but would love that sub 10kg XC and triple clamp DH rig... let alone the same style of bike with different wheel sizes/
Just ride your bikes
Harry Patrickson Well said...
True
Whats about 30,5" they are rolling smoother than 29"
26 for me! Can't afford a 29er bike!
#26AintDead
yes it is
+BlackDiamond Of course it isn't dead. There are always children.
they definitely not dead plus they are stronger then the 29 in terms of staying tru
NO 26", NO SALE.
More tyres are made and stocked in 26" than any other size......... So dead they aint.....
Thanks so much for talking to the privateer guys! As one our voice counts also!
27.5" all the way
Globe Vidz yessss
Fuck off.
grebo121 🤣😂😂
grebo121 triggered?
grebo121 why don’t u fuck off
Great video Martin, good to hear some honest opinions rather than the usual "everything is awesome" party line.
The guy saying "Everyone's concerned with how it looks for the camera" - he should realise that that's literally the main thing keeping the downhill scene alive. The fact that it's so easily televised. There's not even remotely enough riders to keep it up without it being a good show.
Why study for finals when you can watch this.
26" dirty peasants club here.
Me 2. Just built up a new 26", lol
Same hear, just building up a retro 1999 gt idrive into more of a enduro, sod paying 3+k when I can build a 26er for about a grand
If you're on a budget used 26ers are selling for a pittance nowadays.
26 are the elite.
NO 26", NO SALE.
really good video lads
I'm still rocking 26" on my DH bike and have no issues keeping up with my buddys!
32" wheels will replace it anyway
Kawaspresso damn right
Penny Fart Thing ftw!
two big. 27.5+ is just a smooth deceptively, faster ride. I think its the future.
far too big go a wheel
@@jacobfarrugia9866 In the future we'll be sitting in between the wheels instead of on top of them
Hey (whoever is reading this), would it be possible to put 27.5 inch tires on a 26 inch frame and fork? Btw I have a 2013 intense tracer
Nope! Your frame and fork won't fit them!
Only way for the bike industry to survive is through evolution! I demoed a Santa Cruz Tallboy 29er for the first time a few weeks ago and you can have a lot of fun with those bikes hauling over the most chunky stuff on the trail! I'm def all for it!!
I made a short video about the newest Huffy 29 inch MTB. It rides great on fairly flat but rough roads, and if you go over 10 miles of non stop riding, it is the best size for those long distances... really LONG distances.
I agree but if youre looking for playfull bike I go for the 26 or 275.
26
That pashley tv shirt! Just at the end..... gold
nice job getting different perspectives.
You should make a poll in the dirtshed show 27,5 or 29 for DH
28.25" is perfect. Best of both worlds.
That's what 27.5 is with 26 and 29.
This was great !!
Very good vidéo !
I say, we need a variable-sized wheel. It starts in a 24", and the faster you go, the bigger it gets, then shrinks back down at technical sections. That's the future, kids :D
György Mohl 😂😂😂 hella funny
LOL!
I don't think the UCI should ban 29" wheels in DH just because of the aesthetics. I know the UCI banned skin suits over aesthetics but wheel size is about technology advancement in our sport which I think should be encouraged. Companies should push to create the best bikes at whatever costs, be it wheel size or whatever.
RoostVille "Companies should push to create the best bikes at whatever costs". Then none would buy these bikes because simply they would get more expensive every year and only the pros would have these for free from their sponsored company.
I relate this to what is happening in skiing. Giant Slalom courses are getting a bit more like the Supper G courses and the Super G is now almost a downhill course. The downhills are still about flat out speed with minimal turns.
DH biking used to be a bit more technical with areas of flat out speed. Now the focus on jumps and high speed sections have pushed the development of the 29 wheels. Even the rock garden sections appear to be less about line choice and more about how much the suspension can soak. Between the suspension and larger tires you are getting less focus on skill and line choice and more about who has the bigger R&D budget. They are right it is turning into F1, which is boring because they never pass each other and there is no tension in the race.
I wonder if you will see more serious injuries as a result of the crashes on bigger jumps and faster courses. At that point do you cap wheel size or suspension travel to force the riders to slow a bit and put the focus back on navigating a technical course instead of speed?
If a bigger wheel make you faster, why not get a 30er , 32er or 50er... There's be a physical explanation about the pro and cons. Can you talk about that? Thanks.
IF YOUR A SIX FOOTER LIKE ME WE LOVE THESE 29rs.
We get a bike with the same geometry you guys have enjoyed for years.
Tall riders will not gain an advantage it will allow us to to enjoy what under six footers have in the past..so the tall riders get to show where the really are!!
Maybe wheel size should be no more important than frame size?
I'm 6'2 and I ride 26" and 27,5". It's the other way around! You can make any geometry you like with small wheels. It's harder to make 29'ers fit any geometry - especially on smaller frames.
Frame size is definitely more important than wheel size!!! If your frame is the wrong size it will be a shit experience. If you have the perfect frame size both 26", 27.5" and 29" will be fine.
I don't think we could disagree more ;-) But I do give you, that big wheels makes more esthetic/proportional looking bikes for tall people :-)
Lol im 5"8 I ride a 29r
BOSS X ASSASS1N [SFAS] same, anything smaller feels wrong even on an XL frame
I’m 5’9 and a half and ride L size frame with 29 wheels. I haven’t ridden since I was teenager (more than 12 years ago) so I’ve never tried 27.5 but 29 feels just perfect to me.
6' not really considered tall. I'm 6' and just got my first 27.5 and it seems huge to me!
All I know is that I have a YT Jeffsy 29 and it goes like a rocket up and down hill and I love it. Just go with what feels right for you!
Individual classes for the different wheel sizes would be interesting.
@GMBN I have a 29 hardtail which is good for biking to school and XC but if I get a new full suspension I would get 27.5 '' in saying that I am a taller rider.
I think the 29 is just another option for the riders those riders who like it use it those who don't like them don't have to use them it's that simple.
Very well said
Right. Why complain about iPhones and how much you hate them and the people that use them, when you bought a Samsung? Use what you like and shaddup!
DAYUUUMMMM. I JUST FELT LIKE I WAS IN A COURT CASE!
IM STILL TOO EXCITED ABOUT MY NEW BIKE TO CONCENTRATE ON THIS STUFF AHA (Specialized Stumpjumper Carbon)
Hmmm i dont get why they haven't gone 27.5+ instead of the 29ers. its roughly the same external diameter for the same rollover effect and they would have more stability, traction, grip... Are + sizes forbidden in DH races?
While I really appreciated the 29ers downhill, but Brendon's word just spun my mind round. I think, 27.5 is the way to go for downhill :)
I currently ride a a 29'r XC bike, but...my next bike will be more of an enduro bike, and I'm really leaning toward a 27.5. I'm a bit over 6' tall, and my old 26 mtb feels a bit better than my 29'r does, maybe I'm going backwards.????? lol
did one downhill run on my 29 XC HT and never going to try it again :D ... I really don't want to die, it was so fast, burning brakes from top to bottom
Great to see the riders concerned for the galloping prices of new bikes and all we're told we got to have. When bought mine I had to have Codes. It had Trp's and man I couldn't be more happy 🙏
Progress. What would you take? A top-of-the-line bike (any discipline) from 2005 or a mid-level/expert bike (same discipline) from 2017? Almost any product from 2017 is better than the best stuff from a decade ago. It's progress. Yes it's expensive. But eventually all bikes will get better and the price will be fairly stable.
Personally, smaller rider still on 26. Also was a competitive skier and this reminds me of when skis really changed in the last 10 years due to different shapes. Top level racers have limits on how much the skis can be shaped, seems like they may want to look at that type of consistency among top riders.
so you asked what we think. i'm not trying to win any races, just to have fun. so here goes: when you're a small kid you ride 14". when you grow, you ride 20". so: 26" for short people, 27 for normal people, 29 for tall people. makes sense. I'm definitely liking how the 27 fits my body like a glove.
Buffalo Theory I agree with you
Long live GMBN, you f*ckin rock dudes
Interesting for sure. Having taken a hard spill, and then the surgery to bring my collar bone back to semi normal shape again, I do agree that there is something to be said about pushing a bike too fast. :) Ouch!
5:45 omg there is a guy in the back ground using a screw driver to put on a tire
Today I pinch punctured a tyre with a tyre lever when I was trying to seat back the TR Maxxis Ardent in a hurry (which is a really bitch of a tyre to put on and off).
To be honest, if you have nothing else on hand, it's better than nothing. Also, if you're running tubeless, it doesn't matter at all (unless you're really sloppy and mess up the bead).
I rode a 29er and had a lot of fun going down a steep technical track but I had a lot more fun going down on a 27.5+ bike. I did not get any times to see which was faster but the 27 was definitely more fun
Pro Racing and amateur racing are two different games. I see such a mix in my area. I ride 27.5, but I see SO MANY guys (and gals) on 26 having just as much fun. I liked the rally and formula 1 analogy that one guy mentioned. Having just been in the market for a new bike a few months ago I felt tremendous pressure not to pick the fastest bike but to pick what bike the industry will support in the long term. I ended up going 27.5 hopefully the bike companies aren't involved in planned obsolescence like the mobile phone companies are.
26" is still the best. That always made me think that the bigger wheels are marketing gimmicks. To encourage people to upgrade. Happened all the time. The pros ride the 29" because their companies said they had to.
i rode 26" since childhood last year i got 29" it was so much faster but i felt like i lost swiftness and confidence on bigger wheels
For me it's the 29. My riding style is just XC. Not much enduro or downhill. I enjoy the extra stability of the 29 on rough trails, going over roots, branches and loose rocks. So I guess it really depends on the riding style.
I own a 29 inch bike just because I use it to travel across town. I got faster for less energy, which is the entire reason I bought it. Logically speaking, 29 IS faster than 27.5 but it's not nearly as nimble or fun to use. They should really keep the different bikes in different classes cause of their perks being so different.
Can I please ask what's better for street/road riding? 27.5 or 29? I'd like to get a hard tail for my son, and for us it is a significant investment. I would like to splash out for him but get the right wheel size bike for where he will be riding most. Thank you.
Short answer - Depends on his height age expereince and plans. If he is under 5'10-5'11, if he is under 16, if he is not very experienced, if he is planning to do street city and some off road then a 27.5 or even 26 will do. He will gain expereince, be safer, develop better bike handling skills and can move onto a 29 in 2-3 years. Id also recommend a hardtail semi-suspension, again for newish riders these are bettter to learn bike handling skills. THe long answer is more complex...
seems to me the question is more about how the tracks are designed, higher speed or tighter.
Can anyone tell me which one is for stunt ...29 or 27
Just bought a 29er xc bike today and it feels so strange being higher up. I still have 26 bike but I agree there should be rules to the wheel size or it's gonna push for taller riders. I would rather see guys struggle on rougher bouncy surfaces than have to watch a 29er hardly use the suspension.
1:30, that guy is my hero! He broked down the hype with techs and marketing in 15 seconds. This is so true!!!
The design of the courses should be done in a way which is a challenge for both wheel sets.
So you get to a location and you walk the course and see where you might find or loose time. And from this you pick the size you think is best for you.
But the track shouldn't be made for one size! in the same way motor sports have to choose tyres for the conditions.
If you suck on your bike it Doesn't matter if your on a 26, 27.5 or 29er. you ride whatever is comfortable to u and that's what you'll be happy on.
My 29 is fast. my 27.5 over all is more fun. So I sold the 29.
geaR This is a personal preference
29er all day everyday!!!! the real deal
@@GrimmRanger-Thrall If youre a XC biker, yes. but for enduro especially if you are not over 5`5 forget it. I`ve tested 1 week both and i leave the 29 enduro in the shop and bring me home the Nomad.
27.5 for life
I have been 26 inch rider for about 20 years, Just purchased a 29er S-works enduro. I enjoy it, but it's just not as challenging as the 26er!
I think the comparison to Rally/F1 with restrictions is something to think about, is it always about speed?
While it's all very well looking to adopt one size throughout a 29" wheel as we've seen here isn't favoured by all. It should be up to the rider to choose what they want to run and ride with it
@Brendanfairclough spot on mate
One important point missing here... Frame geometry can change riding characteristics, even with the same wheel size. Used to work for a custom road bike manufacturer, and slight changes in geometry can drastically change the overall riding characteristics, and individual preference makes certain geometries feel "better" than others for each individual.
I like seeing the controversy in the pro ranks. If a company chooses to ride 27.5, they will spend time to dial in frame geometry and suspension settings, which ultimately means new products throughout price ranges that will make mountain biking enjoyable, regardless of wheel size.
Personally, I'm a 29er guy myself. I went from 26 to 29 riding XC, and while it took some time to adjust to a different style of riding I enjoy the bigger wheels a lot more. Having also ridden a couple 27.5 bikes I think I would enjoy the wheel size but I have to admit I'm a speed junkie :)
27.5"
i tried a trek uel ex 8 with 29er wheels and it seemed to roll over everything too easily. I think to make it challenging for the pros they need to stick with 27.5 inch wheels
More Martyn outside of the shed please!
Wheel size blah blah blah... Aaron Gwin Won Leogang 2015 without a Damn ''CHAIN''.. And finished a run on a flat Tire on the same course 2014, The tire wasn't even on the rim anymore and still finished faster than most small TEAM riders wheres the fairness in that wah wah wah people will always complain.Pros were amateurs at one point in there careers am sure they had odds stacked against them but look at them now. People who want a FAIR playing field for all who race also want #1THROPHIES for all who participate. I still ride a 26 Dh bike and its fun as hell if i want smooth tracks ill go to the BMX track.DUH
5:03 Loris says that if you want to go fast with a 27.5 bike, then you will have to push it, and that the 29 bike goes faster than a 27.5 by itself. If this is true, then what's the meaning of mountain biking without pedalling?
DH bikes dont need pedalling because they are made for downs.
i'm just happy to be on my bike
The roll of the pros is to push the limits of the technology so we can see what works best. What they race on is not what the average enthusiast is going to be on, and ultimately all of the advantages now will make the way down to price points that we all benefit from. I do see the wheel size debate really being an issue of rider height as we move forward. Bigger riders already have a huge advantage over shorter riders in the area of weight and leverage. Giving them an advantage of wheel size will change the sport. I am a shorter rider, and did fairly well against my taller friends, however, they always had a downhill advantage. In XC that advantage went away and I carried much less weight going uphill. This is what we could see the sport evolve into, short guys race XC, and tall guys race downhill.
#ask gmbn : What about 27.5 plus downhill bikes ? After all they have the same outer diameter than 29ers right ?
I have both; 29 for XC and Enduro and 27.5 for XC and Enduro, and I have learned the following: Ride on whatever weel size that puts a smile on your face !
I have a 29er commencal supreme. Only had it for two months but my impression is its faster on tracks with less turning, with big straight runs.
My 27.5 is more manoeuverable on tighter twistier tracks and is more fun and playful.
I really like hearing how some of the pros are concerned about the recreational riders when it comes to the costs of DH 29ers
I'm not opposed to new technology and making bikes better. But, in this case, as well as disc bakes on road bikes, it really seems like a trend being pushed by the manufactures to sell us something that we really don't need.
I bought a 29er because I'm 6'2 and everything else felt small. Of course, I'm not trying to compete on a professional level so I can't see why it's a problem. I love mine so far.
I’d say if your height allows it, only then try 29er otherwise stick to 27.5 or 26 if you like to do bmx kinda tricks. I went from 27.5 to 29 and I’m 5’11” bike feels fast and I have better confidence going over big rocks, but not easy to pop like I use to do on 27.5
29ers are ancient. 36ers are the future!
Reymon Reyes XD
One guy i know on the world circuit went from 29 to 27.5 this year after a year riding a 29er
Get off my lawn - and hand me my 1st place trophy you little wheel guy.