Would you buy a 26 inch MTB in 2012? In 2013?

[Nomad_K]

G'day all,

If you were looking for a new mountain bike this year, would you consider a 26 inch bike, or, would you have more of a 29 or bust attitude?

I mountain biked years ago (first proper bike was a steel Trek back when they were still welded them up in the USA), have been back on a road bike for the last year, and miss bumming around on singletrack and rolling hills. I would like to do some nice one or two day rides here (East coast) and would like to do a ride around Iceland later this year.

Almost all of the bike shops have recommended 29er's, however, I found a great deal on a 26 inch carbon framed GT. I like the lighter weight of the frame, and while the 29er's don't feel bad, the 26 inch ride is a little more familiar.

Any advice?

[Flounder]

I think it depends on your riding style and terrain. Personally, I'll never go back to 26" wheels. I'm the buyer for a store that deals in Felt, Rocky Mountain and Kona. Because of our local terrain, we sell about 80% of our bikes in the 29er format with about 75% of those bikes being hard tails. Naturally, this would not be true if we lived in Moab, or some other area with far more aggressive terrain where full suspension is the norm. For longer travel full suspension, 26" wheels are still the norm.

So, depends. If aggressive riding with huge hits, drops and jumps is not in your future, it seems unlikely 26" wheels would be your best bet. Again, I won't own 26" wheels ever again most likely.

[86tuning]

Also depends on the size of the cyclist. If you're short, you wouldn't be asking

[Flagster]

There was an interesting article in Velonews or some mag a year or so back and they compared 26" vs 29" on the world cup circuit...seems the euros are still on the 26"...raced on a similar course under an experienced rider I remember there being no difference in lap times...

[Edroid]

The choice is actually between three sizes: 26", 27.5", or 29".

There is a lot of buzz around the "650B" (27.5") wheel this year. Supposedly the best of both worlds. . .

[Flounder]

650b wheels have been on the fringe for a long time. They seem to go away only to come back for a few seasons before going away again. The most recent buzz has much to do with Nino Schurter winning the first World Cup race of the year on 650b wheels. In his case, he's a shorter guys who wanted full suspension. Absalon has said he will never ride 29ers. He also said he's only used them a couple times. I think 650b would be a headache due to the limited tire and fork options.

That rider size argument for 29ers is also interesting to me. We have a lot of women riders in our little town. Most are between 5'2" and 5"5. All ripping it up on 29ers. We also have some super fast dudes that are well under 5'7" and they to rip on 29ers. I think just because they tend to fit bigger riders better, that doesn't always mean they don't fit smaller riders.

Flagster, I too have read a number of articles about 26" vs 29 and it seems no one has ever came up with any solid proof one is mechanically superior to the other. One thing I have noticed. Very few people who go to 29" wheels go back to small wheels. I think that says something.

[ThomD]

When we rode the White Rim trail, my rented bike was a FS 29er. Home bike is a hard tail 26". After the trip, my wife asked me what I thought of the 29s. My response was, "I dunno. It's a bike, it was good. The trip was great."

You found a good price on a bike you like? What's the question again? It isn't like 26" parts are going to go away in your life time.

[Flagster]

Flagster, I too have read a number of articles about 26" vs 29 and it seems no one has ever came up with any solid proof one is mechanically superior to the other. One thing I have noticed. Very few people who go to 29" wheels go back to small wheels. I think that says something.

I agree...and all my friends are proof of that!...
The racing here in the SW seems to lend itself more to the 29ers...especially hardtails...fast and flowy trails...
I lived in Seattle for 2 years and all the racing I did there was much more suited to a 26" wheel...tight and technical...
My brother is in NH...guess what he rides...a 26"...
I am still stuck on my 26" mainly because it serves my purpose...which is mellow riding and some "here and there" racing...I am sure I will buy a 29er soon but for now I can still rip it up on my tractor tires...

[Nomad_K]

First, many thanks for all of the responses - I appreciate the feedback!

On height, hadn't worried about that, however, as I am a reasonable height above 5'2, it sounds like I am okay!

On 26 vs 650 vs 29. I don't think I have looked at one 650 although I have read about them. Are they a bit more popular in Europe?

As someone mentioned parts... if I was only going to ride around the DC area I wouldn't worry about it, and would probably toss a coin. That said, as I would like to travel to ride in a few out of the way places (I am looking at Bhutan and Nepal after Iceland), it seems like a 26 inch bike would be easier to find spares for, if that ever became a worry. Thanks again, and I will post a few pics of whatever I wind up with - cheers!

[Co-opski]

I agree with what Flounder said and I feel a 29" hard tail would be full on fun in Iceland on their back roads. Heck I've had some good times riding a friends Masi CX Uno around our back roads. For me I'm stuck in the 26" clunkers crowd, my ride is an old 90s Gary Fisher homemade single speed and my next bike will be a fat back.