Poll: Your Next Mountain Bike Purchase
Industry News | 198 | June 16, 2009 at 7:30 amI have been asked by several different manufacturers to conduct a poll here on Mountain Biking by 198. In this poll, they are looking to get some insight into the 29er market and what you guys are looking for in your next mountain bike purchase. Pretty self explanatory really…just looking for the format of that next sled that is going to bring you to new riding heights in your quest for that perfect single track next year or 10 years from now.
Basically, if you had the cash right now…what would you buy…26″ or 29er?
If you are moving up to a 29er (or want to), let us know what kind by participating in the second poll below.
Thank you for taking the time to help us and the industry by submitting your vote. Feed readers…click here to vote.
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Tags: 26, 29er, bike purchase, wheel size
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Good poll. I’m looking forward to staying up with the results. I have been riding both a 29er and 26er for the past year and a half, and honestly, I don’t really feel like I am giving up much with the larger wheels while gaining in other areas. FYI, my vote was for a sub 4″ travel 29er like the Jet you tested. Seems like an ideal bike for most of what/how I ride.
I want an SC Nomad, may get the frame and build up, I enjoy the work(with some professional help at times…
)
Put in my $.02 . . . 29″ HT SS though the truth of the matter is that the option I would’ve chosen wasn’t on there – 29″ HT SS/Geared ala SIR9 (dream bike) . . .
I’ve never ridden a 29er. I definitely looking forward to trying one out at a demo day.
I’m not very tall (5′4″) so 29ers tend to be too large of frames for me. I’m really interested in the 650c wheeled bikes though.
650B is an interesting animal. I am going to have to try that one out.
You’ll like the 650B. The major downside is the lack of quality forks.
and lack of tires, frames, rims…
It is going to be sometime until that movement takes off…if it does. Manufacturers aren’t even fully on board with 29ers yet.
I had read that the 650b wheel size is compatible with a lot of 26″ frames and forks. You just can’t run super fat tires.
Most people will probably select a 29er because that’s where all the hype is. Chances are the individual owns a 26″ wheeled mountain bike already so (with money not being an object) they will opt to purchase a 29er. They either have never ridden a 29er and would like to or they are a collector of sorts and would like a 29er to add to their collection.
Why do the pros still ride 26″ wheels?
My guess is that most will respond and say a 29er for the reasons listed above, but if money was a concern and the question was which is more usable/versatile I think the results would be different.
Check out this article about the Carver 96er: http://mtobikes.com/carver-bikes-96er-mountain-bike-review/
We also have a Ventana El Bastardo (650b) in for review.
It’s always fun to have something that’s different. It will be interesting to see if any of these current fads will become permanent fixtures or not.
I suppose I should alter my comment slightly…
I think more votes will come in for the 29er than what would be realistic. If money was a concern, most of the votes for a 29er would probably not be present and people would stick with 26″ wheels.
For me this pole isn’t the easiest to cast vote in. No room for elaboration. Also the choices aren’t there. I think there should be a couple of additional votes to cast:
- What is your current go-to bike wheel size of choice?
- Have you ridden/owned a 29er previously (and if so what category)?
My next bike will likely be a mid-travel trail 29er. 4-5in of travel and 2.1in tires.
You elaborated perfectly in the comment! Thanks for adding your thoughts in.
I was trying to keep the poll as simple and easy to vote in as possible. Adding more variables made it a lot more complicated.
I wish that the poll had allowed us to explain our choice, so I will explain mine here.
I am 5′2″. Unless I suddenly have a growth spurt at 41, a 29er will be out of the question. I am currently saving up for a FS carbon racing machine, the Blue Ryno.
I can’t say I haven’t been a little bit jealous when riding behind someone on a 29er and I seeing how easily they float over roots, etc.
Thanks for the input Betsy!
As frame manufacturers get more creative with frame designs, you are going to start seeing smaller frames available in the 29er category. Whether or not it works for you and your riding style is going to be the question.
I’m also 5′2″ so I guess it’s probably not an option for me either. I didn’t really consider that.
I said hardtail SS 29er, but that is only because it would be a replacement for my current SS, which is a 26 inch wheeled bike. I don’t think I would ever choose a hardtail SS as my only mountain bike, so my vote may have been misleading.
James…that is exactly what we wanted to know! Thanks for chiming in.
Wouldn’t it help to also ask questions about height of the rider? The trend might be that, , if both were available, taller riders will consider 29er versions of a particular bike where shorter riders could consider staying with the 26″ wheel version.
Tony…I was trying to keep the poll as simple as possible. Height does have some influence on choosing and 29er or not though. Really tall riders almost look like they are riding proportional 26″ wheels when they are on 29ers while shorter riders look like they are on 36ers.
I do know some shorter riders that are making the switch lately. I can’t wait to hear what they think.
For me 29ers are by far more usable/versatile. I’ve got a hardtail geared 29er. I can use it on trail rides, I’ve raced it, I’ve commuted on in (on wonderful 38c slicks), and I’ve gravel/pavement light toured on it. It’s wheels swap with my disc cyclocross bike, and I’ve got a bunch of quality tire options from 23c to 2.3″.
The only 26er in my future is a used full-rigid off craigslist to turn into a farmers market/ grocery getter with a big front basket and rear rack.
If cost were no object I’d stick with a geared 29er, but it’d be Ti custom with eccentric BB(just in case) with my specific ideas of braze-ons, cable routing, etc.
Jimmy…I raced a Jet 9 here locally and took 2nd overall. There are big advantages in the short travel platform for racers. Thanks for you input!
PS I’m 5′11″. I used to take the jump/drop lines on trails, but now stick to skinnys, teeters, and drops less than 3′.
As a bigger rider 29 inch wheels appeal to me, but I’m leaning towards a 26 inch wheels largley due to concerns that I might break 29 inch wheels and the impression that I can get a better/stronger 26 inch wheel for less than a 29 inch wheel. I went through a bunch of 26 inch wheels before I found a pair durable enough to take the abuse.
For the most part…that isn’t really true. You should be able to find a comparable 29er wheelset that will be dependable for the price of a 26″.
I’ve ridden a 26 for 15 years. NOW I own only a 29er, a ray of light, New beginning! It took me 200 miles to dail in the difference’s, seriously!
you cannot just ride/demo a 29′r and give an opinion..ride a friends for the day/week
rent one.. you’ll never look back. whewww
Honestly I do not see myself owning a 29″ mountain bike in the next 10 years… but it isn´t impossible for me to imagine a hardtail with a 29″ front wheel and a 26″ rear wheel that would fit me. Call me old fashioned but I usually don´t go for the “new tendencies” like carbon or very light weight components.
Checkout the 96er from Carver Bikes.
Hey Carl, thanks. I would have to get an European one (frames from the USA become too expensive when they get here
). I am a MDE bikes fan and I would go for the Slider Niner 
In that case I am quite fond of Signular.
Singular Bikes (spelling error in previous reply)
co-founder of Niner’s brand Chris Sugai is only 5′ 6″ he rides 29ers easily. Hope that helps some.
Also performance wise note, some of the first bikes, Ford’s 1st cars and old wagons ever made were based on bigger wheel sizes like 700c = 27″ with 3″ rubber treads totaling 30″. Obviously there was some brilliant reasoning to the bigger wheel sizes on those old gravel pot hole roads. Pretty neat to think about.
Currently have a 2 yr old 26er hardtail. If money is no object, definitely get a 29er hardtail for my next ride. Then again, knowing that my last bike lasted me 15 years, chances of me getting a new bike will probably be years away from now. By then, I’m not sure what I’ll be looking for. Either a roadie, or a very relaxing old man ride, or heck, a wheelchair
They make some kick ass wheels for wheelchairs these days. I think some of those frames are actually more technologically advanced than bikes!
My brother and I are both 5′5″ and last week we rode a Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe 29er, 17.5″. It fit fine and it was wonderful. We were both very, very impressed with it. My next bike will be a 29er!
I just bought a 29′er, so that was my next purchase.
I have a fantastic 26″ all mountain Specialized Enduro SL, but thought a pure XC build would be great. For the XC focus the 29′er has been fantastic. I have a Pivot Mach 429 and love the DW Link setup especially on 17-23% grade inclines. Once it is rolling I find almost 10% performance improvement over my 26″ setup. Now I have a 6″ travel 26″ and 4″ travel 29er.
Impressive, 10% performance improvement.
I’m strictly a trail rider, no big drops or other ‘all mountain’ stuff, so the 29 is starting to get my attention since it is supposed to do very well in that environment. Gonna check out that Pivot, I’ve never heard of them before.
I’m sticking with 26″.
Four reasons.
1) Fit. I’m average height, but with a short inseam. 29′ers are not friendly for those of short inseam (and yes I know there are exceptions).
2) Weight. I’m still a bit of a weight weenie. I can build a 25 pound XC bike full suspension with minimal effort, it takes more effort to build a similar 29′er.
3) What I’m looking for in a bike. I like a bike that’s nimble and flickable. It’s again possible on a 29′er, but easier to accomplish on a 26″.
4) Parts. I already dent my 26″ wheels, a 29″ wheel will need to be heavier (see #2) to be similar or better. Fork availability is _just_ coming into it’s own.
James
I have recently bought a 26er in the form of a Whyte E5 Works, fantastic bike. Being short, 5ft 3in I had enough trouble finding a bike to fit that I wanted!
To be honest I haven’t seen much of the 29er in th UK.
Very much enjoy the web site thanks
Thanks John!
One think I really like about my HT 29er is that it has sliding dropouts and can be run SS or geared. So, you know, if I stopped being awesome, I could put a rear derailleur on it.
Definitely love the concept of a 29′er but not sure it works for the “vertically challenged”. For that reason, sticking with 26″ until I have a growth spurt or am convinced otherwise.
Regarding Speedy,s comments about the vertically challenged, he,s hit the nail on the head,the reason for getting a bike that is the correct height is for reasons of control, 29ers might catch on for larger riders who have a greater stand over hieght but for shorter riders this will only cause added probs with control on down hill sections.
Being 5′5″ it doesn’t really make sense to me, also it doesn’t make sense in tight technical trails either. (I have heard people with 29ers complain about them in this area)
I think it does make sense for people over 6′. A 26 inch bike is probably awkward for people over 6′ as 29er would be awkward for someone my size.
Can you disable that popup? It’s actually really annoying esp since I already subscribe to your newsletter. Thanks.
Do you cookies clear each time you close the browser? It shouldn’t be showing up every time like that.
Sometimes it’s not cookies, for my case it’s how the iPhone can forget settings. Clicking on that small close text is annoying as I have to resize the page to a huge size and aiming for that small ‘close’ text. Please disable it for small browsers. Also this happens for all 198 related sites.
I have the same issue on my iPhone. We are working at creating mobile/iPhone specific css files for each site. Hopefully, we will be done with that soon.
I am a 29er convert. The things a 29er does better than a 26er versus what the 26er does better just suits my riding and the trails I like to ride better. I have a Niner RIP and a Salsa fully rigid Mamasita. Both are excellent. I have an Ibis Mojo which is mostly gathering dust. Guess I should put it on eBay so I can try out the new Turner Sultan.
or a Niner W.F.O….
That’s tempting too, but probably overkill for the trails around here. Would love to do a side-by-side demo of the Turner’s DW-Link and the Niner’s CVA.
I have 2 29ers and 1 26er. I’d get another 26er – perhaps 5″ trail bike.
I like both flavors….i like my hardtail 29er for the days when terrain varies but is mostly smooth. And then, as soon as the terrain gets rough, slow speed and technical i appreciate the aspects of my 6″ travel bike with smaller, quicker accelerating wheels, shorter wheel base, and shorter chainstays which is easier for me to loft the front wheel up and over objects.
Chad!
I have yet to find a replacement for the 26″/6″ travel bike in the 29er market. The Niner WFO looks like the only one that could even compete at this point but I haven’t ridden one yet.
I love this article I read that stated “everyone knows that upgraded 20″ wheels on a new Chevy Tahoe looks way better than the stock 16″/17″ hubs. And in the monster truck world, it would not even be the same if BF 33X10.5’s were attempting to crunch the old yellow school buses!
I guess the writer’s point was that there is definitely an eye-candy approach that comes with the 29er world. Also may prove that 29er’s have a a slight edge in the performance column with certain riders and riding conditions.
I personally own a rigid SS 9r and a geared Hardtail front susp. version and absolutely enjoy every minute of the big wheel experience!
Question – do people like 29s because they are easier to ride over things? I ask because I enjoy the challenge, I wouldn’t want to make it too easy. I have no desire to have a mountain bike ride that feels as smooth as my road bike on a road.
I’d say it probably makes some things easier, but you know you are still on a mountain bike. I prefer to think of it more along the lines of keeping my speed up rather than making it easier!
It’s certainly easier over certain roots and logs, but there’s a weight penalty. Like Lonestar, I like to think of it as keeping my speed up. I went from a 5″ full-suspension 26er to a hardtail 100mm forked 29er, so I don’t think stuff is easier, just different. And more fun, which is why I made the switch.
There’s something to be said for choosing a challenge level that you’r ecomfortable with, and I’m not on a motorcycle yet, but I’m not riding fixie mtbs either!
I set my 29er up as a 1×9. Really like the setup. It has a retro feel taking me back to my days as a kid. Just bought a 29er SS for use on the greenway. Standing up out of the saddle to climb the hills is a throwback to being 12 years old again.
I’m sticking ot the 26′ers because I’m only 5′5″ tall. But I would be interested in 650b bikes, like Haro’s Beasly.
I know a lady who races expert class who does so on a 29er and does quite well.Try a Niner hardtail and you will love it.
I own a Specialized S-Works Epic(26″) and 2 Specialized 29er’s.A hardtail and the FSR 4″ Stumpy. I enjoy riding all but race my Epic just because of the fact that it’s a 4″
(finishing my previous post) travel full suspension that climbs as well as a hardtail but descends soooo much better and only weighs 23 lbs.My Epic is an XL while my 29er’s are XXL,I’m 6′5″ about 220 lbs. and I do compete in the local series in the “clydesdale”(over 200 lbs.) class where pretty much everyone rides a 26″ bike,full suspension. I know a couple of experts who race 29er’s and do quite well as I did last year. I did get a chance to test ride the new(Oct. 2009) Spec. Epic 29er and what a bike.An XXL weighs only 25.6 lbs. and it’s metal not carbon.For a race bike,if I could only afford one,I would have to stick with my Epic 26″.But for an all-around play bike I prefer my 29er FSR even though it weighs 28.8 lbs.
I want the Yeti ASR Carbon 2010!!!