Anyone with a pulse and at least a slight knowledge of the bicycle industry today has noticed that the 29 inch wheels that made their debut a few years back haven’t slowed down….consumers still want them, manufacturers keep pumping them out, and the hunger for them has yet to be quenched. So what is it about them that has been so enticing to bicycle enthusiasts and common-folk alike?
It has to do with both comfort and ease of use. The 29 inch wheel offers less rolling friction, better traction, and an overall more comfortable ride than their 26 inch counterparts. Even conquering those unexpected bumps in the road is easier with better obstacle rollover in the 29er.
But it’s not all perfect at the end of the day. After all, like any industry, the bicycle is in a constant state of evolution. Today’s “29er has more rotating mass, they certainly aren't lighter, they have a higher center of gravity (just slightly), and designing a 29 inch bike with more than XC travel can pose some serious problems.”
However, it seems ‘by far the biggest argument against the 29 inch category is that it creates some issues with longer suspension travel and it seems that is the way the industry is moving these days.’
‘On the other hand, 29 inch mountain bikes are creating some undeniable benefits. For larger to normal sized people who know they don't want more than XC travel (80mm-100mm), these bikes may have some serious merit.’
It’s a no-brainer that the debate over the benefits and disadvantages of the 29 inch wheel isn’t going away anytime soon. So regardless of your technical background, just let the bikes speak for themselves and go with what feels right.
No comments:
Post a Comment