Better Ride
"The larger wheels provide better cornering traction and help smooth out rough terrain," says 29er convert Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, 31, a veteran mountain biker with the Subaru/Gary Fisher team and five-time national cross-country champ. "Those are big confidence boosters when you're riding fast or on a trail you're not that familiar with."
More Speed
"You hold momentum much better than with a 26er," says two-time Olympian Todd Wells, who swapped to a 29er after racing a Specialized Stumpjumper with the larger wheels last year. "The bike excelled in fast conditions with lots of transitions and sweeping turns. The bigger wheels also allow you to descend faster and with more control—it almost feels like cheating," he adds with a laugh.
Versatility
Big 29-inch wheels make rear suspension a luxury, not a necessity—reducing a bike's weight and simplifying maintenance. "A hardtail [front suspension only] 29er can smooth out rough terrain almost as well as a 26-inch full-suspension bike while retaining the simplicity, stiffness, and handling of a hardtail," Wells says.
Greater Stability
For years, some racers avoided 29ers because they didn't excel on supertight, twisty, single-lane trails. Recent design refinements have corrected those problems. "Now the rider sits more between the wheels as opposed to on top of them—so cornering stability is a lot better than it used to be," Wells says. "The bigger wheels provide a more stable platform when going downhill; it's harder to accidentally crash and flip over the handlebars with them."
Accessibility
Just because the bike is bigger doesn't mean you have to be. Design tweaks keep the bikes accessible to all riders, not just those built like Shaq. "Tall people aren't the only ones who benefit from the big wheels," Wells says. "The U.S.'s Willow Koerber piloted her 29er to a bronze medal at the World Championships last year—and she's 5'2".
**Article originally published in Men's Fitness
