27.5 versus 29er mtb

[mrbikerboy73]

I found 29" wheels a bit cumbersome for my liking but I really like the 27.5. The manoeuvrability is still there, all be it slightly less than a 26" wheel, and they roll over stuff better than a 26". There is a trade off between one and the other so a test ride is the only way to know which size is for you.

 

[Motozulu]

This is such a personal choice subject that there really is no 'correct' or 'wrong' answer. Mrbikerboy is spot on - you have to decide for yourself, neither is 'better' than the other, but you may prefer one to the other - not the same thing at all.

 

[PaulSecteur]

I have done a lot of research into wheel sizes and I can tell you, with some confidence that the facts are...

26 is the best and worst size.
27.5 is the best and worst size.
29 is the best and worst size.
You may need to grow a beard to ride some wheel sizes.

 

[e-rider]

if you are tall and ride a large frame you will be good on either 27.5 or 29"
however, if you are short with little legs and a small frame size then 27.5 is the way to go as a 29er will just be too large
26" wheels are rubbish - I thought that back in 1992

 

[mickle]

No-one is buying 29ers these days. Manufacturers are abandoning the standard like rats leaving a sinking ship.

 

[Crackle]

The new standard is plus size bikes. Everything else is now obsolete and should be retired.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Oh dear... looks like im going to have to start doing night rides round Cannock chase, just so people don't see me on a 29er.

 

[Drago]

I'm not such a fan of 29ers meself, and after s brief foray with a Carve went back to a 26. All mine are still 26, although I'm building a 650B at the moment with a recently acquired Pace frame.

 

[PaulSecteur]

At the recent Specialized demo day over Cannock they had a Stumpjumper with 6-fatties on. I don't know if its going to be the next big thing, but it did look good.

I think it could well be my next wheel size

 

[KneesUp]

I have done a lot of research into wheel sizes and I can tell you, with some confidence that the facts are...

26 is the best and worst size.
27.5 is the best and worst size.
29 is the best and worst size.
You may need to grow a beard to ride some wheel sizes.

There speaks a man who hasn't ridden 28 1/8th wheels

 

[PaulSecteur]

There speaks a man who hasn't ridden 28 1/8th wheels

Just tried them.

They are the best... and worst.

 

[psychopomp1]

The new standard is plus size bikes. Everything else is now obsolete and should be retired.

+99999999999
Currently in Chile and just bought a Trek Stache 9 29+ for £2.3k (2.8k in blighty). Its like riding a motorbike but with the agility of a mountain bike I don't think i will ever ride a standard mountain bike again. It came with 29" wheels, however they can be swapped with 27.5". Oh and it looks so damn sexy