[brj]

The larger the diameter, the larger the rock or hole you can roll over without noticing it.  In the extreme, think about what kind of terrain a monster truck can roll over compared to, say, a jeep.  (I'm ignoring suspension, engine, etc. - just the wheel size.)

You also have greater rolling momentum, which also makes it easier to just keep rolling through obstacles, although turning and acceleration may not be quite as sprightly as for a standard 26" wheeled bike for the same reason - more mass to spin up and change direction.  Did you ever play with a gyroscope as a child, where you set it spinning, and then try to change its orientation?  If so, do you remember the resistance?  The larger wheels will have a stronger gyroscopic effect, and thus not want to turn quite as fast as smaller wheels.  That said, frame geometry will usually have a bigger effect on steering than the wheel size difference.

It really is amazing what you can blow through with the larger wheels...

[PhilNYC]

Pardon the newb question, but what arethe advantages of 29" wheels?

Thanks

Mike Fox

There is continuing debate as to the merits of 29" wheels.  The high-level benefit is that they roll over stuff easier and are more stable at higher speeds.  The downsides are that the larger wheels add weight and are not quite as nimble in the handling.  Here's an article that touches on some of the finer details of the debate:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2006/features/29invs26inpt2

[bunnyma357]

If you like to tinker, and reconfigure your bikes at all, an interesting 29" choice might be something like a Surly Karate Monkey. I tend to swap parts around, and configure bikes for different tasks, like commuting, single speed, off-road touring, etc., so I've been really intrigued by all options that the Karate Monkey gives, although I wish it had horizontal dropouts rather than track ends.

Available as a bike or frame/fork - and geometry allows for adding a suspension fork if you want.

http://www.surlybikes.com/km_comp.html

Jim C

[Russell Dawkins]

  Here's an article that touches on some of the finer details of the debate:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2006/features/29invs26inpt2

Seems like they barely  got past the introduction in that tech piece. When I checked later years (this was 2006) to find conclusions, there was a brief mention in Feb 07 then apparently nothing since, so no conclusions that I could find. I wonder what became of their carefully set up test.

[PhilNYC]

If you like to tinker, and reconfigure your bikes at all, an interesting 29" choice might be something like a Surly Karate Monkey. I tend to swap parts around, and configure bikes for different tasks, like commuting, single speed, off-road touring, etc., so I've been really intrigued by all options that the Karate Monkey gives, although I wish it had horizontal dropouts rather than track ends.

Available as a bike or frame/fork - and geometry allows for adding a suspension fork if you want.

http://www.surlybikes.com/km_comp.html

Jim C

Aren't the horizontal dropouts what make that bike good for single-speed configuration?  I thought horizontal dropouts = track ends...?

[PhilNYC]

  Here's an article that touches on some of the finer details of the debate:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2006/features/29invs26inpt2

Seems like they barely  got past the introduction in that tech piece. When I checked later years (this was 2006) to find conclusions, there was a brief mention in Feb 07 then apparently nothing since, so no conclusions that I could find. I wonder what became of their carefully set up test.

Yeah, but I thought that all the discussion about how the 29" wheels affected the geometry choices was pretty interesting.

My personal take on 26" vs. 29" is that the added weight and tougher handling of the 29" are not worth the benefit gained in rolling over rough stuff, particularly on the east coast with more technical riding.  Maybe 29" wheels are good for riding fire roads and converted rail trails, but 26" is preferable for single-track...

[JoshK]

This thread makes me want to get a bike.  Phil, where do you ride around here?

[PhilNYC]

This thread makes me want to get a bike.  Phil, where do you ride around here?

For mountain biking, it depends on whether you want to just do relatively leisurely rides on fire roads and dirt paths, or if you want to do more "real" mountain biking (singletrack et al).  For more leisurely rides, there are some good state parks just north of the NJ/NY border (Tallman State Park, Harriman State Park).  For more "real" mountain biking, check out Ringwood Park, Watchung Park, or if you're willing to go a little further, Plattekill (NY)...a small ski mountain that lets bikers take the lifts up the mountain in the summer.

Oh, and Josh...I'm friendly with a couple of the bike shops around here, so let me know if you want to go bike shopping...!

[konut]

Pardon the newb question, but what arethe advantages of 29" wheels?

Thanks

Mike Fox

There is continuing debate as to the merits of 29" wheels.  The high-level benefit is that they roll over stuff easier and are more stable at higher speeds.  The downsides are that the larger wheels add weight and are not quite as nimble in the handling.  Here's an article that touches on some of the finer details of the debate:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2006/features/29invs26inpt2

Heh heh. I just put a 650B wheel on the front of my Prophet. 650 is between 26" and 29" at 27.5"

[bunnyma357]

Aren't the horizontal dropouts what make that bike good for single-speed configuration?  I thought horizontal dropouts = track ends...?

Sometimes the terminology gets mixed in use, but generally track ends open to the back and horizontal dropouts like those on older bikes open towards the front. Both are great for tensioning the chain on a single speed. Usually not a big deal, unless you decide to put fenders on, then to remove a wheel with track ends you may have to remove the fenders. I think there may also be some issues with disc brake mounting and track ends, but I'm not sure since I'm more of a rim brake fan.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_dr-z.html#dropout



Jim C

[2bigears]

  29-er's are a bigger wheel for faster riding.one bike shop up here fits you for two hours on a bike,fit is the most important thing....

[PhilNYC]

Pardon the newb question, but what arethe advantages of 29" wheels?

Thanks

Mike Fox

There is continuing debate as to the merits of 29" wheels.  The high-level benefit is that they roll over stuff easier and are more stable at higher speeds.  The downsides are that the larger wheels add weight and are not quite as nimble in the handling.  Here's an article that touches on some of the finer details of the debate:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2006/features/29invs26inpt2

Heh heh. I just put a 650B wheel on the front of my Prophet. 650 is between 26" and 29" at 27.5"

Where do you find tires...?

[bunnyma357]

Heh heh. I just put a 650B wheel on the front of my Prophet. 650 is between 26" and 29" at 27.5"

Where do you find tires...?

You can probably order 650B tires through any bike store, if you don't have a shop that stocks them.  Here's two places you can order on line - Harris Cyclery and Rivendell Bikes.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/584.html

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/tires_tubes_pumps_patches?a=1&page=all


Jim C

[konut]

Heh heh. I just put a 650B wheel on the front of my Prophet. 650 is between 26" and 29" at 27.5"

Where do you find tires...?

You can probably order 650B tires through any bike store, if you don't have a shop that stocks them.  Here's two places you can order on line - Harris Cyclery and Rivendell Bikes.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/584.html

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/tires_tubes_pumps_patches?a=1&page=all


Jim C

This is correct. Here is a pretty complete list of 650B tires.
http://www.cyclos-cyclotes.org/650/pneus_650.html
Most of these are available in the US. I'm the same height as the OP. 29" wheeled bikes are just too big for me. I got a Col de la Vie through my LBS. Took 4 days. Velocity has a number of 650B rims. I got mine through Stans though.
http://www.notubes.com/product_info.php/cPath/487_489/products_id/417

[Imperial]

Here is a Cannondale with Lefty fork and 29 wheels! And discs

And it's within my budget!
Specs:

           Frame:    Cannondale Caffeine F29
    Fork:    Cannondale Lefty 29er 80
    Rear damper:    NA
    wheel:    WTB SpeedDisc
    tyre:    WTB Prowler SL 29x2,1
    petal:    SPD
    Crank:    Shimano Octalink
    gears:    9-split
    Front changer:    Shimano LX
    Rear Changer:    SRAM X-7
    Gear lever:    SRAM trigger
    Bars:    ControlTech Riser
    Bar peg:    Cannondale
    Brakes:    Avid Juicy 3
    Break handles:    Avid Juicy 3
    Seat peg:    FSA FR270

How does this sound Konut?
And what's with the lefty? What is the reason for that?

Imp.

[Nick77]

I dont remember if this point was made but often when you discover the joy of mountain biking you just naturally gravitate to more rougid and challaging terrain over time.
I would seriously consider a rear shock which more often than not can be locked down for crosscrounty but be available when terrain warranted.
It is really unsafe to do almost any freeriding without the added control of rear suspension.

[Imperial]

Okay, I'll look into the rear shock with lock out options too.

Tanx again!

Imp.

[PhilNYC]

I never quite understood the reasoning behind the lefty fork...I suppose there is some weight savings without the need of a right part of the fork, but I would think that this design would have some drawbacks in the actual suspension action...

[konut]

Besides the weight reduction, there are half the moving parts, and the stiction is also reduced by half. But mostly one needs to experience the Lefty because there is the Lefty, and then there is everything else. No drawbacks as far as I can tell. Imperial, you need to see if they can fit you to a 29er. Even a small frame 29er felt awkward to me. You might like it. I could have gone with either a medium or small on the Prophet, but decided on the small because its more responsive and flickable. I have the feeling of greater control. It might be an illusion though. In retrospect I probably should have gone with a medium as I ended up getting a longer stem and setback seat post to expand the cockpit. Regardless, the bike feels really good now so I'm satisfied.

[Se7en]

I suppose it is the same as a set of speakers for me.

If I were planning on multiple upgrades over the coming years, I would probably apply a more stringent budget, knowing that I would purchase again.

If I knew that I wanted to purchase something that I would keep for many years (even knowing in full advance that it would extend or exceed my budget), I would get my bike from these guys...

http://www.sevencycles.com

They build a bike to you. I have not pesronally seen much better work...