Dirt Dilemma: 26”, 27.5”, or 29”?

Dirt Dilemma: 26”, 27.5”, or 29”?

By Richard Tom

What size wheel for your new mountain bike? Short answer: it depends. It comes down to you trying the different styles of bikes on dirt (our Duke of Earl test ride trail is a good place to start!). I tell our customers to not let the wheel size dictate what bike you choose. When evaluating a bike, take the bike as a whole, meaning, how the bike frame, components, and of course, wheel size, all contribute to how the bike feels to you. Whatever you like the best, you will ride the most and that is what it is all about

A perfect example of this is while at Interbike, the trade show for the cycling world, of which companies display and let the bike shop crowd demo bikes of almost every style and configuration. This past year, we rode some new 27.5” bike that were absolutely fantastic as well as some 27.5” bikes that were not that impressive. Historically, the same can be said about 29” bikes as well as 26” bikes.  Some bikes feel great, while others, not as much, no matter the wheel size, frame material, etc.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each wheel size?  Ever since the invention of the modern mountain bike, 26” wheels have ruled the roost.  The early pioneers like Joe Breeze, Tom Ritchey and Gary Fisher cobbled their first “Klunkers”, as they called them, from the frames and parts that were available at the time, this being 1930-ish cruisers like the Schwinn Excelsior. Guess what wheels fit these frames? 26”, and thus, the 26” wheel was the mountain bike standard for years. 

Fast forward to 2014.  26” wheels can be built almost bombproof and you still see them because of this on dirt jumpers as well as most downhill bikes. This now “smaller” wheel also (along with the frame geometry) gives these bikes a very darty and playful feel. If this may describe your riding style in the woods, maybe 26” is for you. Andrew, our service manager, just build up a new uber bike this winter. Out of all the bike he rode at Interbike , guess what felt best to him? A 26” wheeled Yeti SB66.

                                

                                                          26” Wheel Yeti SB66

The 27.5” wheel. This is the new kid on the block. What is up with this new size? Everyone is different. Thank goodness we are, or else we would all be riding the same bike and how boring would that be? The ability of a wheel with a larger diameter to rollover bumps more easily appeals to a lot of people, but the 29” wheel just never felt right for some. This is where the 27.5” makes sense. Also, it is pretty difficult to design a 29” wheeled bike with more than 150mm of travel and still have a quick handling bike as the chain stays have to really be elongated (for most full suspension designs) in order for the wheel to not hit the seat tube upon a  large compression.  A 27.5” for many will fit this combination of having a maneuverable bike, with a lot of suspension travel, as well as better obstacle roll over capabilities.  In fact, there are several downhill racing teams experimenting with 27.5” wheels this season. James S., Doug, and myself are looking forward to riding this newer wheel size this season.

                                              
                                                      

 27.5” Wheel Trek Remedy 9.9

The 29” wheel. Big wheels just roll over stuff, its plain and simple. 29” bikes have been out since the 90’s and arguably, revolutionized cross country style mountain bikes. Granted, some of these early 29” bikes handled like stagecoaches around tight corners but as everything does, this style of bike has evolved into the great handling bikes they are today.  As they say, “To each his own,”  as you should ride what you feel the best, but realistically, even a person of smaller stature can ride a 29” bike. If you follow World Cup mountain bike racing, many of the top women are generally relatively petite, standing around 5’1” to 5’ 4”. Guess what style of bike has dominated their racing field? 29” bikes.  29” bikes do have an edge with riding over roots, of which we have no shortage of here in Vermont. I am keeping my 29” bike and Tyler and Rick will be on new 29” bikes for this season.

                                                  

                                                          29” Wheel Giant Trance 29

So there you go.  All of us at Earl’s are riding different wheel sizes, brands and styles of bikes. There is no simple answer except to stop by and give the bikes a test ride and see what feels the best to you. Come in and touch base with any of our staff. We will set up the suspension for you and, if our trail is dry, you can take it for a ride on the Duke of Earl test ride trail. Until then, happy trails.

PS: Also here in Vermont, we are pretty lucky to have the great network of trails available to us. Check out the local mountain bike advocacy website of the Fellowship of the Wheel (http://www.fotwheel.org) . Get involved and join in on the fun of mountain biking, trail building, and land stewardship.