One for the mountain bikers
 

Ok, so as some of you know I'm doing this sponsored cycle in June, and have sourced what I need to do it, so that's all in hand.

However, I've been spending a fair bit of time in my local bike shop and have been having a play on a few things :norty:

So, as an added incentive I have decided that funds allowing* I'm going to upgrade my MTB once I've done the ride. Pretty much decided what I'm going to get.

Question for the Scoobynet massive is, what are the thoughts of a 29er as opposed to a 26 wheel, as its basically available in either format?

Anyone got decent experience of both?

id have thought it simple physics..
different size wheels to do different jobs

did you put that q to them in the store ?

Its more how they go about the same job. Spoke to them about it at length, but its not that simple. Many different variables and not clear cut.

Tried both, but its hard to tell in a restricted timescale test, so looking for thoughts from anyone who's spent a lot of time with both.

reading through this, i see where you are going now. looks like a massive debate between the enthusiasts... :thumb:

http://mountainbike.about.com/od/buy...50B_wheels.htm

Is your sponsored bike ride on main roads or off road ? A mountain bike will be hard work on roads over long distances compared to a road bike.

Ive not had any experience with 29 inch wheels, they will be heavier than 26 inch wheels so if your doing a sponsored bike ride over a long distance you'd want to keep the weight down the best you can.

Good luck with ride.

Rob...

I went on a ride and one of the lads was on a 29er...he raced a bus! I'm not sold on it really, can you get a longer test ride, take it somewhere you know?

I'm hoping to change (add) bikes before my sponsored ride, looking at a Ragley :D

Charity ride all sorted.

Looking for views on the wheel size :)

Options are this

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...20spark%20bike

Or this

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...20spark%20bike

Never ridden one, i have been out with a lad who had one, but it would not be fair to judge it due to the lad struggling as he might have been low on skills?

It looked a bit crap on the singletrack we were on though.

I would quite like to ride one to judge for myself.

Only 1 member of the local geek/mtb club that i sometimes ride with actually has one!

Struggling to find sub 30lb 29ers so guess that tells its own story but they will roll over certain obstacles better and appear to climb well, no personal experience though

Choice of tyres later down the road ? more available in 26inch

Spoke if you break them ? as above

Wheel replacement if you trash bend a wheel mmm as above you might not get a matching one

Lighter 26inch wheel bikes versus the same in a 29er !

Plus there will be loads of deals out there because the 29er's are new buzz word.

I'm in the trade and see both advantage/disadvantages on both bikes.

im out.

wheres the sponsor link?

The Spark is a good bike and (according to MBR) better in it's 2012 form. The 26" recently won a group test (the Spark 60 version) so it must be doing something good.

I have the 2010 Spark 60 but I've upgaded the forks & a couple of other bits so it comes in around 28lb with pedals. It has been good and reliable but you're on a limited travel bike don't forget, so massive black runs/jumps etc will bring out the limitations. Think of it as it was designed, a XC racer machine, for which its perfect, not an all mountain or DH bike.

I can't comment as to 26 vs 29. 29s are meant to roll over bumps etc easier but they tend to be heavier and unsprung weight is obviously more. I'm happy with 26 for the time being but the current mens XC champ runs a Specialised 29 I believe.

Wheels have been 26" for longer than i have been alive. Personally I dont understand why 29" has appeared. As the saying goes 'why re-invent the wheel'!

Depends on your budget, I built a Lynskey Pro 29 for a customer a few weeks back and got that down to 26LB with no problems, Cost was over 3K though...