Depending on the level of travel, your height, and the trails you are planning to ride, you will have to choose between the 26 and the 29er bikes.
But with the wide adoption of the 29er and the fact that the sales for the 29er have been going up in the past few years, you might want to look at the features of these two bikes, and whether you need the 26 or the 29er.
In this article, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about these two bikes and the option that best suits your needs.
So, how do these two bikes differ?
Well, the 26-inch mountain bike is an older variety of the two, and it features smaller diameter tires, unlike the now super-popular 29er bike, also called a 700c bike, which comes with larger tires.
Comparison Table: 26er vs. 29er
26” |
29er |
|
Diameter |
559mm |
622mm |
Mountain Bikes |
Maybe for smoother trails |
Great performance |
Beginner’s Perspective |
Great option |
Not beginner-friendly |
Suspension |
Full suspension |
Hardtails |
26er vs. 29er – How do they differ?
The 26” Bikes
If you’ve been on the mountain biking scene for some time, you’ve probably come across the 26 bikes, or you could have used it too. This bike is regarded as the oldest model of mountain bikes, and though it’s been losing its popularity in the past few years, it remains the standard/ reference point for mountain biking.,
With a 26-inch wheel, this bike is quite lightweight, which means that the bike is pretty fast, and it fits riders in varied sizes. They work well on smoother trails, and If you are looking for the fastest quick-off acceleration line, then this bike will be a good option for you. It’s an imperfect bike though – for starters, it’s not a good option for you if you need a bike with more forgiveness for longer and bumpier rides.
The smaller wheels of this bike and the smaller circumference mean that the bike’s wheels are sturdier and more resistant to deformation in case of impact. The smaller size and the structural strength of the bike enhance the bike’s ability to handle drop-offs, as well as crashes. The design of the bike further results in the bike’s maneuverability, hence its efficiency on difficult courses and for the technical riders.
The 29er
First released in 2010, the 29-inch bike or the 29eer has taken the bike riding world by storm, quite literally. It’s one of the most popular alternatives for the 26-inch, and the thing that really stands out from this bike has to be the wide/ large wheels, as well as the fact that the bike has the ability to reach impressively high top speeds.
The wider wheels on this bike give the large bike traction and a large rollover footprint over roots, rocks, and stumps. The wide wheels make the bike a preferable option to the smaller 26-inch bike when it comes to some of the roughest terrains.
For an overall improvement in the bike’s efficiency, the 29er needs less suspension; it’s more stable, and it also boasts higher confidence levels. The large wheels also make the bike more forgiving and extremely efficient. And with travel options ranging from 100mm to 140mm, this bike is a great option for longer rides.
The design of the 29er is the other reason why this 622mm wheel boasts excellent rolling resistance, as well as high trail speeds in the otherwise large wheel, sluggish mountain bike.
The larger circumference of this bike the other advantageous feature of this bike as it ensures that the tire has more contact with the ground, which means more traction.
As for its ability to roll over larger obstacles, the bike has a high material strength from the high-strength carbon fiber, a design feature that also increases the durability of the bike.
29er Bikes Pros and Cons
Pros
- Idea bike for taller riders
- Ideal for top-speed, long-distance performance
- Larger wheels offer more forgiveness a
- Less suspension travel needed to soak up terrains, hence a high level of efficiency
- High traction and higher riding confidence
- Ideal for longer rides
- 29ers are faster than the 26
- Great for climbs and descents
- High rotational weight
- Comfortable rides
Cons
- Slower acceleration
- Weighs more
- Doesn’t work for FR and DH riders
- Slower reaction times for twitchy trails
- Harder for shorter/ smaller riders
26 Bikes Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lightweight and ideal for twitchy trails
- High acceleration
- Fast reaction times
- Works for riders of all sizes
- Great lateral strength for the FR and DH rides
Cons
- The bikes need a higher tire pressure
- Less forgiving over rocks and bumps
- The added suspension needed to soak up terrains, hence lower efficiency
- Slower top speeds
- Less traction because of the smaller footprint
26 vs. 29 Mountain Bike
The 26 and the 29 are easily the best mountain bikes on the market, but before you choose one over the other, you need to bear in mind important considerations like the traction, speed, and the bike’s performance over uneven, rocky, and stumpy trails. To this end, the 29er is more effective in mountaineering than the 26-inch bike.
While the 26 is the standard mountain bike for certain trails, specifically the steep downhill descents, thanks to their durability, along with their large suspension clearance and the high bottom brackets (designed to ensure simpler rides on the toughest hills and at the most dangerous speeds), it’s not always the best option for every rider.
Essentially, the 26-inch features high-strength wheels, which because of the smaller size, boast higher maneuverability, hence excellent performance in technical rides or competitions on mountain bike trails. So, if you need a high-precision ride and good handling at lower speeds, for example, the rock gardens, this 26-inch bike would be a great option for you.
But if you need larger traction, more efficient, and high-confidence bike for long trails, cross-country biking, then you might want to try the 29er. This bike is ideal for mountain biking thanks to the large wheels, which offer impressive speed and comfort riding capabilities.
The larger wheels increase the bike’s rolling resistance and increase the speed of the bike, hence its suitability for longer rides and races. The design of the bike also means that you don’t have to worry about the loss of maneuverability or durability from the bike.
26er Vs. 29er: A Beginners Perspective
The 26er is a better bike for beginners because of its lightweight design, which means that you have more control over the bike. The 29er isn’t ideal for beginners, and it takes some getting used to.
Full Suspension 26 Vs. 29 Hardtail
The 29ers work best with hardtail suspensions while the 26er would use some full-suspension for the best results.
FAQs
Are 26-inch mountain bikes obsolete?
Following the rise in the number of 29ers and their effectiveness on longer trails, the 26ers have lost their popularity. They aren’t 100% obsolete, though.
Can you put 26-inch wheels on a 29-inch bike?
Yes, you can. All you need to do is to make sure that the 29er you are putting the 26-inch wheels into contains disc brakes. Just note that this change will lower the bike’s height by about 1.5inches, hence a reduction on ground clearance. There’s also the fact that the conversion would leave the bottom bracket very low.
Why does the 29er feel so big?
Because of the larger wheel size, the 29er will appear pretty big in the beginning. But this isn’t a bad thing, and as long as you aren’t below 5ft in height, the larger bike will come with a good number of advantages.
For example, the large bike means better momentum and less effort over larger distances, especially on open terrain. The bike also offers better control and traction when cornering or climbing, and you might also like the big wheels because it offers a higher attack angle, hence reduction of impact, less fatigue, and smoothened out trails.
Why 26-inch wheels?
Though some people think of the 26ers as dead and obsolete bikes, the 26er isn’t a bad bike. It’s smaller and lightweight, which means that it’s a great option for anyone looking for a competitive edge when riding/ racing uphill.
It’s lighter and smaller, which translates to higher agility and high riding speeds on smooth riding surfaces/ trails.
Then you have the stronger wheels that come from the bike’s small size. The wheel strength makes this bike a good option during the downhill rides on mountainsides.
The 26er is, therefore, ideal for riders who wish to get up and down the smooth trails with ease and with less bike weight to deal with. It’s also a great fit for anyone riding on narrow and more technical trails that call for perfect acceleration from slower speeds. But overall, these bikes favor the downhillers looking for the strongest wheels.
Conclusion
26ers and 29ers are great bikes that serve different purposes. The 26er has stronger wheels for smoother, more technical trails and downhills, while the 29er is ideal for tough and uneven terrains (rocky, with stumps, etc.), as it offers more traction, control, confidence, and better performance on longer, uneven rides.