Are you a 26er or a 29er?

With the widespread adoption of the 29er mountain bike in manufacturing and the mountain bike community, the growing debate of 29er vs. traditional 26″ mountain bikes is getting hot amongst riding groups.  If you are looking to upgrade your current mountain bike or get into the sport, your options are wider than ever which is a good thing for the sport but can be confusing when looking to purchase a new rig.

Sette's 29er Hardtail Vs. 26er Dual Suspension

29 inch mountain bikes are not going to revolutionize mountain biking the way suspension forks did, however they do have their advantages and some people will swear by them.  When it comes to choosing the right size mountain bike forget about the size of the frame or your crank length and saddle height.  The first thing you need to decide is: are you a 26er or a 29er?

The 29 inch mountain bike ride is different than a 26 incher.

Riding with bigger wheels will roll over and absorb small bumps and holes easier in the trail.  The downside?  Weight!  You will never be able to build wheels on 29er mountain bikes as light as 26 inch wheels.  And that extra weight is rotating mass so it counts double.

A 29 inch hardtail mountain bike is actually very similar to a dual suspension 26" XC bike.  Both have extra weight and slow steering and are designed for similar situations.  So which is best?

Both types of bikes are actually very good at trail riding.  A dual suspension 26” XC bike will take the 29er on rougher descents and descents with tight turns but you will find a 29er to be more stable and confident in technical situations.  This is due to its rigid frame, wheels that easily roll over small obstacles and a lower center of gravity.  A dually on the other hand will hang-up on rocks, its suspension will absorb valuable momentum and it will generally lurch around.

   “The ride is like having the snappy, lightweight responsiveness of a hardtail, but with better traction, handling, braking, etc.  Twenty nine inch wheels really do smooth out the ride and roll over a lot of chatter.  “   -  Sette Razzo XX Carbon 29er Review- Part one (initial impressions)

   “It loves to be sprinted out of corners, and maintains it’s speed easily. “ - Sette Razzo XX Carbon 29er Review- Part one (initial impressions)

 

So does the 29er win the contest because it can match the performance of a more expensive and advanced dually, or does tunable suspension make the 26er more versatile and the winner?  Only you can answer that.  Here is an article that was well written by an unsolicited and independent rider about the Sette Razzo Carbon XX 29er bike.

While the 29er keeps growing its popularity and fights against its rival the 26er, we know they will both be here for years to come.

Where can I get a 29er?

Checkout the new Sette Razzo 10S 29er bikes here.