Can i ride a 29er

New technologies and better materials have enabled a few willing brands to make bikes with big wheels and extra-small frames feel nimble and fast. Ten years ago, when I first rode a mountain bike with inch wheels, I hated it.

A lot of cyclists were hyping the performance benefits of the larger wheel size. The size-small 29er that I tested felt as agile as an aircraft carrier and just as effortful to get moving. Over the next several years, I had scarce opportunities to try competing models, because few 29ers were even made in my size. Another complaint was the tall stand-over height, which compromised bike handling.

Shorter women and teens enjoyed better performance from bikes built around and Over the years, bike manufacturers have evolved the 29er formula.

Some of those innovations have made it possible to extend the fit and performance to accommodate four-foot-ten riders. They can take more work to get rolling, but they also hold more speed, offer more traction, and smooth out rough terrain.

Inventive components have also given frame designers an expanded range of build options. Plus, innovative suspension systems have created new ways for the rear wheel to absorb hits from rocks and roots—and ultimately, have made smaller frames more viable.

Such advanced geometries are a boon for riders of all sizes, but in particular, they have opened the door to small-size, high-performance 29ers. Still, a few companies are translating the latest in 29er technology into frames that are optimized for the shortest cyclists. This may have something to do with the fact that the brands consult data on rider physiques that span the entire globe, including demographics that skew shorter than the U.

The aluminum Liv Pique 29 and the carbon Pique Advanced Pro 29 represent excellent options for the under-five-foot-four crowd. Both come in an extra small, which fits four-foot-ten to five-foot-four riders, and a small, which fits five-foot-two to five-foot-seven riders.

Once they took a spin on a 29er, they immediately commented on how natural it felt. Which wheel size is best? Our conclusion is: it truly depends. In the end, there are so many variables to consider when purchasing a mountain bike.

Fortunately, with so many great bikes on the market in both Ultimately, the decision should come down to your priorities and how you feel on the bike we always recommend testing out as many as you can. We take a deep dive into the mountain bike wheel size debate. Photo Credit. Ride Experience All other things being equal, bikes with Performance Benefits and Drawbacks Bike Recommendations There are plenty of great Ride Experience Largely because of their lower attack angle, 29ers roll over trail obstacles easier than Performance Benefits and Drawbacks One of the most tangible performance benefits of inch wheels is their ability to maintain momentum, which generally translates to higher speeds.

Bike Recommendations As with Does Height Matter? Powered by Drupal. Read More From Switchback Travel. Mountain bikes have come a long way in recent years, with trends like inch wheels—and more recently, For many mountain bikers, understanding the background, history, and ethos of a company has a major impact on the purchase of a new rig.

However, with so many brands to choose from, it can Santa Cruz is known for making some of the best bikes in the industry, and their attention to detail and quality of craftsmanship are second to none. The Bronson line made its debut all the way back in Skip that extra bit of carbon instead.

A quality mountain bike shoe plays a number of important roles. Its solid platform delivers power to the pedals, strong construction keeps your feet protected, and secure fit Those eyeing set-ups under Of all the bike brands on the market today, Minnesota-based Salsa Cycles conjures up the most thoughts of adventure and getting off the beaten path.

A rider on A couple of years ago the It was an answer from the industry to the demand for more traction on the The wheel diameter is the same but the difference it the tire which is deeper, wider and has more volume. Problem and debate solved right? Any changes often are heavily debated on forums and mountain bike communities and they never seem to agree.

Anyway, the benefits are clear. More traction compared to the normal By releasing some of the air and lowering the air pressure the It still has all the properties a normal You can only make a decision once you tried them out yourself, no video or blog post can help you with that. Just make sure you are well informed before you make a purchase. If you come from a BMX background you probably want something more responsive though.

No matter which size you choose, 29 and Still to this day the sizes are heavily debated on forums and sites like Reddit. You practice and get better and deal with the advantages and disadvantages using your skills. You work around the limitations of your bike by using your skills and brain. Feeling insecure about your wheel size should be the last thing on your mind, to each their own.

Another important fact you should base your decision on is the terrain you ride. Which is the most fun and where do you ride most often should factor in your decision which bike you are going for. Climbing can be a pain, as a casual rider you probably want to make this as easy as possible, so pick a bike that can get you through.