We know, there’s no such thing as a stupid question. But there are some questions you might not want to ask your local shop or riding buddies. AASQ is our weekly series where we get to the bottom of your questions – serious or otherwise. This time we probe major frame and wheel manufacturers about the prospect of wheels larger than 29er! Hit the link at the bottom of the post to submit your own question.
It wasn’t so long ago that the idea of 29″ wheels seemed far-fetched at best and completely unnecessary at worst. Now, in 2021, the most frequently raced mountain bike wheel size will be 29″, across XC, Enduro and Downhill disciplines.
Why? Because, just as 27.5″ wheels proved to be faster than 26″ wheels, 29ers are faster for most (not all) riders. For racing, it is a no-brainer. Gary Fisher’s partnership with Trek helped bring 29″ mountain bikes into the mainstream; Trek Superfly 100 But, will it top out at 29″? Can advances in bike geometry, suspension linkages, axle standards, rim technology, and tire casings come together to make wheel sizes larger than 29″ a viable alternative? Of course, for small riders, 29″ wheels are already pushing it… 5′ tall Isabeau Courdurier raced her Lapierre Zesty mullet to the top spot in the 2020 EWS; Pro Bike Check here While many get on with it very successfully, some short pro-riders who were asked to race 29″ bikes have pushed for a mullet option as they […]
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