What's
the big deal about big bike wheels?
By Lukas Brinkerhoff
February 27. 2008 | 29ers are here to stay. Love 'em
or hate 'em they aren't going to disappear anytime soon.
Every major manufacture, except Giant, has introduced
at least one model. Most brands have 3 or 4 different
models in their arsenal. So what's the big deal about
big wheels?
For those who are uninitiated in the "revolution,"
let me bring you up to speed. 29ers, as they are now
called, are mountain bikes with slightly bigger wheels.
The standard 26-inch wheel was chosen due to its availability
when the forefathers started bombing singe track on
their clunkers.
The size was originally introduced by Schwinn as a
juvenile size for its durability. Proponents of bigger
wheels will quickly note that it was not due to any
scientific data that 26-inch wheels became the standard.
It was simply what was available. They will not mention
that 29-inch wheels are also based on an available standard,
but we will get to that later.
When mountain bikes first began to bomb down hills,
there was an over abundance of old cruisers with their
wide-rimmed 26-inch balloon tires. The first mountain
bikers learned quick that the small wheels, and high
volume tires held up to abuse well and they were easy
to get without having to manufacture anything special.
They have dominated the sport ever since.
Over the years, a few different builders have attempted,
with varying success, to introduce different standards.
Usually, due to some specific need, but none was ever
successful in overcoming the 26-inch dominance. 29ers
are the first to give the standard a challenge.
There are a few
reasons the bigger size wheel has caught on. First,
the bigger wheels roll over things easier. Having a
three inch taller wheel, creates a point where impact
of obstacles is closer to the ground, allowing the wheel
to simply continue to roll.
Second, the bigger wheel holds momentum better, or
in other words rolls longer. The rim on a 29-inch wheel
is farther from the center which allows it to hold its
centrifugal force longer.
Third, the bigger wheel requires longer spokes. Longer
spokes create a wheel that can flex. A wheel that flexes
creates a smoother ride. Hence, you will see many 29ers
without any suspension.
Fourth, the larger tire has a bigger contact point
with the ground providing greater traction when one
tries to stop or go. This was the first thing I noticed
when I started to ride my 29er. It was easier to control
my downhill momentum and I didn't spin out as easily
on the uphill grunts.
So what is holding the revolution back? Every one of
these positives also has a conflicting negative. A wheel
that holds its momentum is also more difficult to get
up to speed. The longer spokes create a heavier wheel,
and some people don't like flex. The larger contact
point provides awesome traction but also creates more
friction, making the wheels harder to get rolling.
Unfortunately, no one has done a true scientific test.
Cycling News started one, but two years later, still hasn't
published their results. It is easy to find thousands
of riders on both sides of the debate who are passionate
about their position. Both sides are right.
Before I began riding 29ers, I thought they were just
strange contraptions that were good for certain terrains.
After riding one exclusively for over a year, I still
think they are good for certain terrains, but choose
to ride them in places most people wouldn't think to
take a bigger wheeled bike. 26-inch bikes are not going
away, but luckily either are 29ers.
For more info or to voice your opinion, check outDirt
Rag's forum dedicated to 29ers.
MS
MS |
