Campag4life

Is there really much of a difference to a casual mountain biker who generally will only use the bike for running down dirt roads, commute to town and the occasional foray on a single track or paved cycling paths...but no technical stuff? Seems as though 29'ers tend to be a bit more expensive, less available tires and to me, I just prefer a 26'er for some reason. Anybody have a lot of experience with both that could give me some advice?
Thanks.

craigcraigcraig

you could search and find many answers but no it wont help you is casual riding unless you prefer the look or something.

ed 

Thread closed...please God...thread closed!!!

born2bahick

OMG Not another one, Jesus let me die tomorrow

-FF-

That poor horse has been flogged for too long.

JonathanGennick 

This is still true, though the situation is improving. As 29ers grow in market-share, bike brands are putting out lower-priced models. Specialized has a 29er Hardrock for 2010, though I bet the price will be at the top end of their Hardrock line. Fisher now has the Mamba to hit that below-$1000 pricepoint.

If you've tried both sizes, then buy the size that you prefer. If you've never tried a 29er, try to find a bike shop or a friend that will give you a test ride. Then still buy the size that you prefer.

For the riding you describe, you could also look at a hybrid that is skewed towards the mountain-end of the spectrum. The Specialized Crosstrail is an example of what I'm talking about. Trek's FX series is worth a look too.

ed 

skiahh

Pretty much dead on.

The benefits you'll get from a 9er over 26" are more momentum and stability on your flat paths and a bit more comfort on your occasional foray into singletrack. But those advantages will not be noticeable to you as a casual rider.

So, the bottom line, as Jonathan said is to try both and get the one you prefer.

victim

I have decided that any time a 29 versus 26 bike thread is started I will kill one puppy. The choice is yours Bike Forum members.

Shimagnolo

Do you have enough puppies in stock to also handle the chain cleaning/lubing threads?

ed 

Moving on to kittens.

DeweyJuice

Also consider that on any forum dedicated to a particular hobby people described differences as small as 0.1%.

JonathanGennick 

Which brings up the question of how best to lube 29er chains...

We should probably be using a larger diameter lube.

skiahh

Yeah, your supplies of puppies, cats and any other small, cute furry critters has been long wiped out by everyone else who thinks they are so superior and makes the same declaration for the Spec vs Trek vs GF vs ?? threads, HT vs FS, carbon vs Al vs Ti, disc vs rim and many other debates that have raged around here and elsewhere as technology evolves, brands rise and fall and whatever else changes in our world.

Your creativity in your response is not only unimaginative, but as dated as shag carpets, olive green appliances and leisure suits.

TinyCycler

If you don't like a thread, don't respond. How immature are you to go on about beating dead horses and killing puppies and closing threads? Not everyone has your knowledge of bicycles or the history of this forum. Get a life and just ignore the questions you don't like. That's what mature people do.

What must those new to the forum think when people respond to their queries in such a manner?

Thanks to the few who realized it is a question deserving of a serious answer and gave one.

And don't bother giving me an asinine response to this post. If you don't have manners, I don't care.

Dannihilator

How about chipmunks instead.

skiahh

Hmmm... I'd go a step further and say that generous, kind and mature people would take the time to answer the question, even though it's been asked again and again.

TinyCycler

You are correct. Maybe mature but maybe not kind and generous people.

craigcraigcraig

DenisMenchov

For what you plan to do a 29er is more ideal IMO if you plan to do long commutes. I'd say go with a full rigid... 29er, and put some cyclocross tires on it. You can get this one for like $349, sounds like it'd be perfect for what you plan to do. The slate grey version looks really nice as well. Only thing I don't like on it is the brakes. I'd rather have disc brakes, but for your purpose, this would work.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...tcast29_08.htm

JonathanGennick 

Dennis makes a good point about running a rigid fork. I tend to agree with him on that. His suggestion is worth considering. And if you're roads are bumpy and you want a bit of shock-absorption, you can stick with fatter tire at a lowish air pressure.

My own commuter/errand-running bike is a Fargo with a rigid fork and 29er Big-Apple tires at 20psi. I'm mostly on pavement, but last night I did a mixed ride that was perhaps 3/4ths pavement and 1/4th ATV trails that I linked in here and there. I even got maybe four-to-six inches of air from a well-placed root on a slight downhill. The bike did fine on all of that.

ed 

https://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/d440.html
I don't recommend a SS for the OP.

DenisMenchov

SS = lighter and less problems for a commuter.

ed 

Those darned pesky rear derailleurs.

I just know that I tend to "spin out" on my SS when I ride to work. It takes a great deal more time to get there. If I were geared really "high"...then I'd be all nasty by the time I get to work from climbing hills in a high gear.

Just food for thought.

JonathanGennick 

True, but we don't know the OP's terrain, nor his fitness-level.