I’m looking to buy a new mountain bike (£3k budget). The one I’m riding is so old it has 26-inch wheels. Now I’ve got to decide between 27.5 and 29 inch wheels. I’m 5ft 8 and ride trails rather than jumps. Which option should I go for? Sarah Williams, editor of fellow Our Media title, Who Do You Think You Are
Thankfully, this question is relatively easy to answer in today's market. Unless you're super short, a 29er mountain bike is almost always a better choice. But why?
29in wheels are common on modern mountain bikes, across trail, XC, enduro and downhill categories.
These larger wheels have a better rollover ability, meaning that they will smooth out the bumps, roots, rocks and other obstacles on the trail, making rougher terrain feel less jarring and helping you to ride faster.
In addition to this, a larger wheel size means you'll have a bigger contact patch with the ground at any given time, enhancing grip, which is particularly beneficial in corners and on climbs.
There's also anecdotal evidence that 29in wheels will give a greater feeling of momentum, often feeling more spritely on test.
Really small adults and younger riders may benefit from the smaller wheel size of 27.5in, but otherwise 29ers will give you plenty of options for tyres and other spares.
Really tall riders could potentially benefit from even bigger wheels, but alas these are not commonly available.
Do you have a cycling question you want answered? Every month, we’ll select the most interesting questions and bring you an expert-level response from our unparalleled access to the greatest minds in cycling, both on the BikeRadar staff and across the industry. Send your questions through to podcast@bikeradar.com
