By: Chris Morris

Mountain bike traditionalists have had a hard time accepting the 29er. The 29er rolls big over the trail and makes going over rocky and rooty terrain much easier than a regular sized mountain bike. What may take a good deal of finesse to make it over difficult terrain on regular mountain bike is made much easier on a 29er.

The big tires simply rolls over the trail like a tank.

The 29er tends to absorb more contact with the ground making the trail ride more comfortable. Add dual suspension to the bike and you really have the potential for a plush trail bike. Critics charge that the 29er weights too much to be a truly effective mountain climber but there is no evidence to support that the 29er does not climb as well as a compact mountain bike. Actually the big wheels tend to roll easier on ascents, particularly if the trail is filled with rocks and roots.

One of the knocks against the 29er is that it tends to weight more than a typical mountain bike. This may be true but many of the newer 29ers are getting quality frame upgrades with carbon fiber and other exotic materials to make them lighter every year. Personally, the added weight does not overcome the benefit of larger tires being in contact with the trail. What may separate the two bikes apart is that on tight twisty trails a smaller bike might feel more nimble, but certainly if you are doing most of your riding on double track, forest service roads or the like you will enjoy the larger wheel size of a 29er.

Mountain bike pros are now embracing the 29er in races. In fact the both male and female cross country United States national champs, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Heather Irmiger, rode 29er hardtail mountain bikes to their respective wins. The 29er is finally gaining some acceptance in the pro ranks. Future races will no doubt show more professional riders opting for the bigger wheels.

Chris rides 29er mountain bikes. When he rides the trail his rig of choice is a Gary Fisher HiFi Pro 29er.