Mountainside Bikes

29'er

About 10 years ago, Niner dramatically proclaimed that in the near future, all mountain bikes over $1000 would be 29'ers. That day isn't here yet, but if you look at the trends, it's not far away. The introduction of 29" wheels has been nothing short of a revolution, and for good reason. The fact is that big wheels are amazing.

29" wheels outperform their smaller counterparts due to the basic rules of physics. If you think about the angle between an obstacle on the trail, the point at which the wheel contacts the trail, and the point at which the wheel contacts the obstacle, it will always be smaller with a bigger wheel. Imagine it like a ramp; a steep ramp is hard to climb. A flat one is easy. 29'ers make nice, flat ramps.

What that translates into is a smoother ride at every point on the trail. It also means that you'll loose less energy being pushed upwards by bumps. You'll keep your energy moving forward, which is what you want. It's a much more efficient system. On a hardtail, the mechanical advantage makes the bike feel smoother than any rigid machine you've ever been on, regardless of material. There are few things nicer than a smooth, steel 29" hardtail.

On a suspension bike, it's like getting an extra inch of travel without the extra inefficiency. A 4" bike suddenly performs like it had 5" without any of the additional pedal bob you would expect by adding movement. It takes your average trailbike and makes it stiffer and more efficient.

29'ers are the way of the future. All it takes is one ride, and most people are hooked. Every year, the number of 29'ers on the market grows, while 26" hardtails are a dying breed. Mountainside is the Pacific Northwest destination for all things 29", and if you need to be persuaded, we have the demo bikes on hand to show you the light.

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