“In the hands of a competent rider, the 26-inch wheeled bike is more fun than a 29er. All thinks being equal (meaning comparing similarly priced bikes, the 26er accelerates faster, pumps the trail with more authority and is more laterally rigid.” – Mountain Bike Action May 2011 Issue 
Yes it’s true. I am a 26er for life. I have ridden 29ers and…ummmmm….well, how can I say this…I hated them. For my riding style, the terrain I like to ride and for my own FUN factor, 29″ wheels never did it for me. I know the advantages – bigger contact patch for the tire, improved cornering and grip, better angle of attack for the wheel over obstacles. Yep, heard them all. But what about wheels that have more flex, more rotating mass, increase the gyroscopic effect on steering and have a lack of “flick-ability”? We’ll, it’s those same 29er wheels dragging you down! So, will I recommend a 29er to a friend? Yes, if they are serious racers who want to go fast or if they ride rolling terrain with lots of flow with no tight single track. For the rest of us, especially riders on 5″-6″ travel suspension bikes where it’s difficult to incorporate long travel with big hoops, its got to be the 2 to the 6. Long live the 26er!
