29ers just aren’t that much fun!

On 08/29/2019

6 Years ago, I wrote an article with the title, “I was wrong! 29ers just aren’t as much fun!” (click here to read the article) and I caught A LOT of flack for it.

Which is funny because at the time it was true. After 6-7 months of testing a bike I thought was going to be my dream bike (a specialized EVO 29er with a 68˚ head angle, one of the slackest head 29ers at the time), I found 29ers to not be as much fun as my 26″.

My Evo 29er

Times change though! I thought a 68˚ head angle was slack for a 29er, and at the time it was. My current 29er has a 64.5˚ head angle. Add that to a 25mm longer teach measurement and that makes it the first bike that has ever fit me!

This bike is designed with a steep 76˚ seat tube angle and a magic button on the handlebar that locks out the rear suspension and further steepens the seat tube angle by another 1.5˚ for climbing. This puts my hips much further forward, so they are above the bottom bracket when seated and climbing (instead of over the rear axle). So now I don’t have to hinge forward as far to keep the front wheel planted. It also allows me to pedal down instead of forward. On my first ride, it felt like my power increased by 20% overnight!

Did I mention it has 170mm of travel and descends like a downhill bike? Yet, it weighs under 31 pounds (for an XL 29er with heavy tires) and climbs like a cross country bike.
It’s a great time to be a mountain biker.

Ultra Modern Geometry , 170mm of travel and it weighs less than 30 pounds!

For me, at 6’3″ and as a rider whose stoke is going fast and riding steep chunky trails, it is way more fun than a 26″ wheeled bike and a bit more fun than a 27.5″ wheeled bike.

For riders whose goal it is to cover a lot of ground fast and/or efficiently, 29ers are hard to beat. This article is more for mountain bikers who like steep and technically challenging trails.

However, if I were shorter and/or one of those creative riders who like to pop off all the sniper hits on the trail, I don’t think it would be as much fun as 27.5” or 27.5” in the rear with a 29” upfront (which I think will become the new standard for riders between 5’6″ and 5’11”).

My 29er is not super nimble, it’s fast and actually corners really well, but I would not call it playful. Also, on sharp angle changes, where the trail suddenly goes from flat to super steep, my rear tire rubs on my shorts and I have a 35″ inseam!

Riders with legs a few inches shorter than mine might find a 29er quite cumbersome. This can be seen in World Cup downhill racing where most, if not all riders under 5’10”, are riding either 27.5” or 27.5″ in the tear and a 29″ tire upfront.

So, like my previous article, it still depends on what you find fun (raw speed or playfulness) and your height, to decide what wheel size (or sizes) is right for you.

The good news is that there are more great, safer and fun bikes on the market than ever! Though they aren’t cheap.

On a side note, for riders shorter than 5’5″ I feel (for the same reasons listed above) a bike designed with a 26″ rear wheel and 27.5” front wheel, would be the ticket. These bikes may not be out for a year or so, as no one currently makes this bike but if the 27.5”/29” catches on, some smart person will make a 26”/27.5” for shorter riders eventually.

Also, maybe even for riders my height and taller the reverse mullet (27.5″ in the rear and 29″ front tire) might turn out to be the best design. I haven’t tried it yet so who knows?

I hope this has helped you. Something to remember when testing bikes: Change feels weird. If you like your current bike, any bike you test that has differences (different handlebar height, handlebar width or handlebar roll, different stem length, different tire size, different reach measurement, different head or seat tube angle, etc.) will feel weird.

Weird isn’t always bad, it’s often better, but it may take a week of riding or more for it to kick in.
That is why l test bikes for months before writing about them.

Stay tuned for my updated buying guide/checklist to help you find the
Most Fun and Confidence Inspiring Bike for You!

Comments

6 Comments

Adam Penny on 08/29/2019 at 1:45 pm

Great article as always. I like a hardtail 29’r and I live here in beautiful Asheville, NC (of which you are very familiar) and ride in the gnarly Pisgah NF. Looking for a bike that climbs well (cause I can always make up it’s descending drawbacks as a hardtail by the skills I’ve learned reading your stuff). What should I be looking for in terms of angles?
Reply
- Gene on 08/29/2019 at 5:04 pm
  
  Thanks, Adam! Glad to hear my articles have helped your riding. Well, IMHO there are three bikes with nearly perfect angles ( 64-65 head tube angle, 76-77 seat tube and proper reach measurements (500-515 for an XL, 470-485 for a large and so on down in 30mm increments) they are, my awesome Scott Ransom, the amazing looking new Enduro from Specialized and the Capra from YT. On the darn close (just which the head angle was a degree slacker) and one of the best bikes for the money is the Kona process 153. I will have a blog on the perfect geometry (currently, things might get even better) and the traits of the most confidence-inspiring and fun bikes soon.
  
  Cheers,
  
  Gene
  Reply
Billy Howse on 08/29/2019 at 7:13 pm

DOOOD! I’ve been thinking a 27.5 rear 29er front is the way to go! I’m 5’9 and haVe experimented with this over the past few years. Good to see someone noticing this idea! Love your system man! Thanks for all you do!
Reply
- Gene on 08/29/2019 at 7:31 pm
  
  Hi Billy, you are welcome! This really seems like the next big thing. 27.5 wheels are stronger, accelerate faster, and give you more clearance (than 29) while 29″ tires roll over things better and have better traction. The key with this set up (at your height and especially for riders shorter than you) is to run flat bars. The only problem with 29er fronts is it puts the cockpit way up there, causing many riders to ride too upright when standing and descending! IF you go this route please let us know what you think after a month or so of riding a reverse mullet.
  
  Cheers,
  
  Gene
  Reply
  - Stephen Fullerton on 09/02/2019 at 7:23 am
    
    Great read Gene, thanks! I went to an Intense ACV with the 27.5+ and love most thinks about this bike other than the lower bottom bracket and resulting pedal strikes versus my old Janis 650B2. I received a set of 29er carbons with it which o never used because I’d have to give up the wider footprint of the 2.8’s on my 27.5+. But I did start to wonder about putting a 29er on front with a 2.5 or 2.6 tire. I’m 5’11”, 190# primarily riding Junction and Fruita. Thoughts? And thanks!
    Reply
Willy Quintana on 09/30/2019 at 5:37 pm

So after double reconstructive knee and right shoulder surgeries (car accident), I’ve not ridden in over 2 years and now making it part of my therapy for recovery (tried the PT stuff… do what you know and love and your body will respond!) To get back on the trails. I sold my vintage Gary Fisher Sugar 26″ (many upgrades over 17+ years) for a pre-owned Trek Superfly Carbon 29er. I’m 5’11” and must say I feel like I’m riding not just a completely different bike, but just a different machine period! It’s going to take a while to get back into it, but wow, the efficiency and speed on a 29er just after 1 week is amazing! I miss the handling of my 26, but after readying your article, going to keep at it as now I know there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for the write up. Any pointers on te upgrade?
Reply

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Rider Reviews

Thanks again, you were a great part of my succees for 2005. I had the best year of my life. Part of which at the age of 52, I entered numerous mtn bike races, podiumed 5 times and won the Texas Mountain Bike Racing Association series for my division.

Your instruction, professsionalism and emails went above and beyond all expectations.

Kent Wells
2016

Thanks Coach Gene for your time the last 2 days! Your coaching is spot on! I’m so lucky to have had the chance to spend this time learning from the most passionate mountain biker out there – one who cares about the sport and all the techniques that go into it! Total respect! That’s all I have to say! If anyone is questioning or “thinking” about signing up for his camp- DON’T , just do! Thank you Gene!!!!

Gretchen Wavro

This was by far the best use of both money and time in regards to my mountain bike training.
Its 3 days of my life I will never forget.

Jim, BetterRide Camper

The results are starting to trickle in as I have the time to ride some of my local rides that I track my times on. I’m astonished!

My descending time from the summit of Chimney Gulch to the Beaver Brook cross over dropped from a personal best of 6:51.0 to 5:46.0, for the bottom section it went from a personal best of 13:42.0 to 10:12.2. Considering that I really haven’t had enough time to practice a lot yet, I’m stunned at the improvement. I can also say that I felt more in control than I used to and I cleaned a section I’ve never had the balls to even try before.

Again Gene, I can’t thank you enough. The camp was great. Your ability to break skills down into digestible parts, watch riders and help them refine techniques, your humility and sense of humor make you a world class coach. I’ll be taking your next level two clinic this year and probably a refresher next year.”

Mark Forgy
Expert XC racer, Mountain Bike Fanatic

Just wanted to give you an update and let you know that I am starting to experience the delayed effects of your camp. I knew when the camp ended that I was leaving with some new skills that were helpful immediately. But I also knew there were other skills that were going to take more practice, patience and time. Well, I’m starting to see them.

I’ve been practicing descending the way you instructed us but until the last couple of weeks, I knew I was still faster descending the way I always had – I was just more comfortable that way. But in the last couple of weeks, it all kind of clicked.

I’m not winning any downhill races – yet – but all of a sudden (and it really did seem to happen pretty suddenly) your techniques took over and instead of just using them at low speeds only when I thought about it, I was using them all over the trails and feeling pretty comfortable. Now I find myself only reverting to my old techniques when I come into a corner already off balance. Anyway, thanks, it’s a great feeling – can’t wait to use them on race courses this year!

Sarah Kaufman
Top Pro Endurance Racer

I just wanted to let you know that I’ve had big improvements in my racing this year after taking the betteride course (about 10 minutes improvement from last year). I got 2nd place in the beginner category at Eldora, then placed 15th out of 35 in the Sport category at Winterpark in my first ‘sport race’. I passed people on the downhill for the first time in these two races, and am feeling much more confident on the downhills (I hit 31.5 mph max on a tight singletrack in the Eldora race).

Jonathan Jones

Tonight was the first night of practice cyclocross races. The cornering techniques I learned in you camp last weekend rock on the cross bike. I was able to carry speed through the corners and off cambers that I could only dream of last year!

I actually found myself cranking up the speed before the corners instead of braking. Nobody else is using this technique. I found my self keeping pace with stronger riders just on cornering skill alone. Imagine after I’ve a had a few weeks to practice.

I had best time of my life on a mountain bike at your camp, and look forward to doing another one next spring.

Chris Cornelison
September 24, 2010

I took your Neshaminy clinic in June. I wanted to fill you in on my race results. I raced all season in the Midatlantic Super Series in Women’s Sport. I won the overall championship! I am so happy that I won! I will be moving up to Elite next year.

I’ve been doing the drills you taught for 20 minutes, twice a week. I almost always preride my race courses. I work on hard sections to figure out the best lines. Since the clinic, I have noticed that my balance has improved tremendously.

So, Gene… thank you for the clinic. I still tell all my riding buddies about it. Especially how you break down the mechanics of everything that you teach. I let them know how you explain the physics behind the techniques. I tell them that the learning environment you provide is the perfect way to learn something, practice it, and really get it. I’d love to do a refresher course.

Angie Wallace
September 15, 2009

Attending Gene’s camp in Sedona was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. You can read skills articles and watch the youtube videos all day, but these will never engrain the skills needed to become a good mountain biker.

Gene’s course teaches you all of the primary skills, and then he drills them into you. You repeat these drills under his watchful eye until the become engrained. It’s been about 9 months since I attended the course and I still hear Gene correcting me if I’m going about an obstacle or turn in the wrong position.

I still make every ride a learning experience because of what he taught, and my riding has improved immensely as a result. Thanks Gene!

Steven Peyton
August, 2018

Just wanted to show you what your lessons made me do this past weekend! If you click on the photo or link to the photo album look through the album and on the 2nd page, bottom row, there’s a great shot of me doing what you taught me to do with my elbows-totally Brian Lopes style.

I was impressed to see myself doing that-a big change in my riding style and I know it’ll make me faster in the long run.

So thanks and I may have some time coming up where I can make it to one of your camps-I’ll let you know.

Amanda Riley, Kenda, Titus, Hayes Team
Winners of 2008, 24 hours of Old Pubelo

Thanks again for holding the camp last weekend. I was finally able to get out and ride yesterday on the falcon trail (loop that goes around the Air Force Academy). There are two sections that I have had problems with in the past. One is a tight turn with two drop offs that are oddly spaced and the landing slopes off into some bushes. I’ve ridden the trail a dozen times and walked that section most times. Once I tried it and endo‘ed into the bushes. When I rode it yesterday, I cleared it with confidence.

I kept repeating to myself “Do or Do Not – There Is No Try” I relaxed, saw the line I wanted to take, found my balance and went through the section very controlled – it was great!

The next section is a steep switchback climb with a ton of sand. I have never made that turn, although I have tried to every time I’ve ridden the trail. This time I approached the switchback using the techniques and strategy you taught us. The result – made it! No problem!

The last thing I noticed is that the whole ride was smoother. I focused primarily on the vision techniques – and body position skills. The ride felt slower than what I normally ride, but it was actually six minutes faster! Absolutely amazing!
Brad
Oct. 8, 2008 (5 days after his 3-day coaching session)

My son took your camp in winter park at age 14. He is 16 and just completed the Laramie Epic (30 miles) last weekend. He placed 2 in the age bracket 0-29. He continues to use your techniques and tips. Smooth is fast! Your worksheets are worn out and weathered from continued use! Worth it….you bet!!!

Sheila Palmer
July 2019

Your camp gave me the confidence to go out and try a few races this summer. My first race was in the beginner 40 to 45 age class in the “Point to Point” cross country race in Winter Park. While I certainly did not break any records – I at least had a respectable finish and more importantly had a total blast.

My second race was a Super D (much more my style in that there is MUCH less uphill cranking) at Winter Park where I got a second place finish in my age group. 3rd race was a Mountain States Cup Super D race in Copper where I came in tenth. Again no records but still having a total blast.

My friends the same age as me think I am crazy doing this stuff but I think they are crazy to be sitting on their arses. Again, thank you for giving me the confidence to go out there and try some racing and hopefully in the near future I will be in another one of your camps!

Will Edgington
September, 2009

Thanks for the e-mail. By the way, after completing your camp in Arizona, I dropped 5 minutes off my previous best lap time at the 12 hours of Temecula mountain bike race (59 to 54 minutes). Obviously, this was a significant breakthrough.

I’ve also noticed that by being a smoother and more efficient rider and by decoupling my body from the bike, I exert less energy and travel faster. “Looking to victory” works like a charm. Most importantly, the basic skills I was exposed to in your camp (and continue to develop) have made mountain biking more enjoyable.

Keith
January 2008

I’ve been wanting to pass on a personal success story. I participated in my first mountain bike race in Copper Harbor, MI. I placed 6th in my age group (over 6 min. behind 3rd place) on a very technical course. Considering the field, I was happy with the results.

My goal after the BetterRide camp was to be in the top 3 in the same race with a similar field. With my new found skills I placed 1st this time with 2nd place over 7 min. behind. I tore it up! Thanks, I’m always telling people that no matter how much they think they know how to ride a mountain bike, they owe it to themselves to attend one of your camps. A year later I still practice my skills every time I’m out.

BTW, a while back you suggested some reading material. I chose Body, Mind Mastery by Dan Millman. (in audio book form). Not only do I feel it helped my mountain bike skills with things like, how tension is counter productive and how the “opponent is not the enemy, but instead the teacher” it also helped me in my own personal life. Good recommendation!
Keep up the good job.

Rich Schmit
April 2011

Gene and fellow BetterRiders!
I have been smiling all day long today, thinking about our rad weekend together! I taught 4 of my kids how to do wheelies today and they thought I was super cool for a solid 5 minutes until they had it completely mastered and were smoking past my on their rear wheels.

Thank you forever, Gene, for sharing your passion and deciding to teach. An empowering, motivating, completely exhilarating weekend. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning with my new toy. It was a total honor to cross paths with you all!

Currently standing on one leg while I brush my teeth and dictate this email…
Jen

Friends took the 3 day a while ago and really enjoyed it.

I didn’t think I was ready for that but I hired him privately for most of a day. Best experience going. It helped my skiing also. Eyes, eyes and balance via movement on the bike.

Steamboat in the rain…..

John Rostenbur

MTB Skills Camp in Fraser, CO. It was amazing. Phenomenal skills coach, Coach Gene Hamilton, literally broke down the fundamentals of mountain biking in 3 days. Super fun fellow campers. Enjoyed every bit.

Now I need to practice and strengthen some new neural circuits. If you want to improve your MTB skills, no matter your level, take a course from Better Ride.
Patricia George

Thank you, Gene! I thoroughly enjoyed your skills camp. One of the most effective learning environments I have experienced to date. Now it is all about due diligence!

I am interested in a “day with Gene in Moab” and future course offerings.

Ryan Bertram

Gene, The first thing I did was buy some cones. My drive way is pretty steep so can do switch backs there. My pedal wheelies are coming along. Yesterday I had a bit of a breakthrough ride with my vision. On a ride with some small drop offs I realized by using the vision technique I was more balanced, more comfortable and jumped further without trying.

That was the best clinic I have ever done. Thanks for the reading list. I’ve read a number of those books but I now have more to read.

Don Leet