29 ers

Mountain bikes come with wheels of varying sizes, depending on the purpose for which they are intended. 29er mountain bikes are machines which are designed for 700c or ISO 622 mm wheels, slightly bigger than the ISO 559mm wheels used by more standard machines. These 29er bikes are often used for trekking and touring purposes, while they also adapt to racing on the road much better than their smaller counterparts. On the Continent, 29ers are sometimes referred to as '28ers', but the size is the same. Many cyclo-cross machines are 29ers and hybrid bikes often use this wheel size too. Enthusiasts often refer to a mountain bike 29er as being better able to cope with obstacles in terms of being able to go straight over them. Some riders also claim that they offer better stability with little effect on speed.

These machines are often perceived as being more stable and also have an improved angular momentum, meaning that high speed can be maintained more easily over rough sections of track. Taller riders also tend to benefit from a more natural geometric structure that is created when riding a 29er. Spanish manufacturer Orbea produce some good 29er bikes, as do Scott. Orbea, which makes bikes for the Euskaltel-Euskadi road team amongst others, produce some real specialist top of the range models, while Scott produce more affordable models, generally speaking. Seeking advice from an experienced cyclist is always best, but 29ers could be an option for a cyclist who feels that their riding is lacking some missing ingredient and is seeking an edge.