Q: Trying to get my girlfriend into mountain biking, but she is intimidated to ride my old 26er now that she hears me rave about my new 29er. So we are pondering getting her an entry-level 29er. She is about 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds. Does a 29er make sense for her, or should we just find a 26er that fits her better?
—Joshua, who wants to double date on his rides
A: The 29er is a great choice for a new rider because it greatly flattens the learning curve. But there is a catch. If you guys are going to spend around $1000 or more, go with the 29er. If you are going to spend less, go with the 26er. Why? Wheel weight. Less expensive 29ers have very heavy wheels that negate some of the 29er’s magic; it makes them harder to get up to speed and not as much fun on the climbs.
Another option is a 27.5-inch-wheeled bike. After testing a few, we believe they offer the best of both worlds. KHS and Jamis offer a few models. More bike, wheel and tire choices are coming along, so it looks like the new wheel size is here to stay.
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