27.5 (650b) vs 29 - An in depth review

[@dustybrown4961]

Love that the length of this video is somewhere between 27.5 and 29 Minutes long!!

[@nor3141]

Dusty Brown

[@Evo7IX]

😂YOUY'RE THE BEST!

[@JohnSmith-qv6hp]

Yes he is indulging.himself I have a life to live

[@amirbrayan6825]

not sure if you guys cares but if you're bored like me atm you can watch pretty much all the new movies on instaflixxer. I've been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last few months :)

[@lionelzaid3946]

@Amir Brayan Definitely, I have been using Instaflixxer for since november myself =)

[@Trialruben]

KZbin needs more of these independent extensive cycling reviews. Thanks Clint for the effort and keep them coming :)

[@ciclocoyote5302]

Trialruben client is great.

[@TheDrMayonnaise]

Picked up mountain biking last summer after 11 years being off a bike (was pretty big in to BMX before I got my drivers license) Your videos have been a big help in choosing my first "real" mountain bike. Thank you for taking the time to put videos out for us.

[@bruin4937]

Hell of a good and informative video comparison between the 2 different wheel sized bikes. Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to produce this video. I'm trying to decide between a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 29er and 650b, so your video is very helpful.

[@knoldrn]

Excellent review! Thanks for breaking down each bikes pro and con attributes.

[@elroc10]

Your video helped me last year. I ended up going with a 27.5" and absolutely love the lively flickable feel of my Bronson. Best bike I've ever owned. Thanks

[@darrinevans69]

I love your commentary on the two bike's. I just purchased the giant anthem, the low end model. I can't wait to ride . Going from a 26' to a 27.5, should be a blast. Thnx !!!!

[@mike1232able]

I'm finding that I'm unable to go fast enough on my 29er, and that on 29" wheels - mountain biking is still far too bumpy for me...I'm holding out until marketeers bring out the 32" wheeled mountain bike.

[@johngraboski]

Hi Clint, thanks for making this in-depth analysis. I've been trying to get my head around differences between 26, 27.5 and 29er now for a year or more. I'm an enduro rider and am fortunate enough to have quick access to AM conditions. I race about four or five enduro events a year and since last year have been on a 2010 Lapierre Spicy which I have enjoyed very much. Between riding over some really gnarly terrain and enduro event pot holes I got the impression that a 29er while a little slower to start/accelerate would eat up said gnarly terrain and pot holes up better. I'm looking for the next level... and I spose I'd keep my 26" because it's just plain playful fun. Excepting jumps and drops I see the 29, vs a 27 or 27, as having more "leverage" against challenging terrain. I hope that makes some sense. Like I said I'm still sorting this stuff out without the benefit of borrowing someone's 29er. Thanks for reading. Thanks for sharing your excellent knowledge! RIDE ON! John

[@xymek24]

Great work men, it was a great pleasure to watch that kind of analysis

[@Hawlkeye-e9p]

truthfully....i have ridden all sizes over a spread of 20 years. each feels different for about a week then it makes no difference at all because you just adapt. for me, its 100% marketing magic. in the end its completely irrelavant.

[@dannygabriele21]

Informative review.... I had an Anthem advance 2014 27.5, I loved the bike until I bought a 29" Trek Remedy 9.8. I thought I would never ride a 29ner until I bought this bike. All I can say is wow. This bike is nimble, light, and fast. It climbs like a goat and descends like an avalanche. I can corner this bike just like I could with my Anthem. I don't think reviews can be judged by wheel size, they need to be judged by manufacturer. Some get it right and some get it wrong.

[@locar12]

thanks for making these kinds of reviews, Clint! fair comparison between wheelsizes

[@chriskelley2075]

Great in depth detail in your comparison, I was on the fence but am going with a 29er after viewing this. Thanks so much!

[@matthewdufty606]

Thanks for this review. Really helped in deciding what future bike to go for.

[@ericcontreras8863]

Clint you are very knowledgeable. Your videos are very informative. Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@DeviousWashere2]

i bought a trance 27.5 3 last month. still think it was the right choice after my hardtail 29er

[@oldguydiscgolf9631]

In the same place you were ... currently on a 29 hardtail ... Heavily ooggling (sp?) a Giant Trance Advanced 2 27.5. What a sweet looking bike ...

[@sTyrus74]

Love the commentary; wish there was more bike & trail footage.

[@ratoneJR]

All a trade off. Find one you like and ride it.

[@AnthemX100]

Great review Clint. I have a 29er HT and a Giant Anthem 27.5 1 custom build from a frame. I have done back to backs and the the rolling quality of the 29er is the benefit of that wheel size but the 27.5 kicks it everywhere else IMO. The Anthem 27.5 is just so much fun and I now have a 120mm fork which makes it so much more of an all-rounder. I would recommend the upgrade and would like to watch you review the Anthem 27.5 with a 120mm fork to see if you get the buzz too.

[@ClintGibbs]

Thanks for the post. Good stuff. I've seriously considered a 120mm fork on my anthem and if I decide to do it I will definitely post up a video about it.

[@paulstevens2839]

Interesting to note is that for 2017 Giant is beefing up the suspension on the Anthem bikes to 120 mm front and 110 mm rear as compared with 100 mm on both front and rear on the older bikes

[@udogebrath8266]

I have here in Brazil a 27.5 Hard Tail and I liked it very much! Very good vídeo and opinion

[@janspale]

Great review, thanks ! You've really helped me to decide whether buy 27.5'' or 29''

[@ClintGibbs]

Sweet. What did you decide to go with?

[@janspale]

I'm going to buy 27.5''. Specifically this beauty www.canyon.com/cs/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3573 :) It's rather a low-end one, but I'm a poor student...

[@ClintGibbs]

You'll still love it. Have fun!

[@John_D2]

excellent work , Clint. Someday I'd like to hear what you think about the FL mtb parks, comparing each one , GA and NC trails too..I'm heading to Waynesville in a couple months for two weeks worth of riding.

[@tamasvarga67]

Good video! So basically there was pretty much nothing between the two Anthems. :) Just ride whichever feels better even if it doesn't translate into seconds. It would have been interesting to see the time of the Anthem 29 with a proper/comparable wheel set because it seems that bike "knows" something compared to the Niner. :)

[@rayosteen4339]

when the video started i thought, dang that looks like gainesville. then i saw you were at san felasco :) sweet. good in depth info.

[@differentthinking1122]

im 198 cm and i own bike with 27,5 with 21 frame and its perfect for me

[@MultiW8]

i am 186 cm and ride a 27,5 with a 21 inch frame and it also for me fine :D (bulls copperhead 3 2014 27,5)

[@nicolamason1957]

Great review thanks! One question: in the beginning you mentioned that you love the 27.5er mainly because of their shorter chainstays and wheelbase - however, some 2016 bikes (eg Trek Fuel Ex 9.9) have now managed to build 29ers with chainstay lengths of a 27.5er. I know this will be difficult for you to answer since you didn't try it out in comparison, but do you think the new 29ers will be as good/flickable/agile as a 27.5? I am just about to buy a new fs bike, and I just cannot decide about what to take. I have tried out 29er hard tails, but they feel so...trucky. I might add that I am a woman, 168cm tall and 59kg heavy. Riding all mountain and cross country in Switzerland, love long ascents, like single trails and like to make distance. Prefer fs for comfort. Have a Trek Fuel 9.5 26" at the moment, and I love it. Would appreciate your advice.

[@ClintGibbs]

Yes, more by companies are finding ways to shorten the chain stays on 29ers which is great. However I don't think that longer travel 29er are going to be as agile as 27.5. This is because the wheels are still larger and require more effort to accelerate. Also wheel stiffness plays a big part in how quick on bike handles and its ability to hold in line in a corner. If you think a hardtail 29er feels sluggish a full suspension will be magnified. At your height and especially if you are riding all mountain I would suggest 27.5. If you wanted to go hardtail then you could easily ride a 29er, but it sounds like you want to go full suspension.

[@nicolamason1957]

+Clint Gibbs thanks for your thorough reply. When I said All Mountain, I should add that I probably do little all mountain, but more xc and even marathon style tracks. It's probably 40%XC, 40% Marathon style, 20% AM. So yes, I probably would be better off with a 29er hardtail, but I have really enjoyed the extra comfort on my 26er FS bike so far. I tried a Scott Spark 900 yesterday, and man, it goes fast. It goes fast on road and fire track - but not really sure about singletrails. The big tired still feel disproportional to my body size - but maybe that would be differed on a 29er with shorter chainstay. The Trek Fuel Ex (and many other Trek bikes) in 29 has a chainstay that is equivalent to a 27.5, however, a Trek bike with the same components as a Scott bike (top level) costs about 3000€ more...I just really cannot decide what's best. I also don't want to work 2x as hard when cycling with a group of people (where the majority has 29er..). Maybe I have to buy both. Arghhh.

[@ClintGibbs]

It sounds to me like you need a full suspension cross country bike for what you do. I'm a full suspension guy after riding it so long. It's really hard to go back to a hardtail. I tried it a few times and just did not enjoy the ride. If your trails are not very tight then a 29er is probably going to be the way to go. I I ride 27.5 because my trails cause me to break and accelerate constantly and I end up being faster. 29ers are great for rolling long miles where you're not breaking and accelerating a lot. It sounds like that's the type of trails you ride.

[@nicolamason1957]

+Clint Gibbs yeah I also prefer Full suspension bikes for riding. That's why I thought I should have rather opted for a 27.5. One last question: the wheelbase measurements of a 29er with Trek is the same as a 27.5. However, the overall length should still be longer for a 29er, and the turning of the front wheel still more bulky, is that right? Or does the shorter chainstay/wheelbase make the bike from its riding behavior really like a 27.5er?

[@ClintGibbs]

If the wheelbase of a 29er and 27.5 the same but the chains stays are shorter on a 27.5, that means the 27.5 I have a longer front center which, in my opinion, makes for a better handling bike. 29 ers today are getting more agile so the difference in a way they feel compared to a 27.5 is not as big, but a 27.5 will always be more agile. On tight trails that's a good thing but on straight rough trails that can be a bike that's less stable so there's a trade off. It's really going to come down to your preference and if you can get in a test ride that would be optimal.

[@Tony_Seed]

That’s the best way to put it I’ve heard on the internet. Forget cornering traction etc it’s irrelevant Doing more braking and acceleration ? 27.5 Doing less braking and acceleration? 29 Fantastic

[@AnthemX100]

Oh yeah, was going to say that the 120mm fork reduces the pedal strikes too so that might help you out.

[@MaximTr]

Thanks for deep review. I am beginner rider and and definitely will pick29er just because it will more stable and more smooth for myself. Think about Haro 29er. Your post bring to my mind clear reasons to what should I expect from different sizes of the Wheels. Thanks again. What location are u using for rides...

[@AleksandrAli-l2r]

Very interesting! Best comprasion ever, but more riding footage needed. Recently i jumped from my 27.5 hardtail to a 29 full suspension and i love it but i am only amateur and i haven't ride it really hard due to winter weather conditions.

[@ClintGibbs]

I do need to do more vids with riding footage. They take more time but they're worth it.

[@scottjames6037]

Trails in my area 650B fits better. Great video.

[@specialized29er86]

Were both 6'' 2 and after using a 29er for the last 5 years were never going back to anything smaller.

[@CleanCreative1]

Hey man, thanks for the killer, in-depth reviews between the two. I bought a Stumpjumper FSR Comp EVO 29er last year and was debating selling it and buying a 27.5... I hadn't ridden in some years as I had a back injury, I used to be a hard rider... however I got back into it and bought the 29er. I do have a question for you, and please excuse my ignorance, or if it's just a plain stupid question. Would it be alright to interchange 27.5 wheels on a 29er set-up? I ask because I do various rides and sometimes I like to flick bikes through jumps & sometimes like to just ride fast & straight. I've read quite a bit from people, however, online you always come across the iExperts who are only experts at their rides, not in the real, over-all, technical aspects. Would like your opinion if you have the time. The pros & cons. Thanks much again, very in-depth review of your rides, I enjoyed it.

[@ClintGibbs]

It's a very good question, and one that I've heard a few times. I'll give you my opinion. It's not that it can't be done, but you risk really throwing of the geometry the way the bike is designed to ride. Most 29ers have a steeper head angle to compensate for the larger wheels so putting smaller wheels on the bike is going to make it ride more twitchy. Also 29ers have to have longer chain stays and one of the advantages of 27.5 is that you can have a frame with shorter chain stays... so you're gonna lose one of the best advantages of the 27.5 frame. Hope this helps.

[@CleanCreative1]

Clint Gibbs Arrrgh... I knew I was in for that kind of answer, but just needed to "hear" it from someone else. I appreciated how much detail you went into with your review, so rather than listen to the masses of internet experts on virtual nothingness with an biased/angry agenda... I wanted an opinion from someone detail oriented. Thanks muchly.

[@jasonmee9716]

Super interesting video! Thanx dude!!!!

[@robwasnj]

Nice to see such a detailed review and I can see you struggle like I do to find either size really better. I see you're at San Felasco's parking lot, I am curious how far your laps are and what trail/terrain. Also curious what your average speeds are, I find anything averaging over 12mph on a trail is very hard for me to maintain but I've certainly been passed by many a better rider. Another aspect I didn't hear you mention that I noticed right away is I feel like I'm riding slower on a 29er vs 26 or even 27.5 but when I look at my times and ability of my friends to keep the pace I'm actually usually much faster with less effort on the 29er. It almost feels like slow motion, really strange. If you ever get a chance to demo a Pivot 429 carbon you should do so, probably the nicest bike I ever rode, it doesn't feel big at all like some other 29ers did when I was demoing them.

[@ClintGibbs]

My favorite test lap at Felasco is to do what's known as Tung Nut Middle on Strava. If you can't find it on Strava let me know. I probably average about 13 mph on that, but it's fairly hilly. 29ers are like full suspension, you feel like you're going slower but often times your going faster. I demo'd a Mach 429 aluminum several years ago, but not the carbon. Still, it was a sweet ride.

[@TALLNDIRTY]

Another concise video....great job. Could you tell me what type of bike rack you are using to transport your Giants? Thanks.

[@ClintGibbs]

I use a Performance TransIt 2 bike rack. I actually have a review on it on my channel. I'm still enjoying it.

[@TheLarkite]

THANKS CLINT. GOOD REVIEW!

[@paulstevens2839]

Good job on the video Clint. Your obviously an expert MTB'er as you still have pretty teeth lol jk. Its interesting to note your times on the differences. Its only a matter of a few seconds between the 2 tire sizes. I am mot a competitor so I could care less so I will ride what I am comfortable with. Right now I am riding 27.5

[@charliehenry772]

obviously I'm not a good rider, a few years ago I went over a kicker and took my front two teeth out

[@gearhigher2027]

Hey Clint excellent review curious what your thoughts are of 27.5 vs 27.5 PLUS. I am a fifty plus male looking to transition from Ibis Silk Ti 26. I am looking at the Scott Scale 1 x 11's Thx...

[@ClintGibbs]

+Gear Higher I still have not ridden a plus bike so I only know what I've read. Standard size tire is better for really aggressive Riders due to the fact the plus size tires can fold over and hard cornering. I think overall a regular size tire is going to be faster. But again, this is based just on what I read.

[@jedisdad2265]

Funny how 0.75” makes such a difference. Think about it the difference in the radius of these two wheel sizes is 0.75”. Beyond the chainstay length, and the axle height. What contributes to the seemingly huge differences in the bikes?

[@rcalems]

Hi Clint, have you had a chance to ride / compare the 27.5+ to 27.5 or 29er? I'm really interested in 27.5+ for my next bike. Also this would be for a trail bike. Thanks. Love your channel.

[@ClintGibbs]

+Jeff Hand unfortunately I have not ridden a 27.5+ yet. Just not that popular here yet, and I want to make sure they are not a fad before I throw some $$ at one.

[@macdaddy1617]

I noticed the difference on my Trek Farley 9.8 vs my Specialized Fat Boy. the 27.5(Trek) was faster and more stable on the downhill, felt more like a trail bike then a Fat bike. Looking to put a 27.5 on my cross bike. Hmmmmm????

[@SpiderwebRob]

185cm, mostly mountain trail ridding. Im looking for a new bike. Ill probably go for a 29 hard tail. Full sus would be nice but the extra 30% price + added weight isnt worth it.

[@SNS1212]

What do you think of the new 2017 Spark RC 29er? The size Large Spark is only 8mm longer than the non-SX 2017 Anthem. Similarly the chainstay on the Spark is 7mm longer. I'm really torn on what to do, I like the updates to the 2017 Anthem but it seems 29ers rule the segments around where I live.

[@CrackerrJack]

SNS1212 scott has fast bikes!

[@johnsalvador5232]

its actually where you are comfortable using, bcoz it will depend on the person using, i see some faster using 29er than 27.5 , its about your skills, so ride the bike you wanted then master it,

[@rcalems]

Great video as usual. I enjoy your in depth thoughts on these topics. However I have noticed that you don't mention the size of the rider in regards to the different wheel sizes. Is a 29er better for a tall person vs a 27.5 or does it really matter? By tall I mean someone over 6 feet. Thanks. Keep'em coming.

[@ClintGibbs]

Height plays into it but not a whole lot unless you are really short or really tall. Someone below 5'2" (or there abouts) probably wouldn't want to be on a 29er. Someone over about 6'2" would most likely want to ride a 29er.

[@rcalems]

Thanks.

[@Meditech509]

Clint Gibbs I am 6'5 and can tell you right now I sold my Epic 29r and have been on 650b for the very reason, a 29" bike with XL frame is like driving a semi truck. I have been on 650b for going on five yrs since second gen Jamis. If you are tall 650b wins every time.

[@bhMTB_Brisbane]

I have a brand new Specialized Pitch Sport 650b and it rides a heap better than my other small wheeled (~26") bike.

[@hifinphoto]

28.2" for me !

[@mountaintruth1deeds533]

I would beg to differ 28.25 hands down😬

[@bryanramey2438]

I live off a bike trail which has multiple mountain bike trails 5 miles away. I can't make up my mind which bike I want. If I get the 29er, the 5 mile trip to the mountain bike trail would seem to be a easier ride than the 27.5. But the mountain bike trail is narrow with lots of sharp turns so the 27.5 would do better around the sharp trails. Now, will the 27.5 be as fast and easy as the 29er on the 5 mile ride to the mountain bike trails?

[@ClintGibbs]

29ers will hold momentum a little bit better than a 27.5 but the difference is not dramatic. You might be like 1 minute slower, if that. so ask yourself if you'd rather be one minute faster getting to the trail or have a better ride once you get there. For me, on a trail bike I would go for the 27.5.

[@zurot101]

+Clint Gibbs men it depend on you ...

[@amermeleitor]

My test told that in every condition the thing was that I thought and I felt that I was slower with the 29er and the result was I was faster. Climbing, downhill, open road, singletracks, the same.

[@ClintGibbs]

aldo soto Really depends on the terrain and trails. There are a lot of trails out there where 29ers would be faster. On my trails where decelerating and accelerating are constant, the 27.5 tends to be faster for me.

[@amermeleitor]

One year later, I come back to my 26" and looking for a 27.5". Im 166cms tall, i owned three 29ers since 2012, a Trek (size 15.5"), a Giant (size S) and a no name chinese (size 15.5"). I was faster in all this bike than in my 26, but never felt comfortable, never felt the bike happy. For someone in my height, size S or 16" frame, the handlebar in a 29er is very high, with all my weight in my butt and no in the handlebar or pedals, so less weight for pedaling and slow front wheel turn the position over the bike as not sport thing. Now, for me, my good old 26" or a new 27.5, no more 29er. (Please forgive my less than perfect english)

[@ctowtf]

@@amermeleitor If you are 166cm, all your previous bike (size S) were just wrong - too small. No wonder you didn't feel good about them.

[@amermeleitor]

@@ctowtf really? I mean every size chart told that at 1.66 i need a size S

[@senatorsfan7666]

Clint, any thoughts on technical climbing between the wheels sizes? I have no idea what your trails are like but it sounds flowy. My local trails are rooty and rocky with lots of technical features and climbs that are 2 to 7+ ft rock faces or natural uneven rock stairs where in some cases we have to accelerate quickly between the natural steps to manual and pop. You need strong power and balance and of course choosing the right line. When demoing bikes for these trails the 27.5 felt a lot easier due to the rotational ease during a pedal stroke and ease of balance with lower center of gravity when the line chosen wasn't the best (tested with same tire types). I do agree with the pedal strike phenomenon on 27.5 as even with a higher BB height than the 29er the 27.5 wheeled bike oddly had more more pedal strikes and made a the rocky and steep off camber technical climbing much more difficult (unless you have the skills of Danny Macaskill to stay balanced and hop up those technical climbs).

[@ClintGibbs]

+senators fan in this type of trails I would say if you're looking at a shorter travel bike, between 100 and 120 millimeters of travel, 29 is probably going to be best. But if you're looking into longer travel, say around a 140-150 millimeters, then the 27.5 in my opinion is going to be easier to manage. It is nice having larger Wheels to roll over the technical stuff, but with longer travel the suspension will take care of that and you still have the agility of the 27.5 wheels. Hope this helps.

[@xEvan1987x]

Hi Could you give some advice. I am 6'2" w/ 32" & weighting in under 250 Pound. I've been doing a lot of research on the type of Bikes I want. The Hardtail bike I'll be purchasing has a Trail orianted Geometry (68 Degree HeadAngle w/ 120mm Fork). Now The question is which version would be better, a 27.5 or 29er. My Not so-Local Bike Shop doesn't carry the bikes that I want & they kept pushing me toward something else, so anyway I would have to order them myself. I like the sense of speed / going FAST !

[@ClintGibbs]

29er all the way for you.

[@rbjstudio]

Thank you clint you realy leaning me towards 27.5,hardtail, mostly flat where i live, some up and downs ,some natural technical trials wich i realy would like to master some day and get challenged, so, that been say i think 27.5 i sthe right bike for me, you think? Also thank you for the time and effort for creating this video. Regards from mexico!

[@ClintGibbs]

Raul Bermudez You'll enjoy the 27.5. It will be very light and agile. If you want something more stable and slightly faster over roots and rocks, don't rule out a 29er.

[@fullmetalgridlock]

Wonder if the results would be the same with hardtails.... or entry level bikes.

[@xjmoe83]

Great Video, thanks 👍

[@stevenc522]

what would you recommend for a first FS bike? 6'2 170. 34 inseam. looking at a intense carbine29 or a 650b carbon patrol. Riding is mostly going to be southern cali.

[@ClintGibbs]

+Steven C what brands does your local bike shop carry? What's your budget?

[@ClintGibbs]

+Steven C and by the way if your height and the area that you're ride I would probably recommend a 29er.

[@stevenc522]

+Clint Gibbs Hey Clint, thanks for the quick reply.  As far as local shops, we have a little of everything around here (Giant, Trek, Haro, Intense, Transition, SC).  I have around 5K to spend.  My background is riding dirtbikes on both track and trails.

[@ClintGibbs]

+Steven C If you've been riding dirt bikes then I may tell you 650b (27.5) would be the way to go then. They are more playful and more fun on jumps (at least I think so). Most guys I know who used to ride dirt bikes really throw the bike around. But do some research and determine for yourself. $5k will get you an awesome bike. You certainly can't go wrong with Intense. The Santa Cruz Bronson or Giant Trance would be the one to look at for a 650b. Trek would also be at the top of my list.

[@stevenc522]

+Clint Gibbs Awesome, thanks Clint! I will try and demo one of each here in the next few weeks and go from there. Ill let ya know what I decide on!

[@moonte7933]

You mentioned the short wheel base....i am a tall rider and currently own a rather small 26er hardtail...it's super agile,but on more jump filled terrain i find myself very tensed as i have to get in just the right spot or else i won't have a stable landing.....since long arms make it easier to control things i tend to lean towards a 29er....do you have an opinion on this?...also i tried my friend's 27.5 bike similar in size to mine and it didn't feelmuch different to mine....maybe a little faster .

[@ClintGibbs]

The Religion Killer If you go hardtail then yes, go 29er. They are more stable. If you go full suspension (especially longer travel) go 27.5. If you are over 6 fee tall and want a cross country full suspension, 29er is probably the way to go.

[@moonte7933]

+Clint Gibbs thanks...in the foreseeable future i am going to get a new bike...for certain...and your information made clear what i had already had in mind...the terrain i have available and also enjoy is mostly xc or trail type so a full suspention,although more confortable and stable on the downhills is not needed.I made my mind on getting a hardtail 29er as it is both affordable,easy to maintain and more than enough to suit my needs...i came to this after realising that bigger wheels=more rolling-over-obstacles power and also increased climbing performance...also most of the terrain i wanted to ride could be ridden with my old 26 er which is quite a good bike,although it has a terrible suntour 40mm xcm fork which i had to modify to get a bit more out of...all in all i works and i figure that a 29er with an air fork and 100 mm travel will make a huge difference,especially on the technical parts where the 26er feels kinda small.Thanks for the information,and keep up the good work!😀

[@cup_and_cone]

Coasting on downhill, heavier wheels/bike win every time because more mass and more momentum. Results seem to show that. 29"er Giant fastest on descent because of heaviest wheels/bike. 27.5" er Giant middle on descent because of middle weight wheels/bike. 29" Niner slowest on descent because of lightest wheels/bike.

[@cup_and_cone]

Wheel size would really be sort of irrelevant if it were relatively smooth surface.

[@ingjms]

then, what about a 27.5 vs 26? the difference is very little from one to another.. It isn't the same case scenario than 29 vs 26, where 29 would behave better on terrains with roots, rocks, etc.. 26 would be even lighter and accelerates better than 27.5.. am i wrong? i know that on sand, 29 is much better than 26 or 27.5.. it depends on too many factors.

[@aaronutah2]

ingjms I have two 29ers and I love the way they roll. But they don't steer well. I have thought that 27.5 would be a good balance point between rolling and steering.

[@cyrusellison2172]

You had a Specialized Epic? If you did, how'd you like it?

[@thegoat1803]

Hey Clint, Im 47 and my back isn't too strong...but I'm fit. I need a new full suss and i think a 29er suits for two reasons. One it will make the hills easier and two its gonna be more comfortable. Does anybody disagree with me opinion and can anybody suggest why I should consider a 650B? Thanks guys.

[@ClintGibbs]

+The Goat for equal suspension travel, the comfort is marginal. And the real Advantage for 29 is the stability. If you want to bike with lots of suspension travel, like 140 millimeters or higher, I would suggest 650b. For more cross-country use 29 will be the way to go unless you want a bike that's very agile and maneuverable.

[@thegoat1803]

+Clint Gibbs Thats great Clint thanks. I appreciate the reply. I was about to buy the carbon 29 Stuntjumper but then by chance I noticed the Hightower that Santa Cruz offer comes with both options. Buying the 27.5 + allows one to switch to 29er also with a flick of a switch. I was looking at the version that is priced at 4000 GBP, about 6000 US Dollars. Would you be able to give me an opinion please? And just as a side note... I've got 3-4 months of pure trail riding and choosing where to go is difficult. Ive considered New Zealand but if I choose the U.S where would you suggest? The time period starts from the beginning of September this year. Ideally somewhere that offers a mechanics course but not essential. Thanks so much again.

[@idgaftrucking9312]

hey since u guys r cyclists(assuming) can u tell m uar recommendation between Firefox maximus and Firefox colorado , I like mountainous terrain nd sometimes I like to wander in the city wid frnds BT I'm telling u I live in India so the roads r a little more curvy nd in sme parts broken I need the suggestion quick plzz...thx

[@ariabozorgi]

hi, I am a rookie when it comes to mountain biking and planing to learn and make it as my hobby. I am looking around to get a starter mountain bike and confused which one of the following two should i get: Trek Marlin 6 Specialized Pitch Sport 650B. They both are 29er. Can you please advise me on which one is a good bike, which brand is better to own, and should i go with 27.5 or 29er? thanks and looking forward for your expertise.

[@ClintGibbs]

Unless you were pretty short then I would always recommend a 29er for a hardtail. Both Trek and Specialized are great brands so you cannot go wrong with either. It's going to come down to which bike shop you like best. The real high and bikes from specialized in my opinion are overpriced but their lower end bikes are fine. I hope this helps.

[@ariabozorgi]

thanks for the advice. I am 5.7 tall, of the two model (Trek Marlin 6, Specialized Pith Sport 650B), which do you think is overall a better bike? I was comparing the components of the two bikes, but since I don't have enough knowledge i can't figure out which is good or not that good. lol rookie's problem.

[@ClintGibbs]

Trek, since it has hydraulic brakes.

[@ariabozorgi]

thanks,

[@ClintGibbs]

No problem

[@mrljgibson]

An properly conducted scientific study showed 29er to be the fastest followed by 26 and that 27.5 was the slowest. The 26 was still faster downhill followed by the 29er, 27.5 being last again.

[@ChadCoulter]

I watched this whole video. I was really impressed with how much effort to compare the two sizes. Then out of nowhere "this video is too long so I'm not going to share my conclusion". I might be okay with this if he left a link to the next video. But no I have to subscribe to his channel and look for the specific video. Come on Clint, that's enough for a thumbs down from me. By the way this would have been my favorite comparison of the two sizes.

[@ClintGibbs]

Ah yes, those early days of learning how to make videos... The conclusion video is in the description for you.

[@ClintGibbs]

I'll put it here too kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWi2fZSKjN6Xq8k BTW if you search KZbin for "Clint Gibbs 29 vs 27.5" you'll find a lot of other videos on the subject that I made later.

[@ChadCoulter]

@@ClintGibbs thanks 👍👍👍

[@bwmontages2444]

I’m getting my first MTB from a race bike and I’m looking at the carrera suntara. It’s 29”. Is this the best wheel for mostly road/pavement riding

[@ClintGibbs]

A hardtail 29er is the best option for a mountain bike that is also going to spend a lot of time on pavement.

[@richdarby2639]

good effort for taking the time to do this review, but does it prove anything....i'm not sure. my conclusion is try as many different bikes as you can and pick whats best for you and not what someone else tells you is a good bike for you. thanks again Rich

[@ClintGibbs]

rich darby If to some it doesn't prove something, then that proves something. It shows that both wheel sizes are valid for different riders and different applications. Like you said, people need to gather as much info as they can (which is why I do these videos) and then test ride to find out what's best for them.

[@RunningBack1978]

I'll stay with my 29ers.

[@AnooshSU35]

Is the 29" tyres are the 700c tyres ?? don't know even what "b" or "c" or "er" mean! sorry i'm a totally noob and don't know who to ask is someone give me a reference link for the tyres from A-Z then it will be appreciated

[@ClintGibbs]

+Sawa3ek Fekr for the most part you can put a 700c tire on a 29er rim. So yes, they are basically the same size. I know guys who do this for cyclocross racing.

[@brndnew01]

Do you live in SC, if so where? I need some decent local places to ride.

[@ClintGibbs]

+josh miller DuPont is close to SC. If that's not too far I can't recommend it enough. Killer place to ride.

[@brndnew01]

thanks

[@SigXman]

I just really need a wheel that is 28.25. Best of both worlds.

[@MrGreenvision]

Gorgeous Mountain Bike.

[@JaimeJamesJaume]

Hey Clint im gonna buy a bike today, but im believing the hype of the 29s im only 1.69 cm tall, i might join in a few races and do some trips with Friends, according to my plan will the 29 suit me better than the 27.5?

[@ClintGibbs]

+JaimeJamesJaume it's going to depend on the type of terrain you do on your trips. If it's super rough and loose then I would say 27.5 plus where you better. But if you ride smoother terrain and you really want to focus on raising I think the 29 would be the way to go.

[@gonzaloa.1121]

Really enjoy your videos Clint! What are your thought's on Cube mountain bikes? Im stationed in Germany and have been eyeing a Cube LTD Race One 29" (www.cube.eu/uk/products/mtb-hardtail/ltd/cube-race-one-blacknflashorange-2016). Thanks for your input! Gonzalo A.

[@albertomonterozingg6415]

Im 5'5" I'eve heard that cause of my height a 27.5 will suit best....however want to hear more opinions about it? thank you!

[@ClintGibbs]

+Alberto Montero Zingg for full suspension then yes, 27.5. For a hardtail you could go either way.

[@ClintGibbs]

+Alberto Montero Zingg for full suspension then yes, 27.5. For a hardtail you could go either way.

[@frankjoshum]

I wish you linked to the conclusion somewhere; I can't find it.

[@ClintGibbs]

+Josh Frankum this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWi2fZSKjN6Xq8k

[@reniam]

Thanks for the review, but I sense some confirmation bias. I have many bikes including a 27.5 and 29er and it's no competition with climbing - the 29er tramples the 27.5. Perhaps up a dirt road the 27.5 MAY be faster, but that's not real MTBing. 29ers climb better, descend better and roll over terrain better. 27.5 handle fast, smooth switchbacks better. Personally, I believe the 27.5 is mediocrity. It does everything OK, and nothing really well.

[@lastsurvivor6406]

reniam 27.5 is like a duck...can swim can run can dive can fly but not really good at those

[@CrashBandiii]

Im a shorter rider, 173cm, will a 27.5 be better for marathons and a XCO mix of riding?

[@ClintGibbs]

For marathon type racing I personally would go with a 29er full suspension and I'm about the same height you are.

[@luckyfox86]

+Clint Gibbs and what about trail riding with a hard tail. I´m 170cm

[@ClintGibbs]

Totally fine. Check out mountain bike action's newest edition that just came out. They review several trail bikes and one of them is a hardtail.

[@Munchkinross]

I'm 165 and ride a 29er

[@U.S.SlaveOfficial]

Thos are stupid expensive. Me and a buddy been rolling huffys we got free for years just fine, replaced rubber before but nothing else

[@pennyfarthing290]

i dont think ive ever seen a 27.5 frame.. do you just stick them in a 26 frame? probly a dumb question

[@genniz]

Nope need new fork and frame

[@pennyfarthing290]

tdM luxe :< sadface, though I googled it after I asked of course :P looks like some people have converted their 26's into them but it looks rather involved.

[@loganthetruckguy8585]

i ride a 29er being 6'5 200 theres not really alot of hills just a big bridge so i like my 29er 700c or a 27.5 to small

[@TheAlexcristian21]

hi, can I get an advice for my new bike. I am 5.6 feet tall and I don't know what wheel size will more advantage me. most of my trails are xc with ascents and road. thanks

[@ClintGibbs]

+Alexandru Constantin which brand are you looking at? Did they go buy seat tube size or by small medium and large?

[@TheAlexcristian21]

Cube acid 29er has 17 inch frame size and 27.5 has 18 inch frame.

[@ClintGibbs]

+Alexandru Constantin I think either one of those would fit you well. The most important thing is to have your local bike shop fit you on the bike because not everyone's proportions are the same.

[@TheAlexcristian21]

Thank you very much for your opinion.

[@arvr1369]

im planning to buy a mtb but cant think of what size fits me. ive been riding road bike medium size and did not have any problems. im 5'11 tall what size should i get for mtb and what wheel size is good for me. tia

[@ClintGibbs]

Large

[@chrisvlogs5413]

29er

[@CrackerrJack]

Have u got the bike yet?

[@Necrosintesys]

The bike is solid and my Ebike conversion went great. kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Very smooth ride at 30mph with no problems (135 miles ridden so far). The picture is a bit deceiving - there is WAY less space in the center of the frame than it shows. The suspension connection takes up the entire thing. So I needed to attach my battery on the bottom of the frame and my controller on the top. Instructions for assembly were lacking but honestly it wasn't too hard to figure out even though I have very little bike knowledge. Watched some youtube videos on adjusting the disk brakes but that was it. Still, I am loving it and very happy with the purchase.

[@ClintGibbs]

At that height I would recommend going with a 29.

[@newunderthesun7353]

You stated that 3 seconds is not significant, but as a racer, 3 seconds is a world apart. I wish I had a 3 second advantage every lap - I'd kill. Also, you said you don't know why the longer stay does not bother you like it did a year or two back - that would be because you are a year or two older. Our bodes change faster than wheel sizes.

[@ClintGibbs]

+NewUnderTheSun well, to keep it real, I'm switching back to a 29er for the next year. I finally found pay full suspension 29er that handles the tight trails that I typically ride very well. It will be interesting to see what my lap times are after I get used to the handling and traction of it.

[@newunderthesun7353]

+Clint Gibbs Since you do not have a lot of hills in your regular riding circuit have you tried a pure cyclocross bike?

[@ClintGibbs]

Yes. Way too many roots... My CX bike doesn't come close in terms of lap times. It's good skills training for CX races though.

[@julesbar3545]

What tire size is the fastest to roll on the road? 26, 27 or 29? Flat road

[@ProductionUndergroun]

To put it this way, the acceleration on a 26 is better, but the 29 wins at top speed, while 27.5 i consider to be of compromise. It all comes down on your height and riding style/trails. I prefer the 26 as it is more agile and responsive.

[@CrackerrJack]

29er hands down. Facts

[@powerwindpro]

if you want to lower the center of gravity of the 29er flip the stem to negative degrees the suspension on 29ers are very high

[@andreicolan1134]

the bike was the second?

[@kellerman8187]

29 for ever

[@pangapunga3693]

i am 167 cm and i ride 29 its so cool

[@jonienglish3231]

Too much Hype Ned Overend and John Tomac + Tinker on 26ers will still win , F1 Cars Still using small Dinky 13" wheels with Tall Sidewalls

[@aleksandardimitrijevic6575]

22:45 I believe your 27.5 was a bit faster than the all carbon 29 downhill because of the weight. Weight is an important aspect and you forgot about it :p

[@ClintGibbs]

True, but with the weights not too far different I'd still think a larger diameter wheel would descend as fast or faster.

[@aleksandardimitrijevic6575]

Clint Gibbs I agree with you, 29er must be faster downhill. I also think there was only 2 sec difference because Jet 9 RDO weights 23.2 lbs (+/- 1lbs for water bottle?) and Anthem 27.5 about 28 lbs (since you use light wheels?) so there is still ~5 lbs difference which was enough for the anthem to narrow the gap. If both bikes were the same weight I think the difference would be much bigger, like 10 sec in 1 min descent. Just my opinion. Cheers.

[@ClintGibbs]

My Anthem 27.5 is a custom build and it weighs 23.9 pounds. In my reviews I show how I built it.

[@aleksandardimitrijevic6575]

Clint Gibbs I see. Thanks.

[@ClintGibbs]

There certainly are several factors that play into the overall speed of a bike.

[@CBinAKL]

Oh Gee! Is this Cabel from Deadpool, or is this Thanos from IW3?

[@deeppurplefan]

NO 26", NO SALE.

[@robvilletto3146]

thanks!!!!

[@audioman6007]

29er plus for me 😉

[@Sender76]

switched from 29er to 650b, way more funny to ride

[@BrenanLow]

Dear Clint Gibbs , I'm 194cm tall, which would you recommend in between Avanti Competitor 9.1 (Size XL - 20.5) www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/29er-mountain-bikes/avanti/wa/cannington/competitor-9-1/102633151 and Polygon Entiat 2015 (Size 19.5) www.polygonbikes.com/ww/bikes/description/2015-entiat2 Both of these bikes about same price offer in my country and I do notice both are different breed as different head tube angle and travel length as well. As for specs wise, Avanti Competitor do offer better specs but what it concern me more is the distributor is like likely will not survive in their business soon. Do I really need to depend on their after sales service if I buy Avanti? As like parts availability issue? I have no clue. What I learn that, Polygon has a good head tube angle and 140mm travel. Please advise. Thanks! Regards, Brenan Low.