This can be great if your local trails include a lot of slowing down and accelerating through tight turns and short uphill sections. If you plan to frequent rough and rocky trails, this is definitely something to take into consideration.Ģ7.5-inch wheels are typically quicker to accelerate when compared to 29ers, which is mainly a result of their lower weight that requires less effort to spin. Because of the lower attack angle, it will roll down the path farther and much more smoothly without getting tossed around by the same obstacles. Now, think about rolling a larger and heavier basketball down the same path. It’s likely to bounce around erratically and get out of control quickly. To illustrate this, picture rolling a tennis ball down a sloped gravel path. With a larger attack angle (the angle formed where the wheel meets a trail feature), 27.5-inch wheels also have a tendency to get hung up on obstacles easier than 29ers. First, 27.5 bikes don’t typically feel as stable at higher speeds (alternatively, this can be a perk for riders who are looking for a snappier ride). However, this playful demeanor comes with some compromises. You’ll likely hear riders describe them as more “fun” because they can change directions quickly, hopping from one side of the trail to the other with less effort. Further, because of their lower weight, 27.5-inch wheels will typically produce a more playful and energetic ride. Because of the smaller diameter, 27.5-inch wheels are easier to navigate through tight and tricky trails and respond to rider input more readily, which is especially true for smaller riders who might otherwise struggle to control larger (and generally heavier) 29ers.
There are certainly upsides to this “tweener” bike, but unfortunately it isn’t the holy grail of wheel sizes-we’re still searching for that-and comes with some inherent compromises.Īll other things being equal, bikes with 27.5-inch wheels are typically more manageable to ride than their 29-inch counterparts. Bike manufacturers assured riders they’d be just as playful and easy to ride as smaller-wheeled bikes while maintaining the rollover characteristics of 29ers. For more, see our mountain bike gear reviews.Ģ7.5-Inch Wheels: Playful, Light, and Easy to ManeuverĪlthough 27.5-inch wheels are relatively new, they immediately gained traction within the world of mountain bikes by promising to be an effective middle ground between the old 26-inch norm and much larger 29ers. So how do you decide what’s best for you? To help make the buying process easier, below we break down 27.5- and 29-inch wheels, including differences in ride experience and performance, as well as specific bike recommendations for both sizes. 29ers, once reserved for taller riders and cross-country racing, have since evolved to fit smaller frames, while 27.5 mountain bikes have never looked better for those with a playful riding style. But once 29- and 27.5-inch wheels hit the market, the debate amongst bikers took off and has continued ever since. Not long ago, mountain bikers didn’t have a choice when it came to wheel sizes-26 inches was pretty much the only option.