totally wrong. the greater diameter to the wheel allows it to roll over rocks better. and now the the new Chub Hubs you can have the same spoke length and better bearings as a 26er

Why all the hate for 29ers? They have some advantages, and besides no one is going to force you to sell your current bike and get a 29er! It just means more options, so people can choose what they want!

Despite the wheels being weaker, I think the larger traction area and the fact that the wheels roll better over rough stuff could be good for DH. But good luck to the engineers who have to make frames that will actually have 8” of travel and enough tire clearance!

Mtn-Bik3r: 29'rs have their good and their bad. yes they have a larger traction area, and less they roll better. however i OWN each of them. i feel the 29" wheel has a place for single speeds for sure. as it climbs extremely well, does not want to roll over the back, rolls well over any chatter. and makes that 80mm fork feel like more. however a 29'r isn't as snappy or nimble when cornering. a taller wheel leaned at the same degree will have a significantly larger turning radius. my personal opinion is that 29'rs have their place. some people will love them and swear by them, some will see the advantages and dis advantages and be less biased, and others will be haters (as usual). as far as 29'rs being a scene in DH? idk.... its really hard to say.

PS i have had a little bit of time on trek's 69'r and a previous fully from another company. the 69r feels a little awkward, like it is two separate bikes. the front end rolls over stuff very easily, and then a split second later BAM their is a sudden jolt through the rear wheel.....

29 inch give a beather angle of attack the reason is simple http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3991121/#top

yeah but isnt a 29 inch wheel weaker then a 26?

robyboulianne: you're correct, however they also don't steer as quickly. but they are extrmely stable. the same thing that applies to quick maneuverability in planes cars etc applies to bikes a bike to some degree has to be unstable for it to be quick handling. a 29 is on of the most stable bikes you will ride. but they will not turn or ride as snappy, which is why i don't believe there is much life for it in DH. like posted early bigger wheel = larger turning radius when leaned to the same degree. 29 is excelent for climbing however thanks to the larger contact area. the other down fall is the BB is lower in relation to the axle's. now that WOULD be a good thing, it makes it extremely stable, however because your weight is not at the same point of higher than the axles it takes much more to lean the bike into a corner.

...... soooo i'm split. i'm not sure whether its good for DH or not, however i do know they make great single speeds.

dray: yes they are SLIGHTLY weaker, but not very noticeable on a quality wheelset. the cheaper wheels have noticeably more flex

ok. thanks.

welll thats stupid. that flat bar can be changed. the main point of the bike is that its a29er

would it make sense to have 29 front, 26 back?

i remember id see a lot of bighits a few years back run 26 front and 24 back, and maybe it had more to do with than just extra tire clearance.

29 inch will not be the standard unless the advantages outweigh the 26 in every aspect which they clearly dont (strength)... so that will never happen. As for never making more... if there is a market why would they not? I have never heard someone who owns one say that they hate it... most are completely in love with them!

well i guess i can see why they would do it. but in my opinion i'm just not really a fan of the idea, thats all i was sayen.

I doubt that, being as motocross doesn't even use 26" wheels. How do you know if its a lame idea without having tried them. Sure many will think they don't look as great, your entitled to that. But i don't think a dh racer is as concerned about looks in a race as he is about the time that he does. If some can ride better with 29", then why criticize it. Some people like it, and nobody is forcing you to ride it. If in the future it turns out these are better in every aspect to the 26" (which is unlikely to happen) then the 26" will still remain in production, due to the numbers of people already with them. Also, who has said that this is the future of mtb/dh.

Also, why would it affect motocross at all?

Peace