Battle of the Hardtails! | 27.5” Vs. 29” Wheels
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- čas přidán 20. 05. 2024
- One of the most common MTB questions is: Which wheel size is best? With Anna riding a 27.5" hardtail and Blake riding a 29" hardtail, we thought it would be a good idea to put them up against the clock on both bikes to see which size came out on top!
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
0:59 - The bikes!
3:00 - Flow trail
8:02 - Tech descent
12:59 - Tech climb
16:26 - Conclusions
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Which hardtail would you choose? Anna's 27.5" or Blake's 29"? Let us know 👇
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You ride what you got, what you can afford and what you can handle. The thing is, just ride
All the gear no idea springs to mind 😂
I agree! Sometimes, you don't have a choice in wheel sizes depending on your height, model of bike, etc.
29’s are like riding a monster truck. It has its good moments cruising over stuff….. but when jumping or flicking it about, I feel like a small child who’s riding their dads bike.
Bro yes. You explained it perfectly. Also hate worrying about my a** hitting the rear wheel on a 29er when doing manuals
Crashed hard and broke my elbow on a 29. I swear it's because the 29 is just less agile over jumps/drop offs.
That is the perfect explanation bro. 29er feels like monster truck big to me. This is not my favorite but, I could see its advantage on some super chunky trails.
"I can't believe I did the mega on a 27.5."
Blake, you used to be an adamant believer of 27.5. 🤣🤣
Jokes on you. I've run a 26" hardtail for 20 years
I’ve been riding a 29 hardtail for a year now and am definitely going back to 27.5. 29er’s roll over stuff (like a tractor) but don’t corner, or jump, or feel very good. I want my bike to be playful and fun to ride. I will gladly give up a couple seconds of speed to have a bike that’s fun and doesn’t ride like a tractor lol!
My 29er is in the Shop and my boss lent me his 26er for my Day off work ,...it was so much more playfull ,it was olmost like a 20 in bmx 👍🚲🤣
Exactly my thoughts and the reason I ride my 27.5+ most of the time “fun”… I also have 29er
Anna and Blake make a brilliant combination. Love it!!
I think it's the 2nd time they present and Blake just brings good chemistry with everyone. I love how he says, "hey beautiful people".
He has a wife!!
@@mateimarconithey have great PROFESSIONAL chemistry! No need to infer anything else, they’re great and entertaining on screen together and that’s the important part.
I'm running a Vitus Sentier Vrx on 27.5 and absolutely love it. Something about 29s always feels a bit too big for me. I did, however, grow up riding 26s, so that might be the reason why I'm more confident with smaller wheels.
I've got the Sentier VR 27.5" Feels very playful even for a mediocre rider like me 😁 Tried 29. Rolled fantastically over obstacles but who wants the trail to be smooth 🤔
Having both a 27.5 bike and 29er bike I prefer the 27.5 its just way more playful, agile and a lot easier to flick about.
I've got a 27.5 hardtail too. Just debating if to just upgrade the frame or go in the completely opposite direction and get a 29 full sus 🤔 (the knees aren't getting any younger 👴). But I do like the rawness of just having sus forks 😊 I almost feel hardcore 🤘🤣
What is your height and insider legs dimensions? Just wondering whether 27.5 is more for anyone or it depends on sizes.
@oleksanders1102 I'm 165cm tall with a 70.5cm inseam
Unless I am racing (which I don’t anymore) I think the time comparison could actually mislead me to buy one for the wrong reason (does a second really matter in most cases?). I would compare both without time and just feel which size feels more fun and natural, and challenges me to maximize my skills as much as possible, and then choose accordingly. With that said I have both 😂 Great video!
hahaha you nailed it 🤪😎
You two together are great presenters
There's still nothing wrong with my 26" wheels...
got 4 26" wheelsets..
Keep telling yourself that... Diminishing hub, rim, and tyre choice for starters. Frame geometry for another... I still own and ride plenty of 26" bikes, but I don't treat them like a modern bike.
Bet your frame is whack
Same here, so much fun with my 26” inch wheels on a 160mm travel FS.
@@Metal-Possum As 26" is still being produced as a kids/teen size MTB (see the nukeproof cub scout) all those parts will still be manufactured. Non boost hubs and straight steerer forks are the only components that may be an issue as time goes on and there are ways of getting around those issues.
I have recently upgraded massively to a good hard tail. It also meant going up to 29" wheels. I was sceptical at first, but it is so fast, and so smooth I wish I had done it years before.
I have a 27.5 carbon hardtail. I recently went mullet, and am loving it. Best of both worlds!
What a great video! I’d love to see a 29/27.5 mullet added into this comparison!
I come from a BMX back ground and in the Bike Park I ran my 2010 giant Reign SX all the way till '22. I rode one 27.5 for a whole day and really didn't notice the difference so that why I stayed with the 26er for so long. I now have a 27.5 Reign more because of the slacker geo. Than being said since 2020 I have been riding a 29er HT for local trails and its fun but despite it being lighter at 27lbs , with the big wheels I just cant throw it around like my heavier smaller wheeled bike. Blake and Anna were racing for times. If you're just out having fun ,not racing for the absolute best time, a couple seconds doesn't matter. Everyone was having fun on 26's but the market was saturated with them. New standards sell more bikes.
Love GMBN for these great video's, I'm running a 27.5 MTB & a 29er XC bike.
I can't decide to be honest, they are two different bikes, so, the comparison id really difficult to judge.
But, I have to declare, I'm loving the 29er BMX I just purchased (SE 29er), with the dropper saddle, it just blows my mind.
Keep up the great work everyone, you ROCK on the ROCKS folks
The outside diameter of the 27.5 x 2.6 on my hardtail is almost exactly the o.d. of the 700 x 45 on my gravel bike. I really like that similarity as I’m so frequently jumping between the two bikes, which also have matching chainstay lengths and seattube angles. I didn’t plan it that way, it was just chance, but my body notices, on techy climbs and tight turns especially.
I really love my 27.5 ht. Especially when making sharp, precise turns I am always happy with the format.
Great video, but I've got to say: Who really cares which is quicker? A trail/enduro hardtail's never going to be a race bike anyway. Which is more fun would be more relevant IMO, but I guess that's too subjective.
For me and my trails: One full sus 29er trail bike (140/130 travel) and one moderately rowdy 27.5" hardtail (120mm travel and 66° HTA). The former for ripping through the woods at speed and the latter for flicking about on tight single track, pump tracks and (trying to) jump. Wouldn't want to part with any of them, and certainly wouldn't want my hardtail to be a 29er. I've got my trail bike for plowing over roots and tech. If you could only have one, I guess 29er hardtail kind of makes sense though.
I've just upgraded from a good (but old) aluminium 26er to a 2018 carbon 29er and I can relate.
Definitely less "playfull", but more stable.
Traction and going uphill are night and day.
Thanks for the video.
I will probably stick to my 27,5
I had a Hardtail in 27,5 and now I have one in 29 and I have to say, I like it. The 29 is rolling over everything really easily. But it's harder to do anything else on it.
oh shit really like how about jumping over logs? or jumps?
@@chazzthaspazz4475 Well I am not jumping much, but it works fine. Bunny hopping in flat is a bit harder, cuz u have a lot more bike under you or let's say, you are more in the center of the bike and have less space to let it work under you and it's heavier too, but it works. It's also not that agile any more and a bit harder to corner. But all in all I do not regret it, cuz it fits my riding style well. As I said, it rolls over everything and is very stable. I am riding the Canyon Stoic and it's a great Hardtail. Before I had the Scott Voltage Freerider in 26 and a Trail Hardtail in 27,5. For a Trail Hardtail 29 wheels do make sense, if you are not going for Dirtjumping (sure, it can handle that too), because the roll over everything wheels do help a lot in technical terrain. I remember some steep rooty sections on my home trail, that used to send me over the handlebars, but are now really easy game. If I would go for a Fully, I would prefer 27,5, so the suspension can do its job and I would have back the agility. If you consider buying a bike and you are not sure, you need to find a way to test drive it. It's just my personal opinion.
That was a great comparison i really was intregued by this one well done guys fantastic effort and fantastic presentation cracking pair up you two for this
I really enjoyed this comparison between these 2 wheel sizes. It turned out the way I expected 🤷🏻♂️. I’m a 29er fan for sure
Love my 27.5, I'd have a hard time going up to 29, still also love my old 26 bike :) gonna give the 26er lots of love this summer.
Have just got a 29" trail hardtail, having ridden a 26" full sus for last 10 years. LOVING the hardtail - just flows and goes. 29" wheels roll over stuff so well. Getting some quicker times on my local trails than on the old full sus (although suspect 29" full sus quicker still, but maybe less fun?)
I have a 2014 Transition Carbon Covert 26er Full Susp for air flights a Duthie Hill, 2020 Polygon Syskiu T7 27.5 for nimble trail riding everywhere and a Aliexpress BXT Carbon MTB 29er Hardtail for Strava Leader Board segments. I use them all for different purposes. Great presentation, you two work fabulous together.
@gmbn why not try 27,5+ while youre doing these tests ?
I went for 27.5 scout, as I'm used to my 27.5 Mega. Got the advantage of interchangeable parts too.
Turn it into a mullet! The ultimate hardtail.
I am building a Nukeproof scout with 27.5 wheels. My full sus is a 29er so I wanted the 27.5 for more trail biased rides. Both are running innertubes atm.
The best hardtail size is always the one that suits you most!
Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #RideOn #KeepBiking
Ridden 29er clipless since I started mtbing in 2013. Favorite way to ride 💯
My Chromag Rootdown has 27.5+ on & I have a great time with that beast. Only slightly smaller in diameter than a 29" and lots of cushioning. Don't think I will change too soon.
FWIW, I am 193cm in height.
Just about to build a Nukeproof Scout 275 and I'm glad this video popped up as I was having a bit of doubt about my size choice but my mind is at ease now.
Surprised they didn't do any jumping. I feel that's a benefit for 27.5, the playfulness of the smaller wheels. I feel like it whips better and makes smaller side hits more enjoyable too.
I started with a 27.5" Marin Hard Tail and it's been great. But I come from BMX and really wanted the smaller wheel size. I'm used to it being more nimble and easy to throw around. Which just feels more comfortable to me. But I think a mullet setup would be great. It seems that especially on a hardtail, people swear by it. May have to give that a try sometime.
I don't think there is a wrong answer. Everyone should try both and make a decision based on what they want to do with their bike.
I have run my meta Ht 29, 27.5, and mullet and I prefer to run it straight 27.5 just so it's as nimble and playful as possible. For me it's all about the feel on a hardtail that's the way I like mine to ride
And here I am on a trek 6500? xc hardtail from 2010, 26" 19mm ID rims and I'm still having fun. Even roadies have wider rims these days...I do wanna upgrade the derailleur though, 3x9 speed doesn't have the best chain retention..or just go 1x9
No-no, 26 is the best! 😛
That’s true!
Absolute playful beasts!!
26 for the comeback!
Ride still my 26"bikes no joke 4 me the best and i am tall 1.93m 3x10 gears and i sell my 29"bike i ride it to rare
you underestimate the power of the 24 😈
@@oliverwilton3567 got a 24er rigid, fun but you get beat up a lot. XD
I've had a 29 and felt too high, and I got some 27.5 wheels and swapped those on to it and it felt much better.. and then I mulleted it and felt good to. I've since sold the 29er and building a mullet from the frame up.
I have mostly flow and/or rooty trails in my area so climbing and downhill isn't much of an option. But if you feel better on a bike, you will ride it more.
But my work horse is a 26 😊😊.
Could we also get tire sizes for the bikes listed? Are either of the bikes running +size tires? Just wondering about overall difference in size.
I think that the inserts in both wheels on Blake's bike are slowing it down. I had insert on my hardtail in the rear tire and it was noticibly slower, especially uphills. So I get rid of it. And now I'm enjoying the lightness of it. But to compensate the missing insert I'm having more pressure in the rear. Just to protect the wheel.
I had a 160gr insert in the rear. I am slightly faster without it uphill, but I do miss the sidewall support when going down. But I prefer to install it on a XC race just to be calm that the rear will not get a snake bite.
At 6ft 205 lbs I hated my roscoe 8 w 27.5 and 2.6 tires. Now it's a 108t engagement 29er with 2.4s. ❤
I think a mix would be best for an hardtail. 29 at front and a wide 27.5 at the back for some cushioning (2.8 or 2.6)
Best two bikes, best two presenters! Great vid.
i have a 2018 Scout 27.5, and on descents i find that i'm pretty much just as fast as my riding mates on 29" FS trail bikes. on flowy stuff with undulating terrain i tend to pick up speed easier because the smaller wheels and stiff back end pump the trail more efficiently.
I Loooooooove this hardtail videos ❤️🤟🏾 Blake and Anna Shred!
Nice vid! it would have been interesting to see also how the mullet configuration worked 😅
I love my 27.5 plus Hardtail, but I am looking at a 29 plus as my next one. I don't race or ride much flow, mostly tech and natural terrain. Occasionally, I ride old trails that don't see much use deep in the forests.
Curious as to how this is a good comparison with you two swapping bikes that are not really the correct size for the other?
right then I'm gonna turn this upside down,
I'm 6ft6 and ride a 29er, I bloody hate it off road, on road or like a gravel trail it's solid and rides well , so i wish i had chosen a 27.
But why do you hate it? What was/is your comparative experience (27.5? 26?) and why do you prefer it?
27.5 Plus FTW
27.5+ for me. I find it much easier for punchy, rocky climbs in the mountains of SE AZ.
Need to add the trusty 26ers into the game their are still a lot of us on them
I love the techy wormhole track by the side of launch pad,i dont see many people ride that for some reason.
Im still on 26 inch wheels and its great
Have the Nukeproof Scout, immediately switched to 27.5 wheelset. Riding here in Fort Collins,CO. ,the trails are tech , (rock gardens,baby heads, big rock drops and descents, Never like 29s, had 3 in my life, too sloppy slow for fast twitch riding. Hard Tails will never Die. Keep Ripping Blake
I've got 27.5 with plus tyres and it's amazing
When I got my 27.5 the 29 version felt like a hybrid; clearly thing have changed! When i eventually change from my current great 27.5, I will go 29.
27.5 on the back, 29 on the front. G2 LT suspension seat post.
I have owned both and prefer 27.5 x 2.8. Put the right tires on and it makes a great handling bike.
interseting comment ! ive just bought a whyte 905 23 model with 2.8s and im thinking i wonder what would of happened if the 27.5 bike had 2.8 tyres on?
I'm running a mullet setup on the 27.5 scout and it's perfect
What size forks?
@@doubleL_S 29er
I got a short travel trail bike in 27.5 it's awesome for southern Ontario terrain
Really like the show !! And very interesting comparison, always wondered what/if I would loose by switching from 29" to 27,5". I know now and I keep my 29" Ragley Big Al !! It goes everywhere so easily !!
Thanks Eric! We're glad you liked it, and that you've found the right size for you 👍
Good stuff. How about the hardtail mullet? Speed is one thing, but which of the 3 jumps better, especially for learning & progressing?
In my opinion a mullet is the best option for a playful Enduro hardtail. At least it worked out pretty damn well for me😅
with this particular model, they do not recommend mixing it, unfortunately..
@@JPTHRICE I took a fork with less travel so overall the geometry is pretty close to the original. Worked out great in the past
@@a.s.120 oh i see! how much less travel?
@@JPTHRICE i Run a 140mm fork so its about 2 cm less
The Front is a Bit Higher than usual but i never Had any problems riding it
These two are super cute, great combo 💪
Stanton Switch9er. Awesome bike.
What about
Mullet?
Annas Race Face before the start of the first section is pure gold 😅
i just got myself a giant fathom 29er and im loving it..does feel kinda big though.But like anything, i just have to get used to it 🙂..wish i had a bike like this back in day doing my paper round lol
When you swapped bikes, did you reset the sag ? it seemed that you two have different weight... interesting test....I use 27.5 for both hardtail and full suspension
and I feel comfortable with it
This is the exact predicament I’m in- I have a 26 (since 2008) and recently tried a mate 27.5-it makes such a different on the climbs and even the position on the bike enabled me to Ollie higher than I can I my bike…but do I go for 27.5 or up to a 29?
27.5 in the rear 29" in the front!!!!
love the smile u got talking about hardtails
For someone looking to cycle thru forest/mountains for leisure at pace and admring the landscape rather than racing what wheel size would u recommend?
Thanks
My Scout rolls on 27.5 Inch Wheels an I love it .
ALL THAT hollering and noise. sounds like they are having a blast! MAN Anna is having a lot of fun
I just gave up my 29 and went back to a 27.5
I have a 29 hardtail and would never drop down, however I have a 26 full sus for my more playful days out and would probably pick 27.5 before a 29.
I’ve got 29 hardtail and 27.5 enduro full squish bike. Perfect
I do a lot of twisty slow turn, then go riding. For that, I prefer 27.5 because it spins up easier (the exact opposite of the “keep your momentum with 29” discussion). If momentum is the issue, I get it, and agree that 29 is probably the way to go.
27.5 FS for me, tried a mullet and didnt like it, so I am assuming I would not like a 29er all round, although I admit i have never ridden one. I just dont see myself changing from a 27.5 unless the industry makes me by stopping producing them.
I just can't get over how Blake managed to put on a GoPro harness at 10:10, then take it off again at 10:15! 😉
I go from 26 fatbike wheels, to 29 plus-hardtail, to 27 trail bike, and they're all fun just different.
whatever wheel diameter you ride….just ride that freaking 26, 27,5 or 29 inch bike!
My weapon of choice is 2022 Patrol 094 HT 29er. It's really fast on rock n ruts n I called it "controlled chaos" 🤟😈
For me the biggest difference between 27.5 and 29 ( full sus though) was noticeable in bike park. There were some sections where after the berm or tech stuff I had to pedal on 27.5 and 29 just kept that momentum I and I got tired less as a result. 27.5 was more fun in the corners though.
Scout 29er... LOVE IT!!!!
Had 27.5 now on 29 feels better overall
Gf still on 26, planning buy her 27.5 same bike and make us both mullets 27.5 back 29 front 🤭
I have this exact bike in 27.5 and must say it's an absolute beast of a bike
I'm a smidge over 6ft and 27.5 are the ones for me.....Still don't get why they're called small.....Ha!
Well,I can see that the vast majority speeks in favour of 26,but I have to say I have a Scott Scale 70, older model,26,and recently bought Scott Scale 910 carbon 29...I have to say I just adore the 29,but it is due to the fact that I ride only the asphalt,and almost never the trail. Anyway,the way it glides on the road is so pleasant... P.S. Anna,you have such a charming beauty😊
I love my Santa Cruz 26er MTB hardtail.
To obsession I'm a function over form kind of guy...however I do have a 27.5" hardtail and find it far more aesthetically pleasing than a 29er. So with the demonstrated performance differences I'll stick with my little wheels.
Do video 26er please
Was the 27.5 bike on 2.6 tires? That alone could make it a bit more comfortable and have the roll over of a 29x2.0-2.15 tired bike.Sounds like the answer might be mullet, at least for her.
Went with a 29 hard tail when I bought my current bike to replace my 26 full suspension that I never felt comfortable on.
I'm building up a custom frame and went mullet. I haven't ridden it yet, but I designed the geometry specifically for a mullet set up. I guess my thinking is "The best of both worlds". 😉
Most of us regular joe riders would only notice a difference in feel, and so it comes down to personal preference. Personally, I like 27.5 in a plus configuration, and I like 29 in a standard wheel width configuration.
I don't think a 1 second difference is outside the margin of error (i.e. it's overwhelmed by other variables, such as how warmed up (or tired) you are.
29’s for climbing up hills for sure but 27.5 for playfulness. But @ the end of the day it all comes down to user preference!
Love your videos I have just purchased a voodoo bizango 29er I'm hoping it will do the job the bigger wheels look so bad ass.