Should I get a 29er or stick with standard size wheels/tires?

I'm in the market for a new mountain bike. Decided to stick with a hard tail instead of full sus, since most of the riding I do is XC (not a lot of rocky descents, drops). So now I'm trying to decide between 29er or standard wheels.



I know that 29ers offer better climbing over obstacles, but what other advantages are there? Any disadvantages? Is one better for technical riding vs the other?



thanks!Should I get a 29er or stick with standard size wheels/tires?
I have a hardtail 26 and a rigid single-speed 29'er, and I ride the SS way more often where I live which is mostly rolling hills. My little bike is great for most any off-roading and I like to ride it once in a while because it is lighter and I can 'throw it around' easier and handle more techinical stuff. Momentum is your friend on a 29'er, so once you learn to use that to your advantage, its so much fun that the little bikes lose their appeal in a hurry. The bigger wheels roll over damn near anything (which is also a big plus when attacking any urban jungle) and with some big rubber, they provide their own suspension which simplifies and lightens the bike by eliminating the 'need' for a suspension fork.Should I get a 29er or stick with standard size wheels/tires?
With a 29er comes increased stability traction, and comfort. The larger diameter of these wheels give a larger contact patch with the ground and the center of gravity is lower relative to the wheel's axles. I’m 6’ 2” and like me larger riders will benefit with a more natural fit on 29” wheels. Handling is greatly improved. I preformed my first track stance on my Niner Air 9.

The only disadvantage is acceleration. The bigger wheels are slow to spin up.Should I get a 29er or stick with standard size wheels/tires?
29'ers roll better and maintain speed better than 26 inch wheels, thats it. People who like them will make up a whole list of things like the other poster but the reality is that basic physics tell you everything you need to know about the drawbacks. The wheels are either weaker or heavier due to the larger diameter. They handle far worse due to either the incresed weight or flimsier build. They're garbage for technical riding because a larger wheel is slower to manuever. They accelerate and stop more poorly becuase the weight of the tire is placed further out. They require more effort to climb since the larger wheel is like a larger gear. They dont work well for bigger riders because the larger, weaker wheels usually dont hold up for bigger riders... I guess very tall %26amp; thin, lanky riders would apprecaite them more than most but that's really about it. They do really keep speed well though.



If you ride very smooth rolling terrain with smooth climbs and want to carry more speed, it's a good choice. If you ride strictly XC and never encounter rocks and roots bigger than a softball, it's a good choice. Me personally, one of the best things about a hardtail is it's versatility and 29'ers just kill so much of that versatility.

vance and hines