Which mountain bike wheel size is right for you?

  • Both 27.5 and 29-inch wheels have been around for years now. While a growing number of consumers are gravitating to 29-inch wheels, both wheel sizes have their benefits, which is why we offer both 27.5 and 29er models. We also offer some mixed wheel size (aka, “mullet”) bikes, which blend the benefits of both wheel sizes.To get more news about Mountain Wheels, you can visit zpebicycle.com official website.

    Both wheel sizes appear frequently across the range of hardtail and full-suspension mountain bikes.

    Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of both 27.5 and 29-inch wheels and an introduction to the mullet wheel size option.27.5” wheels aren’t dead, in fact they’re very much alive for many riders who enjoy gravity disciplines such as downhill and enduro. They offer quick acceleration over any terrain and are perfect for manoeuvering through more technical stretches of trail. All things being equal, a 27.5” wheel will be lighter and stronger than its 29” counterpart simply because of its smaller size and shorter spoke lengths. This enables you to flick the bike around the trails at speed and ride over jumps a little bit easier compared to 29” wheels, an important consideration if you’re racing.

    Smaller riders are often better suited to 27.5 inch wheelsets due to the drastic effect they have on the bike’s geometry in those frame sizes. When descending a steep trail, it’s possible to come into contact with a larger rear wheel as the rider shifts their weight towards the rear. This is the so-called crotch-to-tyre clearance! This issue is exacerbated on long travel mountain bikes hence many of our smaller mtb frame sizes come with 27.5” wheels.
    The beauty of a bigger wheel is that it comes with much more rubber. You’ll have more contact with the ground over slippery rocks and rooty sections, which can give you a confidence boost where previously you didn’t. Across technical terrain, 29ers really come into their own thanks to their ability to roll over just about anything in their path with ease. Despite a slightly slower acceleration, 29 inch mountain bike wheels hold their momentum better than 27.5” wheels, so once you’re up to speed you’ll be able to hold it there for longer. Another advantage of bigger wheels is that they enable you to choose a faster line over rocks, roots and loose logs helping you arrive at the bottom of the trail first.