The 27.5 vs 29 Mountain Bike Debate (it's not that simple)

Summary

In this video, the host tests two identical CSCU T8 mountain bikes, one with 27.5-inch wheels and the other with 29-inch wheels, to compare their performance in climbing, descending, and jumping. While the 27.5-inch bike excels in agility and jumping, the 29-inch bike surprises with its superior climbing and descending abilities. The host evaluates each bike across three test sections, giving detailed feedback on how wheel size impacts each performance area. Whether you prioritize speed on technical climbs or jump agility, this video provides valuable insights to help you choose the right wheel size for your riding style.

Takeaways

• 😀 The rider compares two bikes with different wheel sizes (27.5" vs 29") to evaluate performance in climbing, descending, and dirt jumping.
• 😀 The rider has a background with 29" wheels but has spent the past year riding the 27.5" wheels and is curious about the performance differences.
• 😀 Polygon allows riders to choose between 27.5" or 29" wheels for their T8 bikes, offering a personalized riding experience.
• 😀 The 29" wheels are heavier by over 2 lbs (36.3 lbs vs 34.1 lbs), which affects the overall feel and agility of the bike.
• 😀 In climbing tests, the 29" bike outperforms the 27.5" bike, reaching further up a technical climb, earning a 5/5 rating for the 29" and 4/5 for the 27.5".
• 😀 The 27.5" bike is more agile and easier to maneuver on tight climbs, but the 29" bike offers better speed and control, especially on challenging sections.
• 😀 In descending, the 29" bike provided a smoother ride over technical terrain and earned a perfect score of 5/5, while the 27.5" bike got 4.5/5 for its speed and agility.
• 😀 The 27.5" bike was more agile and responsive in tight corners, but the 29" bike proved to handle rougher terrain better.
• 😀 During dirt jump testing, the 27.5" wheels were favored for their agility, earning a 5/5 rating, while the 29" wheels were heavier and required more effort, earning 4/5.
• 😀 The results highlight that wheel size preferences may vary depending on rider style and priorities, with the 27.5" being more suitable for jumpers and the 29" for technical terrain.
• 😀 The rider concludes that the 29" wheels surprised them with their climbing and descending abilities but notes that the 27.5" still excels in certain areas, like jumps and tight maneuvers.

Q & A

What was the main objective of the video?

The main objective was to compare the performance of two identical mountain bikes, one with 27.5-inch wheels and the other with 29-inch wheels, in terms of climbing, descending, and jumping.

Why was the 29-inch wheel bike expected to perform better on climbs?

Larger 29-inch wheels are generally thought to maintain speed better on technical terrain, providing more momentum and stability on climbs.

How did the 27.5-inch wheel bike perform on climbs?

The 27.5-inch wheel bike performed decently on climbs, but the 29-inch wheel bike outperformed it by reaching a higher point in a challenging section.

What was surprising about the climbing results?

The surprising result was that the 29-inch wheel bike outperformed the 27.5-inch bike in climbing, even though the smaller wheels were expected to be more agile.

How did the two bikes perform during descending tests?

The 29-inch bike performed better on descents, offering a smoother and faster ride on technical terrain, while the 27.5-inch bike was more agile but slightly slower overall.

What factors made the 29-inch bike superior in descending?

The 29-inch bike's larger wheels provided better stability and speed over rocks and rough terrain, which helped it perform better during descents.

How did the 27.5-inch wheel bike perform in jumping?

The 27.5-inch bike was preferred for jumping as it was lighter and more agile, allowing the rider to clear jumps with ease and perform tricks comfortably.

Why did the 29-inch bike feel heavier when jumping?

The 29-inch bike felt heavier because of its larger wheels, which required more energy to get off the ground, making it less agile for jumps compared to the 27.5-inch bike.

What impact did the weight difference have on the bikes' performance?

The 27.5-inch bike was lighter, making it more responsive and easier to maneuver, especially in tight corners and during jumps, while the 29-inch bike's extra weight made it less nimble but more stable on technical terrain.

What ratings did each bike receive for climbing, descending, and jumping?

For climbing: 27.5-inch bike got 4/5, 29-inch bike got 5/5. For descending: 27.5-inch bike got 4.5/5, 29-inch bike got 5/5. For jumping: 27.5-inch bike got 5/5, 29-inch bike got 4/5.