29er Wheels: definition, types, size, and maintenance

What are 29er wheels?

29er wheels are bicycle wheels with a 29-inch diameter, typically used in mountain biking for improved rolling efficiency and momentum over rough terrain. They were first introduced in the early 2000s by brands like Gary Fisher, a pioneer in the mountain biking industry, and quickly gained popularity due to their ability to roll over obstacles more smoothly than smaller wheels. The larger wheel size (approximately 622mm bead seat diameter) allows for better traction, especially on technical trails, making them a go-to choice for cross-country and trail riding. Popular brands like Trek, Specialized, and Giant have since adopted 29er wheels in many off-road bike models.

What does 29er mean for a bike?

29er refers to a bike that uses 29-inch diameter wheels, which are larger than traditional 26 or 27.5-inch wheels. This larger size improves rolling efficiency, provides better traction, and allows the bike to roll over obstacles more easily, making it ideal for cross-country, trail, and downhill mountain biking.

What is the 29er wheel size in inches?

29er wheel size refers to a wheel with a diameter of 29 inches (approximately 622mm bead seat diameter). This size is chosen for its ability to improve rolling efficiency, maintain momentum, and provide better traction, especially on rough terrain, making it ideal for mountain biking and long-distance trail riding.

29er wheel rims

29er wheel rims are designed to accommodate 29-inch tires, and they come in various types such as clincher, tubeless, and tubular, each optimized for different riding styles. Commonly made from aluminum for durability and affordability, or carbon fiber for lightweight performance and stiffness, 29er rims are known for their ability to improve rolling momentum and traction on rough terrain. These rims often feature wider profiles to support larger tires, offering enhanced stability and control on technical trails.

What are 29-inch wheels good for?

29er wheels are good for mountain biking, cross-country, and gravel biking due to their ability to maintain momentum and roll over obstacles more smoothly than smaller wheels. Their larger size reduces rolling resistance, improving speed and efficiency on rough terrain, while offering better traction and stability. The increased contact patch also provides greater comfort and control, especially on long, technical rides.

Why do so many mountain bikes have 29 wheels?

So many mountain bikes have 29-inch wheels because they offer superior rolling efficiency, allowing riders to maintain speed and momentum over rough terrain and obstacles. These wheels provide better traction, stability, and comfort on mountain bike trails, making them ideal for cross-country, trail, and downhill bikes, where rolling resistance and smooth handling are crucial for performance.

29er bike wheel material

29er bike wheels are typically made from aluminum alloy or carbon fiber, chosen for their balance of strength, weight, and performance. These materials offer distinct benefits depending on the rider’s needs and riding style.

1. 29er Aluminum Alloy: Aluminum alloy rims are durable, affordable, and provide a good balance between strength and weight, making them ideal for everyday mountain biking and rough trails.
2. 29er Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber rims are lightweight and offer increased stiffness, improving acceleration and responsiveness, making them preferred by competitive riders looking for high performance and speed on challenging terrain.

What is the 29er wheels’ weight limit?

The weight limit for 29er wheels typically ranges from 220 to 300 lbs (100 to 136 kg), depending on the material used. This variation is due to the different strength and structural properties of materials, with carbon fiber offering more stiffness and durability than aluminum.

1. 29er Aluminum Alloy: The weight limit usually ranges from 220 to 250 lbs (100 to 113 kg), as aluminum alloy provides a good balance of strength and weight but is more prone to deformation under heavy loads.
2. 29er Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber wheels can support up to 300 lbs (136 kg) due to their superior stiffness and strength, making them ideal for heavier riders or more aggressive, high-performance riding.

29er bike wheel types

29er bike wheels can be categorized into two main types: tube types and bike types. Tube types include clincher, tubular, and tubeless wheels, each offering different benefits. Clinchers are the most common due to their ease of use and repair, tubulars are lightweight and favored for racing, while tubeless wheels allow for lower tire pressure and fewer flats, making them ideal for off-road conditions. Bike types include cross-country, trail, enduro, and downhill-specific 29er wheels, each designed to meet the demands of different terrains and riding styles.

This classification ensures riders select the right wheel setup based on both the type of terrain they plan to tackle and their riding preferences, with brands like SRAM, Mavic, and Shimano offering options tailored for performance, durability, and comfort.

29er bike wheelset based on tube types

29er bike wheelsets are available in three main tube types: clincher, tubular, and tubeless, each designed for different riding conditions and preferences.

1. 29er Clincher: Clincher wheels use an inner tube and a tire that hooks onto the rim, making them the most common and easy to repair, ideal for general mountain biking and trail riding.
2. 29er Tubular: Tubular wheels have the tire sewn around the inner tube and glued directly to the rim, offering a lighter weight and lower rolling resistance, typically used in competitive racing.
3. 29er Tubeless: Tubeless wheels eliminate the inner tube, allowing riders to run lower tire pressures for better traction and fewer flats, making them perfect for off-road and technical terrain riding.

29er bike wheelset based on bike type

29er bike wheelsets are categorized based on bike type, including non-boost, boost, plus, quick release, thru-axle, rim brake, disc brake, mountain bike (MTB), enduro, gravel, and fat bike wheelsets, each tailored to different riding styles and bike configurations.

1. 29er Non-Boost Wheelset: These wheelsets have narrower hub spacing (100mm front, 135/142mm rear) and are commonly used on older MTB and trail bikes.
2. 29er Boost Wheelset: Boost wheelsets feature wider hub spacing (110mm front, 148mm rear), offering increased stiffness and better control for the modern trail, enduro, and all-mountain bikes.
3. 29er Plus Wheelset: Designed to accommodate wider tires (typically 2.8 to 3.0 inches), these wheelsets offer more traction and cushioning, ideal for rough terrain.
4. 29er Quick Release Wheelset: These wheelsets use a quick-release skewer system for easy wheel changes, typically found on older or entry-level bikes.
5. 29er Thru-Axle Wheelset: Thru-axle wheelsets provide more stiffness and stability, making them popular on modern mountain bikes and gravel bikes for enhanced control.
6. 29er Rim Brake Wheelset: Specifically designed for bikes with rim brakes, these wheelsets have a braking surface on the rim and are common on older road and hybrid bikes.
7. 29er Disc Wheelset: Designed for bikes with disc brakes, these wheelsets offer superior stopping power and are widely used in mountain biking, gravel, and cyclocross.
8. 29er MTB Wheelset: These are designed for all types of mountain biking, offering durability and versatility for cross-country, trail, and enduro rides.
9. 29er Enduro Wheelset: Built for aggressive riding, these wheelsets are reinforced for strength and impact resistance on technical, rough descents and climbs.
10. 29er Gravel Wheelset: Lightweight and durable, these wheelsets are optimized for gravel riding, offering a balance of speed and stability on mixed terrain.
11. 29er Fat Bike Wheelset: These wheelsets are designed to accommodate extra-wide tires (typically 3.8 to 5 inches), providing maximum flotation and grip on soft surfaces like snow and sand.

What is the 29er wheel size?

29er wheel size refers to a wheel with a diameter of 29 inches, or approximately 622mm in bead seat diameter (BSD). This size is based on the 700c road bike standard and is chosen for its ability to improve rolling efficiency, maintain momentum, and provide better traction, especially on rough or technical terrain, making it ideal for mountain biking.

29er bike wheel diagram

Below is the 29er mountain bike wheel diagram, which shows all the main parts of the wheelset.

29er bike wheel dimensions

29er bike wheel dimensions typically refer to a wheel with a 29-inch diameter (approximately 622mm bead seat diameter) and a rim width ranging from 19mm to 35mm, depending on the intended use and tire size. These dimensions are designed to accommodate wider tires for increased traction and stability, making 29er wheels ideal for mountain biking, gravel riding, and cross-country cycling.

29er bike wheel width

29er bike wheel width typically ranges from 19mm to 35mm for the rim, depending on the type of riding, with wider rims (around 30-35mm) used for aggressive mountain biking and narrower rims (19-25mm) for cross-country and gravel riding. This width accommodates a variety of tire sizes, improving stability and traction on rough terrain.

Is a 29er faster than a 700c?

Yes, a 29er can be faster than a 700c on rough and technical terrain because its larger tires provide better traction, stability, and the ability to roll over obstacles more efficiently. But on smooth, paved roads, 700c wheels, typically paired with narrower tires, are faster due to their lower rolling resistance and lighter weight, making them more suitable for road cycling.

How big are 29er wheels?

29er wheels have a diameter of approximately 29 inches or 622mm in bead seat diameter (BSD). They are significantly larger than traditional 26-inch mountain bike wheels and are the same size as 700c road bike wheels, but 29ers typically use wider tires, which make them bulkier and more suited for off-road and mountain biking, offering better rollover capability on rough terrain.

29er vs 26er mountain bike wheels

29er mountain bike wheels, with their larger size, are known for superior rolling efficiency and stability on rough terrain. In contrast, 26er wheels are smaller and more nimble, providing quicker acceleration and better handling on technical trails.

29er vs 27.5er mountain bike wheels

29er wheels offer better momentum and smoother rolling over obstacles, making them ideal for cross-country and long-distance rides. 27.5er wheels strike a balance between agility and efficiency, offering faster acceleration and more control on tight, technical terrain.

Which is better 29er or 27.5er mountain bike wheels?

29er wheels are better than 27.5er mountain bike wheels because their larger size (29 inches vs. 27.5 inches) offers superior rolling efficiency, better momentum, and the ability to roll over obstacles more easily, making them ideal for long-distance and cross-country riding. But 27.5er wheels provide quicker acceleration, better agility, and more responsive handling on technical and tight trails, which makes them preferable for enduro and all-mountain biking.

Can you put a 29er wheelset on a 27.5 er frame?

No, because 29er wheels are larger in diameter (622mm vs. 584mm for 27.5), and most 27.5er mtb frames don’t have enough clearance in the frame or fork to accommodate the bigger wheels, leading to potential rubbing or interference with the frame.

Can you put a 700c wheelset on a 29er?

Yes, you can put a 700c wheelset on a 29er because both 700c and 29er wheels share the same bead seat diameter (622mm), meaning they are compatible in terms of size. However, the tire width and intended use might differ, as 700c wheels typically use narrower tires for road or gravel bikes, while 29er wheels use wider tires for mountain biking, which could affect handling and performance depending on the frame and riding style.

How long do 29er wheels last?

29er wheels typically last between 8,000 to 20,000 km (5,000 to 12,000 miles) or around 3 to 10 years, depending on factors such as riding conditions, maintenance, and material. Rough terrain, heavy loads, or poor maintenance can shorten their lifespan, while regular care and smoother trails extend it.

1. Aluminum 29er wheels: Usually last 8,000 to 12,000 km (5,000 to 7,500 miles) or about 3 to 6 years, as they are durable but prone to wear and bending over time on rough terrain.
2. Carbon fiber 29er wheels: Typically last 15,000 to 20,000 km (9,300 to 12,000 miles) or about 5 to 10 years, thanks to their strength and resistance to fatigue, though they are more sensitive to impacts and cracks.

How to maintain 29er wheels?

To maintain 29er wheels, you need to regularly inspect the spokes, check tire pressure, true the wheels, lubricate the hub bearings and clean the rims. These steps ensure the wheels remain in optimal condition for both performance and longevity.

1. Inspect the spokes: Use a spoke wrench to check for any loose or broken spokes, ensuring even tension to prevent wobbling and keep the wheel structurally sound.
2. Check tire pressure: Use a tire pressure gauge to maintain the recommended pressure (usually 25-45 psi for mountain biking), which ensures proper traction and comfort.
3. True the wheels: Use a truing stand or the bike’s brake pads as a guide to adjust spoke tension and keep the wheel straight, improving handling and reducing wear.
4. Lubricate hub bearings: Use cone wrenches to access the hub bearings, clean them, and apply fresh grease to ensure smooth spinning and reduce friction.
5. Clean the rims: Use a soft cloth or brush and mild soap to clean dirt and debris from the rims, especially around the braking surface or disc brake area, ensuring smooth braking performance.

How to change 29er wheels?

To change 29er wheels, you need to release the brakes, remove the quick-release skewer or thru-axle, take off the old wheel, install the new wheel, and re-secure the brakes. These steps require basic tools like a wrench or a quick-release lever.

1. Release the brakes: If you have rim brakes, disengage the brake calipers by squeezing them and unhooking the cable; for disc brakes, ensure the brake pads are clear of the rotor.
2. Remove the quick-release or thru-axle: Use your hands or a 5mm/6mm hex wrench to loosen and remove the quick-release skewer or thru-axle holding the wheel in place.
3. Take off the old wheel: Gently slide the wheel out of the dropouts, ensuring the derailleur (if it’s the rear wheel) is pulled back slightly to make removal easier.
4. Install the new wheel: Place the new 29er wheel into the dropouts, making sure the disc rotor aligns with the brake caliper (for disc brakes) and the chain is properly seated on the cassette (for rear wheels).
5. Re-secure the brakes: Re-engage the brakes by tightening the quick-release or thru-axle, making sure the wheel is aligned straight in the frame, and checking that the brakes function correctly.

How to buy 29er wheels?

To buy 29er wheels, you can visit local bike shops for expert advice and fitting, explore online retailers like Amazon or eBay for a wide bike equipment selection and competitive pricing, or consider second-hand options on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, making sure to verify compatibility with your bike’s frame, hub spacing, and brake type before purchasing.

29er bike wheel brands

29er bike wheels are produced by some of the most reputable brands in the cycling industry, known for their innovation and quality. These bike brands cater to various cycling disciplines, from mountain biking to cross-country, with wheelsets designed to enhance performance and durability.

29er wheels manufacturers

29er wheels have become a popular choice for mountain biking and cross-country riding due to their ability to offer better traction, rollover capability, and efficiency. Some of the most renowned manufacturers have led the way in designing and producing high-quality 29er wheels that cater to both professional athletes and casual riders. Below are five of the most popular 29er wheel manufacturers, along with their country of origin and founding year.