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What are 29ers?

If it's time for a new mountain bike, 29ers may be for you.

The defining characteristic of 29ers is, as you might expect, 29-inch tires. There are several benefits to having larger tires when you're out on rough terrain. Larger wheels lower the impact angle when you hit an obstacle, which results in a smoother ride. They also simply have more surface area to grip the ground, so you can enjoy more traction.

It's also easier to maintain speed on 29-inch wheels - one rotation covers more ground than on 26-inchers (which is traditionally the size of mountain bike tires), so once you get up to speed, you have to work less to keep it going. However, this comes at the sacrifice of acceleration. They're heavier, so you'll need to put in more effort to get going from a dead stop.

In terms of stability, 29ers are more than capable of keeping you upright on bumpy trails. If you're planning on heading out and doing some serious mountain biking this spring, consider trying out a 29er.

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