27.5 vs 29 Mountain Bikes 

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If you're watching this video and you're new to MTB/about to buy your first bike, this is the most accurate account of wheel size analysis i've come across on RU-vid

After two years on my 1st 29er I recently added a Mojo 4 27.5 to the collection. I’m way more comfortable on it right away. Geo is a big part of it too. Considering selling the 29” now.

Try the 27.5 next year. I rode 26s for 10 years (never had any problems - roll-over, speed, climbing, decending), then 27.5s for two years, then 29s for two years. Going back to 27.5. I have a Propain Tyee 27.5 coming in December.

I’m 5’4” and I ride a small 26”. I have a bmx background also and the 26” provides that playfulness. I’ve ridden a 27.5” and it’s harder for me to mess around, but I can keep up with the buds. I’m always last with the buds when riding the 26”. 27.5” for you so you can fakie tree ride to roll back half cab bar out and so you can get those Vic Murphy tables on those jumps. I want to see you on a fingercross bmx. 😊

I can’t decide, currently ride an aggressive hard tail 29er (El Roy) and a Process 153 27.5. They’re so different and like you said geometry seems to play a huge role. I guess I should have been a dentist so I could have one of each…

I have the Ibis Ripmo 29er for chunky trails and long rides. It’s roll over is great for the rocky and rooty trails. Its efficiency is noticeable. I recently bought a Santa Cruz 5010 before it went Mx. The 27.5 is definitely more fun on the tight trails. It makes cornering fun and effortless. It also seems easier to get in the air. Did I mention the cornering? If I could only take one bike on a trip I’d take the 29er. This video is spot on.

Super helpful analysis. It’s like picking between similar EQ settings, it’s hard to pinpoint which one you like better, though each one has certain qualities that are enjoyable. Good to know most people can’t go wrong between the two.

I just ordered all the parts so I can easily swap out front or rear tires and have both options on hand at all times. Rocking the Scott genius and cannot wait to try in mullet and double 27.5 wheels!!

Was waiting for this vid, VC. Really appreciate your attention to detail with the comparison. Planning to get a 29er in my life, likely with my ht purchase.

I agree with what you said right off the start, there's no wrong choice....ride what suits yourself and your riding style. I prefer the 27.5 plus and I am 5' 11", ride tech and very rarely do drops or jumps anymore (Turning 56 next month) because I don't bounce like I use to when I screw up. I absolutely love my Plus Hardtail w/ just 120mm fork.

I was super skeptical about jumping up to 29 wheels. It literally took me 5 years to finally decide to do it. As I come from a BMX, DJ, slopestyle, freeride, roots. I was so worried about loosing some of that playfulness, as I'm a jibber, manual, hit all the little bumps, and side hits, kinda rider. Who also by default, has always sized down my bikes to keep that playfulness. But, I'm also an unapologetic, diehard HT rider, and always have been, so my bikes are naturally more playful then a full squished.... My new bike (less then a month old) is a RSD RS-291... So it super slack, aggressive HT, and a 29er... Honestly after a couple shakedown rides, to get a feel for the bike.. I don't even notice a difference now between the two wheel sizes. This bike is also the first one I got that is properly fitted to my size, it's an XL, as I'm 6'4". It is really about geo, as stated in this video and by others in the comments.

Great content as always! I would be interested in your view on bike sizing and the choices you make when selecting frame size and cockpit setup. Cheers!

Get one of each size! Great video and great points you made- especially I like what you said about how a 29" can be made more playful by design.

I’m 5’6 and picked up mtb six years ago. My first bike was a Rocky Mnt Thunderbolt 27.5 with 130/120mm travel. I loved that bike. It was so sick on everything I did. I even took it to Keystone to shred their park. I sold It and joined the hype on a 29er. I couldn’t stand the 29er. Felt too tall for and I couldn’t bounce through chunky terrain like I could on my 27.5. I had way more travel on my 29 and it just felt like shit. I bought a mullet Patrol last summer and I’m back baby. Fucking love this bike and riding is playful and fun again

Very good guide. Like you I have a bmx history, all disciplines including racing 20 and cruiser. Built a mullet this year, first 'big' wheel experience. It's fun to ride but the next thing I will build is the one thing you don't mention here and seems to be gaining more following is a 27.5/26 slopeduro mullet. I am not tall so it's easier to throw around, more fun to ride and more responsive. Whilst the big mullet is fun, I find it a bit numb at times on short rides. I see far too many people trying to learn to jump on big bikes where they are just following the trajectory of where the bike is going- they're passengers. A slightly smaller bike is always better to enjoy than one too big IMHO. Great channel though, and some great riding.

I always love it when nic uploads a new video!

I love the mullet feel on tight corners, just push 29 front wheel into it, and I got the feel is gonna be so tight, and when I'm in it, the 27.5 rear well just slides into it. When u get confident it really feels nice.

Great informational video. Thank you for providing all positive and negative points to both instead of being a fan boy of either. I’m always getting people telling me which one is better and to me it’s all about the feeling of the bike on the trail ( racing not included)

Best summation of the differances between the two wheel sizes I've seen. Just subscribed to you chanel.

Thanks for pointing out the wheel butt tap issue. I hadnt considered this at all and i already experience this happing now on my 27.5 bike.

I started my MTB journey on a 29er XC bike. I had no idea about proper MTB types back then. It ran so fast and had tiny, 160mm brake rotors and twin piston calipers. As a beginner, it was hard to control, considering how the environment was just moving way too fast for my brain to process. I brought it to a downhill park one time, and geometry notwithstanding (since the bike managed to not feel steep), it was just way too much for me and I crashed 5 times and walked the rest of the way down. I transitioned to a 27.5 enduro bike, and I managed to actually avoid crashing just because it didn't roll as well as a 29er. Suspension travel and geo don't have much to do with it since I didn't really do big jumps and steep drops. Yes, it's "harsher" in a sense that you actually have to be mindful of the trail just a teensy bit more, but otherwise I just had that much more control over my speed. That level of control allowed me to have a better sense of the trail. I currently own a 27.5 Marin San Quentin with 150mm travel. I downgraded once again just because I think I need to revisit the basics of MTB before considering myself worthy of a full on enduro bike. I can afford a proper enduro bike; it's just a personal decision. That's it for my 29er vs 27.5 story.

I´ve been riding a mullet setup for a few Months now and im realy enjoying it.

Getting buzzed in the butt by the rear tire is why I chose the Transition Patrol. 29" up front for confidence and ease of rolling over things, 27.5" rear stays away from my butt and it makes it easier to throw the back end around on the trails.

I’m 5’9”. I have a 29” hardtail (GT Zaskar LT) & a 27.5” fs (Santa Cruz 5010), both in medium. The bigger wheels on the ht give me added stability, while the smaller ones on the fs give me the playfulness I want.

Finally, someone who has arguments to see the differences between both models and who sees the importance of the rider's height. Cycling is a "pairing" and both parts complement each other ...

As a small rider I prefer 27.5, but I tried mullet, and man!!! Just love it, I got a giant reign e+2 and it is amazing, and bought a marzochi bommber for my old giant trance, and it feel amazing at 140/140 right now.

The derailleur has a little more clearance on a 29er. That matters more in the chunk and narrow single track. I'm surprised not many people mention that.

My trail hardtail is a 29er. I feel the big wheels do a ton for maintaining speed, especially when it starts to get rougher. However, very occasionally when it's steep (or when my technique isn't perfect) my bum will graze the back tire. For that reason, my enduro FS is going to be mullet.

So, we finally have a winner: 27.5

I came from a BMX racing background from way back in the early 1980s, then gave up cycling for a decade then bought a GT Avalanche in 92/93, then a Scott in the late 90s then gave up cycling again for 20+ years, and only started cycling again in 2020. I didn't have a clue about wheel sizes but luckily had friends who rode both so I could borrow bikes for weekends and test them. I agree with you when you said about your height can make you choose what size wheels. I ended up on 27.5 mainly because of my height, I'm only 5' 6" and even now when I'm on the wrong side of 50 and I think because I was coming from that BMX background and the 26" bikes I had before I just preferred the "Playfulness" of the 27.5s, the 29s just seemed too big and heavy for me, even when I did some long distance all day riding.

Case in point, the transition spire is a big 29er with most reviews claiming it to be nimble , and 63.5 is the high setting!!

very interesting comparison re wheels..but I remember watching dangerous Dave do a vid on his bike and he did a couple of interesting things.he got a small Frame and rolled the bars which were quite high rise back, he said it suited his style to go to a small frame even though he would normally be a medium..great vid tho Nick 👍

Stoked you’re on Knolly again for next year! Love seeing my bike in content. Warden for 2023! Mess around and try fox suspension?

Haven't met anyone yet that doesn't enjoy a 27.5/29 mullet setup... It'll be my next set up.

I ride a 2012 26" fullsus bike 💪, after all these years I knew I wouldn't be able to get another 26 so I went 27.5 and love it. The 27.5 still has some of that playfulness that the 26 has. I've ridden 29ers and loved them as well but for a different reason. Both wheel sizes are great and it does often come down to what you are riding and what you like.

Great video. I am 5'4" and currently still riding my 2005 Giant Reign 26" bike. I love the bike, but I am looking to get a new bike and want to make sure I pick the wheel size that is right for me. My area I usually ride is flowing single track with mild down hills. I was thinking 27.5, but the 29 seems like an option now. The two bikes I have narrowed down to differ. One only has 27.5 wheel size in the frame size I need, while the other does offer 29" in a small frame. However, it makes me wonder how a small frame with 29" wheels would perform and less improtant I think it may look goofy with sich a small frame and huge wheels.

Absolutely love my 27.5 Santa Cruz Nomad for everything. For my downhill bike though i went for the 29er Trek session for that speed and plow and sending long straight jumps in DH races. For your BMX, do you go for more of a trail or park frame?

I’m still rolling on my 2013 Specialized Enduro 26er. It rode my trails fine back then and guess what, they haven’t changed much. That said, getting parts is difficult and will be getting a new bike soon. Need to figure what wheel size to go for. Might go 29er just because I was traumatized 😂 when the industry moved away from the smaller wheel so fast. Don’t want to experience that again.

It's mullet for me. I'm to short and like to play a lot for full 29 but i like the stability and rollover up front.

Great tips. I stick to 26 full ridged. I do own a 700c that i have tried really hard to like and "fix", it just looks and feels like a big goofy shoe, and not very comfortable.

What really ticks me off is the guys that were obviously riding 26s when thats what we had in the MTB world, then 29 came out and they jumped on the bandwagon and they bash 27.5 when they have NEVER even rode a 27.5. I mean really. Thats like saying you don;t like a certain food when you have never even tried it.

I ride chunky XC trails with lots of climbing. Ive had 26. Then bought a 29. Now have a 27.5 and don't see changing anytime soon.

Any video that opens with synthwave is going to be a good time. Thanks :)

OMG it's so hard to choose! That's why I ride a mullet and I love it. Also, you will have to try a dedicated MX bike to judge it.

2022 was my first mullet and I like it. I wouldn't say it handles completely different but I can feel it's easier to do tight switchbacks. With amount of roots and rocks I deal with I couldn't do anything but a 29 up front.

For beginners, which do you think is better everything else being equal?

literally the best ad for mullets ever!

Sounds like 27.5 might be better choice as you said, due to what you ride and where. What do you think about mullets?

Been riding a 29er trail bike for the last year and I love it. But, as you said, when I’m riding really steep techy stuff the large rear wheel is almost more of a disadvantage. I think maybe for an enduro bike I would want the small wheel for more maneuverability and pop.

I havr a SC Nomad v3 27.5 and a 2022 Trek Slash 29er. Both are great. But now I prefer riding the 29er because of more modern geometry and adequate sizing. However sometimes my back wheel buzz my butt, só maybe the ideal set up is the.mixed wheels, which I never tried yet.

I have a 2021 Scott Ransom 900. If I go with 27.5, I can fit a 2.8 wide tires which I can use as a fat bike.

I have both a mullet enduro and full 29 dh bike. Mullet is the clear winner for me. Tried 27.5 up front on the mullet (Insurgent) and yeah, it was a tiny bit more maneuverable but not worth the roll-over and grip loss

I’m not for high speed. I like a wider tire (2.6-2.8) and wide 29er get pretty heavy and take more effort to accelerate and breaking.

The biggest thing I've noticed since I moved from 27.5 to 29er, is the amount of more pedaling work on a 27.5. I'm just less tired because of the rollover and it makes a huge difference when going downhill after the climb. Also the traction on corners is just much more stable and less apt to wash out. I'm 5'7" and it is probably 2% more butt buzzes so really insignificant for me. I swore I would never ride 29er since I was a shorter rider but now I would tell all my short peeps to move up to a 29er. Would a 28.5 be the perfect size wheel, yes!! I agree geo plays a huge roll especially going down hill steeps. Some 29ers feel like you can't get low enough off the back. My Santa Cruz Hightower seems to have the right geo for steep stuff and the wheelbase isn't overly long so it doesn't feel like a jet airliner. I'm experimenting with the mullet and it's really fun, best of both worlds with the exception you have to adjust body weight to compensate for a lighter back end a little more tippability when the down angle changes slightly.

Ok perfect now what's your opinion on the mullet hair style and mixed wheel bike

I would love to see a review of you trying out the Warden (27.5 and/or mullet) in the three different shock configurations: 160mm, 168mm, and 175mm next season. Trail vs Park? Coil vs Air? It could be a six Parter ;)

I have a 27.5 hardtail. Now in the market for a full sus. Should I get a 29 full? Or sell my 27.5 hardtail and buy a 29 hardtail and a 27.5 full sus?

Extreme case example for smaller wheels for jumping...just look at who brought a MX 27.5" and 26" setup to Redbull Rampage

I’ve been daily driving a 29er hardtail for a 1 month no full suspension challenge

I need that 29" wheel upfront for confidence. Every time I switch with someone on 27.5 and point it downhill, I feel like I'm riding with the front wheel beneath me and OTB is inevitable.

Would you recommend mulleting DH bikes built around 27.5 wheels? For instance, the GT Fury 2018 Single Pivot. It has a stock boxxer 203mm. Is it a good idea to put maybe a 29er Zeb 190 in it?

I Measured My DHF On My CF Warden Last Week And It Was 28.5 Across 😎

Well you've had both so sounds like you need to go mullet next for the full experience 😄 On my first 29er with a slash this year, less buttbuzz than was worried about with my shorter height, but must say I do like the sound of le mullete

Like you said, it's not night and day between 29 and 27.5 and mostly comes down to your riding preferences. What worries me is the industry is clearly moving towards mullet and 29er only like it is night and day, which I simply don't understand (except to reduce product catalog size, I guess).

How are you keeping the frame so clean? My raw Chilly has a bunch of sweat stains on frame. I’ve used an aluminum polish which helps but mine isn’t nearly as clean as yours

I bought my first 29er and didn't think much about it.. then I went back to my 27.5 and hated it. Felt like I towered over bike. On my acoustic spec enduro full 29. On my ebikes mullet rules.

Best 29 vs 27.5 comparison ever.

27.5 vs 29 side by side not much difference but compare 26 to 29 you see the difference. I have hard tail 26inch, short travel 27.5 and semi trail bike 29inch. I use all of them depending on my mood. Climbing 26inch hard tail. Turning and playfulness 27.5 and chill ride plush ride and rollability the 29 inch. All of my bike are rebuild bikes

Maybe you should ride the Warden more since you mostly ride the shore and maybe keep Chilcotin for racing ?

Hi Vancan, love your content. Met you at Burke while I was in my Tacoma if you recall that ;) Btw, how do you feel about mullet bike if you have experience on them? Thats what I have now the new Bronson, would like to hear about what you think. cheers.

I’m 6ft do you think I should get 27 and large frame?

I run my warden in a mullet setup. Freakin shreds.

mullet like a bullet. best of both worlds on one bike...used to ride 26" up front and 24" out back on my SC S8 back in the day, now rolling 29" and 27.5" on my Chromag stylus and lovin' it!

Ask if knolly can make you a mullet 🤷‍♂️. My Santa Cruz's are Mx and I love them.

27.5 plus for control and muddy, sandy surfaces (gravity riders). 29x2.2 for XC races

Having two bikes that are also very similar (nomad 5 and nomad 6) and demoed the megatower I’d say a surprising amount of the harder to turn comes from the rear wheel. The biggest thing I’ve noticed going to the mullet is the reduced arm pump and wrist pain/fatigue. I’m not a jumper so I can’t speak to the effect there but the reduced arm pump and front wheel traction on steeper rolllers as you mention is noticeable right away and you can approach them differently. The 27.5 you kind of creep into them going as slow as you can and then you feel the front wheel start to let go and at that point you let off the brakes and fly down which is a ton of fun but a bit more reckless whereas the 29 front holds grip and the transition from creeping to warp speed is smoother (probably the slower acceleration having an effect there too). Turning the mullet is closer to 27.5 the full 29 in my opinion, it’s like having hero dirt under your front wheel but handling overall is closer to 27.5. For me the mullet is the best do it all setup so far.

I just bought a pivot trail 429 after being on a 15 year old Giant anthem on 26’s. I’m a bit nervous about going to a 29er considering my height of 5’8”. Haven’t been able to ride the 429 yet because I’m in a cold climate. Thinking about swapping the wheels to 27.5” while the bike is still new.

How does the warden ride with the coil shock vs the stock air shock?

Im 6'8 and I am getting an XXL frame All i want to do is jump around abe be super playful! With that being said the 27.5 wheels look weird on an xxl frame.

anyone with experience with mullet setups?

Not even mentioning the mullet option are we? I'm under 5'11". I went from a Trek Remedy to a Rocky Mountain Altitude, also riding North Vancouver. The RM can be converted to a Mullet, and now that's I've tried it, that's what sticking with. BTW, that new back wheel is from Nobl. VanCan made me aware of them, and then they were very kind when I stopped by their warehouse in Courtenay, BC. I'm happy to ride low pressure in the back with no fear of denting. I'm still getting used to the new geometry. But it sure is nice to have 29 in the front when rolling out of a steep transition.

Since you already have the 29er, get the Warden and you'll have one of each.

I'd say give mullet a go and maybe you can get a little of both?

27.5. Let's say they are 50:50 in use, although most videos are forcing dh situations, while uphill is where 27 absolutely wins. But other 2 things, which I guess are quite important - 27 is lighter and stronger (frame, wheels and fork).

1st The best wheels it depends on what you’re riding if your racing WC then 29s all the way but if you’re riding the bike parks then 27s They are more playful and a little bit stronger or if you like me and ride streets then 26 all the way my glory is still rocking 26s and my Alcatraz JB but I do have a voodoo hoodoo which is on 27.5 I use that every day as my commuter it’s pretty strong all round as long as you’re not Doing 10ft drops or hitting big jump lines it’s pretty capable of doing anything

No mention of mullet bikes? IMHO run a mullet bike next year, and that brings up the question, can the Knolly Chilcotin or Warden be converted to mullet?

I always think that the wheel size depends on how high you are. For me a 27.5" or a mullet could be the best option(174cm). I ride for fun not for win races. Big hug from Mallorca, spain.

Me over here with my 26-27.5 mullet al lmountain

Ride what you want but watch that rear tire! Quite a few videos online of people being ejected by the 29 rear. You touched on this but the consequences can be pretty severe.

Little non scientific observation; might be the bike geo, but personally I have more ease keeping a manual om hold with 29 wheels, true for bunny hopping it's easier to go higher and harder on smaller wheels but tbh when you spend time on the 29's the difference begins to erase itself like magic...

I'm 5'8 and have ridden a 29er hardtail forever and never had the rear tire hit me in the ass.

Try a mullet for your next bike

best explanation I've heard 👍

At 5'5" mullet all the way!!!

From feel, in terms of efficiency it feels like 160mm 27.5er is like 180mm on a 29er when you go out pedeling all day.

For a rider 5’6 beginner what would you recommend?

I like both sizes, so I got a mullet.

I like big bikes and I cannot lie

Im 5'8 to 5'9. Would 27.5 be better or 29?