Let me begin with asking you to consider the nature of the question: Is 26”, 650b/27.5 (650b is the French sizing system equivalent to 27.5”) or 29” the best mountain bike wheel size? Honestly, this is a stupid question that deserves a stupid answer. Bicycle manufacturers and magazines will trip all over themselves to tell you they have the perfect bike for you. But these kinds of claims only stir up disagreement in the name of selling you something that doesn’t exist – there isn’t one bike that does everything. After all, and let’s be honest, we all crave another bike, and the ideal situation may be one 29” bike with 100mm of travel and another with 160mm. But realistically, it’s two different bikes.

Was the 26” wheel standard all that awful? Are 29ers that much faster? Is there really a good compromise between the two? You’ve probably heard as many opinions as shops you’ve visited. It could be simply because many employees have yet to ride something other than 26” wheels, or because the brands they offer haven’t jumped on the “tweener” bandwagon. Looking back on the last 15 years of working in the industry, none of my 20 plus coworkers have owned a 650b, and fewer than half had a 29er. Sadly, not all shop employees even own a mountain bike. (We may get some great deals on products, but not all of us make enough to buy multiple bikes.)

Try to think of bicycle innovation with this phrase in mind: “One doesn’t know better until one has owned better.” Better for me came about eight years ago when I was given a demo 29er. Although the wheel size has been around for several decades, this was a scary revelation in efficiency and rollability (the ability to roll with increased traction and the lack of resistance). This was early in the major manufacturer’s timeline of bicycle production, so the bike felt like a limo. For all those who still believe the 29er is a lengthy, switchback-sucking slug, you’re flat out wrong. I won’t argue that 29ers feel bigger than your old, narrow bar, 1.95 tire, quill-stem classic. With greater traction, I could climb like never before, and a lower angle of approach made it so much smoother.

The 650b/27.5” wheel size has seemed to attract the most opinionated group of mountain bikers. When I first rode 650b (with 5 inches of travel) several years ago, I did a 50-mile ride on it for good measure. It felt great, but I didn’t feel a worthwhile difference between that wheel and a 26 inch. When I talk with cyclists who insist their riding style warrants a wheel larger than 26 inches and smaller than a 29er, my ears perk up. Most seem to defend their decision like they’re still trying to convince themselves. I now make it a habit to ask them about their motivations for buying a 650b, mainly to get them fired up and really thinking about it. There are three main reasons I’ve heard over and over the last couple of years that I can understand: 1) I want to be efficient like a 29er but nimble like a 26 inch; 2) I want more travel than a 29er can offer; 3) I’m not tall enough for a 29er. (Height is only a valid argument if you require a stand-over height lower than an XS 29er frame can offer).

So, despite my opinion and experiences, I still think I will continue to suggest that the best solution is to buy different bikes for different styles of riding. Why not? Owning just one more bike won’t kill you. That is until your significant other finds out. //

Pedal Wrench is an experienced bike mechanic at an undisclosed Inland Northwest bike shop. His column, “Greasy Handshake,” explores the mysterious underworld of the bicycle repair shop.

TECH NOTE: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) number of a rim is equal to its bead seat diameter (BSD). 650B and 27.5” have often been used interchangeably. (26” = 559mm ISO, 27.5” = 584mm ISO, 29” = 622mm ISO).

The post Good, Better, Best: What MTB Wheel Size is Right For You? appeared first on Out There Venture.

The businessman in his white dress shirt glanced at my hands as I carefully rolled out his electronic-shifting carbon race bike from the back room. I’m sure he noticed the black grit under my fingernails. But with sincere gratitude he reached out his hand with a “Man, thanks so much for getting this done so quickly! I have a race tomorrow morning and there’s no way I could show up on my old bike!”

Bike shop mechanics are always apologizing for their hands. But take it from me – a greasy handshake is a simple and painless way to show your appreciation for an often thankless job. During the summer, at most full-service bicycle shops, you’ll find a whole crew of tattooed young men and women who spend every waking hour building, tuning, and selling bicycles. We are a hard-working bunch who don’t get to play on our own bikes as much as we would like. That is, until the season slows enough to justify an extra day off.

All bicycle owners need a good mechanic. So, once you find the right one, nurture that relationship. All it takes is a little care and understanding. Here are some tips to help with that:

Call Me Wrench: Introduce yourself with a handshake, eye contact, and a smile. Remember your mechanic’s name, and he’ll do his best to remember yours. Be prepared to answer a few questions about your bicycle (e.g. what the problem is, when it first began, where it happened, and how you were riding). Your mechanic will put the bike in the stand to give it a once-over. A good mechanic will make suggestions to improve your bicycle’s performance, such as better cable housing (i.e. not using brake housing in place of shift housing) or the appropriate chain lube (i.e. not WD-40). This is not necessarily the mechanic’s opportunity to try to sell you more stuff, but really to diagnose problems and learn what he’s getting himself into.

But I Need It Now: Chances are, there are 10 to 50 customers ahead of you. Mechanics are sympathetic—if the issue is relatively small, they may be able to squeeze in your bike between the other bigger repairs. The most dedicated mechanics even come to work early to work down their repair load so that your wait is as short as possible (i.e. less than a week). But remember that everyone wants their bike back tomorrow. A fellow mechanic once told me, “There is speed, quality and price. And you can only choose two.” In other words, you can have it quick, but it’s going to cost a pretty penny to do it right.

You Again: Bike shops love a loyal customer. If they get to know you, they will bend over backwards to help with returns, repairs, and good deals. Bike shops are small businesses that appreciate repeat business and will work hard to keep you returning. When it comes to the dreaded mention of an online purchase, most don’t mind giving advice as long as they get a fair shot at making the sale.

IPA, Pepperoni, Double-vanilla latte: Yup, I’m saying we can be bribed. To be clear, I’m not referring to a monetary hand-off! I’m not implying that your local bike shop employee can be bought. Bicycle shops, like most small businesses, work hard to retain their client base with integrity. But you can get on the shop’s good side by bringing us food or drinks. This is a small courtesy that will likely ensure the quickest, best service. Seriously, if the whole shop enjoys a chilled adult beverage that you have provided, with every sip your bicycle becomes further etched in their memory banks.

So the next time you’re in desperate need of an adjustment or last-minute overhaul, stop at the store on the way and pick up a half-rack or an iced latte. You may just find your bike in the stand a little sooner.

Pedal Wrench is an experienced bike mechanic at an undisclosed Inland Northwest area bike shop. He may or may not have tattoos, but he can indeed be bribed with IPA and Pepperoni. His new occasional column, “Greasy Handshake,” will explore the mysterious underworld of the bicycle repair shop.

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