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29 ″ does not make MTB safer

The bigger it is, the more enjoyable it is: wheel sizes rise and safety increases… but are we so sure?


Larger and bigger wheels: this seems to be the trend and after the Specialized Enduro 29 ″ test I changed my way of seeing “oversized” wheels. I have always tried not to be prejudiced, also considering my role as a tester, in which objectivity is fundamental, however, my sympathy has always been directed towards smaller wheels: first the 26 "(even 24" on the BMX track) and then the 27,5 ". The various tests immediately opened my eyes to the 29 "in the XC field: they are much better performing and the fun is greater, since on an XC bike you don't look too much for reactivity in driving or safety in advanced maneuvers, as they can be. jumps, advances, bunny hop or manual. And then the lack of excursion makes the bike more docile. In the gravity field (from 130 / 140mm up), the 27,5 "(or 650B) resist and still have many advantages: the" small "wheel makes the whole assembly more rigid and reactive, more performing at low speeds but on a means that we must exploit mainly downhill, the advantages in rolling are undeniable.

Are we sure that we would all be able to handle the speeds we would reach? The 29 ”, if you let go of the brakes, it eats everything and does not give us the idea of ​​the speed reached, until we arrive in a straight curve… in the most“ romantic ”hypothesis.

After testing the new Specialized Enduro 29 ”, I fell in love with its stability which, combined with a dynamic and technical driving style, is not even too clumsy and you can do truly superb things. It wasn't the first 29 ”I tried but this one, so far, beats them all! Waiting for the test of the new Trek Slash 29 "and the comparison Trek vs Specialized (ed, present on issue # 61 - February 2017). In any case, after testing this monster with 165mm in 29 ”, a question arises: are we sure that we would all be able to manage the speeds we will reach? The 29 ”, if you let go of the brakes, eats everything and does not give the idea of ​​the speed reached, until we reach the corners… straight (the most“ romantic ”hypothesis).

Yes, it is safer everyone says, but in my opinion only from a theoretical point of view given that, in practice, it can lead us to fall at high speeds, precisely because it invites us to push harder for the greater stability and safety it instills. Once, I think in the field of cross-country skiing, with the 26 "you braked a lot more because as soon as you picked up speed, it crashed everywhere while now you get off at full speed but many, not having adequate technique, take many risks at similar speeds. And then the 29 "does not help to improve: if a biker is born on a 29" he cannot understand the dynamics at stake and it will come to a certain point that the wheels will no longer be enough and he will have to make up for it with the technique but if not there. it's… it's pains! I will be extreme and deliberately provocative, but the real technique is done with a 20 ”bmx, only there you understand how to fully manage the vehicle. So do me the favor of using a 29 ”only if you practice healthy BMX during the winter otherwise, for me, you are cheating! (Ah, if you want to try it, come and visit me in the BMX Olympic center in Verona).

great


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[email protected] I am a fan of everything that has 2 wheels: at a young age I practiced road and track cycling (Italian Allievi champion). At the age of 18 I passed into the cross country competing at national/international level as an Under23. Past Elite, I made the choice to take things more lightly from a training point of view, and my love for gravity disciplines was born, training me as an FCI MTB instructor and guide. Now I have made passion my profession by managing 2 MTB centers on the island of Elba (Bike Center Elba and Elba MTB), creating the FANTAmtb and telling in an ironic but professional way everything that revolves around MTB thanks to 365mountainbike and 365TV (YouTube'PULITI dentro BIKER fuori').

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