Top 5 - Reasons To Stick With Your 26' MTB

Are bigger wheels a plot to make us spend more cash? Is 26 dead? Here's a few reasons to stick with your 26" bike.

[bromucho]

Yes, 26" easy handling for slope and sharp conner, easy jumping and meneuverability.

[lawrence]

who's here with 26" this 2024?

[Mitchdogg]

Sure 29" may be more efficient but 26" will always be more fun. I have had both, the 29er is currently sitting in my back yard covered in pine needles, and my 26 is in my bedroom all clean and perfect.

[flee]

Still riding my Marin front suspension bike from 1997. Upgraded the front shock to a Manitou pro r7 fork. Put on some new tires replaced some components when needed. Rides like a dream!

[Sophtobe]

Very true, bought my 26r 2 years ago, was a cheap Giant hardtail, i've upgraded most the components over time as I've got better on the trails. I know how my bike behaves and for the moment have no need to change.

[OOTurok]

I tried a friend's 29" on a ride, & compared it to my 26"
29"... slower acceleration, but greater top speed... rolls over rough terrain easier, maintaining momentum longer... much softer ride, especially noticeable on rock gardens... maneuvers like a brick... slower responce.

Personally, I prefer my 26", because it's more nimble. I feel like a slug on the 29".

[MrDerbyram]

All my bikes still 26 in 2021 as well. Lovely and flickable around the trails and just as good for bikepacking as well. "29 wheels roll over obstacles so much better"... to which my response has always been "well where's the fun in THAT!!"

[TheCharleseye]

2021 and I'm still riding (and loving) 26" bikes. Still plenty of decent tire options available. More importantly, Now that it has been a few years, great 26" bikes are selling for peanuts. I'm starting a list of all the drool-worthy 26ers I ever wanted (and couldn't afford), to see how many I can get my hands on before I die. Should be fun.

[Ferreal]

I still ride a 1998 Specialized S-Works 26" hardtail mtn bike. I've had really no reason to replace it, I just update the drivetrain every few years and recently slapped a 1x11 Shimano XTR drivetrain on it and it works just fine.

[patrickcarbonell]

I have a 29er, a 27.5er, and a 26er....I don't know why but I have been using my 26er more than the other two. Seems like it is more nimble.

[thRiflesOCI]

tried a 29 for a year. I hate the slow response and it was really heavy. Currently using a 27.5 for my casual ride and 26 for my race. (specialized epic 2008 and 2005 trance) Hope to see the 26 inch live incase my two bikes need to be retired. smaller wheel really helps in weight reduction of full susp setups

[clarkbarcelo]

My very 1st bike is 26r, after watching this, i realized many things that bike shop dont want me to know, . They keep pushing everyone to upgrade to 29r, but thanks to this video, now my focus is to improve myself, . The bike can wait, ..

[mountainbikelife]

I love my 26 inch wheel 11 Norco Phaser 3. very nice going into tight corners. Rides smoothly with ease I have ridden a Trek EX9. a test ride it was great. I like both. I love mountain biking.

[franzvicsandoval]

Ive had a 26" bike for 8 years now and still going strong!

[Brunoxtr]

Im glad I sitcked to the 26 in wheel. Got an awesome deal and the money I saved I put it into xt parts :)

[HubertDuijzer]

I totally agree. Having a lot of fun on my 26. I tought about upgrading to 29, but ended up spending that money on a nice roadbike. Still a lot to improve on my skills with the 26, so best of both worlds.

[davelavina]

Got my specialized hardrock 1994 in 2020 i absolutely like it!🙌

[magicunicorn]

I just went from 26" to 29", and it's a BIG leap in size. Although they're fast, and they roll over stuff easily, they make the bike feel HUGE, and often I feel like the bike is in control and I'm just a passenger. Very difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. I'm gradually adapting to them, but I still keep wondering if switching to 27.5" would make me like the bike more.

[johndef]

On my local trails I prefer my 26 to my 29 both full suspension. I'm 54 and it just feels like I can accelerate out of corners so much faster. A real light 29 might feel the same but I'm not spending 8 grand to find out.

[pascalhibon]

I still use my 26 inch MTB and love it. The wheel and tire choices does seem to shrink though. Still I hope to hang onto my MTB a little while longer. It's a 2009 Trek Elite 9.8 which was a nice bike at that time. Even now, 12 years later I still enjoy it.