I have a question. I have a ss 29er now, i heard you can climb quicker with a 69er.What all do I need to change besides the rear wheel to have a 69er, and what about gear ratios, right now i run 32/20 and 32/19, what would be the same ratio if i changed to 69er?
SS 29er to SS 69er questions.
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I doubt that you'll climb any quicker just by swapping your 29" wheel for 26" - how fast you can climb is pretty much all down to you. One of the main advantages of a purpose built 69'er is that it allows the use of shorter chainstays than a 29" rear wheel so possibly the bike will be a bit more agile, easier to manual etc.
Of course, you don't get these advantages by changing to a 26" wheel, as the chainstay length remains the same.
As far as gearing goes you need to drop two teeth to approximate the same gearing - ie 32:20 would become 32:18 with the 26" wheel.
Of course, you don't get these advantages by changing to a 26" wheel, as the chainstay length remains the same.
As far as gearing goes you need to drop two teeth to approximate the same gearing - ie 32:20 would become 32:18 with the 26" wheel.
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Depends on terrain too.
One of the strong advantages of 29, is the added grip the tires have. On loose or steep terrain, you'll get off and walk the 26 sooner than the 29. Given perfect trail conditions, and smoother terrain, sure, the 26 has advantage of a quicker spin up. This would be less effort overall while climbing or accelerating.
I don't have a 69er. I have a 29er for 3 yrs and just built a superlight 26er, both SS. My 26 has slightly taller gearing, and yet it spins up way faster and with less effort than my 29. With all that said, I still ride my 29 and leave my 26 just sitting.
One of the strong advantages of 29, is the added grip the tires have. On loose or steep terrain, you'll get off and walk the 26 sooner than the 29. Given perfect trail conditions, and smoother terrain, sure, the 26 has advantage of a quicker spin up. This would be less effort overall while climbing or accelerating.
I don't have a 69er. I have a 29er for 3 yrs and just built a superlight 26er, both SS. My 26 has slightly taller gearing, and yet it spins up way faster and with less effort than my 29. With all that said, I still ride my 29 and leave my 26 just sitting.
I own both a 69er and a 29er. 69er is a hardtail, 29er is full suspension. I have timed climbs on both up the same mountains and:
- The 29er is faster, partially because of tire grip, partially because of gearing, and in my case partially because of full suspension on really rough trails. With a 11-34 casette the gearing is a little higher due to the 29 inch rear tire which means you basically have to grind up a mountain in a bigger gear.
- The 29er rear wheel definitely has a lot more grip, this is a huge difference in the terrain I ride
- The 69er feels quicker on single track. It feels quicker, it isn't actually faster. But it is a lot of fun
- On days when I am tired, I prefer the 69er on tough climbs because it has lower gearing with the same 11-34 cassette. A lot less pain but you aren't going as fast....
So, to the OP, switching to a 26er rear wheel will not make climbing any faster. It might feel less painful on some days, but you won't be any faster IMHO.
- The 29er is faster, partially because of tire grip, partially because of gearing, and in my case partially because of full suspension on really rough trails. With a 11-34 casette the gearing is a little higher due to the 29 inch rear tire which means you basically have to grind up a mountain in a bigger gear.
- The 29er rear wheel definitely has a lot more grip, this is a huge difference in the terrain I ride
- The 69er feels quicker on single track. It feels quicker, it isn't actually faster. But it is a lot of fun
- On days when I am tired, I prefer the 69er on tough climbs because it has lower gearing with the same 11-34 cassette. A lot less pain but you aren't going as fast....
So, to the OP, switching to a 26er rear wheel will not make climbing any faster. It might feel less painful on some days, but you won't be any faster IMHO.
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switching to a 69er bike is one thing, but it's a whole different thing throwing a 26" rear wheel in a frame designed for 29" wheels. It will drop your BB making pedal strikes more likely (and that Nashbar 29er already has a somewhat low 11.9" BB height) and will slack out the front end a bunch
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