29 or 27,5

[rurock]

Hi, I am still in doubt if I should go for a 29 or 27,5 Frame (xx-156 vs. xx-036 or xx-196 vs. xx-256).
I am currently riding an 27.5 Enduro FS bike (150mmTravel,16"frame) and a more CC oriented FS(100mm travel) 29er 17,5" frame.
I have the feeling that the 29er wheels/bike are too big a size for me. I am 5'9" with an inseem of 28,7" (73 cm).
I guess the Frame size should anyway be 15,5" or 16". (are there any pics of a 15,5"xx.036 Frame on the Forum?)
Looking for a CC/light trail build and my1st thought was the CS-156. However looking at the CS-196SL build on the Forum this might be the Frame of choice. Still the wheelsize remains open for me.

Would love to read your experience on the best wheel size.

[jwilds1]

My input -

Stick with the 27.5".  My experience was coming from an old 26" bike that I bought off Craigslist for $300.  I also had a few rides on a borrowed SS 29er.  I built up my 29" bike last year and now have a full spring/summer/early fall on it, and to be honest, I wish I would have gone 27.5".  I'm a complete novice, and I think the tradeoff for more "roll-ability" (29er) vs. maneuverability (27.5) was a lot more apparent.

That said, I love my 29er, and getting my skills up is just part of the game.

[SportingGoods]

You are looking for a XC bike and you are 5'9"? Do I get it right?

Then, the best option is clearly a 29" frame. And I'd say that 16" frame size will probably be too small for you. To me, 27.5" wheel size is really only suitable for Enduro (160 mm travel) bikes. Other then that, stick to 29" and set it up properly.

[rurock]

Thanks for the reply.
XC- Bike? Yes, but no (more) racing planned.
5'9": No, (sorry for the mishap)I am a rather short legged 1,70m or if I do it right a bit less then 5'8.
As said, my Enduro Bike is a Canyon Spectral 27,5  16" Frame and feels just right.
For less demanding /flat Terrain I have a 29 Canyon Nerve (100mm fullsus) in size M. This is the one I do not feel comfortable with. Great bike but it just does not feel right for me. Even on flat single track I seem to have troubles to keep the bike on speed in thight sections. Doesit have to dowith the size,the wheelsize or just the weight of the bike? I felt even more confy on my 26 RM Vertex,but agree that a bigger wheelsize brings Advantage,but if Ineeda29er is still anopenquestion. Guess I just need to testride both Options to find the answer

[rvc]

I'd say that the wild ride of your full suss in tight sections is probably more due to wheelbase, steering angle, stem length and BB position than wheel size.

For XC, I'd really vote 29, regardless of your height.

[xcbarny]

My vote is for a 29er hardtail with short chainstays. I've just ordered a Workswell M062 with 430 Chainstays and 71 degree HTA. It has the same geometry as a Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail, and I expect it to be an XC singletrack rocket.

I see the chainstays on the Nerve are 445, which is fairly normal for a duelly 29er, but a fair bit longer than what you can get on a 29er hardtail now. I see the head tube angle is 69.3, which may work better with a 51mm offset fork rather than the standard 46mm offset. This would help quicken the steering up a bit.

For sight singletrack sections you really need something with a short wheelbase, so the Nerve might be a bit lacking there. At my local XC races, I'd say over 90% of riders are on 29ers.

[xcbarny]

BTW, I'm 173cm, and ride a medium.