Origins 29er (bicycle)

29 , 26 mountain bike wheels

29er rims have diameter of approximately 622 millimetres (24.5 in) , average 29 mountain bike tire (in iso notation) 59-622 - corresponding outside diameter of 29.15 inches (740 mm). typical 26 mtb tire has rim diameter of 559 millimetres (22.0 in) , outside tire diameter of 26 inches (660 mm).

in 1980s, size of wheels emerging mountain bikes undecided. when english off-road cycling pioneer geoff apps contacted gary fisher , charlie kelly news had built prototype off-road bicycle used large-diameter 28 x 1¾ (iso 47-622), 47mm wide nokian hakkapeliitta snow tires finland, intrigued. in letter december 2006 issue of bike biz magazine, gary fisher, speaking growing popularity of 29ers, gives perspective: got tires geoff apps on , [fisher , kelly] said ‘holy toledo! poor supply situation of larger diameter tires meant fledgling mtb industry stuck smaller wheel size. first geoff apps-designed 700c wheeled off-road bicycle made in 1981.

however bicycle marketed aventura apps own company, cleland cycles ltd, between 1982 , 1984 used more readily available nokian hakkapeliitta 26 × 2 (iso 54-584). 650b size, known 27.5 , reappeared in 2007 compromise between 26 inch , 29 inch sizes. 650b size called 27.5 .

the name 29er comes bicycle called 2 niner, offered fisher bike company in 2001, according 1998 mountain bike hall of fame inductee don cook.

the division of bianchi bicycles offered line of 29 wheeled off-road bikes beginning in 1991 called project bikes. 1992 product catalog raved advantages of larger wheels , showed 3 different bikes, project 3, 5 , 7. original company klein produced small quantity of 29 wheeled version of successful attitude mtb racer, , named adept. failed find market , discontinued. in mid-1990s, diamondback bicycles made overdrive bike, , specialized made crossroads bike 700c wheels, hybrid bicycles frame , fork clearance larger tires. project , overdrive bikes not success many reasons, lack of proper off-road tires , suspension forks competitive 26 offerings of time.

a key product release, first true 29 tire, produced supporter of 29 movement wilderness trail bikes. company introduced first true 29 tire, nanoraptor, in 1999. @ same time, white brothers produced first commercially available 29 suspension forks. before suspension forks used forks designed trekking bikes or hybrids. many years, 29 frames , bikes available small little-known manufactures niner bikes. surly bikes introduced 29 frameset, karate monkey, in 2002. gary fisher bicycles, division of trek bicycles, became first of major manufactures offer line of 29 bikes. lines never sold until introduction of single-speed 29 bike rig, in 2004. today, bicycle manufacturers in market offer @ least 1 29 bicycle or frame. companies openly dismissed 29 bad idea or passing trend, specialized , turner, bringing 29 wheels market.