Table of Contents
A difference of one-and-a-half inches can start a war. That’s the wheel diameter difference between 27.5″ Not long ago, bikers didn’t have any choice in the case of wheel sizes—26 inches was the only option available. But as the 29- and 27.5-inch wheels hit the market, a serious debate amongst bikers started and has continued ever since.
29ers were used for taller riders, aggressive bikes, and cross-country racing. They have been modified to fit smaller frames, while 27.5 mountain bikes have always efficiently performed for a playful riding style. and 29″ wheels. Each option has benefits, and interesting trends might impact your buying decisions. This article will guide you on how much wheel size matters, the comparison you need to know about 27.5″ vs. 29″, and whether they can be interchanged.
27.5-Inch Wheels
Although 27.5-inch wheels are somewhat new, they instantly attained acknowledgment in the domains of mountain bikes. They ensure an efficient intermediate point between the old 26-inch and larger 29er wheels.
Bike manufacturers confirmed riders they’d be as playful and comfortable to ride as any other small-wheel bikes with the rollover aspects of 29ers.
29-Inch Wheels
29-inch wheels, on the other hand, also known as 29ers, were launched two decades ago. They were designed for short-travel, difficult-to-ride cross-country bikes, and 29ers soon became associated with casual terrains.
But recently, the terrains have drastically upgraded. The 29er wheels are being used on everything ranging from recreational mountain bikes to all-mountain crushers. Predictably, they come with benefits and drawbacks but can be a perfect alternative to 27.5-inch wheels.
Comparing Wheel Sizes, 29″ vs 27.5″
In general, 27.5-inch mountain bikes attain desired speed faster, are easily maneuverable, lightweight, and are more suitable for shorter riders. 29ers speed up somewhat slower but are better at retaining a certain speed, have more traction, weigh more, and are ideal for taller riders.
It still depends on the personal preference of the rider, if you’re not too short or not tall it becomes hard to decide. If you’re in-between sizes, you can choose a smaller option, as it’s comfortable to modify a bike with a smaller frame compared to a larger one. The best way to decide is to take a bike for a test ride and discern what feels right.
Here are some differences between both wheels:
Handling and Responsiveness
A 27.5-inch mountain bike is more playful and performs efficiently on narrow and wavy trails in contrast to a 29er. They are also described concerning the old 26″ wheel, but the larger wheelbase offers excellent control over obstacles. If you still ride a 26″ and can’t decide about 29ers, a 27.5 is a good compromise. You get to enjoy the sharp feel and rapid reaction with these wheels.
27.5″ have a tighter radius on turns and are perfect for professional riders wanting agility to handle aggressive terrains. A 29er can be somewhat lazy when making sharp turns. But, they can keep the momentum in shallow turns and feels much more stable.
Plus, 29ers better handle obstructions like small rocks and tree roots. They also possess more clearance issues making it less possible to grind rocks or get stuck behind roots.
Attack Angle
The attack angle suggests how wheels deal with rocks, bumps, and roots during a ride. This angle forms when the wheel hits an object. It can be steep or shallow based on the size of the wheel used. Bigger wheels deal better with road obstacles in contrast to smaller wheels.
A 29er can offer better handling when rolling over objects, but this doesn’t mean 27.5″ can’t perform efficiently. Smaller wheels help a road bike more on smoother flat trails, so if you don’t have too many obstructions like rocks and tree roots blocking your trail it will perform efficiently.
When riding a 29er you don’t have to worry about hitting obstacles at a wrong attack angle based on the object’s size.
Weight Difference
There is a difference in bike weight in the case of mountain bikes. 27.5 MTBs are lighter because the wheels are smaller in size and need less material. This also makes them powerful compared to their 29″ counterparts.
While enthusiasts want to make their MTBs as light as possible, the casual rider doesn’t care. Competitive riders always try to reduce their weight, even if it’s just a few grams. Plus, long-distance XC riders also prefer lighter bikes.
You can also reduce weight by using a carbon frame, handlebars, seat posts, brake shoes, and rims. But, carbon is an expensive material and consumes a lot of energy during the manufacturing process. Prepping up your bike using carbon parts is mainly preferred by hardcore mountain bikers or professionals who want to get the most out of their suspension bikes.
Acceleration and Speed
Bigger wheel variants suggest you can get more speed but slower acceleration. A 29er demands to be pedaled harder to attain a similar speed compared to a 27.5. But once it’s up to speed, it takes less effort to maintain this velocity. It is reasonable on longer, casual trails and allows you to ride further and harder.
27.5 Mountain bike tires require less effort to accelerate but need to be pedaled harder to catch up with a 29er. When it comes downhill, a larger wheel like a 29er can easily beat a 27.5. Uphill is smooth with smaller wheels because of faster acceleration, bike angling, and lower weight.
Is It Possible To Use 27.5 Wheels on a 29er?
Switching both wheels can decrease the frame and pedal clearance of your bike. Having a bigger bike frame and pedals but small wheels can cause the proximate geometry of a bike to stay lower than standard.
Riders must be aware that the bikes designed for 27.5” wheels come with less clearance compared to 29″ bikes. But, using smaller wheels with a larger bike like a mountain bike can make this problem more apparent. Pedal and frame strikes will be more likely with smaller wheels.
However, one benefit is the proficiency to corner sharper than before as the bike’s center of gravity will drop.
Which Wheel Size Should You Buy?
You are more likely to see 29-inch wheels on the bike shop floor compared to a 27.5-inch bike. The modification of geometry and bike design has led to 29-inch wheels becoming the fastest on almost every course, from hardtails to downhill.
However, 27.5-inch wheels are often used with smaller frame sizes, while 29-inch wheels will be used on larger sizes. Riders with bigger markers can easily move around a longer bike, smaller riders may prefer the smaller wheel size for a symmetrical bike design.
Another reason to purchase a smaller wheel size is for the trail feel and comfort. If you like to ride on irregular terrains and make your bike around off jumps, the 27.5 wheels can also be more fun.
Is It Possible To Use 27.5 Wheels on a 29er?
So, for a simple answer, yes you can put 27.5″ wheels on a 29″ bike frame. It is recommended to use fat tires during mountain biking or any kind of trail riding. It can also be done to decrease the center of gravity of your bike to enhance its sharper cornering proficiency.
Another biggest benefit is when riders need a middle ground between a too-tall or a too-short bike. Sometimes, riders only switch their back wheels to produce a certain effect and boost their riding skills.
