29er or 27

[Kev880]

Buying a new mountain bike,i have narrowed it down to a Sararcen mantis which has 27.5in tyres or a Trek Marlin 7 which has 29in tyres.
Im quite happy with either bike but which tyre size is best?
Looking at various websites there seems to be more choice in tyres in the 29in.
I will be riding on roads, bridle paths and through our local woods which comprises a bit of everything,i ride for the exercise to keep the Blood pressure under control and because i enjoy it.
kev

[caiss4]

Choose the bike you're most comfortable with assuming you can test ride both. If that's not an option then go 29'er if you don't expect to do a lot of wiggly single-track.

It would appear that many mainstream manufacturers are not making small frame 29'ers so depending on your height you could be better off going 27.5.

Personally,I recently test rode a Cotic 27.5. Loved it and for the first time developed great confidence on single-track but in the end, budget constraints kicked in and I went 29'er; that satisfies perfectly the majority of my riding.

[tjdixon911]

I have both a 29er and 27.5, completely different bikes (short travel hard tail v Long travel full suss) but for what your describing your riding style to be the 29er will be perfect, mine maintains speed so well on bridle paths etc. when it gets twisty though its not so much fun...

[Stugots]

HTH

[Kermit power]

Don't get hung up on availability of tyres for 27.5. The 29er has been around pretty much since the start of the century, whereas the 27.5 only really came in in the last couple of years, but has already pretty much caught up...

[Craikeybaby]

I've ridden both back to back and only really noticed a difference on really tight hairpin sections, where I had to slow right down to get around on the 29er. For road/bridleway either should be fine.

[With these feet]

As said, go ride one. Its a bit of a sweeping statement to say the 29er doesnt steer in tight turns, I have a F29 that has a 71deg head angle which is quicker steering than the Specialized FS 29er I also have.

From what you are describing a 29er will be the most suited, certainly for paths and cross country.

[GG89]

There isn't really a "best" between them. I'm sure you'll be happy with either, I bought a carbon giant trance with 27.5 wheels and it absolutely flies compared to my previous 26ers.