Mountain bike (29 inch) test & comparison »top 10 in january 2020

The 10 best 29-inch mountain bikes at a glance.

Jet down the next mountain on a mountain bike or would you prefer a challenging tour through hilly terrain? No matter what type of mountain biking you prefer – now choose a high-quality model equipped with disc brakes. Our test or comparison table offers you a wide selection.

Also pay attention to a high quality circuit, because nothing is more annoying than having to exchange them for a lot of money after a short time. You should also not neglect the travel and choose depending on the application.

The quality management for our test and comparison procedure is TÜV-certified according to ISO 9001

with rigid fork

Mountain bike (29 inch) comparison
Illustration *	Compare winner				Price-performance winner
Model *	Focus O1E SL	Savana Deck 6.0	KTM Chicago Street	Rex Graveler 9.5	Haibike Seet HardNine 2.0	Fuji Nevada 29 1.9	Galano Toxic	Breluxx Nomad Corvette Sport 2D	KS Cycling Twentyniner Heist	Probike Pro 29
valuation at Amazon *	1 reviews	1 reviews	127 ratings	2 reviews	19 reviews	10 reviews
Type	Full suspension full suspension	Hardtail Front suspension only	Hardtail Front suspension only	Hardtail Front suspension only	Hardtail Front suspension only	Hardtail Front suspension only	Hardtail Front suspension only	Hardtail Front suspension only	Hardtail Front suspension only	Rigid completely unsprung
frame material	carbon very light, corrosion-resistant	carbon very light, corrosion-resistant	aluminum light, stiff	aluminum light, stiff	aluminum light, stiff	aluminum light, stiff	aluminum light, stiff	aluminum light, stiff	aluminum light, stiff	steel heavy, springy
valence & Furnishing
quality of workmanship	excellent	excellent	Good	Good	Good	Good	average	average	average	average
circuit Number of gears and quality of the vector group When shifting gears, the number of gears is less important than the high gear ratio range. Added to this is the value of the circuit components. Market leaders such as SRAM and Shimano offer a whole range of different groups that differ in terms of material, workmanship, durability, precision and weight.	22 courses (Shimano Deore XT) The Deore XT is one of the best and highest quality shifting groups from Shimano.	30 courses (Shimano Deore) The Deore is one of the best and highest quality Shimano groupsets.	24 courses (Shimano Acera) The Acera belongs qualitatively and economically to the high-end entry-level models of the Shimano groupsets.	27 courses (Shimano Acera) The Acera belongs qualitatively and economically to the high-end entry-level models of the Shimano groupsets.	21 courses (Shimano Tourney) The Tourney belongs to the simple entry-level models of the Shimano shifting groups in terms of quality and price.	21 courses (Shimano Tourney) The Tourney belongs to the simple entry-level models of the Shimano shifting groups in terms of quality and price.	21 courses (Shimano Tourney) The Tourney belongs to the simple entry-level models of the Shimano shifting groups in terms of quality and price.	21 courses (Shimano Tourney) The Tourney belongs to the simple entry-level models of the Shimano shifting groups in terms of quality and price.	21 courses (Shimano Tourney) The Tourney belongs to the simple entry-level models of the Shimano shifting groups in terms of quality and price.	18 courses (Shimano Tourney) The Tourney belongs to the simple entry-level models of the Shimano shifting groups in terms of quality and price.
Brakes Hydraulic disc brakes are braked with brake fluid. Compared to mechanical disc brakes, they are considered to be more effective because the friction losses are lower and braking can be metered better. Rim brakes – whether hydraulic or mechanical – are only used on mountain bikes in the lowest price category. Since they contribute to the wearing of bicycle parts (rims), the technology is now considered outdated.	hydraulic disc brakes	hydraulic disc brakes	hydraulic disc brakes	hydraulic disc brakes	mechanical disc brake	mechanical disc brakes	mechanical disc brakes	mechanical disc brakes	mechanical disc brakes	mechanical rim brakes
travel	100 mm	100 mm	100 mm	80 mm	100 mm	100 mm	40 mm	no manufacturer information	no manufacturer information
Other product information
frame size for stride length You measure the stride length by measuring from the sole of the foot (without shoes) to the crotch. In an average adult, the stride length is often between 65 and 95 cm, depending on gender and height.	48 cm approx. 85 cm	48 cm approx. 85 cm	38 cm approx. 65 cm	48 cm approx. 85 cm	40 cm approx. 70 cm	48 cm approx. 85 cm	48 cm approx. 85 cm	46 cm approx. 80 cm	51 cm approx. 90 cm	48 cm approx. 85 cm
Other frame sizes	42 cm	43 cm approx. 75 cm	48 cm	no	45 cm, 50 cm, 55 cm	38 cm, 43 cm, 53 cm	no	no	no	no
Weight	15.0 kg	12.4 kg	no manufacturer information	approx. 15 kg	14.7 kg	14.3 kg	16.9 kg	15 kg	no manufacturer information	14.3 kg
benefits	excellent workmanship very high quality circuit with hydraulic disc brakes very easy	excellent workmanship very high quality circuit with hydraulic disc brakes particularly light	good workmanship with hydraulic disc brakes	good workmanship with hydraulic disc brakes affordable entry-level model	good workmanship with mechanical disc brakes affordable entry-level model	good workmanship with mechanical disc brakes affordable entry-level model available in many different sizes	good workmanship with mechanical disc brakes affordable entry-level model	good workmanship with mechanical disc brakes affordable entry-level model	with mechanical disc brakes affordable entry-level model	affordable entry-level model
Questions and answers about the product	Questions and answers about Focus O1E SL	Questions and answers about Savana Deck 6.0	Questions and answers about KTM Chicago Street	Questions and answers about Rex Graveler 9.5	Questions and answers about Haibike Seet HardNine 2.0	Questions and answers about Fuji Nevada 29 1.9	Questions and answers about Galano Toxic	Questions and answers about Breluxx Nomad Corvette Sport 2D	Questions and answers about KS Cycling Twentyniner Heist	Questions and answers about Probike Pro 29
To offer *	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "
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29-inch mountain bikes are becoming increasingly popular. The large tires offer some interesting advantages, which include higher comfort, better safety and a better grip.
The gearshift is an important indicator of the value of a mountain bike. Few people know that it is not the number of gears but the quality of the shift group that determines the quality, stability and precision of the bicycle.
The brakes also play an important role on MTBs. Make sure that your bike is ideally equipped with modern disc brakes.

29-inch mountain bikes: sensible development or marketing trick? A question that not only you, but also many other enthusiasts of versatile mountain bike sports ask themselves. The answer is reassuring. 29-inch mountain bike tests confirm that larger tires do not make the wheel worse, but even offer some advantages in certain areas.

The suitability of a mountain bike for certain routes is in principle not a question of tire size.

Greater comfort, greater security and a noticeably improved grip are just a few properties that should be mentioned here. However, whether your 29-inch MTB is more suitable for touring, downhill racing or racing on unpaved roads depends primarily less on the tire size than on the geometry of the frame, the spring elements and the travel of the fork.

In the purchase advice for our 29-inch mountain bike comparison 2019/2020, the Redaktion.org editorial team took a closer look at 29-inch MTBs. Here you can find out a. Which travel is optimal for which purpose, why particularly high-quality components on bicycles such as 29-inch mountain bikes are worthwhile and why it is not primarily the number of gears that matters when shifting, but rather the overall gear ratio and the value of the shift group.

1. Overview of mountain bike types: all a question of suspension and frame geometry

To present the multitude of all types of mountain bikes would go beyond the scope of our guide. The differences between the individual models are on the one hand, for. T. considerable (just in terms of weight alone), on the other hand, with certain designs, however, there are only nuances that differentiate similar categories of 29-inch mountain bikes (and other bikes) from each other.

For this reason, we at comparison.org have chosen a more general method in which we especially like the bikes divided into three groups according to the type of suspension:

Mountain bike type	Properties and areas of application
Full suspension (fully)

If the 29-inch mountain bike is a fully, it is a full suspension bike.
In addition to a suspension fork, an MTB fully with 29-inch tires also has a sprung frame.

Fitness:

Tours in the lowlands and in the mountains (All-Mountain, Enduro)
Races on dirt roads (cross-country, four-cross)
Descents in difficult terrain (downhill, freeride)

Jumps and tricks over mounds of earth (dirt jump, pump track)
Skill jumps on and over obstacles (trial)

Hardtail

The second big variant is the 29-inch hardtail mountain bike with only one spring element.
In contrast to the fully, a hardtail MTB with 29-inch tires is only equipped with a suspension fork.

Fitness:

Races on dirt roads (cross-country, four-cross)
Jumps and tricks over mounds of earth (dirt jump, pump track)

Tours in the lowlands and in the mountains (All-Mountain, Enduro)
Descents in difficult terrain (downhill, freeride)
Skill jumps on and over obstacles (trial)

Rigid

A rigid mountain bike does not require spring elements either at the front or at the rear.
These bikes are early forms of MTBs and special bikes with limited uses.

Fitness:

Skill jumps on and over obstacles (trial)

Tours in the lowlands and in the mountains (All-Mountain, Enduro)
Races on dirt roads (cross-country, four-cross)
Descents in difficult terrain (downhill, freeride)
Jumps and tricks over mounds of earth (dirt jump, pump track)

2. Quality of workmanship: high-quality components are important

Components such as gears or brakes should be high quality and durable.

No matter whether you prefer an MTB from an unknown brand or a bike from a well-known manufacturer such as Scott, Bulls, Cube, Focus, Ghost or Haibike – always pay attention to the build quality. In the context of bicycles such as 29 inch mountain bikes, this means that you especially take a look at the price.

The best 29 inch mountain bike isn’t necessarily the most expensive, however the higher the purchase price, the higher the value of the components used as well as the precision in the manufacturing process of the frame parts. A cheap 29-inch mountain bike, which you can find at Aldi for less than 200 euros, cannot qualitatively compete with high-priced models.

With such low-priced products, you can assume that the individual components are not particularly durable and you have to replace defective components more often.

What does a high-quality 29-inch MTB cost?? For an average hardtail MTB, you can estimate around 400 to 500 euros. High-quality models in this category are usually only available for prices between 700 and 1,000 euros. Top wheels without suspension of the frame, such as 29-inch hardtail mountain bikes made of carbon, can even cost several thousand euros. Usable fullys, on the other hand, only start at around 1,000 euros.

3. Gearshift and gears: gear ratio and shift group are decisive >

Components of a vector group

A vector group usually consists of the following components:

gear lever
derailleur
cassette
crank
derailleur
Bottom Bracket
Chain

More gears characterize better gears – a common misconception that has little to do with reality. In principle, the number of gears plays no role in the value of a gearshift. Rather, it depends on which vector group it belongs to.

With Shimano and SRAM, there are two manufacturers in particular that clearly dominate the market in the production of derailleur gears. They offer different groups for different needs and requirements differ significantly from each other in terms of precision, material, weight and quality.

Some examples: The affordable entry-level groups for MTB include, for example, Shimano-Tourney, Shimano-Altus, SRAM-X5 or SRAM-X7. To the middle class and thus to the higher group include a. Shimano-Deore, SRAM-NX-Eagle or SRAM-GX-Eagle. Absolute top equipment in the area of derailleurs are considered. a. Shimano-XT, Shimano-XTR or SRAM-XX1-Eagle.

Is it about the performance of a circuit or the area of application, translation also plays a role. This means the ratio of the lowest to the highest gear (distance that can be covered with one crank revolution).

The larger the total, the more versatile your 29-inch mountain bike can be used for both uphill and downhill descents, although it should be noted that this is of minor importance for pure downhill mountain bikes, for enduro or all Mountain bikes, however, play an important role. In this context, it is recommended that the gear gradation be as uniform as possible.

4. Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes are particularly effective

On high-quality 29-inch mountain bikes from Scott, Cube, Bulls or another well-known manufacturer you will only find disc brakes. Classic rim brakes are only used in the low-budget segment or in mountain bike discontinued models with 29-inch tires.

High-quality 29-inch mountain bikes from Bulls and other brands are always equipped with disc brakes.

In contrast to disc brakes, they have significant disadvantages that currently ensure that V-brakes are not only increasingly disappearing from mountain bike sports, but are gradually being replaced with other types of bikes.

On the one hand, the braking force applies to components (the rims) that are important for the function of the wheel, which means that they wear out very quickly and can break under unfavorable circumstances. Second is if the rim flanks are dirty, the braking force is greatly reduced, which greatly increases the risk of falls and related injuries.

Disc brakes can be divided into hydraulic and mechanical models. While mechanical brakes can be braked using a Bowden cable, hydraulic brakes work with brake fluid. Compared to mechanical brakes they offer significant advantages because the friction losses are lower and they are also clearly superior in terms of meterability. On the other hand, the disadvantages include higher complexity and the usually noticeably higher costs.

Comparison.org recommends: Only buy 29-inch mountain bikes equipped with disc brakes. Other braking systems are considered outdated, especially in mountain bike sports, and are not very suitable for off-road demands.

5. Travel: The steeper the downhill, the stronger the fork should spring

The spring travel refers to the path in millimeters with which the bars of the suspension fork can compensate for unevenness in the ground. For hardtail mountain bikes that are not designed for extreme downhill runs, the question of which travel your 29-inch MTB should have plays a minor role. Most hardtails are in the range between 80 and 100, sometimes 120 millimeters.

Mountain bike 29-inch tests show that the steeper the downhill route, the greater the travel should be.

With fullys, on the other hand, the travel is highly relevant, since too much travel can be very disadvantageous on climbs. If, on the other hand, you want to buy a 29-inch mountain bike that is designed for freeride or downhill use, you should get one model Choose with as much travel as possible, as this significantly increases comfort, safety and controllable speed.

We have listed below which suspension travel is best suited for which application:

Dirt jump: 65 to 110 mm
Cross-country: 80 to 120 mm
Four-cross: 100 to 140 mm
All-Mountain: 120 to 160 mm
Freeride: 165 to 200 mm
Downhill: 180 to 250 mm

6. Questions and answers about the 29-inch mountain bike

6.1. Which frame size fits your own body size?

Of course, you should choose an MTB that fits the size of the frame to your body size. The best way to do this is to determine your stride length, by measuring the distance from the floor to the top of a spirit level clamped in your crotch. Then multiply the measured result by 0.226 or 0.574 and you get the appropriate frame size in inches or centimeters.

6.2. The Stiftung Warentest has already selected a 29-inch mountain bike comparison winner?

The Stiftung Warentest has so far have not yet performed a 29-inch MTB test. Also tests on mountain bikes with others Germany’s well-known testing institute has so far been guilty of impeller sizes.