|   (related to below) What does 29-er mean? | DJS
Oct 7, 2002 12:02 PM | | We hear about 26" wheels, 29" mountain bikes, etc.
But arent 29" mountain bikes using 700c (27.6") rims? Why not call them 28"-ers. ??
I guess I never really thought about all this too much. |
| Marketing ... they really should call them 559 and 622 nm | GlowBoy
Oct 7, 2002 12:54 PM | | |
| yes and no | jpre
Oct 7, 2002 1:06 PM | | 700c rims with cyclocross tires measure closer to 28" and they *are* sometimes called 28"ers. The newer crop of 2.1 tires for 700c rims measure closer to 29" and are called accordingly, so it's not only marketing, though I'm sure there is an aspect there. Even though this forum is formally for 29"ers, people here probably like to hear about 28" info because it can often cross apply (no pun intended). |
| Some 29"er history-- | Bigwheel
Oct 10, 2002 6:01 PM | | You guys are probably sick by now of my trying to get the nomenclature for a 2.1 tire with a 622mm bead straight here. Here is a little history on what caused the Crested Butte 29" community to call it a 29"er.
Four years ago WTB developed the 52/47 622mm bead tire based on their Nanoraptor design. Wes Williams of the Crested Butte Bicycle Co. manufacturers of Willits Brand Bikes had been bugging Mark Slate to do this for a few years. Gary Fisher also was wanting to see this happen and so Mark pulled the "tire" together.
There was only one little problem though. At the time the "tire" was made there were no bike frames made fit it properly. As in none, zero, zip-ola. Not to mention a suspension fork.
Wes had been building bikes designated as 28"ers since he opened his doors and before that at Ibis and in conjunction with Bruce Gordon, the Rock and Road bike. There happened to be a 28" Mountie in the shop that a customer couldn't pay for and it is the first bike that ever got mounted with the "tire". It was sitting in this position when I first saw it in March of 1999.
Here is a better picture of the bike outside in the snow,
Because this bike was built as a 28"er it had a pretty tight clearance in the rear triangle but the "tire" fit in there. This bike was ridden by alot of people, was written up in the 1999 issue of MBA, and is still being enjoyed today by a lucky rider.
We discovered that Manitou 700c forks circa 1992 fit the "tire" and used them as they were the only forks rigid or suspension that would! They were only about 50mm of travel and not up to the standards of the day but there were alot of miles ridden on those forks on alot of bikes until the White Bros came along for sure! Even four years later there are only two production suspension fork options available--
Anyway back to 1999. How we came up with 29"er was pretty simple actually. We took a tape measure right then and there and used it to determine that the overall diameter of the tire mounted on a 700c rim and inflated to 35 lbs. pressure was a shade more than 29"s. Wes said 29"er and that is what it is. A 29er is a sailboat.
It was decided to let the 29"er be what it is and Wes ended up calling his bikes different names, like New Sheriff, Safety, Mountie and B-29 etc. Why Gary chose to make it 29er is not known, maybe he can enlighten us? The potential for conflict with the sailboat community which has had the 29er designation for years is not necessary is it?
So in the end, it isn't about marketing, or hype. It is just about the SIZE. It's 29"er baby, be hip. |
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