Cannondale Trail SL 3 29er '12

Cannondale Trail SL 3 29er

Cannondale are another major bicycle company who are being converted to the belief that bigger wheels can be better, hence this 29" wheel version of the Cannondale Trail SL.

‘Roots, rocks, washboards, ruts, you name it, 29” wheels roll right over things that would stop a 26” wheel cold. The extra few inches of diameter make a bigger difference than you would expect, helping you float over obstacles and increasing the bike’s stability... and because the bike rolls and floats, you conserve energy.’
Cannondale.

A full Shimano groupset featuring Alivio Rapidfire 3x9 shifters, a Deore Shadow rear mech and Shimano M446 hydraulic disc brakes makes the most of this accomplished 29er hardtail.

29ers

The word from the USA is that hardtails and XC dual suspension bikes with 29 inch tyres (AKA 29ers) are beginning to outsell mountain bikes with traditional 26 inch tyres. Here’s why.

Pros:

• Bigger tyres offer more cushioning and better traction.
• Momentum gained via the wheels’ greater rotational mass can get you through tough sections that might slow down smaller wheels.
• The benefits of enhanced rotational momentum are especially noticeable on longer rides and when riding uphill.
• A larger wheel makes contact with trail obstacles at a shallower angle. The result is that you float over roots & rocks that you might have once stuttered over.
• Bigger wheels cover the ground quicker once they get up to speed - this is especially noticeable on climbs.
• With over a decade’s experience developing 29”-wheeled MTBs, America’s most progressive bike companies have totally nailed the geometry. 29er’s higher bottom bracket helps you clear obstacles.
• However this bottom bracket will actually be lower in relationship to the wheel hubs so this can make the bike more stable.
• Another advantage of 29er geometry is that even tall riders on larger bikes can enjoy the extra clearance benefits of a frame with a sloping top tube.
• Although the majority of 29ers are hardtails, a number of progressive bike companies are now integrating 29” wheels with full suspension. In fact they have done so with such success, 29er converts will tell you that their 100mm-travel Giant Anthem 29er or their 110mm-travel Specialized Camber 29er can downhill almost as well as a 26”-tyre 140mm-travel trail bike.

Con:
Big (therefore heavier) wheels take more time to get up to speed and they might not be quite as nimble when you have to weave through tight twisty sections.

Mountain Bike Sizing Guide.

Cannondale