Size runs - applied research on 29 inch MTB-tyres

The 29-inch wheel has become the new industry standard for mountain bikes. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the technical basis of the new standard and the handling of the 29ers, Josef Viellehner and Dr. Achim Schmidt collaborated with Ralf Bohle, the manufacturer of Schwalbe bicycle tyres.

The larger tyres have a longer and narrower contact surface with the ground. The results of the tyre test indicate that this reduces rolling resistance by approximately 4%. This represents a gain that is not exclusive to professionals engaged in competitive racing. The smaller dimensions of obstacles such as branches or potholes in relation to the tyre result in improved rolling performance and enhanced grip in extreme riding situations, while also providing greater tolerance for riding errors. Furthermore, 50 students who participated in a series of technical riding challenges on a conventional 26-inch bike and a modern 29er on a 1400-metre test track attested to an enhanced traction uphill and a more secure downhill feeling.
The close link between teaching and research also benefits the more than 200 cycling guides, trainers and sports scientists who undergo cycling training at the Institute of Outdoor Sports and Environmental Research every year.