I can afford more unis, but know that the 24" and 26" are very close (unless fitted with a 3 inch tyre. What I did not want to do was to buy a 24" (non-muni) then have to buy a 26 inch. I have no interest in high speeds, so I am not looking at the 29" at present.
I have heard that the 3" tyre is not good on pavement as it is heavy and unresponsive, which is why am looking at the Nimbus II with it’s 1.95" tyre.
As far as the 24" goes- they can be made legal for track racing, if that’s a consideration.
They also have a shrinking tire selection.
My wife has both a 24 and 26. She likes the 26 for outdoors and the 24 for indoors. There isn’t a whole lot of difference in diameter, but the tire selection for the 26" is a whole lot better.
But most 26" unis can’t easily be made legal for track racing (618mm diameter max).
She likes the 29, but only for road cruising. It’s the largest wheel size she’s comfortable on.
I like the 24" for really technical terrain, but not much else. The 26" is OK for cruising, but 29" and 36" are much faster. And then there’s the Schlumpf.
I find the 24 muni to work fine on pavement, with the air pressure a little low so as not to be riding just on the knobs. I don’t care about my speed either, so if the “heaviness” slows me down some or gives me a better cardio workout, I consider that a plus Also, I can turn corners and maneuver around people with ease. In the past I had thought about getting a 24 nimbus II to transition between the 20 nimbus II and the muni, but now I’m glad I didn’t, as it wasn’t necessary.
since I almost only ride off-road midly-technical
I will keep my Triton 26", Hüsker Dü tyre with 160mm cranks ( I usually prefer 140mm but frankly can’t master with this beast when it gets too technical)
I still crave for some kind of gear …
Ah ha,
You got me there 57 . Yup, I had soo much fun on my 29’’ that I have changed my mind.
29’’ please
I purchased a new tyre today, a specialized ‘Fast track’. It looks like it will be good for doing muni and road riding. I’ll let you know how I get on with it.
I like my 26 now with the Hookworm. Smooth as silk on pavement and is fine on grass too. Alucard - great that you love your 29 now. I just felt it was too high. Maybe I tried it too soon. The 26 feels just right. Joggerdude, you should at least get a 26. Think it would be a good all around size for you.
I’ve given this some thought, and the obvious choice would be my 29’er because that’s my only ride all winter (which is almost half the year). I can get a studded tyre for it, and the wheelsize seems perfect on ice and snowy bikepaths. It is generally the most versatile wheelsize all year.
BUT: If I only could have one uni, I would not compromise. I could never give up my 36’er.
bouin-bouin
It was only a Wish List
Okay I’ll settle for two gears.
Unibiddy I think I got mine too soon as well so that’s why it spent time in the attic. Then I got my 26’’ Oracle and there didn’t seem an awful lot of difference in size. So last hols I decided to take the 29’’ thinking ‘‘it’s now or never’’.
We started the holiday off in a campsite in Cumbria which has some woods nearby. The dirt paths are fairly level with a few tree roots here and there. Well, we’d been here before on our last hols when I had my 26’’ muni. It was fun then, so I thought ‘‘well I can only but try’’. So try I did, and I had a whale of a time. I kept on going over bumps, tree roots, through puddles etc and I kept thinking ‘‘Wow" I can’t believe I’m still on’’! all that on a smooth tyre
Then off to Scotland with miles of quiet single tracked roads. By the end of our hols I’d done over 50 miles, and could freemount on a slight upwards slope, all on 137’s
I saw a Hookworm in the cyle shop when I was buying my Fast Trak, they look a real good tyre. Hubbs says he had something similar but much much bigger on his motorbike. Right off to do my tyre review on the tyre review thread now:)
Probably a 24 with an extra street tire. Could do muni, and could still do freestyle/flatland/trials riding. Could use it for general street riding, but long distance riding would be a bummer. Well, you said choose 1. You would have to sacrifice somewhere.