i've been seriously mtn biking for about 6 years, almost entirely on 29ers. at 6'5" they make a lot of sense for me, and i like the whole concept, however, i'm not at all sanctimonious about it for others, i've just had a good experience, and like my current bike tremendously, despite it's portly weight. i've gone from rank beginner to a pretty solid rider across a variety of technical terrain, all on the wagon wheels.
today they had a size xl Norco Sight, so i was champing at the bit to try a small wheel size to see what all the 'nimble/playful' hype is about. i've heard some locals who've been riding for many years hop on a 29er and call it a 'game changer'. well that's how i felt on small wheels.
i couldn't believe how the thing climbed. is it the light weight (sub 30lb bike), is it the wheels, the whole design what? riding a notorious technical yet fun local climb with a bit of everything in it, i could very precisely place the wheels and also make slow speed changes and moves while applying the power that requires much more grunt on my 29er. cornering was easier and more nimble, but the whole bike still fit me well (though i would change a bit in the bars and cockpit to my taste) and felt stable and comfortable.
totally different bikes, but closely related- my Norco Shinobi/ vs the demo Norco Sight. and i rode them back to back on the same trail. makes me feel very under-experienced relative to bike shop workers and guys who have been riding for 20 years. i've been on so few bikes relatively that this was a huge eye opener as to how playful and nimble and how well small wheel bikes climb. or just the Sight is that good, but something was very very right with the way that bike did it's thing….
can't wait to go to Outerbike this fall and have my mind fully blown i'm sure. this seriously puts into question whether my next bike will be a 29er or not, despite my envious tire collection, ha.