A question we’ve been asked countless times now, is what stationary bike stand is suitable for my 29 inch wheels?
29 inch wheels have fast become a common size for those of us buying a new bike in the last few years, but if you’re the owner of a shiny new 29er bike and feeling a little frustrated at the apparent lack of 29er bike trainer options for your bike, fret not! We’ve written up the guide below for those of you hunting high and low for a decent stationary bike stand that suits your bike!
To sum it up, there are actually FOUR main options for those of you with 29er wheels looking for a decent bike stand:
- Buy a stationary bike trainer that supports 29 inch wheel sizes (there are a number of options available, see below)
- Fit a training slick to your rear wheel, instead of that knobbly (and noisy) MTB tread (more details below)
- Replace your 29 inch wheel with something like a 26 inch wheel, just for indoor training sessions
- Splash out on a roller trainer or direct drive trainer
Bike trainers that support 29 inch wheels
OK, so yes, there are a number of bike trainers that come by default with the ability to support 29 inch wheels. We’ve collected FOUR of them below…
Kurt Kinetic Road Machine: This, without question, is one of the very best bike trainers out there (although be aware that there are a number of different models available now). It has all you need, regardless of your riding level. It’s also a bit on the expensive side (we’re talking a wee bit over $400 for the Smart 2 version, which includes a lot of the latest and greatest inride sensors), but it’s seriously one of the best your money can buy, and one of the Best 5 Trainers we highly recommend. Full review here.
Unisky V Type Fluid Trainer: Unisky have become big players in the stationary bike trainer world over the last couple of years, and this model has received some terrific reviews online (currently, some 1400 ratings!). Also coming with its now famous double lock button, this trainer will set you back around $170 – but may well be your preferred choice if you’re trying to save a few $$$. Full review here.
Alpcour Fluid Trainer: We love the trainers from Alpcour (a different Alpcour trainer makes our list of Top 5 trainers!) and this one is a great option for 29ers: it comes with all the trimmings and an especially silent fluid mechanism that’ll keep your neighbors and family members happy! Full review here.
Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer: This old classic was revamped in 2019, and typically comes in at under $100. It does the job very nicely thank you, complete with an excellent steel roller to ensure your trainer lasts longer. Full review here.
Fitting a training slick to your 29 inch wheel
With road bikes also being 29 inch in size (but referred to as 700cc), you can change your MTB tires to a road slick or trainer specific tire, and then you should be able to fit most trainers. AND you’ll save your normal tires from wear and tear and be a lot less noisy (those knobbly MTB tires make a ton of noise!). Once you have that trainer/road slick on, your big 29er tires will be like any other 700cc road tire, the fact it’s a 29er won’t make a difference.
If you need a very decent training tire, try this highly-rated tires from Continental or this one from Vittoria.
Replace your 29 inch wheel with a 26 inch wheel
If you’ve got another 26 inch wheel handy, this option could be perfect for those of you with 29ers and struggling to get it to fit your trainer. Just swap the wheels over to the 26 inch wheel for indoor training purposes only (WARNING: you really don’t want to try taking the bike outside for a ride once you’ve made the switch!).
One thing you should remember – with the indoor trainer there’s no need to worry about braking (there’s a reason they’re called “stationary”!), so there’s no need to worry about the brake discs and having the technical knowledge to free them/put them back together…
Splash out on a roller trainer or direct drive trainer
If none of the above options work for you, it could be time to think about a roller or direct drive trainer.
Rollers can make things very interesting, and some serious cyclists swear by them. But they do take some getting used to, and need a certain level of skill and concentration. We’re sure you’ve seen the videos of would-be roller riders getting into difficulties on their new rollers, so, yes, be careful, be patient, be strong!
One of the big advantages with rollers is they are quiet(er) and you don’t have to worry about burning through your tires or being locked into a trainer. If you’re looking for a decent roller to get started with, try one of these.
Direct drive trainers are fairly new to the scene of indoor trainers but offer a great alternative, albeit a little more on the expensive side (think anywhere in the region of $700 – $1000). They enable you to remove your entire back wheel and slot your chain right onto the trainer. As most bikes now come with a quick release, this is typically a job that takes a matter of seconds. Some excellent direct drive options to consider here are the Saris H3 and the Tacx Flux.
If you have any further questions about finding the right bike trainer for your bike, feel free to contact us!
