99.9% of mountain bikes have identically sized wheels at the front and rear. There are a few exceptions, such as Flyer or Liteville. In the 26-inch era, the 24-inch rear wheel was popular with radical riders with a penchant for steep slopes. And when you look over the garden fence, it quickly becomes clear: a large wheel at the front and a small wheel at the rear brings advantages, and motocrossers have long since understood this. A large, pushed front wheel with a moderately wide tire ensures good riding precision and rollover protection. A small, trailed rear wheel with a plus-size tire ensures good traction and lowers the center of gravity.

The recipe for the future? Big at the front, small at the rear

This is exactly what we tested with wheels from DT Swiss and tires from Schwalbe. The basis is an e-mountain bike with 130 millimetres of travel at the front and rear, whose standard tires measure 27.5 inches plus, while the Fox fork is approved for 29 inches. The test set-up: both wheels out, 26 inches at the rear, 29 inches at the front. A Magic Mary in the (rare) Plus size 26x2.6" is mounted on the rear rims, 29x2.3" on the front. When you first mount the bike, the question arises: where is the downhill section? Because the center of gravity is noticeably lower with 26 and 29, the steering angle feels like a bike with a double bridge fork. This makes riding uphill more comfortable. Going downhill, the signs are pointing towards karaoke, as the bike is noticeably more in line with the slope. Steps that were considered unrideable are taken with the left hand, the bike is more willing on the rear wheel. The front wheel gives you confidence, the 29er dimensions at the front roll over obstacles with ease and the moderate tire width ensures precise steering.

Once you've acquired a taste for the 26/29-inch experiment, there are no more complaints that the bike industry is actually creating a big mess with various wheel sizes and tire widths. This variety opens up possibilities: With one or two new wheels, you can tease enormously different riding characteristics out of a bike. Want an example? If you want more safety on your 27.5-inch bike, you should try a 26" rear wheel. The steering angle flattens out, the feeling of rolling over is a thing of the past and steep sections are suddenly really fun.

It's the character that counts

If you want to get started right away, there are a few hurdles to the unexpected playground. 26-inch wheels in Boost size are virtually non-existent off the shelf. Wheel experts such as DT Swiss have enough components available for this so that an experienced wheel builder can spin the desired wheel. Even 26-inch tires in plus-width are an exotic breed. However, the tested Magic Mary in 26x2.6 should be readily available and provide for veritable fun orgies. The lowered bottom bracket also requires an adapted ride: The cranks get in the way uphill and cause bouncing. The devil is also in the detail: as the spoke angle changes when switching from 27.5 to 26 inches, the minimum distance for the speed sensor is no longer maintained on the e-mountainbike and the bike no longer wobbles. It is necessary to re-distance the pick-up with washers towards the magnet in the spokes.

The change in character via wheel size may not work on all bikes or for all riders. It is certainly an opportunity for more riding fun and variety. If you've already ridden your usual bike enough, you can get one or two new bikes with one or two wheels.