Remember what we are seeing is simply a replica of what happened in 2014 when we swapped from 26″ to 27.5″. It could well be that we have had three years of wasted opportunity. And if we’re really being critical then downhill brands have been missing a trick for almost a decade. That Trek and Intense, the pioneers of downhill did not bring 29 to racing sooner was probably more down to peer pressure than anything else.

Loic Bruni is one certainly not bowing to peer pressure and is of the opinion that by moving to 29″ wheels the skill level doesn’t improve simply the speed. He holds tight to a romantic idea that we can keep 27.5 for just a bit longer but ultimately he needs to deliver. Gwin is clearly eager to get rolling on bigger wheels but has proved he can compete with what he has, whilst Brosnan is living in hope he’ll get one someday soon. What is not known is what the pace of these three riders will be on bigger wheels.

“Unfair advantage” is a gigantically complicated charge. It could be argued that Bruni has an advantage in that he runs Ohlins, or the fact that Gwin runs a flat tyre defender system and lives in a dry climate that enable him to train all year. On the flip side you could argue that Minnaar has actually been at a disadvantage for many years of his career. That Greg now rides on a bike that fits him (something he vehemently disagreed with only five years ago) could well enable him to put the icing on an incredible career.

Advantage? Without doubt. Certainly on the current race circuit. The bottom line is some brands should simply have been more forward thinking. But we’ve been here before as recently as 2014. Back in the 1990’s it was widely regarded that the Sunn team had a huge technological advantage. The iconic Intense M1 was a machine that was widely recognised as having more travel and therefore improved performance. There was huge talk around the Honda RN01 and the Showa damping. Indeed Greg made a winning debut on that bike on this same hill in 2004. Thirteen years later Greg continues to dominate. There’s no argument. More than this, the best will still be at the top regardless.

There are many, including Ben Reid who believe that big wheels suit bigger riders, and it is those who will benefit most. I guess the counter to that is that taller riders have undoubtedly been at a disadvantage for many years. He also thinks that the image of 26″ wheels getting rowdy in tight, steep terrain is better. However 29″ wheels will, if the organisers decide, be able to go through much more technical terrain at higher speeds.

From my own experience of riding 29″ wheel downhill bikes I can only say I was scared. And by that I mean scared at the potential of the bikes in rocks, roots, cambers. I think we are possibly seeing day one of a new era here but it will take the vision of track builders to take progression to the next level. I certainly felt more comfortable on the smaller 27.5″ wheels knowing full well the level of rider needed to push a 29″ bike to its limit. Im not entirely sure the riders know the capabilities yet.

Are we seeing a true representation of the worlds fastest racers? It will be more clear if/when Bruni, Brosnan and Gwin adopt but even then there will never be equality. Never has been, and unlikely there ever will be. What we are seeing here is simply the development of a very young sport. More than this some bikes are simply faster than others regardless of wheel size. It makes for a compelling year.

Related article from 2011

All hands on deck Mr Christian the 29er is faster and has taken over.