title: The effect of mountain bike wheel size on cross-country performance.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of different wheel size diameters on indicators of cross-country mountain bike time trial performance. Nine competitive male mountain bikers (age 34.7 ± 10.7 years; stature 177.7 ± 5.6 cm; body mass 73.2 ± 8.6 kg) performed 1 lap of a 3.48 km mountain bike (MTB) course as fast as possible on 26″, 27.5″ and 29″ wheeled MTB. Time (s), mean power (W), cadence (revs · min-1) and velocity (km · h-1) were recorded for the whole lap and during ascent and descent sections. One-way repeated measure ANOVA was used to determine significant differences. Results revealed no significant main effects for any variables by wheel size during all trials, with the exception of cadence during the descent (F(2, 16)= 8.96; P = .002; P2= .53). Post hoc comparisons revealed differences lay between the 26″ and 29″ wheels (P = .02). The findings indicate that wheel size does not significantly influence performance during cross-country when ridden by trained mountain bikers, and that wheel choice is likely due to personal choice or sponsorship commitments.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Sport, Exercise and Nutritional Sciences , University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK.
authors.forename: Howard Thomas
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.affiliation: a Division of Sport, Exercise and Nutritional Sciences , University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.affiliation: a Division of Sport, Exercise and Nutritional Sciences , University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.affiliation: b College of Life and Natural Sciences , University of Derby , Buxton , UK.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rylands
authors.affiliation: a Division of Sport, Exercise and Nutritional Sciences , University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019876:Sports Equipment
keywords: Power output; cadence; mountain biking; velocity