Following last weeks focus on 29er bikes, spurred by Jaroslav Kulhavy’s win aboard a Specialized Epic 29er, it seems that big wheels are set to conquer Europe as well.

The organisers behind Eurobike, the world’s biggest and most important bicycle trade show, expect 29ers to be the leading global trend at the show with a high proportion of bikes displayed sporting the bigger wheels.

We’re hardly surprised by the news, but it will be interesting to see how many of the big, and small, European brands will be walking down the 29er path. There was a strong showing last year, but this September could mark the real turning point in acceptance by the trade in general of the 29in wheels.

29ers have proved popular with XC riders and hardtail fans, and anyone that has spent some time or done any riding on the Continent will realise that many European mountain bikers are the perfect candidate for the bigger wheels, which offer benefits of faster rolling speed, great momentum and more stable handling for cross-country mountain biking.

Until recently, interested buyers of 29ers in Germany often had to search somewhat longer for stores where they are carried. But starting this season, consumers will also find a wide selection of 29ers in German retail stores. Oliver Hensche, head of the German division of the mountain bike manufacturer Giant, agrees: “29ers are a major focus at retail stores specializing in biking sports. Customers are now asking about them by name. I estimate that in the future, 50% of the hardtails sold in the upper price segment in Germany will be 29ers.”

The rapidly growing popularity of this new category of bikes will also be apparent at Eurobike: “Nearly every manufacturer will be participating in this trend at the upcoming bicycle trade show. We’re forecasting that the number of offerings in the 29er segment will also grow considerably in the coming sales year in Germany,” says Doris Klytta from the tire manufacturer Schwalbe.

What’s more, 29ers won’t just remain a phenomenon in the hardtail segment, says Sebastian Maag, Country Manager for Germany at Specialized: “In 2012 there will be a few new 29ers in the full-suspension segment up to 120 mm of spring travel.” The mountain bike expert also predicts that bikes featuring even greater spring travel will be offered with 29” wheels in the long term.

The Eurobike organsiers ask the question: “Are these 29ers just a way for the bicycle industry to create an additional selling point in the already highly developed market for mountain bikes?” Let’s hear what you think in the forum below, or tweet us @bikemagic