The SWB and LWB have the same fit. Both handle superbly on and off-road. The difference between them is the distance between the axles (the wheelbase) and the tires you can use with them.

Here are two Jones bikes: A medium SWB bike with 29” x 2.6” tires compared to a medium LWB with 29” x 3.25” tires.

The orange rectangle shows the wheelbase at the axles and at the contact points with the ground. The LWB is longer and SWB is shorter.

The red rectangle shows bar height compared to the seat height and the distance between a rider’s contact point on the seat to the handlebar and where this position is in relation to the wheelbase. The SWB and LWB have almost the same distance between the seat and bars so the basic fit is the same. The rider’s position is farther from being over/on top of both wheels with the LWB geometry.

The blue triangle shows that the fit is the same on either bike and the rider is well balanced over the bottom bracket. It is easier to shift your body weight front to rear and to ride standing on your feet with less weight on your hands.

Comparing the orange, blue and red lines you can see that both bikes have you almost centered between the wheels. The LWB places the rear wheel farther back and the front wheel further forward making you less on top of a vertical bump force from the ground. The green trapezoid shows the fore and aft (front and rear) bracing angle from the rider’s contact points on the bike to the bike’s contact points with the ground.

The LWB has more bracing angle and is harder to flip over forward or back. It’s easier to lift the front or rear wheel off the ground with the SWB.