26/27.5/29 Mega Merge Thread.

[Eldron]

Everything is relative:

 

Weight: 26 best, 650b worse, 29er worst.

Traction: 29er best, 650b worse, 26 worst.

Angle of attack: 29er best, 650b worse, 26 worst.

Comfort: 29er best, 650b worse, 26 worst.

Strength: 26 best, 650b worse, 29er worst.

Geometry: 26 best, 650b limited, 29er more limited.

Suspespion travel: 26 best, 650b worse, 29 worst.

Availabily of wheels/tyres: 26 and 29 on par, 650b worst.

[Mr SingleTrack]

I think I haven't explained myself correctly - this is not another "yawn" 26 VS 27.5 VS 29 thread, I am asking a genuine question. The article mentioned the "disadvantages" of 26er / 29er wheels, but didn't actually mention what those disadvantages is

 

I am honestly curious if anyone feels there ARE disadvantages, and what those are. For example, for AM riding I would think the disadvantage with 29er wheels would be keeping the chain stays short enough and the increased flex 29er wheels have

 

But I honestly can't think of the disadvantages of 26" wheels?

gaan ry oor "sinkplaat" pad en voel die disadvantage - loss of momentum

[rouxtjie]

Everything is relative:

 

Weight: 26 best, 650b worse, 29er worst.

Traction: 29er best, 650b worse, 26 worst.

Angle of attack: 29er best, 650b worse, 26 worst.

Comfort: 29er best, 650b worse, 26 worst.

Strength: 26 best, 650b worse, 29er worst.

Geometry: 26 best, 650b limited, 29er more limited.

Suspespion travel: 26 best, 650b worse, 29 worst.

Availabily of wheels/tyres: 26 and 29 on par, 650b worst.

Ed zachery...choose you poison

[Eldron]

 

 

There are, The Tread article mentions them.

 

 

There are, The Tread article mentions them.

 

That Tread article was terrible - about as balanced as the chip on Julius Malema's shoulder.

 

They said the advantages of 650b were:

Better rollover than 26 (but forgor - worse rollover than 29)

Better momentum than 26 (but forgot - less momentum than 29)

More traction than 26 (but forgot - less traction than 29)

Less rotational weight than 29 (but forgot - more rotational weight than 26)

More agile than 29 (but forgot - less agile than 26)

More suspension travel options (less than 26)

Short chainstays (but longer than 26)

 

There are no "disadvantages" to 26, 650b or 29 - you need to look at the characterisitics of all 3 wheel sizes and pick the best one for you. Why is this so hard for people? There is no generic

26 is best, 650b is best or 29 is best. There is only best FOR YOU in the context of WHAT TERRAIN YOU RIDE and WHAT YOUR STRENGTHS are and WHICH RACING YOU DO.

 

Phew - I'm sounding more and more like ye olde stuck gramophone.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Disadvantages of 26in wheels:

 

Smaller.

 

Means more bump sensitvity, less rolling ability, worse traction up the hills (generally speaking)

 

Advantages:

 

Smaller. Easier to change direction. Lighter. Stiffer. Snappier in the corners.

[Mr SingleTrack]

 

 

That Tread article was terrible - about as balanced as the chip on Julius Malema's shoulder.

 

They said the advantages of 650b were:

Better rollover than 26 (but forgor - worse rollover than 29)

Better momentum than 26 (but forgot - less momentum than 29)

More traction than 26 (but forgot - less traction than 29)

Less rotational weight than 29 (but forgot - more rotational weight than 26)

More agile than 29 (but forgot - less agile than 26)

More suspension travel options (less than 26)

Short chainstays (but longer than 26)

 

There are no "disadvantages" to 26, 650b or 29 - you need to look at the characterisitics of all 3 wheel sizes and pick the best one for you. Why is this so hard for people? There is no generic

26 is best, 650b is best or 29 is best. There is only best FOR YOU in the context of WHAT TERRAIN YOU RIDE and WHAT YOUR STRENGTHS are and WHICH RACING YOU DO.

 

Phew - I'm sounding more and more like ye olde stuck gramophone.

I am backing Eldron on this one! Spot on!

[Iron]

Everything is relative:

 

Weight: 26 best, 650b worse, 29er worst.

Traction: 29er best, 650b worse, 26 worst.

Angle of attack: 29er best, 650b worse, 26 worst.

Comfort: 29er best, 650b worse, 26 worst.

Strength: 26 best, 650b worse, 29er worst.

Geometry: 26 best, 650b limited, 29er more limited.

Suspespion travel: 26 best, 650b worse, 29 worst.

Availabily of wheels/tyres: 26 and 29 on par, 650b worst.

 

Agreed but to add:

 

26 " better suited geometry wise for very small people

 

27.5 better suited to mid size

 

29" better suited to tall people

 

Now let not get into a debate as Barry is small and rides a 29er ( it business for spez and he is paid loads to make the bike win on sat and sell on Monday )

 

But for us normal mortals the different size wheels will suite different size people better .

[ThePubSA]

The section height & rim width on my HT, i pretty much already have 650b,no different to my other 26" , because im still riding them.

Think okes need a week on a BMX to catch a wake up again...

All bikes rule ,cant pigeon hole,cause what you cant do sum1 else can on the same bike..

[Dogfish]

Tread magazine had an article on pro's and cons of each, 27.5 was deemed to be the better overall but not the best individually. e.g not as responsive as 26 but better than 29, does not roll better than 29 but better than 26.

 

yip, found this very useful!

[dev null]

Yip, not selling my 26er. If you have the money, buy all three by any means and you can ride whatever you want. Surely you are not gonna buy one chisel to do all your woodworking with.

 

All things have advantages and disadvantages. Pick the one that fits your needs. Previous posters have already pointed out the list of advantages and disadvantages to each. My next bike will most probably be a Santa Cruz 29er.

[RockCoach]

The mistake is thinking a different wheel size will make you a better rider. It doesn't. For every advantage there will be a drawback. A good rider learns to make the most of the advantages and compensate for the disadvantages.

[Iron]

The mistake is thinking a different wheel size will make you a better rider. It doesn't. For every advantage there will be a drawback. A good rider learns to make the most of the advantages and compensate for the disadvantages.

 

Give this man a bells !

 

the rider maketh the bike not the otherway round .

[ThePubSA]

The mistake is thinking a different wheel size will make you a better rider. It doesn't. For every advantage there will be a drawback. A good rider learns to make the most of the advantages and compensate for the disadvantages.

Sing it brother... ADAPT !

[ThePubSA]

Jump a 4+ foot loading dock to flat tar , near my house all the time to practice step downs.Done it on my HT,Trance & bmx .All need to be handled & hucked a lil different to each other.650b wont help make it any easier ,bikes a bike skill is skill....

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Jump a 4+ foot loading dock to flat tar , near my house all the time to practice step downs.Done it on my HT,Trance & bmx .All need to be handled & hucked a lil different to each other.650b wont help make it any easier ,bikes a bike skill is skill....

 

precisely. Lofting a BMX is a helluva lot easier than lofting an MTB.

 

And I need to find me one of those... I still get the dreaded lip-tremors at the edge.

[ThePubSA]

precisely. Lofting a BMX is a helluva lot easier than lofting an MTB.

 

And I need to find me one of those... I still get the dreaded lip-tremors at the edge.

Ye just come down harder on the BMX,still want to put a 80mm fork on mine.

Used to do kickflips of the loading dock @ the back of checkers in seapoint,idk if its still there.Almost same as the 1 by me now.

Being 16 even 21 again would help more then 650b,loading docks & geriatric spines takes some cushioning