26/27.5/29 Mega Merge Thread.

[DJR]

The greatest disadvantage of my 26er is that it doesn't give me intant bragging rights about being an early adopter.

[awesme]

Tankman

 

and we're honoured to have you been selected to look after us

 

ye sorry, forgot about the Titan, like the looks, so second ye, there are more brands, but they all focusing on HT, I'm keen on a FS and so far I'e only seen those 2 makes.

 

I fall under the Euro shortly label... 1.68, but am a true blood, boerewors/biltong and vleis Saffer.

 

G

 

 

 

ja, unfortunately someone has to look after the shop hey!

 

There are actually a bit more than 2 bikes on the market and some of the bigger brands are bring out one or two models to test the waters.

 

But the hype is much more European driven, they got left way behind with the 29er explosion and they dont wanna miss out on the "next best thing". Plus their terrain is much better suited for 650b with all their climbs and alps than our 29er cross all over african country.

 

The Europeans are shorties in general and will find the 650b easier to handle than us big, tall and braaivleis eating Saffas on 29ers.

 

Anyhow, as you were.

 

(here are 3 models of 650b's from Titan)

 

[BergForce]

Why would anyone want a smaller wheelsize than 29" on a hardtail, unless you are a midget? But for duallies 650b might be perfect especially for small/medium bikes and trail riding. With a proper 29er wheelset I see no disadvantages.

[Caerus]

650b is the new hot thing according to who?

 

Definitely not according to the South African market, maybe the European market because none of them have 29ers

 

We have sold a total of 0 (zero) 650b bikes or frames and 3 sets of 650b wheelsets to go on 26er bikes.

 

... but we have sold about 6 485 038 - 29ers

You must all be millionaires at CWC by now.

[EZRider]

The greatest disadvantage of my 26er is that it doesn't give me intant bragging rights about being an early adopter.

 

You have bragging rights about adopting the NEXT big thing. You are so far ahead it is scary...

[Sean32]

Give this man a bells !

 

the rider maketh the bike not the otherway round .

 

I will agree 100% to this as well. When the D/S bikes came out everybody ran to buy one thinking they will have the upper hand on the technical stuff.

If you not a technical rider no matter what you put under your butt it will not help.

It’s what you want the end of the day what makes you happy. I for one ride a 26Er Hardtail and yes my next toy will be the 650B. The reason for me is i am a small person . So a 29er doesn’t suite me. I find then to big and hard to turn. I am a technical rider and that’s where i enjoy my time in the saddle. So yes i will lose some of the 26er nimbleness when moving over to the 650b but i will gain a bit on the flat rolling hills. And no i will never sell the 26er because it has its place for me. But then who am i just some chop who enjoys riding his bike with his chains.

.

[Cycle Factory]

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.

 

Summed up well.

 

First thing to remember that all the pro's and con's are relative. ALL of them.

 

26"

Picks up speed and momentum quickest - but looses it quickest as well

More agile - less stable at speed going straight-ish

Can tune chainstay length to pretty much anything thanks to smaller wheel

Years and years and years of R&D and refinement.

Strongest wheelset relative to weight

Can run any amount of travel and still have sorted geo

Smallest contact patch and therefor grip

 

27.5"

Sit in the middle when it comes to acceleration

Can run bigger wheels and still have lots of travel

Although not quite in the middle of the two wheelsizes it does offer a great blend of "best of both worlds" ...but...does that not mean it also does not excel in any one given area?

 

29"

Weakest wheel relative to weight

Most stable at speed thanks in part to longer wheelbase (all things being equal)

Biggest tyre contact patch yields most grip

Least agile and maneuverable

For now 130/140mm travel is where it will run out of development potential

Keeps momentum best, but takes longest to get up to speed

[kingalton]

http://vimeo.com/48287433

 

all about preference chaps - same as bike brands, luckily we have the choice.. how boring it would be if we all rode the same things..??

[Wyatt Earp]

For a best ALL round bike for marathon( 50-70km) , stage race I think 650b will be perfect . I only started riding a few months ago on a 26 " so I dont know the 29ers but reading all the forums it might be the best ALL ROUNDER

 

The forums are what one would call gospel.

So I reckon the wheel debate could be settled for once and all.

Get rid of 26 " and 29 " and just keep 27.5 " as it's the best all rounder, all makes perfect sense now

Edited August 28, 2012 by Dangle

[Kranky]

Anyhow, as you were.

 

(here are 3 models of 650b's from Titan)

 

Got prices for these bikes?

[Smolly]

So what if I run a 650b on the front and a 26 on the back?

Would that balance out the pros and cons?

[walkerr]

Rocky Mountain just launched their 150mm travel 2013 Altitude - it's using the 650B wheel size exclusively. Pinkbike takes a look at it here: http://www.pinkbike....First-Ride.html

 

My question is this: in either this article, or one on VitalMTB about the new Altitude (I can't remember), they mentioned the 650B wheel size as having none of the disadvantages of 29" or 26" wheels.

 

I found this interesting, especially since there is a big push amongst manufacturers towards 650B on some of their bikes (an even bigger push it seems than when 29" launched - back then manufacturers would launch a 29er version of a certain model alongside its 26er counterpart... so far Scott and Rocky Mountain have launched 650B models that are exclusively 650B - no corresponding 26" model)

 

What would you guys say are the disadvantages of either 26" or 29" wheels, for "all-mountain" bikes, that the 650B wheel size addresses?

 

If you are a pro or serious racer, there probably are some significant differences - and which is better will also depend on the terrain of the trail or race you are on.

 

For the rest of us mere mortals - it's not about us, it's about marketing. If I have a fairly new/decent 26er, then someone is going to struggle to sell me a new one. Come out with a spanky new 29er and get some hype going about how much better it is, and I'll be tempted. So now I ended up with both, and the manufacturers are stuck again - how can they sell me another bike. Aha, the 29er is "better" for more most times, but sometimes it feels a bit big and clumsy. Come up with a new 27.5er and get the same hype going that it is going to be the "best of both worlds" to try and make me part with cash again.

 

Call me cynical - but for an average rider, you'd be better spending money and time on more training and riding more. Skills and fitness will be your bigger limiting factor than the spiel of marketing depts about the perfect new bike.

 

 

Of course - I love a shiny new bike as much as the next person, and it's easy to get me tempted. So none of this means you shouldn't go buy that new machine with your SARS refund, and also keep your favourite bike brand in business, which is undoubtedly a good thing. Just recognize that your real reason is about lust for that new piece of bike porn, and you won't get any buyers remorse when you aren't suddenly twice as fast.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Why would anyone want a smaller wheelsize than 29" on a hardtail, unless you are a midget? But for duallies 650b might be perfect especially for small/medium bikes and trail riding. With a proper 29er wheelset I see no disadvantages.

 

Okay, I'll bite...

 

I want a 26er as a hardtail because I use it as my all mountain machine. It has a 150mm fork on the front, and big ass burly tires front and back coupled with wheels that can tale a pounding from my weit and any obstacles that I don't miss. I also use it to practice jumping and so on. I would not do that on a 29er ht. no way in hell. Can you imagine the geo on a 29er hardtail with 150mm up front?

 

Pus, it's more lively on the 6er, i have a better choice of strong wheels and burly forks, and I have far more fun on it than I would on a 29er ht. tried, tested. No likey.

 

Yes, for boring jeeptrack and dirt roadie style riding, I would get a niner ht. but then again, I wouldn't, because I'd rather get a long travel 29er full susser.

 

Your comment is redundant, Berg Bok.

[deviate]

http://genius.scott-sports.com/

 

there is an entire section on the wheel size comparisons from accelaration to momentum.

 

the 650b seems to be better thatn the 29 with trail riding and has better acceleration and casn have up to 200mm travel as apossed to less than 130mm on the 29.

 

"

TRAVEL RANGE

 

There are currently more and longer suspension travel options available for 26" and 27.5" wheels than for 29" wheels. 29ers are still limited to designs that offer less than 130mm of travel in order to keep the cockpit height at the right geometry

 

"

[Kranky]

So what if I run a 650b on the front and a 26 on the back?

Would that balance out the pros and cons?

 

Even better, 26 front and 29 back. Then you have comfort on a cheaper HT frame but still have the sharp turning in front

Edited August 28, 2012 by Goobacks

[Cycle Factory]

From the Scott Blurb:

 

"Larger wheels carry momentum better than smaller wheels. This means you continue to roll through technical sections without being hung up on objects and slowed down."

 

Or as Brian Lopes would say: Learn to bunny hop!

Edited August 28, 2012 by Cycle Factory