Why are people fighting over wheel size?

[jimmy hardtail]

I have 3 bikes, all 26ers. I am happy with them in every way except the possibility of not being able to get decent spares soon. And to change to 650b means new frames forks etc which I cant afford at all. I would love a new trance x 650b or maybe a sc nomad or bronson even but hells bells the money is crazy.

[Guest dirkieuys]

I have 3 bikes, all 26ers. I am happy with them in every way except the possibility of not being able to get decent spares soon. And to change to 650b means new frames forks etc which I cant afford at all. I would love a new trance x 650b or maybe a sc nomad or bronson even but hells bells the money is crazy.

Totally agree with you. This will ultimately decide if i can keep cycling or not. Its funny to think that the bike i currently own will be worth nothing in a while.

Edited August 17, 2014 by dirkieuys

[2bliss]

Totally agree with you. This will ultimately decide if i can keep cycling or not. Its funny to think that the bike i currently own will be worth nothing in a while.

Another reason to be upset about 26ers disappearing Let's hope manufacturers reconsider. It will only happen through consumer pressure though.

[Guest dirkieuys]

 

Another reason to be upset about 26ers disappearing Let's hope manufacturers reconsider. It will only happen through consumer pressure though.

I really hope they do reconsider. I currenty ride a 26er santa cruz nomad and I will most definately not be able to upgrade to a 650b version. Allthough the bike is amazing, i just cant justify paying that much for a bike, not that i even could if i wanted to. It will really be a sad day if i cant find replacement parts for my bike.

[Rocket-Boy]

My biggest concern with 26" is if there will be tyres available for them soon.

Already it seems like its getting harder to get your favourites in 26"

[TheKaiser]

 

 

You forgot cellphones! haha!

 

How could I forget cellphones!?!

[BSG]

I heard someone, in the week, quoting a bike shop owner in the garden route, "because of 27.5 (650b) bikes, the 29er WILL DEFINATELY be discontinued very soon".

My 2c regarding this continues fight, all I've got to say is, I did own a fs 26er which was very nice and on yesterday's mall 2 mast I missed the rear shock through the woods. The past 2 years I own a 29er ht and I like the speed on the open roads, enjoy the climbing abilities and I enjoy the bike.

But I think the best advise is to, quote " ride whatever you have like it is stolen, enjoy every moment in nature and count your blessings for what you have" unquote.

 

 

 

[blondeonabike]

Bikes are like everything else, computers,cellphones..... there is always that new thing round the corner, unless you have lots of money to play the keep-up-with-the-Jones's game, find what you like and just enjoy. Years ago everyone rode a 26 and were blissfully ignorant. What I ride now is a machine compared to my bike when I was a kid with permatubes in the tyres, miserable brakes and a steel frame that weighed a ton, but at the time I thought that bike was amazing. So if its got two wheels, and it keeps you fit, just enjoy

[2bliss]

What I ride now is a machine compared to my bike when I was a kid with permatubes in the tyres, miserable brakes and a steel frame that weighed a ton, but at the time I thought that bike was amazing. So if its got two wheels, and it keeps you fit, just enjoy

Good point.

 

You got me thinking. Many people ride for fitness and some ride to race. Shouldn't we then be on heavy-as-hell steel bikes with steel rims and permatubes? It would definitely do wonders for fitness and the snakes will be so much faster on race day when they switch to the carbon race-day bike!

 

EDIT: Those who ride for fun/enjoyment should probably not adopt this strategy...

Edited August 17, 2014 by 2bliss

[Rocket-Boy]

Bikes are like everything else, computers,cellphones..... there is always that new thing round the corner, unless you have lots of money to play the keep-up-with-the-Jones's game, find what you like and just enjoy. Years ago everyone rode a 26 and were blissfully ignorant. What I ride now is a machine compared to my bike when I was a kid with permatubes in the tyres, miserable brakes and a steel frame that weighed a ton, but at the time I thought that bike was amazing. So if its got two wheels, and it keeps you fit, just enjoy

It would be great if everyone was still riding a 26" and it was the only thing available.

I just wonder if you can be as competitive in a stage race on a 26" as a guy on a 29"

I wouldnt be great if you had the same fitness and abilities but lost because of wheel size!!

[blondeonabike]

It would be great if everyone was still riding a 26" and it was the only thing available.

I just wonder if you can be as competitive in a stage race on a 26" as a guy on a 29"

I wouldnt be great if you had the same fitness and abilities but lost because of wheel size!!

True, but generally speaking, most people that can afford to race stage races could probably afford the ride the wheel size of their choice. Bikes are like spouses, choose what you like and what you can afford, and don't judge or be jealous of what your mate has got.

[nolipoli]

...Blah Blah Blah...

 

...blah, blah... However 29" wheels are only suitable for hardtails and short travel duallies, i.e. XC and light trail duty. Ever Ridden a Niner WFO 9, or a Spesh Enduro 29? 160mm of travel on a 29er feels pretty damn good to me. Only ride a 9er if you are tall enough. Yes, some really short people ride them (and claim to enjoy it), but come on be realistic! (Are you kidding???)...blah, blah...

 

...blah, blah, blah...

 

So, why are fighting amongst ourselves? Because people make uninformed, inflammatory statements based on some garbage that they heard on SuperCycling, or worse, some note they read at CycleLab, rather than just accepting peoples right to choose whatever bike they want to ride, whether it is a 22Kg baseline 29er, or if they happen to be a 5 foot little person that happens to like big wheels.

[Flowta]

My biggest concern with 26" is if there will be tyres available for them soon.

Already it seems like its getting harder to get your favourites in 26"

 

All the big manufacturers are still making 26" tyres, just the SA importers have got their heads up their asses about bringing them in. because they're so into 29ers

[scotty]

Shopping round for a 26" air front suspension fork for a friend, sadly realize that getting a half decent one is difficult. Plenty of 27.5 and 29 though.

[Flowta]

Shopping round for a 26" air front suspension fork for a friend, sadly realize that getting a half decent one is difficult. Plenty of 27.5 and 29 though.

 

I would just get a 27.5 one provided the price is right.

[Guest dirkieuys]

I would just get a 27.5 one provided the price is right.

I think that is the problem though. As consumers we are not given the choice. We are "forced" into buying a product.