Is 26" dead?

[J0KER]

Hi Hubbers

 

I know this topic has probably been discussed a million times over so I apologize in advance if you're irritated by this discussion.

 

Two years ago I stopped Mountain Biking due to numerous reasons and have since started getting back into it. My first bike that I purchased after this 2 year break was a 29" hardtail as it came at a good price and I just wanted something to get fit on before I dive into riding properly. Having ridden at least twenty 26" mtb's prior to my break from cycling it felt alien riding bigger wheels and I really felt uncomfortable with it. Going down some of the trails I rode before I felt less nimble and it felt like I was just rolling over things as apposed to hopping over them or flicking around them. Yuk.

 

Now as I'm looking at getting a new mtb that can do everything well(Singletrack, enduro, etc) I've noticed that 26" parts are alarmingly cheap and unpopular. Now if I remember correctly 2 years ago 29ers were almost solely for lycra laced race snakes but it seems like every golfer-turned-cyclist is now riding on wagon wheels? Did I really miss that much in the last two years that even weekend warriors and trail riders have converted to 29ers or 27.5"?

 

It may sound like I'm bashing the bigger wheels but I'm not, the part that really upsets me is that 26" bikes seem to be very close to extinction and if you want something that is up to standard regarding wheel size, you really need deep pockets which some of us don't have(yet). What does someone like me stand to do?

 

My questions are:

 

a) Am I the only one who feels deeply saddened that the twitchy, responsive, fun filled wheel size is dying? Why

b) Why is no one making new 26" bikes anymore?

c) Are 29" wheels the result of cyclists trying to avoid technical riding?

d) Will 26" bikes completely die out and become obsolete? (Are they already)

 

Rant over and flame suit on

Thank you for reading

[CAAD4]

Yes

[Patchelicious]

A rant like that at 3am?? How's Paolini?

[J0KER]

A rant like that at 3am?? How's Paolini?

I work in a hospital, part time. Night shifts with access to the internet make for a dangerous combo.

[Neill Du Toit]

 

d) Will 26" bikes completely die out and become obsolete? (Are they already)

 

Rant over and flame suit on

Thank you for reading

 

No, they will outlast us typing on this forum. I dont own a 29" or a 27,5" bike. My 26er works just fine and tyres / rims are available. So no problem.

[Skubarra]

 

d) Will 26" bikes completely die out and become obsolete? (Are they already)

 

Rant over and flame suit on

Thank you for reading

 

No, they will outlast us typing on this forum. I dont own a 29" or a 27,5" bike. My 26er works just fine and tyres / rims are available. So no problem.

 

I agree. We still see horse wagons more than a century after motor cars were introduced. Same with 26ers, they will always be around..

[J0KER]

d) Will 26" bikes completely die out and become obsolete? (Are they already)

 

Rant over and flame suit on

Thank you for reading

 

No, they will outlast us typing on this forum. I dont own a 29" or a 27,5" bike. My 26er works just fine and tyres / rims are available. So no problem.

 I must say the fact that the rise of bigger wheels has made 26" parts cheaper meant I could really have top shelf choices in terms of parts and bikes.

 

I'm taking delivery on this bike next week and it didn't even break the bank  Expect some wider riser bars and a shorter stem, as well as flat pedals.

[Eugene]

Expect some wider riser bars and a shorter stem..

All parts designed specifically for 29ers to make them more controllable.

 

Just face it, you are a 29er fan hiding in the closet.

[flymango]

I've been trying to sell my 26er in the classifieds for almost a year. Can't for the life of me understand why it hasn't sold yet. 

[Clinton H]

26 inch bikes are for now kiddies 29ers . Even Game/Makro can't get 26 inch bikes sold anymore .

[Hairy]

joker, you are a doctor. ....do they not teach you whilst studying that doctor's and dentist's only ride 29er, more specifically s-werx 29ers

[Grease_Monkey]

I am not a huge fan of 29ers, personally I love me some 650b/27.5. But with the new modern geometry bike with bigger wheels are as responsive if not more so than 26ers.

 

A while back while I was still on a 26er XC I rode a mate's 29er trail bike and was so pleasently surprised at its responsiveness and handling. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for but it is what convinced me to start shopping around and settling for a Giant Trance 2 27.5. A year later I am on a Spez Stumpy 27.5+ bike.

 

I haven't sold the 26er, but when I do jump on it for a ride it is now the bike that feels alien to me - almost like I am a 7 foot clown on a kiddies bike! That may just be me - but if you find the right 29er or 650b with good geometry you will acclimate very quickly and soon be as confident if not more so with its handling!

 

But to answer the question you oroginally asked - no, 26ers are not dead - you will however struggle more and more as time goes on to find parts (espcially tyres/rims/forks etc etc). And I know many people say it is the engine that matters (ito going fast), but the same engine in a 29er will go faster than said engine in a 26er...

[Mongooser]

Jump bikes are the last of 26ers to be popular,no ones going to not buy it because its 26er

[PrinceVlad]

Now for the question. (sorry for the little hijack)

 

I'm just getting back into biking and looking to buy a bike for a budget of around R5k - R6k.

 

Will a 26er with better components serve me better than one of the entry level 29ers on the market?

[porqui]

No!

 

"Now as I'm looking at getting a new mtb that can do everything well"

 

If you find it please let me know.

 

I will take two.

[Grease_Monkey]

Now for the question. (sorry for the little hijack)

 

I'm just getting back into biking and looking to buy a bike for a budget of around R5k - R6k.

 

Will a 26er with better components serve me better than one of the entry level 29ers on the market?

For that budget you can get a dual sus XT/XTR 26er or a 29er which has shyte components and suspension - probably hardtail. So short answer - Yes! Just make sure the bike has been well looked after (especially suspension).

 

Push your budget to about 10k and you will get a decent spec 29er hardtail.