Does 650b have a future?

[Hairy]

Would be interesting to know what that stat was a year or two ago and then to see if the trail segment has grown.

 

Spoke to a LBS who would traditionally have catered for the XC/XM market have noticed that the same riders who were shaving their legs and fitting the lightest and tightest kit and bikes are now rocking trail bikes and kit...they have seen a shift.

 

I asked if he thinks this is just a "fad" and "following of a trend" with these riders, he noted he thinks it was started like that, but these same riders are enjoying their riding far more, so he thinks it will stay as a way of riding.

 

According to one rep xc tyres outnumber trail by about 4:1 but I guess that is only for their portfolio. Its probably a bigger ratio.
I suspect most light trail 29er are purchased as marathon bikes and therfore fitted with xc tyres

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Would be interesting to know what that stat was a year or two ago and then to see if the trail segment has grown.

 

Spoke to a LBS who would traditionally have catered for the XC/XM market have noticed that the same riders who were shaving their legs and fitting the lightest and tightest kit and bikes are now rocking trail bikes and kit...they have seen a shift.

 

I asked if he thinks this is just a "fad" and "following of a trend" with these riders, he noted he thinks it was started like that, but these same riders are enjoying their riding far more, so he thinks it will stay as a way of riding.

Gee, I wonder why....

[DJR]

Would be interesting to know what that stat was a year or two ago and then to see if the trail segment has grown.

 

Spoke to a LBS who would traditionally have catered for the XC/XM market have noticed that the same riders who were shaving their legs and fitting the lightest and tightest kit and bikes are now rocking trail bikes and kit...they have seen a shift.

 

I asked if he thinks this is just a "fad" and "following of a trend" with these riders, he noted he thinks it was started like that, but these same riders are enjoying their riding far more, so he thinks it will stay as a way of riding.

So, we were well ahead of the curve then?! So much so that I'm thinking of going XC/XM route again......

 

Edit: Just not shaving!

[MrJacques]

Ibis just released their new 120mm travel Ripley, but only in 29er format. It looks really nice, but I'm sure some people would prefer a 650b version as well - this is the range of suspension travel I'd want.

 

There definitely seems to be less choice when it comes to 650b bikes.

[Meezo]

Gee, I wonder why....

Race entry fee increase

[Headshot]

Ibis just released their new 120mm travel Ripley, but only in 29er format. It looks really nice, but I'm sure some people would prefer a 650b version as well - this is the range of suspension travel I'd want.

 

There definitely seems to be less choice when it comes to 650b bikes.

Its been a 29er only for years actually. They still do the HD 4 and HD3 in 27.5 only :-) They have 2 bikes in each wheelsize. 

 

I see Sam Hill is testing 29er wheels. I may have to get one if he does sell out the team.

[DieselnDust]

Would be interesting to know what that stat was a year or two ago and then to see if the trail segment has grown.

 

Spoke to a LBS who would traditionally have catered for the XC/XM market have noticed that the same riders who were shaving their legs and fitting the lightest and tightest kit and bikes are now rocking trail bikes and kit...they have seen a shift.

 

I asked if he thinks this is just a "fad" and "following of a trend" with these riders, he noted he thinks it was started like that, but these same riders are enjoying their riding far more, so he thinks it will stay as a way of riding.

 

 

It really depends which LBS you talk to. Depending on the market they've geared themselves to cater to they will obviously skew perception to their model. It generates sales.

 

However,........Enduro style events are becoming more popular as the Epic style XCS becomes less attainable for more people. They're looking for the next thing.

 

Enduro is less concerned with the weight of the bike therefore the perception of more attainable equipment is appealing. The events have more spirit and look like more fun but not all will be willing to commit to the upskilling required.

 

and then there's the thing about Enduro okes wear cool pants.

 

availability of 29er trail bikes with 120-130mm of travel will make these a starting point for many switching over from XCM stage racing style events. Maybe as they grow in ability and Enduro becomes less and less fringe, the 650b enduro bikes will be more popular. 

 

The way I see it that with the distributors pushing the market toward 29er the more "capable" (I hate that word) 29er bikes is what they will offer. I can see the selling point being "just swap the tyres on Sunday for a pair of <insert Myles recommendation of the week> tyres and go Enduro.

Swap back to the XC stuff for the intervals during the week. or something like that.

 

At that bike show in Constantia earlier in the year I asked a few of the guys exhibiting what they thought. They were saying that the market will decide but currently the better Enduro bikes for our market are 120-140mm 29ers.

Ask the okes racing the Enduro's and they have more mixed opinion with those on 650b swearing that its the way to go for enduro and those on 29ers saying they will catch up.

 

Whatever happens, it's going to be difficult for the industry to maintain all these standards with sales being as slow as they are so everyone is vying to get on the next wave/fad/thing whatever it is.

 

Great thing is XCO will always be XCO

[Hairy]

#JustSaying ... my next bike will most likely be a 29'er trail HT build, or if the stars, planets, lotto ticket and good old hard work pay off .... a 29'er Trail / AM 29er duallie with around the 140mm fork and maybe a little less in the rear kind of bike.

 

#JustCurious