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I am going to buy a new hardtail as the N+1 it is 5 years since I last rode anything other than a 29er hardtail,at 6"3" I was an early adopter of 29" wheels. Now,the bike is going to be doing big days with the emphasis on distance rather than GNARR:what am I going to like/dislike? Or should I dive in and embrace the fact that 650b "makes the trail come alive beneath your feet?"
Now,the bike is going to be doing big days with the emphasis on distance rather than GNARR
Sounds like a 29er to me then. Maybe full-suss rather than hardtail for comfort, traction etc, but I can't see an obvious advantage to smaller wheels for that sort of riding.
I'm 5'8", have never ridden a 29er that grabbed me and I'm not sure I can tell the difference between my 650b and 26" wheels. Modern long/slack geometry is something I like though and I think is what I like about the 650b bike I have or have ridden. So I think you need to test bikes and ignore the wheel size.
At your size I'd say stay big wheels. Plenty of Hardtails with slacker geometry in 29 that'll also take 650+ if you feel the need. Also slacker short travel fs 29ers are finally with us as well.
I'm 6"2 and only recently went big wheels. Can't see why I'd downsize now. I've only the noticed benefits of big wheels for us taller folk. Can't say I've noticed any downsides to be honest.
Stay 29 and then you'll have wheels and tyres that will easily swap around if needed.
I have a full sus 29er,but since finishing my Munros I want to start pottering about more, e.g. been to Torridon 8/9 times,but never on a bike. I want a hardtail I can bodge luggage on,but then dump it all in a Bothy and go and explore/play for a couple of hours,which is why I was wondering about dipping a toe in the 650b pool.
Opps thought you meant the old 29er was being retired to distance riding and the new was for being rad! Either way stay 29 and just pick geometry to suit what it'll be doing. 🙂
29er with the option of some b+ wheels. Maybe a Solaris or Sherpa for example.
At your height have you thought about something that's 29/29+ compatible? A Surly Krampus or Genesis Longitude(?). Good for long days, spot on for bike-packing, but equally happy on single-track, etc.
Now,the bike is going to be doing big days with the emphasis on distance rather than GNARR
I think I'd find 650b frustrating for this kind of thing, if I were used to 29in.
There's a good point. My latest addition is a 2015 Genesis Longitude for tootling about and possible future excursions. Again I went for this so I've got wheels and tyres that will swap with my Stanton Sherpa.
Annoyingly genesis have made this year's longitude 650+ with an alloy fork so if you see a 2015 as I did, Snap it up.