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Well racing yesterday I'd say 80% of the bikes were 29ers, but that's racing & trying to go as fast as possible rather than playing in the woods, so I guess if going fast is your thing choose a bigger wheel and who doesn't like going fast and scaring themselves?
by that argument, DH racing is 'the fastest', and they are mostly on 26ers...
True, this was XC racing but DH on 26" was last year, let's see what they use for WCs this season
Until some one on here genuinely can't buy a 26" part of the required quality this arguement is pointless.
The bike industry wants your money, just as it always has. They like coming up with new ways to make money. Get over it, just like you did when 20mm then 15mm axels, tapered head tubes, fat tyres that won't fit in old frames, droppers that need to be 30.9mm+ so don't fit your 'standard' 27.2mm became the latest 'must have'. Hell, lets go right back to when 1 1/8th became standard so getting forks for 1" or 1 1/4 became difficult. 650b is no different.
Oh, and if any one finds the box hora was put back in it might be an idea to see if he needs some water. 😆
so don't fit your 'standard' 27.2mm became the latest 'must have'.
Orange owner?
30.9 has been default for ever!
The only standard change that has impacted me is tapered head tubes and it was one of the reasons for a new frame. Every single other thing can be dealt with easily and cheaply.
True, this was XC racing but DH on 26" was last year, let's see what they use for WCs this season
It will be a mix of 26 and 650b with all but the top team riders on 26.
.................................................
^^^ That's all I can be bothered to say on the issue.
Riding my bike is one of the few things that makes me forget all the annoyances in life - I'm not going to let it be sullied by irrelevant shite like this.
So, even if 'the bike industry' did drop one MTB wheel size, which turned out to be a BETA max size (24, 26, 650b or 29er...), there would always be bike companies building niche frames/rims for the masses who have stuck with what they always preferred.
How many "niche builders" are making suspension forks that
A)work
B)you can get spares for after 5 mins
C)don't cost a years salary
?
This will be the limiting factor, it's hard enough to find something decent with a straight steerer now & it's not going to get better
hora - Member
I stopped reading at 'Cannock Chase'
I think everyone knows my thoughts on Cannock.
You could ride 99% of Cannock on a CX bike.
Except you couldn't hack it on your big bouncy Orange, so how will you be faster on a skinny tyred CX bike? Imagine what the pebbles would do to that! You'd die...FACT!
I don't think that bigger wheels make you fatser / better automatically - there's still a lot required from the rider (like the guy who got hung up on a rocky climb on his 29er on Saturday that stopped me in my tracks on my 'dead' bike).
I don't plan to switch any toime soon but I tend to kepe frames for a while.
If people (with some effort) can still source bits for properly retro bikes, I'm sure most people will be able to keep their 26ers going for a while longer. And cheaper too if the tails of cheap forks etc are true.
i felt no pleasure from passing the "26 ain't dead" T shirt wearing rider in a race yesterday on my 29er
So they were riding in a casual cotton t-shirt? Sounds like a fun category rider to me, not some elite racer who cares whether you pass them or not.
Well racing yesterday I'd say 80% of the bikes were 29ers
So, did you feel no pleasure in passing some/lots of the 29ers, who happened to choose to ride with different tyres/forks/whatever than you?
... suspension forks ... This will be the limiting factor, it's hard enough to find something decent with a straight steerer now and it's not going to get better
One thing: the shift to tapered steerers offered little real benefit to 99% of riders, but forced lots of people to upgrade their frames in order to use new forks. A right pain, yes.
A second thing: if you have got a 26 frame that'll take a tapered steerer, you can just whack a 650b fork on it if you can' find a 26 one. You might need to make do with 10mm less travel to keep the height the same, but no big deal really.
So they were riding in a casual cotton t-shirt? Sounds like a fun category rider to me, not some elite racer who cares whether you pass them or not.
Yes we were all in the fun "race" anyone in a "race" who doesn't care if someone passes them shouldn't be in a "race" surely?
So, did you feel no pleasure in passing some/lots of the 29ers, who happened to choose to ride with different tyres/forks/whatever than you?
I felt no pleasure in being over taken & a lot of pain trying to hang onto wheels (some of which may have been 26" but none belonging to slogan T shirt wearers) I'm still rubbish on 29ers!
ok its a light weight hard tail but it just doesn't seem to stop rolling
I have a light XC race bike just like that. It's 26"
Hold on! Me me me! Back when I was fit and fairly fast, I occasionally raced in a t-shirt. Does that prove that 26" is faster or slower?
arnt they meant to be easier and therefore faster??I'm still rubbish on 29ers!
I just sit on the fence and have one wheel of each on my ride to work bike:
[url= https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/12751500204_719b7da472.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/109756768@N03/12751500204/ ]diamondback2[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/109756768@N03/ ]Avon Tyrrell[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/12751191233_1b6b998454.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/109756768@N03/12751191233/ ]diamondback[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/109756768@N03/ ]Avon Tyrrell[/url], on Flickr
asterix - MemberI'm still rubbish on 29ers!
arnt they meant to be easier and therefore faster??
i know, i am THAT rubbish
Back when I was fit and fairly fast, I occasionally raced in a t-shirt. Does that prove that 26" is faster or slower?
Was it a purple tie dye? 😉
Back when I was fit and fairly fast, I occasionally raced in a t-shirt. Does that prove that 26" is faster or slower?
Was it a purple tie dye? 😉
ive got both but non of my "29er" pals can touch me on my 26 when were at trails centers. horses for courses OP. 26 wont be dead until the 26 fairy takes them all to mtb heaven.
and for the niche-mungers now that fat bikes are mainstream there is only one choice
36er? Pah - mainstream and old skool. What you need is one of these 32ers:
[img] 
[/img]
On my way to work this morning, I passed by an '89 Rockhopper chained to a lamppost. Now that Rockhopper was made of steel, was fully rigid, had canti brakes, square taper cranks, a threaded headset and 26" wheels. It's kept going for quarter of a century and from the looks of things will keep going for a long time yet. The owner will still be able to source replacement tyres, headsets, bottom brackets and cables for a long time yet.
Why should I worry myself over whether I'm riding the very latest piece of cutting edge technology? I like riding my bikes, period and that is enough for me.
The owner will still be able to source replacement tyres, ... for a long time yet.
Decent quality ones from his LBS? Good luck with that!
For those who don't understand, this is the issue with the 650b "revolution"
Decent quality ones from his LBS? Good luck with that!
Strange that the Specialized Concept Store at Covent Garden still stocks 26" tyres, then?
If 90% of mountain bikes out there aren't 27.5" then someone is going to manufacture and sell replacement tyres...
Strange that the Specialized Concept Store at Covent Garden still stocks 26" tyres, then?
Yes, incredibly strange when Specialized still have 26" bikes in their range. Are you deliberately missing the "for a long time" bit from what I'm replying to, and the "decent quality" bit from my reply?
For those who don't understand, this is the issue with the 650b "revolution"
^^^^ this.
For the hard of understanding, it's not the introduction of a new wheelsize that's causing the upset, it's the "we're not supporting 26 inch anymore even though it's what you all have and you're happy with and means your whole bike will have to be ditched because you can't get spare wheels or forks for it anymore, even if you don't want to spend cash on a whole new bike, or, in the middle of an economic crisis, don't even have the cash"
The apparent lack of real different in the new wheel size is not why people are upset, it's being forced into buying something they don't want...
Could someone put one of these soon to be obsolete 26rs in the sale section please, preferably a Stanton Slackline or a Cotic Soul. I am more than happy to risk not being able to buy tyres in 5yrs time if they are unwanted and almost being given away.
For the hard of understanding, it's not the introduction of a new wheelsize that's causing the upset, it's the "we're not supporting 26 inch anymore even though it's what you all have and you're happy with and means your whole bike will have to be ditched because you can't get spare wheels or forks for it anymore, even if you don't want to spend cash on a whole new bike, or, in the middle of an economic crisis, don't even have the cash"
Yep, exactly.
Having the option of several different wheel sizes is good, it means another parameter to help create even more variety in terms of what a mountain bike can be, and ride like, and feel like.
If we're going to end up with 3 wheel sizes, and lots of options for riders, then great. It's the feeling that some people are getting that we're heading for one wheel size in future, and that one wheel size isn't either 26 or 29, which together make up what 90% of people ride, but the newest option which ([i]coincidently?[/i]) is only on new bikes.
I for one think this is a fear that's unfounded. You have to expect some brands to push their newest things hard, and for a year or two, most of those new things will be 650b. To a certain extend, I think journalists have also been too excited about a new wheel size coming along, and that's probably to be expected as well.
There will be new 29ers though. And new 26ers. As well as new 650b bikes. And definitely wheels and forks for all three.
Who will lose out? I think, really, only LBS, who can't handle the stock for three options. Bigger internet traders will gain, especially when it comes to forks and wheels... stock is already a big problem for a LBS there... a good range in multiple wheel sizes, and multiple travel options, and new versions being announced almost as soon as the shops get their stock... well, looks impossible to me... more so now 650b is here as well.
For the hard of understanding, it's not the introduction of a new wheelsize that's causing the upset, it's the "we're not supporting 26 inch anymore even though it's what you all have and you're happy with and means your whole bike will have to be ditched because you can't get spare wheels or forks for it anymore, even if you don't want to spend cash on a whole new bike, or, in the middle of an economic crisis, don't even have the cash
I agree that the industry are forcing it down our throats, but remember here that it's market led. If Maxxis et al won't make a 26" tyre anymore then someone else will, because the market - that's you and I - demand it.
For example, Giant have decided that we need a tapered fork between 1.5" and 1.125" that's unique and requires unique stems. My response to that is to not buy a Giant, if enough people don't buy Giants then the standard will be dropped.
We can all vote with our wallets if we choose to.
Yes, incredibly strange when Specialized still have 26" bikes in their range. Are you deliberately missing the "for a long time" bit from what I'm replying to, and the "decent quality" bit from my reply?
No, I think you're over-reacting a tad.
There will be new 29ers though. And new 26ers. As well as new 650b bikes.
If you got a £ for every new 26" bike launched from now on you'd not have enough to buy one 27.5" tyre.
You're losing your touch rocket old son that's a patheticattempt at a troll
Just like the motorbike world, it's the low step 'thru end' of the market that counts and makes money not the superbikes. What have been described here as 'low end' 26 tyres and parts will be around probably for ever. How many 650b bikes have been sold in India? And remember what is low end now was high end just a few years ago
You're losing your touch rocket old son that's a patheticattempt at a trollJust like the motorbike world, it's the low step 'thru end' of the market that counts and makes money not the superbikes. What have been described here as 'low end' 26 tyres and parts will be around probably for ever. How many 650b bikes have been sold in India? And remember what is low end now was high end just a few years ago
And this basically describes the issue. How many 'low end' serious mountain bikers are there? Im sure my mum will be able to buy 26" tyres from Tesco or Aldi for the next few years of course.
It's no good us all slagging off each other. Yes we are all happy with 26" wheels, but this is a market driven change that I don't think we can stop.
Sorry to post this but lets all just watch this video again (you may want to skip the Giant guy)
. What have been described here as 'low end' 26 tyres and parts will be around probably for ever
Tesco & sports direct are rubbing their hands together at the prospect if selling you a 26" bike, probably with the forks fitted the wrong way around
We shouldn't ignore the effect of the internet. Somebody was concerned that you may not be able to get high end 26" rubber at your LBS in a few years. Maybe, but I haven't bought a tyre from my LBS for ages. I'm sure I'll be able to buy good quality 26" tyres online for as long as I need them. Maybe not the same bewildering array of largely similar options. Maybe we'll even reach a consensus on the best 26" tyre, but getting them wont be a problem.
At the end of the day, we are the market. If we keep hold of our 26" bikes then somebody will want to sell us parts for them.
All wheel sizes for mountain bikes have one thing in common, they go round and round and round and never actually get anywhere..............can anyone think of any paralells for this?
can anyone think of any paralells for this?
Merry-go-round.
Given enough clearance, you could in theory fit 650b to a 26er? Should I go get the calipers out?
molgrips - MemberGiven enough clearance, you could in theory fit 650b to a 26er? Should I go get the calipers out?
Overheard in glentress cafe- a chap who was going to fit 650b wheels to his 26 inch bike but with skinny tyres, so he could get quote "the advantages of the bigger wheel without messing up the geometry" Congratulations sir, you just invented the 26 inch wheel, only worse.
@ Northwind - I always enjoy your posts (even the anti Camber ones 😉 ) but that just nearly make me fire my coffee all over the screen!
I thank you.
@Northwind nice one 🙂 I'm going to borrow a set and see how they go in the Blur LT... just in case. You can get a set with proper tyres in the Blur XC frame if you let the back one down to fit it....
If these new hope rims look good I might just order 8 or so. I reckon you can use 650b CSU's if needed so that should see me through until my rubber goes off.
Overheard in glentress cafe- a chap who was going to fit 650b wheels to his 26 inch bike but with skinny tyres, so he could get quote "the advantages of the bigger wheel without messing up the geometry" Congratulations sir, you just invented the 26 inch wheel, only worse.
🙂
I'm not concerned about gaining any advantage, of course, I'm more concerned about being able to find tyres in a few years' time. Hopefully it won't come to it!
The bike manufacturers need to realise it's a COMPONENT SIZE not a BIKE TYPE. All three wheel sizes should stay available a be used throughout the size range of each model.
It just makes sense to put a 26" wheel on an xs or small frame - 27.5" on med and large - 29" on large and XL. Obviously more travel may push wheel size down a bit. Logical!
Giant's approach is stupid - forcing the demise of 26 and 29 is illogical and offensive to their own customers.
Overheard in glentress cafe- a chap who was going to fit 650b wheels to his 26 inch bike but with skinny tyres, so he could get quote "the advantages of the bigger wheel without messing up the geometry" Congratulations sir, you just invented the 26 inch wheel, only worse.
Please tell me you asked the chap to stand if not already, before taking a firm grip on his waistband as you proceeded to pour his coffee into the front of his shorts whilst uttering you sir are a fool.
Then after putting a little more tension on waistband released with a thwack and then proceeded to place empty cup upside down on said gents head.
Please say you did that.
"It just makes sense to put a 26" wheel on an xs or small frame - 27.5" on med and large - 29" on large and XL"
That makes no sense to me at all. Frame size is selected primarily for leg-length and reach. What has wheel size got to do with that?
So how much difference is a 26 and 27.5 bike, say for example the Nukeproof Mega in the two different versions? I have a Mega and a Titus Fireline 29er. Totally different bikes. I can tell the difference, mainly as the Fireline is lighter but it climbs better and does rail around corners. The Mega is of course better in other areas. I like the difference.
The thing is that once you get used to the difference you loose some of the advantages as your body gets lazy and compensates for the better cornering/climbing for example so you end up back to square one.
So how much difference is a 26 and 27.5 bike, say for example the Nukeproof Mega in the two different versions? I have a Mega and a Titus Fireline 29er. Totally different bikes. I can tell the difference, mainly as the Fireline is lighter but it climbs better and does rail around corners. The Mega is of course better in other areas. I like the difference.
Are you going to try a Codeine?