[Closed] is a 26 2.5 ish tyre set up the same as a 650 wheel size....

when you say he wants a 650, do you mean a new bike or just new wheels on this bike ?

what tyres would he run on the 650 ?

no thinking of a new bike, probably 2.3 in 650,

I bet the outer diameters would be pretty close, esp to the 2.7, and I also bet that the bigger tyres would grip better (heavier overall mind, I guess)

Sounds like he wants the 650 for different riding ? If not, honestly, I'd go to a shop, check if a 650 wheel with a 2.3 is similar diameter and then just buy the wheels - or else sack it off, keep the 26 and stick it to the man, maaan

Measured my 2.5 Minions recently.

[img] [/img]

so no real difference in ride then????

I, as a 29er convert, am saying I see no point in 650, no real difference worth the outlay

Other things have also changed - suspension, geometry etc.

It's all about the new frames designs and geometry. Longer, slacker, etc.

really

68 ish head angle may be slacker
160 fork
160 coil rear travel
single pivot design

weight wise 34 lbs ...only downside I can see

Tyre width is (almost) meaningless with regard to outer diameter.
You could have a wide 2.8 tyre but with low sidewall height giving you no more diameter than whatever was on before...think about performance cars with their low profile tyres, wide but not very tall.

What your mate needs is a large volume tyre like a 2.4 Ardent or 2.4 TrailKing if he wants a larger rolling diameter, these are known for having tall sidewalls and coming up large.

Some wise guy always says: what's the point of 650b, if I put big tyres on my 26 I get there or thereabouts....while completely missing the point that the person with 650b wheels could then put a large volume tyre on and go bigger still, the gap between 26 and 650b persists if both riders use the same tyres!

I briefly had a 456-evo (26) and a 45650b (650b) at the same time, the difference in wheel size was immediately noticeable when I put the two together, you couldn't ask for two more similar bikes otherwise and both had the same tyres on....made me chuckle when I thought of people protesting that there wasn't a difference or that the difference was too small to see.

I like riding 26inch wheels and 29inch wheels. I expect I would like 27.5 wheels as well. Biggest difference on both bikes has been putting some wide bars and a short stem on both. Big fat tyres are also fun for the type of riding I do.

68 is steep compared to the current crop of 65 degree head angled bikes.

It probably has a BB closer to 14 inches than 13 inches.

Newer bikes are probably longer in the top tube and wheel base.

They're a different breed really, the Giant Reign I have coming even apes my old Nukeproof Mega from a few years back and that had about as progressive geometry as one can find on a 26 inch bike. It's about two inches longer in the TT, slacker, lower and stiffer.

The difference between the radius of a 26 rim and a 27.5 rim is a whopping 1cm. Investing in the good tyres for the type of riding you do is a good call.

Errrr....it's 1.90cm....only 90 percent out there. 😛

I notice a difference with 27.5 but I actually prefer lighter 26 inch wheels. I just have to put up with the bloody things to get these nice new frames.

I notice a difference with 27.5 but I actually prefer lighter 26 inch wheels. I just have to put up with the bloody things to get these nice new frames.

Ditto.
I use my 26 inch HT far more than my 27.5 FS, the smaller wheels just ride better!....and by better I mean the bike feels less ponderous, handles better etc etc....if I want to steamroller through stuff then bigger wheels every time but where's the fun in that!...I'd just buy a Spesh Enduro-29 if that was what I wanted, I'd probably fall asleep riding too.

To be fair, talking about steam rollering I think the 27.5 wheels strike a good balance between 26 and 29 for flat out rocky downhill tracks. They are great for pointing and shooting. 29ers don't have enough travel on the whole, the Spesh Enduro might be an exception to that - but the front end is incredibly tall for the amount of squish it has. No wheel size makes up for a lack of squish.

Anyway pointing and shooting is exactly what the Reign is for, it's just that I feel that I'd prefer lighter poppier wheels to the bit of extra roll over.

If I ever move to a Fox 36 I might try the fork at 170mm instead of 160 to gain some ground clearance and swap over to 26 inch wheels - just to try.

intresting on 29er front personally having gone from 7 inch 26 through to 98mm 29er via a host of 29er 125 and 26 150/140, quite happy on the travel as it a balance ebetween steamroller and enjoyability

anyways is it the case of rotational weight that is the feel difference twixt 26 and 27,5

2.35 27.5 Magic Mary measure about 28.5". 2.2 Trail King or 2.3 Minion 27.5 measure about 28".

Sorry my radius was 2.5mm out according to google.

Diameter of 27.5 is 584
Diameter of 26 is 559

So 584-559=25mm diameter difference, 12.5mm radius difference.

So 584-559=25mm diameter difference, 12.5mm radius difference.

So by your impeccable logic, you wouldn't notice 60mm change in wheelbase or 20mm change in chainstay length or 2.5 deg change in head angle?

I feel I said this to you about a year ago and you didn't get it then so I guess you won't now - but hopefully some reading this will...

No there's definately a difference that I can feel with 27.5, the most controlled condition I could find was hitting a curb at speed, the back hangs up less on kerbs.