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Yes I know, this must have been asked a thousand times on here. So one more won’t hurt.
I am looking to get a new MTB. I currently ride a 26” HT. My riding is predominantly local trials of Bridleways and some technical stuff, not massive over technical like. Then some stuff in the National Parks of The Dales, Lakes, Peaks. Every now and then a trail centre thrown in with the likes of Dalby & Whinlatter really. I have done the odd MTB marathon and maybe next year would like to do more.
I haven’t kept upto date with MTB for the last 5 years or so, so any advice would be grand. I have a budget of approx £2k, I am 5’9”.
Are 26” dying out for 27.5 – 29er? Do I go full suss?
Thanks
With a few exceptions 26" is dead, buried, and wasn't resurrected during the zombie apocalypse.
29" wheels just work better off road IMO, some people claim they're heavier and harder to turn round corners, I think they feel natural and 26" wheels are hard work over rough stuff and to keep in a straight line. You can argue it both ways. Even DH bikes seem to be going 29" though. 27.5 was a bit like those adjustable travel Whyte 46's from 2004 which helped people get their head around a 6" travel bike that was good for XC, and 27.5+ tyres looked cool.
Other than wheel size, everything is now slacker with shorter stems, including XC/trail bikes.