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Interested to hear from those who've owned both the 2013 26" Five and the 2014 650b model, especially one with Pikes. I know there are other significant differences besides just the wheels - keen to know how the two bikes compare as all-rounders, and that means down super-steep stuff, rocky stuff, doing 30+ milers, tech climbs etc etc. Thinking of going to one bike, so I'm after a true do-it-all. Ta.
I've got a 650b one with pikes and my gf has a 26" with x-fuxion slants on, the 650b feels more capable on the techy stuff and more stable on steep and rocky terrain, the downsides are that the wheelbase makes it slightly less chuckable, wheelies and manuals require a bit more effort, it's also noticably heavier than the 26" wheeled version, in theory the two bikes have fairly similar build kit but mine is a good couple of pounds heavier. Personally I love my five and I would say the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. but if you've got a load of fast mates you need to keep up with on long xc rides, you are going to have to be fitter than them to keep up 🙂
mahowlett - thanks for this - just the sort of info I was after. I've got a 2013 Five at the mo and it's very good indeed, and great fun, but then I have a Patriot as a backup to ride in the Alps etc. Hoping a 650b Five (or possibly an Alpine) might be a good compromise so I can switch to just one bike. Defo sticking with Orange.
It will make the roof of your Audi come alive! You might want to watch that on the motorway...
Don't rule out trying a 5 29 (Alpine 5). I went from a 26" to the 29" and think it's great. Copes easily with everything the old one did but is much faster.
Will - didn't think earlier but do you want to borrow mine to try it?
I've got a 650b one with pikes and my gf has a 26" with x-fuxion slants on, the 650b feels more capable on the techy stuff and more stable on steep and rocky terrain, the downsides are that the wheelbase makes it slightly less chuckable
Are they the same size of frame? I could easily write exactly what you've got there comparing my 17" to my missus' 16" Five
Dave - that would actually be fantastic. Wasn't hinting earlier - swear to god I wasn't! I'll FB you sometime soon to fix it up if you're sure that's ok?
Cheers
And cheers for the other replies. Not ready for a 29er I'm afraid - sure they're great at what they do well, but still prefer a smaller, more chuckable and agile bike for really tight, techy stuff.
It's slicker fitter and quicker than the 26 version, mainly due to geometry. Slacker , lower BB longer front centre.
Mine running 10 speed single drive ring without pedals is 27 .5 lbs Stans tubeless , dropper post carbon bars !
Catvet - sounds good, cheers. It's the revised geometry more than the bigger wheels I'm interested in, plus the Pike compatibility, so this is all promising.
Just let me know when Will
@catvet
Any pics of your 27.5 pounder
Yours is officially 1 pound per inch 😀
legend, mines (the 650b) a small and hers is a medium, so thats probably the reverse of what you meant :), so I would guess that making the frame longer for bigger wheels adds more length than going up a size, catvet it's really 27.5 pounds? damn I'm going to have to work out where all the weight is on mine now, I hope it the 2.4" Hans Dampf tyres cos thats cheap to fix 🙂
Goldigger
Don't have a hosting site, but if you have an email address I can send some!
Spec is Five frame , xt cranks. Hope BB, Burgtec carbon bars , hope brakes 160 rotors , hope stem head set and hubs,
Stans Crests hand built , tubeless nobby on rear damf on front. 10 speed with 32 thick thin cog, khs dropper post , flight saddle. 27.5 lbs plus pedals usually flats, occasionally xt clips.
I can get away with light rims (hand built) as try to not ride into things but hop over then or choose better lines!!
It's a fast bike!!