Currently mtb less and have tried various 29ers and started out on 26ers around 20 years ago. 650b for me is worth a punt. Looking for a hardtail but so far have found the Kona Explosif, Saracen Zen and a couple of Jamis bikes. What else is there off the peg?
Just fit a fat tyre to a 26 and widen your choice.
i'm still yet to see a 650b bike in a shop let alone a selection of them.
The 26in Saracen Zen is a really great bike, but a bit short (so I ride a large rather than my usual medium).
Just making you aware to look closely at the sizing if you do go for it.
I saw one of these in Evans:
[img] 
[/img]
I think it looks fantastic in a retro non hydroformed way 🙂
I thought it was on offer around the £1100 price mark but may have been wrong.
Just fit a fat tyre to a 26 and widen your choice
You can't fit 3.35" tyre in most 26" frames. But you can fit a 2.35" tyre in 650b frames.
I saw the Jamis, it's £1500 down from £1900 odd.
cha****ng - cheers for the heads up on the Zen sizing.
