29 to 27.5 is it a mistake for me?

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This topic has 12 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 4 years ago by vondally.

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29 to 27.5 is it a mistake for me?
vondally
Free Member

So spent most of last year off the bike due to injuries, so been allowed to ride but ideally a full suspension will assist me maintaining a injury free riding year. I was an early adopter of 29ers but 27.5 long travel bike has caught my eye.

Will I regret the 27.5 wheel size coming off 29ers and fat bikes?

Posted 4 years ago

transporter13
Free Member

Funny you should say that as I have a 140mm 29er that I’ve not long started experimenting with 170 27.5 forks and wheels

Now after a few rides I can say that even though I prefer mine setup as 27.5, there’s no getting away from the fact that 29er is much better for general xc stuff. With the 170 forks on but downsizing the wheels the front end is about 20mm lower than it was and the rear about 15mm lower.. The bb is about 17mm lower which makes it more fun in the tight and rough stuff

Posted 4 years ago

johnw1984
Free Member

Suppose it depends on the bike more than the wheel size (what you are coming from and what you are going to). To be honest, I do prefer 29ers. I’ve just listed my Intense Spider for sale after buying a Trek Slash 8.

I had 29ers previous to the 27.5 (and smaller wheels before it), but I don’t think I regretted it.

Posted 4 years ago

FGF 701 The Hydrate Or Die Edition

vondally
Free Member

Good points coming from stooge full rigid but has yeti 29/ Rocky/ turner 29 to a 170 front and 155 rear with a 66.5 headangle.

Posted 4 years ago

titusrider
Free Member

I’m on 27.5, 29 is faster pretty much everywhere. But I just enjoy the chuckability, cornering on 27.5. I’m on the latest Trek remedy and very very happy

Posted 4 years ago

chakaping
Free Member

I swapped my 29er for a friend’s 650b on a descent the other weekend, so she could try my bike.

Very nice bike, posher than mine, but it just felt weird going back to the smaller wheels and less BB drop. I do still have a soft spot for mucking about on B-plus, but couldn’t go back for normal riding.

Some amazing long-travel 29ers out there now, you know.

Posted 4 years ago

plus-one
Full Member

27.5 makes trails come alive !!

Posted 4 years ago

vondally
Free Member

I know including Orange stage but just have a few parts from daughter that are 27.5 add a frame and I have a relatively inexpensive 27.5 with 170/155 coil travel.

Really want something that handles like my stooge

Posted 4 years ago

kimbers
Full Member

There can be such huge variations between bikes that figuring out how wheel size factors in is hard

That said I do sometimes feel like I’m cheating on my process 153 29, it’s a massive skill compensator, while my old 650b process was just chuckable fun, even if it might have left me on my arse where my new bike let’s me get away with mistakes.

But, I have a 29er xc hardtail that is as ‘chuckable’ as my 26er dh hardtail, – it’s lighter and carries momentum better on big bermy stuff and the right jumps

To sum up my gibberish, try the 650 it could be amazeballs

Posted 4 years ago

sprocker
Free Member

I have gone from long travel 29 back to 27.5 and prefer it 90% of the time. Find it much easier on tight technical stuff and generally easier to get in with. Few of my group have gone back as well.

Posted 4 years ago

sheck
Full Member

My bike takes both 29 and 27+ wheels. I have a nice set of wheels for both sizes. With big, grippy 29er tyres 2.5 DHRs, I find the 29 too much like hard work. With similarly grippy 27+ tyres (2.8” Magic Marys) the bike is much easier to ride. I think some of it is down the the quicker acceleration of the smaller wheel, and I am definitely considering going back to 27.5 for my next FS bike

Posted 4 years ago

howsyourdad1
Free Member

trail bike? i’d never go back to 27.5

DH/ park shred sled? 27.5 bro!

Posted 4 years ago

vondally
Free Member

Sorry not trail bike it is a downcountry or all terrain bike or a ride across the Moors and slither down the side.

I have thought on and I ride in the main the same trails did 25 years ago and the crushing effect of 29er steamroller everything into oblivion is good on one for my aged body but I did move to rigid fat bike and a 98mm full sus bike to keep some of the challenge/enjoyment.

27.5 maybe amazeballs…or it might not

Posted 4 years ago